One of the oldest and most picturesque villages in Crete.
The largest village in Crete is about 10 kms from the seaside resort of Aghios Nikolaos, Kritsa nestles in the foothills of the Dikti Mountains with wonderful views over the Kritsa valley, down to the Bay of Mirabello and the mountains beyond.
During the day, the ladies of the village sit outside their shops and ply their wares, but by late afternoon the tourist have departed and the village comes into its own. People sit chatting outside their houses or at various meeting points such as the many fresh water fountains around the village. Donkeys and goats are led home. As night falls, the sounds of conversation and laughter fill the air. Small children play freely in the streets, farmers’ trucks pass by selling whatever is in season and the sweet smell of herbs, jasmine, honeysuckle and other summer plants and herbs give up their heady perfumes.
There are two bakeries, a butcher, several mini markets and a supermarket, a chemist, a doctor, pre-schools and schools. The cafeneions are full of backgammon players or those just passing time. Some of the cafeneions offer good simple fare and the tavernas supply a wide range of food from home made pizzas, meat cooked on the bbq to a huge choice of “mezedes” Additionally there are cafes/bars with pool, video games and wide screen TV’s broadcasting live sport. During the summer the two squares are a haven for those seeking shade and a cool drink and very popular in the evenings when one can sit at a taverna or bar and watch the world go by.
There are plenty of walks in the area through the olive groves and the archaeological site of Lato and the famous church of Panageia Kera with its Byzantine frescoes are close. The little winding streets of the village, the population and the views are also very attractive to artists.
As well as the regular bus service (buses take about 15 minutes into Aghios Nikolaos) there is a taxi rank.
Kritsa is a popular village for those wanting a holiday home in a traditional village with plenty of life and atmosphere and also not too far from the sea.
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