Sivas

About

A pretty village near Matala.

Sivas is a pretty village near Matala, on the south-western edge of the Messara. It has kept its traditional architecture, with stone houses, narrow lanes and a nice square with tavernas.

It's a calm base for exploring the area, with Matala, Phaistos and the Odigitria monastery all close by.

Sivas has kept its stone houses and narrow lanes, and its square is surrounded by tavernas that serve local dishes. In summer, the village is a calm alternative to Matala, just a few minutes away. The monastery of Odigitria is nearby, and from Sivas a dirt road leads down to the Agiofarago gorge. The village has a good selection of rooms and small guesthouses.

Phaistos covers the western Messara, the largest plain of Crete, and its coast on the Libyan Sea. Here lie some of the most important Minoan sites, Phaistos and Agia Triada, and the beaches of Matala, Kommos, Kalamaki and the long Messara bay. Inland, towns like Moires and Tymbaki are busy farming centres, while villages such as Zaros, Vori and Kamilari are perfect for a slower pace. The area is warm and sunny, with a long swimming season.

Getting there

About 8 km from Matala by road.

On the map

35.01822, 24.80760 · See on map