Sissi Resort

The Sissi resort is unique in several aspects - although it is located only a few kilometres from the busiest tourist region on Crete, the area of Hersonissos - Stalida - Malia, offering top background for all kinds of social entertainment and sports activities, it has managed to preserve some peace and the genuine atmosphere of a small Cretan town. The accommodation facilities in Sissi include small family pensions but also large hotel complexes; yet thanks to the thoughtful approach to housing development and enough green vegetation, Siisi looks nice and calm.

What to do in Sissi

Which is true both about the resort itself but also its surroundings and the nearby beaches. Those who enjoy social life can choose from many beach bars, water sports, tavernas and possibilities to sit down on the sea coast, while those who prefer peace and privacy will find their piece of land in some of the many bays surrounding the resort.

Regardless of the kind of holiday you prefer, in Sissi you will certainly find what you like: 

• the resorts has a very rich social life both during the day and night. An endless number of tavernas, bars, discos, karaoke bars...
• if you like sports and active movement on the beach, you will be certainly delighted by the wide offer of beach attractions and routes both for hiking and cycling
• the beaches in Sissi offer both full comfort and enough peace and privacy 
• about 3 km west of Sissi, you will find the tourist resort of Malia - one of the largest and busiest tourist resorts on Crete
• In Hersonissos, located about 8 km west of Sissis, the largest water park, StarBeach WaterPark, is located
• In Sissi there are all kinds of services and goods available. There is an endless number of small shops and markets offering grceries but also luxury products.

Sissi surroundings

Those who like natural sceneries (besides the beautiful sea and long sandy beaches) will certainly appreciate Sissi surroundings. In the south-east of the town, you will find the Selana Oros mountain range which is the northern promontory of the highest mountains in the area - the Dikti mountains which is more than 2 000 high (the highest peak, Mount Dikti, has 2 148 m)

As the crow flies, the Selena mountains can be found about 5 km far from the town, while the Dikti mountains with the Lasithi Plateau is located about 10 km far away,

Who is Sissi suitable for

The Sissi resort is not suitable for those looking for a calm holiday in a peaceful environment, complete privacy and a few people. Yet all the others will certainly enjoy their stay in the resort.

History of Sissi 

The whole tourist area of Sissi has emerged out of small fishing villages. Besides that, the area around Sissi also used to be sought after by the inhabitants of Heraklion who spent there their free time.

The area of the Malia bay is considered to be the first inhabited area on Crete. Based on the findings of ceramics and pottery fragments, the first settlments date back to between 6 000 and 3 000 BC. From 3 000 BC, the signs of settlement are much more eivdent - there are remains of settlements but also tombs and other signs of permanent settlements that were discovered. In 2 000 BC, the first Minoan palace of the area was built in Knossos. In 1 700 BC, it was destroyed, yet in 1650 BC the edifice was restored. In 1450 BC the palace was pulled down like all the other Minoan palaces. During the 14th and 13th century BC, a Romanesque settlement was built in the place, with a Romanesque chapel dated back to the 6th century BC.

Yet the historical research and archaeological works of Sissi area are still continuing. 

Sissi location

The tourist resort of Sissi is the easternmost point of the area of Hersonissos - Stalida - Stalis - Malia. Sissi is located on the north coast about 40 km from Heraklion. Agios Nikolaos can be found a little less than 30 km far away. For more distances, see the link. Sissi is located approximately in the middle of the route Heraklion - Agios Nikolaos; you can´t really overlook the exits from the main road. Local buses go to Sissi both from Heraklion and Agios Nikolaos.

Where else to go on Crete?

Some of the most visited resorts on Crete are: Adelianos Kampos, Agia Fotia, Agia Galini, Agia Marina, Agia Pelagia, Agios Nikolaos, Achlia, Amoudara (West of Heraklion), Analipsi, Anissaras, Bali, Damnoni, Erimoupoli, Ferma, Fodele, Galini, Georgioupolis, Gouves (Kato Gouves), Heraklion, Hersonissos, Chania, Ierapetra, Kavros, Elounda, Kalamaki, Kissamos, Kokkini Hani, Kolymbari, Lygaria, Makrigialos, Maleme, Malia, Matala, Mirtos, Missiria, Paleochora, Panormos, Perivolia, Pigianos Kambos, Plakias, Platanias (Chania), Rapaniana, Rethymno, Sissi, Skaleta, Stalida - Stalis, Stalos, Stavromenos and Stavros,