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Things to do and places to see in the Kritsa area

Mention the word 'village' and most people will think that the local sites of interest and things to do may be somewhat restricted; in Kritsa however this is far from the truth. It may not be a big metropolis like Athens or Heraklion, it does not have the facilities and coastal location that nearby Agios Nikolaos has to offer but Kritsa has charm by the bucketload and is a great place to use as a base for exploring eastern Crete.

Explore the streets, shops and tavernas of the village : In the main Kritsa is a maze of narrow alleyways, donkey steps, confusing paths and small dwellings and whilst this might sound slightly frustrating when trying to find anywhere or get one's bearings, it all adds to the attraction of the village. From the proliferous linen goods on sale in the centre, hanging from numerous walls, through the other interesting shops to pleasant and relaxing kafenion and tavernas, Kritsa is a delight to stroll around. Turn a corner and you may be presented with an old and picturesque village house, a swathe of floral colour or another choice between two seemingly indistinguishable paths. It is very easy to stroll aimlessly and enjoy the quiet allure of the village.

Lato : The ancient site of Lato sits on the saddle between two hilltops and was a fortified Dorian city, primarily active in the 400-200 BC period, although use of the site dates back further. Many of the remains are still sufficiently substantial to give the visitor an impression of the scale and facilities that the city had to offer. The agora (market), civic buildings, temples, business and residential buildings are all easy to identify at the site. A hidden gem, Lato may not be as old as the Minoan cities including Knossos but it does not have the crowds that the more popular sites attract; the visitor is able to soak up the atmosphere and explore the site at leisure. Lato is definitely a 'must see' site of interest for any visitor to the area.

Panagia Kera : Parts of the church of Panagia Kera date back around 700 years and the interior is richly decorated with Byzantine period art and frescoes depicting biblical scenes including the Last Supper, Annunciation and the Garden of Eden. The church sits hidden away, just off the road coming up from Agios Nikolaos and close to the village of Kritsa. The three aisles of the church are each dedicated to individual saints; the North ( to Agios / Saint Antonius) and South (to Agia / Saint Anne) were added to the sides of the original building, the aisle of which is dedicated to the virgin Mary.

Local walks : Kritsa sits up in the hills and is an ideal location for some spring or autumn hillwalking. Kritsa Gorge is a popular walk with visitors and residents alike. Please remember to wear suitable clothing and carry proper equipment when out walking and don't forget to tell someone where you are going and what time you anticipate returning.

Nearby villages : Mardati is a small hamlet that sits on the road up to Kritsa. It is mainly a collection of residential and non-tourism related commercial buildings but is always worth stopping off to enjoy a coffee or cold drink in the kafenio. The village of Kroustas lies beyond and above Kritsa and the road up to it offers some great views over Kritsa. There is a rough road leading from Kroustas right down to the south coast of the island near Ierapetra.

Agios Nikolaos and the coast : If you want to splash in the sea then you will naturally have to leave Kritsa and head to the coast. This should present no troubles; a regular bus service connects the village to the centre of Ag Nik and the town's beaches and watersports. Agios also has plenty of interesting sights, shops, offices, bars and tavernas for the visitor to enjoy and it regularly welcomes cruise ships carrying thousands of passengers. All together this gives the place a cosmopolitan and vibrant large town feel.

Further afield : If you've got the time to see a bit more of Crete then the south coast town of Ierapetra, the Katharo and Lassithi plateaus, Heraklion and the Minoan palace of Knossos are all worth exploring, to name just a few of the natural and historic wonders that Crete has to offer.

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