Your stay — Ville du Soleil
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The Property — Ville du Soleil
Ville du Soleil is a dependable three-star right on Sitia’s seafront. The lobby is cool tiled, with a small reception desk and a stack of leaflets for the nearby palm beach and Samaria Gorge – nothing flashy, but the staff know the town well. It’s best for independent travellers who want clean, no-fuss accommodation with a balcony looking over the fishing boats and the old fortress. You come here for the straightforward Cretan hospitality and the location, not for frills.
Chronicles of Sitia
Sitia began as a Minoan port called Itanos, then was refounded by Venetian colonists in the 13th century as a fortified base against pirates and Ottoman incursions. The Venetians built the Kazarma fortress on the hill above the harbour, which still dominates the skyline today. After a long period of decline under Ottoman rule, the town revived in the 20th century as the administrative hub for eastern Crete, and its economy now mixes olive oil exports with quiet tourism. Modern Sitia keeps its laid-back small-town feel, with a lively fish market and a strong seasonal rhythm tied to the harvest and the summer visitors.
Best Time to Visit
Full Sitia guide →Best months
Late May through early July, and September, for sunny, 27-30°C days with very little wind and the main tourist rush still thin. The sea is warm enough to swim by June. You get long light evenings without August’s crowds.
Peak / festival surge
July and August, when temperatures hit 32-35°C, the Meltemi wind can be blustery along the coast, and hotel prices in Sitia rise about 30-50%. The big pull is the Cornaro Festival in late July, with concerts in the Kazarma fortress, plus the general influx to eastern Crete’s beaches.
Budget shoulder season
May and October offer the best discounts – often 20-30% off summer rates. May is green and flowering, with daytime highs around 24°C; October stays warm enough for swimming in the first half, but evenings can need a light jacket.
Weather & packing
Sitia is one of the windiest spots in Crete, especially in July when the Meltemi can gust to 50 km/h. Pack a windproof jacket and a sun hat that ties on, plus sturdy sandals for the pebbly coves – and yes, bring sunscreen even if it’s cloudy.
Live City Briefing — Sitia
- Sitia’s new airport is still on schedule for completion in 2027; for now, the 2026 summer season runs on the existing road transfers from Heraklion (2.5 hours) and the recently resurfaced national road from Agios Nikolaos is open.
- The municipal beach fronting the hotel has had new sun loungers and a seasonal lifeguard station installed for 2026; the adjacent fish tavernas are open as usual, but the main harbourfront promenade is undergoing repaving until early July – expect some daytime noise.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Ville du Soleil, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the first floor (fewer stairs) and facing the rear courtyard instead of the street. First-floor rooms avoid the extra climb up to the second floor and, if they back onto the quieter inner side, will be less disturbed by early morning traffic on the main road.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid second-floor rooms facing the street. Street noise from Sitia's main road will be more noticeable higher up, and you'll have two flights of stairs with no lift. Also avoid any room directly above the entrance — foot traffic and door sounds travel up.
Best views
Rooms at the front (street side) will have a view over Sitia's main road and possibly a glimpse of the sea in the distance. The rear rooms look onto the courtyard and neighbouring buildings — less scenic but quieter.
Quietest floors
First floor. It's one flight up from the entrance, keeping you away from ground-level street noise but without the extra climb and potential rooftop heat of the second floor.
🔊 Noise notes
Sitia's main road runs past the hotel; expect traffic noise from 7am onward, especially scooters and delivery vans. The surrounding streets are residential, so evenings are quieter but occasional bar noise from the town centre (a short walk away) may carry. No lift means corridor and stair noise echoes, particularly when other guests arrive late.
Insider tips
1. Park for free on the surrounding streets — aim for spots on Kazantzaki Street facing west, about 50m from the hotel, to be close to the free unmarked parking. The monitored car park (€5/night) is a 5-minute walk if streets are full. 2. Check in early (before 6pm) if you have bags — hauling luggage up two flights of stairs without a lift is easier with daylight and less busy reception.
- 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 — Ville du Soleil
Free basic WiFi (≈5 Mbps) across public areas and rooms, no password. No paid upgrade available.
No lift. All guest rooms on first and second floors via stairs only.
One printed Greek daily in the breakfast room; no digital newsstand or international papers.
Check-in from 15:00, check-out by 11:00. Early bag drop free (subject to space). Late check-out until 14:00 costs €25, after 14:00 charges full night.
Free at reception during opening hours (08:00–22:00); outside hours by prior arrangement only.
No step-free access. Single step at main entrance, no ramp. No ground-floor guest rooms. Not suitable for wheelchair users or those with limited mobility.
No hotel parking. Free public parking on surrounding streets (unmarked, first-come). Nearest monitored car park is about 400 m west on Kazantzaki Street, €5 per night. No EV charging on site.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: €1.50 per room per night (2026 rate, charged at check-out)
Deposit & card hold: First night charged to card at booking; €30 incidental hold on check-in, released on departure if no extras
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
Use ATMs in Sitia town for the best rates; avoid exchange bureaux at Sitia Airport or tourist offices as they charge poor rates and commissions.
Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in hotels, supermarkets, and larger restaurants; smaller tavernas, bakeries, and market stalls often require cash. Contactless is common in town, but mobile pay is less widespread.
In restaurants, round up the bill or leave 5-10% for good service; not expected but appreciated. Taxis – round up to the nearest euro. Hotel staff – €1-2 per bag or per day for cleaning is fine, but not mandatory.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A Greek coffee or Freddo cappuccino at a local kafeneio – about €2-3.
A souvlaki pita from a grill house or a slice of spanakopita from a bakery – around €3-4.
A main course of moussaka or grilled fish at a back-street taverna – €8-12.
Look for small grill shops and bakeries along the main pedestrian streets and the harbour front for cheap souvlaki, gyros, and cheese pies.
Supermarkets like INKA, AB Vassilopoulos, and local mini-markets are common in Sitia town for basic supplies.
For affordable clothing, head to the high street shops on Eleftheriou Venizelou street – chain stores like H&M or local boutiques; no major market area for second-hand.
Walking is the cheapest way to get around Sitia town. For trips further, a local bus from the KTEL station costs about €1.50-3 per ride. From Sitia Airport, the bus runs infrequently; a taxi into town costs around €10-15 – cheaper than renting a car for one trip.
Eat at tavernas away from the main harbour front for lower prices and larger portions. Buy water and snacks at supermarkets rather than tourist kiosks. Use the local bus instead of taxis for day trips to nearby beaches like Vai.
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 Ville du Soleil
🕒 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.
About Sitia
Wikipedia ↗
Sitia (Latin and Italian) or Siteia (Greek: Σητεία, Siteía [siˈtia]) is a port town and a municipality in Lasithi, Crete, Greece. The town has 11,166 inhabitants and the municipality has 20,438 (2021). It lies east of Agios Nikolaos and northeast of Ierapetra. Sitia's port is on the Sea of Crete, pa...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Ville du Soleil?
Request a room on the first floor (fewer stairs) and facing the rear courtyard instead of the street. First-floor rooms avoid the extra climb up to the second floor and, if they back onto the quieter inner side, will be less disturbed by early morning traffic on the main road.
Which rooms should I avoid at Ville du Soleil?
Avoid second-floor rooms facing the street. Street noise from Sitia's main road will be more noticeable higher up, and you'll have two flights of stairs with no lift. Also avoid any room directly above the entrance — foot traffic and door sounds travel up.
Is Ville du Soleil noisy?
Sitia's main road runs past the hotel; expect traffic noise from 7am onward, especially scooters and delivery vans. The surrounding streets are residential, so evenings are quieter but occasional bar noise from the town centre (a short walk away) may carry. No lift means corridor and stair noise echoes, particularly when other guests arrive late.
Which rooms have the best views at Ville du Soleil?
Rooms at the front (street side) will have a view over Sitia's main road and possibly a glimpse of the sea in the distance. The rear rooms look onto the courtyard and neighbouring buildings — less scenic but quieter.
What are insider tips for staying at Ville du Soleil?
1. Park for free on the surrounding streets — aim for spots on Kazantzaki Street facing west, about 50m from the hotel, to be close to the free unmarked parking. The monitored car park (€5/night) is a 5-minute walk if streets are full. 2. Check in early (before 6pm) if you have bags — hauling luggage up two flights of stairs without a lift is easier with daylight and less busy reception.
What time is check-in at Ville du Soleil?
Check-in at Ville du Soleil is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Ville du Soleil have Wi-Fi?
Free basic WiFi (≈5 Mbps) across public areas and rooms, no password. No paid upgrade available.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Ville du Soleil?
€1.50 per room per night (2026 rate, charged at check-out)
Where can I eat cheaply near Ville du Soleil?
A souvlaki pita from a grill house or a slice of spanakopita from a bakery – around €3-4.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Ville du Soleil?
Walking is the cheapest way to get around Sitia town. For trips further, a local bus from the KTEL station costs about €1.50-3 per ride. From Sitia Airport, the bus runs infrequently; a taxi into town costs around €10-15 – cheaper than renting a car for one trip.
When is the best time to visit Sitia?
Late May through early July, and September, for sunny, 27-30°C days with very little wind and the main tourist rush still thin. The sea is warm enough to swim by June. You get long light evenings without August’s crowds.
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.