Piskokéfalo is a picturesque village located 3 km south of Sitia, Crete. It is famous for being the birthplace of the renowned poet Vincentzos Kornaros, who wrote the masterpiece of Medieval poetry, Erotokritos. The village has a rich history, having been mentioned in the census of 1577 by Fr. Barozzi and serving as the headquarters of the commanding officer after the town of Sitia was destroyed by the pirate Chairentin Barbarossa in 1538.
Today, Piskokéfalo is a charming village that offers a range of attractions for visitors. The house of Kornaros is a must-visit for literature enthusiasts, while the village square is a great place to relax with a cup of coffee or a meal. Visitors can also explore the spring at Zou, the old water mill, the church of Agia Anna, and the small chapel of Panagia Trapezounta.
In addition to these cultural attractions, Piskokéfalo is also known for its stunning natural beauty. The village is surrounded by lush greenery and offers breathtaking views of the Aegean Sea. Visitors can take a leisurely stroll through the village’s winding streets and admire the traditional architecture of the houses. The locals are friendly and welcoming, and visitors can experience the warm hospitality of the Cretan people.
Overall, Piskokéfalo is a hidden gem that offers a unique glimpse into the rich history and culture of Crete, as well as its stunning natural beauty. It is definitely worth a visit for anyone traveling to the island.
Things to do in Piskokéfalo
Things to do in Piskokéfalo run from the village core out to the Minoan sites around it, the museum and town of Sitia 3 km north, and two gorges further west. Nothing on the list is more than 8 km from the square. The items below run outwards from the village.
- Visit the two Minoan sites that carry the village name. The Piskokefalo Minoan Mansion stands 1.6 km from the centre. The Piskokefalo Peak Sanctuary lies 2 km out.
- Carry on to Zou. The Minoan cottage at Zou sits 2.4 km from the village, at the same place as the spring the village is known for, and it is listed as Minoan Cottage Zou.
- See two more sites 2.8 km out. The Petras Minoan settlement and the Platyskinos Domed tomb both lie 2.8 km from Piskokéfalo.
- Spend a day in Sitia. The town lies 3 km north of the village, set in a semicircle on the western side of the Bay of Sitia, and it is the capital of the county of the same name. A Venetian fortress overlooks it, and the town is covered on Sitia. The Archaeological Museum Of Sitia is 3.1 km from Piskokéfalo.
- Walk the Agii Pantes gorge. The canyon lies 5 km from the village, next to Skopi and close to the Faneromeni Monastery, and it is one of the easiest walks on Crete to get into. A marked trail follows the Skafidaras river bed under platan trees, and two freshwater springs, Koutsounari and Hosto Nero, sit along it, the second inside a cave. White limestone formations resembling large Pleurotus mushrooms stand near the exit, and the ground that floods in winter becomes a significant wetland. The walk is described on Agii Pantes Gorge.
- Trek the Charkomatas gorge. The gorge, also written Chalkomatas, is 7.8 km away near the village of Chamezi, and it begins where a dirt road climbs towards the Prophet Elijah temple and the Liopetro fortress. Vegetation is sparse, the limestone formations are striking, and the path along the usually dry riverbed stays mostly smooth. Halfway along, 60 m above the riverbed, the Geloudospilios cave takes its name from the Geloudes of Cretan folklore. The trek takes about three hours, and the route is on Charkomatas Gorge.
Four of the places we list sit within 1 km of the village centre. At 200 m out are Aéroinon, Erotokritos and Chovoli Cafe, and 800 m out is Bioeleonas Aggelakis.
Beaches in and around Piskokéfalo
Beaches in and around Piskokéfalo all lie on the coast north and west of the village, because Piskokéfalo itself stands inland, 3 km south of Sitia. The closest is the city beach at Sitia, 3.2 km away. Two quieter stretches lie further west.
- Sitia beach lies 3.2 km from the village, running east of the city from the port to the Petras area. The sand carries scattered pebbles, the water is shallow, and umbrellas, showers, lifeguards, water sports and beach bars are in place. The shore is long enough that quiet spots remain along it.
- Platani is 5.2 km from the village and 7 km west of Sitia, reached by the road to Faneromeni Monastery that starts near Skopi. About 2 km past Skopi sit two adjacent small pebbly beaches with clear water. The first, Agii Pantes, lies at the exit of the Agii Pantes gorge, and the limestone formations beside it resemble Pleurotus mushrooms.
- Richtis beach sits about 20 km west of Sitia, a small cove of round pebbles reached either by the paved road from Exo Mouliana or on foot through the Richtis Gorge. Tamarisk trees, stone seats and tables and a stone water fountain stand on the shore. Nothing is sold nearby, and the northern orientation often brings waves.
Piskokefalo village Map
Uncover Piskokefalo village is located at Piskokéfalo village, in the Lassithi region of Crete. The map below shows the exact spot; Google Maps and Waze give turn-by-turn directions.
