Hiona beach is located 2 km east from Palekastro and 20 from Sitia. It is 300 m long and you can enjoy the rest under the shade of the tamarisks. The sandy sea bottom slopes gently, making swimming safe even for the youngest holidaymakers. On the southeastern side of the beach, there are many pristine and secluded, small bays, ideal for more privacy.
The 3 traditional fish taverns are well-known on the whole Crete. People come here from every part of the island to taste the famous “kakavia” and “buyabesa” (traditional cretan meals with fish).
A Minoan settlement not walled has been found at the site of “Roussolakkos”, 200m far from Hiona Beach. The settlement seems to have been established since the Early Minoan period, but it flourished during the Late Minoan times. There have been found several burials, mainly of the early periods of Minoan civilisation. Within the area of the settlement the visitor can also see the sanctuary of Zeus Dictaeos (the ancient city of Itanos), active since the Geometric times, up to the Roman era. There have been found parts of buildings and several mobile finds, the most important of them being the stone inscription with the hymn of the Couretes to Zeus (the Couretes were the guards of Zeus when he was a baby; they protected him from his father Cronos).
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