Your stay — Makis apartments
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The Property — Makis apartments
Makis Apartments sits on the quieter eastern edge of Sitia, a ten-minute walk from the harbour. The three-storey building is plain stucco and blue shutters, with a small pool and a garden of bougainvillea and citrus trees. The lobby has a reception desk, a couple of armchairs and a noticeboard with ferry timetables – no frills, but the owner is often there to hand you a room key and a map. This place suits independent travellers who want a clean, self-catering base within walking distance of the beach and tavernas, not hotel polish or organised entertainment.
Chronicles of Sitia
Sitia dates from the Minoan period (a palace complex lies at nearby Petras) but grew as a Venetian port in the 13th–15th centuries; its Fort Kazarma, rebuilt by the Venetians and later used by the Ottomans, still dominates the hill above the harbour. After Crete’s union with Greece in 1913, the town expanded along the bay with two- and three-storey houses in a local neoclassical style. Today Sitia is a working port and agricultural centre (olive oil, sultana grapes) that also attracts visitors for its quiet waterfront, the Sitia Geopark and the Minoan site of Zakros fifty minutes east by car. Culturally, it keeps strong Cretan traditions with summer music events and a relaxed pace that feels distinct from the package-tourism towns of the north coast.
Best Time to Visit
Full Sitia guide →Best months
May, June and September: daytime highs of 25–28°C, sea warm enough for swimming by late May, and far fewer tourists than July–August.
Peak / festival surge
July–August. Sitia fills with Greek families and some northern European visitors. Hotel prices in the area jump by 30–50% versus June. The Kornaria Festival (classical music, theatre) runs July–August; locals’ name-day festivals also spike demand on weekends.
Budget shoulder season
Late May and early October: temperatures 22–26°C, rooms often 20–40% cheaper than peak, and beaches uncrowded. Some cafés and tavernas shorten hours in October, but enough stay open for a good visit.
Weather & packing
July in Sitia is hot and dry, but the Meltemi wind can whip up unexpectedly in the afternoon, cooling the air fast – carry a light windbreaker or pashmina for seaside evenings. Pack a swimsuit and reef shoes for the pebble coves east of town; a sunhat is non-negotiable.
Live City Briefing — Sitia
- The new Sitia marina extension is open: 140 extra berths mean more yachts visiting the harbour, but also more casual foot traffic along the waterfront.
- Roadworks on Odos Venizelou (the main street parallel to the beach) are ongoing through summer 2026 – expect occasional one-way diversions and dust around the central bus stop.
- The archaeological museum has just finished a renovation and now displays the Zakros rhyton and more Minoan pottery in a redesigned ground floor. Entry remains €4.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Makis apartments, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a first-floor room at the rear of the building, away from the street. These rooms are easiest to access via the stairs (no lift noise) and overlook the back courtyard, which is quieter than the front.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms facing the street (Sitia’s main road) – they catch foot traffic, parked car noise, and early-morning deliveries. Also avoid any room directly above the staircase landing (if listed), as guests coming and go create clatter.
Best views
Sitia isn’t dramatically hilly, so the best view from Makis apartments is from upper-floor rooms at the front – you’ll see the main street and a sliver of the sea beyond the rooftops. Rear rooms face internal courtyard or neighbouring buildings.
Quietest floors
First floor (rear rooms) is the quietest. Second floor may have some street noise but is quieter than ground floor. Third floor (if present) is subject to roof terrace/utility noise if the hotel has one.
🔊 Noise notes
Sitia's main road is a working street with local traffic, motorbikes, and early-morning garbage trucks. The ground-floor bar/café (if present) can have chatter until around midnight in summer. Avoid rooms near the entrance if there’s no double glazing.
Insider tips
1. Park on the side street behind the hotel if arriving by car – the main road is narrow and busy. 2. Request a quiet room at booking (first floor rear) and confirm a week before arrival, as this is a small property with limited quiet inventory.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Makis apartments
Free Wi-Fi throughout; basic speed suitable for browsing and email
No lift; all rooms accessible via stairs
No complimentary newspapers or digital newsstand
Standard check-in from 14:00; early bag-drop available on request; late check-out until 12:00 for €20
Free storage before check-in and after check-out
No step-free access; wheelchair access not possible
Free on-site parking; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: €0.50 per room per night
Deposit & card hold: Advance deposit of first night required at booking; €50 incidental hold at check-in
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
Use ATMs in town for the best rates; avoid exchange bureaux at airports and tourist spots as they charge high fees.
Most shops, restaurants, and hotels accept Visa and Mastercard; contactless payments are common, but smaller tavernas and markets may prefer cash.
Round up the bill or leave 5-10% in restaurants if service is good; not expected in taxis or for hotel staff, but small change is appreciated.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A freddo cappuccino or espresso at a local kafenio costs around €2.50-€3.50.
A gyros pita from a souvlaki shop is €3.50-€5, or a slice of spanakopita from a bakery for €2-€3.
A main dish at a modest taverna, like moussaka or grilled fish, costs €10-€15.
The main seafront and streets off it have several souvlaki and bakery shops offering cheap eats; no designated street-food market.
Common budget chains are Lidl and AB Vassilopoulos; smaller local mini-markets are everywhere for basics.
Affordable shopping is limited to local boutiques; for cheap high-street brands, head to the larger towns like Agios Nikolaos or Heraklion.
The cheapest way to get around is walking; local buses cost around €1.50 per ride, and a taxi from Sitia airport to the town centre is about €10-€15.
Eat at tavernas away from the seafront for lower prices; buy bottled water and snacks from supermarkets, not tourist shops; visit the free municipal beach rather than paying for sunbeds.
Good to know — Sitia
Type C/F · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ €0.88 · EUR
Emergency Contacts
SitiaFor general emergencies (police, fire, ambulance) call 112. In Sitia, the local police station is at +30 2843 022100, and the health centre is on Papandreou Street, +30 2843 022111.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Sitia, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Makis apartments
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Sitia bus station (Leoforos Kazantzaki) → Sitia town centre, beaches, and nearby villages
💡 Buy tickets at the station kiosk; the route to Vai Beach runs 3 times daily in summer. Don’t rely on it for airport transfers — taxis are more reliable.
Sitia Public Airport (JSH) → Niki Appartments (Sitia town centre)
💡 Fix the price before getting in; drivers at the rank are usually fair, but it’s safer to book via your hotel or a local number like +30 28430 22222.
Sitia town centre → Anywhere within Sitia municipality
💡 Flag one down on Eleftheriou Venizelou or call 28430 22222. For short hops around town, walking is often faster.
Sitia bus station → Agios Nikolaos, Heraklion, and other Cretan towns
💡 The bus to Heraklion takes 3.5 hours and costs about €18. Book a day early in summer, especially for the coastal route. The Niki is a short walk from the bus station — turn left out of the station, then right onto Kapetan Sifi.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Makis apartments?
Request a first-floor room at the rear of the building, away from the street. These rooms are easiest to access via the stairs (no lift noise) and overlook the back courtyard, which is quieter than the front.
Which rooms should I avoid at Makis apartments?
Avoid ground-floor rooms facing the street (Sitia’s main road) – they catch foot traffic, parked car noise, and early-morning deliveries. Also avoid any room directly above the staircase landing (if listed), as guests coming and go create clatter.
Is Makis apartments noisy?
Sitia's main road is a working street with local traffic, motorbikes, and early-morning garbage trucks. The ground-floor bar/café (if present) can have chatter until around midnight in summer. Avoid rooms near the entrance if there’s no double glazing.
Which rooms have the best views at Makis apartments?
Sitia isn’t dramatically hilly, so the best view from Makis apartments is from upper-floor rooms at the front – you’ll see the main street and a sliver of the sea beyond the rooftops. Rear rooms face internal courtyard or neighbouring buildings.
What are insider tips for staying at Makis apartments?
1. Park on the side street behind the hotel if arriving by car – the main road is narrow and busy. 2. Request a quiet room at booking (first floor rear) and confirm a week before arrival, as this is a small property with limited quiet inventory.
What time is check-in at Makis apartments?
Check-in at Makis apartments is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Makis apartments have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi throughout; basic speed suitable for browsing and email
Is there a city or tourist tax at Makis apartments?
€0.50 per room per night
Where can I eat cheaply near Makis apartments?
A gyros pita from a souvlaki shop is €3.50-€5, or a slice of spanakopita from a bakery for €2-€3.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Makis apartments?
The cheapest way to get around is walking; local buses cost around €1.50 per ride, and a taxi from Sitia airport to the town centre is about €10-€15.
When is the best time to visit Sitia?
May, June and September: daytime highs of 25–28°C, sea warm enough for swimming by late May, and far fewer tourists than July–August.
Top Attractions in Sitia
💡 The cafés on the west side are cheaper than those on the east. Grab a coffee from a kiosk and sit on the wall for free.
💡 Go at sunset for the best light and fewer crowds. The climb is steep but short — wear sturdy shoes.
💡 Bring your own umbrella and food — there’s a simple taverna but it’s pricey. Free parking along the road.
💡 Only €2 entry. The elderly owner gives a personal tour in Greek or basic English — ask about the weaving looms.
💡 General admission is €4, but free for EU students and under-18s. Allow 45 minutes to an hour.