• Location65 km south of Heraklion
• Altitude80 meters
• AttractionsTraditional village with tourist facilities
• HistoryInhabited since 961 A.D.
• ChurchesSaint George, Saint Paraskevi, Saint John, Saint Stephen

Pitsidia, just 65 km south of Heraklion and a few kilometers from the popular beaches of Kommos and Matala, is a well-developed tourist village with a long history. Situated at an altitude of 80 meters, it is one of the oldest settlements in the area and an ideal destination for families seeking relaxation and authentic Cretan hospitality.

The village was the first in the region to develop tourism, and today it offers a variety of experiences, such as the equestrian center that organizes excursions to nearby areas, providing unforgettable moments in nature. Pitsidia belongs to the Municipality of Festos and has 686 permanent residents, who engage in tourism, agriculture, livestock farming, and fishing.

The history of Pitsidia is equally impressive. According to the historian Stergios Spanakis, soldiers of Nikephoros Phokas settled here in 961, giving the village the name of their homeland, Pisidia in Asia Minor. The village was first mentioned in documents from 1369 and in the 1583 census with 89 residents. The villagers were renowned for their bravery, as, according to tradition, they managed to defeat the Triamates at Skillo Village.

Visitors can enjoy the rich religious culture of the village by visiting churches such as Saint George, Saint Paraskevi, Saint Barbara, Saint John, as well as Saint Panteleimon in Kommos Bay and Saint Stephen.