Sitia Airport (IATA: JSH, ICAO: LGST), officially Sitia Public Airport “Vitsentzos Kornaros”, is a small domestic airport on the crest of Bonda hill, about 1 kilometers (0.62 miles) north-northwest of Sitia town in eastern Crete. It serves only Greek domestic routes – mainly via SKY express to Athens and a few regional islands – so UK and other international visitors must connect through Athens, or fly to Heraklion/Chania and drive east. This guide covers the airport’s facts, airlines and destinations, how to reach Sitia from the UK, services, transport, car hire, and what to do in the area.
Quick Facts – Sitia Airport at a Glance
Sitia Airport (JSH / LGST), operated by the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority for the Municipality of Sitia, sits about 1 kilometers (0.62 miles) north-northwest of Sitia town on Bonda hill, at 115 m elevation.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Sitia Public Airport “Vitsentzos Kornaros” |
| IATA / ICAO | JSH / LGST |
| Location | ~1 kilometers (0.62 miles) N-NW of Sitia, Bonda hill, Lasithi (eastern Crete) |
| Elevation | 115 m (376 ft) |
| Coordinates | ~35°12′57″N 26°06′04″E |
| Operator | Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority (Municipality of Sitia) |
| Established | 1984 |
| Runway | 05/23 – ~2,074 m (new runway opened 2002, for jets) |
| Terminal | Current terminal opened 2015 |
| Primary airline | SKY express (domestic) |
| Type | Small domestic / regional airport |
| Parking | ~100 free spaces |
| Google rating | 4.1★ (250+ reviews) |
| Phone | +30 2843 020151 |
Sitia Airport serves the town and surrounding region with domestic flights to Athens and a few Greek islands. It is known for its proximity to attractions like Sitia Beach, Petras Beach, the Toplou Monastery, the Vai Palm Beach, and the island of Chrissi. The terminal offers check-in counters, baggage handling, security screening, a small café, parking, taxi stands, and car rental – and despite its small size and lack of international flights, it is an important regional transport hub for eastern Crete.
Where is Sitia Airport Located?
Sitia Airport sits on the crest of Bonda hill, about 1 kilometers (0.62 miles) north-northwest of Sitia town centre – the capital of the Lasithi regional unit – in eastern Crete, close to the coast of the Cretan Sea (coordinates approximately 35°12′57″N 26°06′04″E). It is about 124.9 kilometers (77.61 miles) east of Heraklion and 265.4 kilometers (164.91 miles) southeast of Chania, and 59.7 kilometers (37.10 miles) northeast of Ierapetra. The airport is surrounded by agricultural land of olive groves and vineyards, with the Sitia Mountains rising to the north and west. Several beaches lie nearby along the eastern coast, including Sitia Beach (6.5 kilometers (4.04 miles) away) and Petras Beach (9.7 kilometers (6.03 miles) away). The airport primarily serves Sitia and the surrounding region, connecting it to other Greek cities and islands.
How to Get to Sitia Airport from the UK
There are no direct scheduled flights from the UK to Sitia Airport (JSH) – the standard route is to fly to Athens and connect with a domestic flight, or fly to Heraklion/Chania and drive east. Here are the two main options:
Option 1 – Fly to Athens, then connect to Sitia
- Fly from a UK airport to Athens International (ATH) – easyJet, Aegean Airlines, and Wizz Air operate this route year-round.
- From Athens, take a domestic SKY express flight to Sitia (JSH) – flight time roughly 50–60 minutes.
- Total travel time from London is approximately 5–7 hours door-to-door.
Option 2 – Fly to Heraklion or Chania, then drive east
- Fly to Heraklion (HER) or Chania (CHQ) – both have direct UK scheduled and charter routes in summer.
- Hire a car at the airport and drive east along Crete’s northern coast road.
- Heraklion to Sitia is about 124.9 kilometers (77.61 miles) (1.5–2 hours); Chania to Sitia is about 265 kilometers (164.66 miles) (3+ hours).
This route is popular with travellers exploring all of eastern Crete – hiring a car at Heraklion Airport lets you stop at Agios Nikolaos, Ierapetra, and Vai Palm Beach on the way.
Airlines and Flights at Sitia Airport
Sitia Airport is served primarily by SKY express on domestic routes, with Aegean Airlines (Olympic Air) also operating seasonal services; direct destinations include Athens, Kasos, Alexandroupoli (Dimokritos), and Preveza (Aktio). Athens is the key connection, allowing onward links to international flights at Athens International Airport.
| Airline | Route | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| SKY express | Sitia ↔ Athens | Year-round domestic |
| SKY express | Sitia ↔ Kasos | Seasonal domestic |
| SKY express | Sitia ↔ Alexandroupoli (Dimokritos) | Seasonal domestic |
| SKY express | Sitia ↔ Preveza (Aktio) | Seasonal domestic |
| Aegean / Olympic Air | Sitia ↔ Athens | Seasonal domestic |
All scheduled services are domestic; there are no direct international scheduled flights to or from Sitia (JSH). The lack of international service reflects the airport’s smaller infrastructure and lower passenger traffic compared with Heraklion and Chania, which are Crete’s main international gateways.
Which Crete Airport Should You Use?
Crete has two major and 1 domestic airport: Heraklion (HER), Chania (CHQ), and Sitia (JSH). Heraklion is the largest and busiest, the main international gateway, and best for central and eastern Crete. Chania is the second-largest Crete airport and best for western Crete. Sitia is the smallest – a domestic airport ideal only if you are travelling within Greece and heading specifically to far-eastern Crete (Sitia, Vai, Zakros). Most international visitors to eastern Crete actually fly into Heraklion and drive east.
What is Sitia Airport Known For?
Sitia Airport is a small regional airport in eastern Crete known for serving Sitia and the surrounding area and for its domestic connections – chiefly the link to Athens, which lets travellers reach this remote corner of the island. It is also known for its proximity to tourist attractions: Sitia is a coastal town with a harbour, Venetian fortress ruins, and beautiful beaches such as Sitia Beach and Petras Beach nearby.
The airport’s location gives easy access to the Palm Beach of Vai (famous for its unique palm forest), the historic Toplou Monastery, and the island of Chrissi with its golden sand and turquoise waters. Classified as a regional domestic airport, it has a single runway and a small terminal, reflecting its low passenger traffic compared with the much larger Heraklion International Airport “Nikos Kazantzakis.”
Who is Vitsentzos Kornaros?
Sitia Airport carries the name of Vitsentzos Kornaros (1553–1613), the greatest Cretan poet and one of the most influential figures in Greek literature. Born near Sitia into a Venetian-Cretan aristocratic family (the noble Cornaro family), he later joined the Accademia dei Stravaganti in Heraklion.
His masterwork, the Erotokritos, is a verse romance of more than 10,000 lines written in the rhyming fifteen-syllable couplets known in Cretan tradition as Mantinades. The poem follows the lovers Erotokritos and Aretousa through trials and eventual reunion, and remains deeply embedded in Cretan cultural identity. Kornaros was a contemporary of William Shakespeare and Miguel de Cervantes.
History of Sitia Airport
Sitia Airport opened in 1984, expanded with a new runway in 2002 to accommodate jet aircraft, and moved into its current terminal in 2015. It was built to serve Sitia and eastern Crete, which previously lacked a dedicated air-transport facility, as part of a broader Greek effort to improve aviation infrastructure and promote tourism in remoter regions. Before it opened, the nearest airport was Heraklion International (HER), about 124.9 kilometers (77.61 miles) west. Since 1984 the airport has operated continuously, connecting the region to Athens and a few Greek islands through scheduled and seasonal flights, supporting eastern Crete’s economic growth.
How Important is Sitia Airport for Crete?
Sitia Airport plays a significant role in supporting the economy and development of eastern Crete. First, it is important for tourism: eastern Crete has many attractive destinations – Sitia, the Palm Beach of Vai, the island of Chrissi – and the airport makes them more accessible, promoting tourism growth and local economic benefits. Second, it supports trade: the region’s agricultural products, such as olive oil and wine, can be moved more easily via the airport. Third, it improves transport for residents, offering a faster alternative to long road trips or ferries when travelling to Athens or other islands. Finally, it contributes to the region’s broader development by helping attract investment, create jobs, and support infrastructure.
Does Sitia Airport Have International Flights?
Sitia Airport operates as a domestic-only airport – there are no direct scheduled international flights to Sitia (JSH). It serves domestic routes within Greece, connecting Sitia and eastern Crete with Athens and a few Greek islands, mainly through SKY express (with Aegean/Olympic Air seasonally). Travellers from abroad reach Sitia by connecting through Athens International Airport, or by flying into Heraklion or Chania and driving east. (Occasional summer charter flights from northern Europe have operated in the past, but they are not year-round scheduled services.) The absence of regular international flights reflects the airport’s limited infrastructure, shorter runway, and lower passenger traffic compared with Heraklion and Chania, which serve as Crete’s main international entry points.
What are the Services Found at the Sitia Airport?
Sitia Airport’s terminal offers modest but sufficient facilities for a domestic regional airport – check-in, baggage handling, security screening, a café, an ATM, parking, taxi stands, and car rental. The main services are listed below.
- Check-in counters: Staffed check-in counters where passengers process tickets and luggage before their flight.
- Baggage handling: A baggage system sends checked bags to the aircraft and delivers arriving bags to the claim area.
- Security screening: All passengers and carry-on items pass security checkpoints with X-ray machines and metal detectors.
- Café: A small café in the terminal sells light snacks, beverages, and refreshments before departure.
- Parking facilities: Parking spaces near the terminal let passengers leave vehicles securely; around 100 free spaces are available.
- Taxi stands: Taxis wait outside the terminal for trips to Sitia town centre or nearby destinations – typically a ~10-minute ride costing about €5 ($5.72, £4.26)–€10 ($11.44, £8.52).
- Bus stop: A public bus stop near the airport offers an affordable option to/from Sitia town centre (verify current schedules locally, as service can be limited).
Can you Eat Inside the Sitia Airport?
Yes – the terminal has a small café serving light snacks, beverages, and refreshments while you wait for your flight. Given the airport’s compact size, the café’s offerings are limited compared with larger airports, so passengers with specific dietary needs should plan accordingly.
What are the Transportation Options at the Sitia Airport?
Because Sitia Airport sits about 1 kilometers (0.62 miles) from the town centre, the quickest options are taxi or car rental, with a budget bus option where available. The main choices are listed below.
- Bus: Public buses connect the airport to Sitia town centre (about 1 kilometers (0.62 miles) away) in 10–15 minutes, with fares around €1 ($1.14, £0.85)–€2 ($2.29, £1.70). Service can be limited, so confirm timetables before relying on it. Best for budget-conscious travellers.
- Taxi: Taxis wait at the stand outside the terminal. The short ride to Sitia centre takes about 5–10 minutes and costs roughly €5 ($5.72, £4.26)–€10 ($11.44, £8.52). Convenient and direct, with no booking needed.
- Car rental: Several car rental companies operate at or near Sitia Airport, with desks in/around the terminal. Rates depend on vehicle type, rental period, and extras – ideal for exploring eastern Crete at your own pace.
- Private transfer: Pre-booked private transfers offer door-to-door service to your destination, priced by location and vehicle type.
- Hotel shuttle: Some Sitia-area hotels offer airport shuttles, complimentary or for a small fee (around €5 ($5.72, £4.26)–€15 ($17.16, £12.78) per person); confirm with your hotel in advance.
Car Rental from Sitia Airport
Renting a car is the most flexible way to explore far-eastern Crete from Sitia – the airport and town are close together, and a car lets you reach Vai Palm Beach, Toplou Monastery, Zakros, and the south-coast beaches that public transport does not serve well. Rental Center Crete offers pickup and drop-off in Sitia upon request, with a range of vehicles for couples, families, and groups.
Things to Do in Sitia
Sitia is a working Cretan harbour town in eastern Crete with a Venetian fortress, an archaeological museum, a beach promenade, and access to Vai Palm Beach and Toplou Monastery – ideal for car-based exploration. Read the things to do in Sitia section.
Where to Eat Near Sitia Airport?
- Inodion: Seaside restaurant at El. Venizelou 157, Sitia – 4.6-star Google rating. Traditional Greek dishes; moussaka €12 ($13.73, £10.23), souvlaki €9 ($10.30, £7.67), grilled octopus €18 ($20.60, £15.34).
- Zorba’s Tavern: 4.2-star rating, Kazantzaki 3, Sitia (1.5 kilometers (0.93 miles) from airport). Dolmades €6 ($6.87, £5.11), pastitsio €10 ($11.44, £8.52).
- Thalassa Café Restaurant: Kon/nou Karamanli, Sitia (4 kilometers (2.49 miles) from airport). Greek salad €7.5 ($8.58, £6.39), grilled lamb chops €15 ($17.16, £12.78), shrimp saganaki €12 ($13.73, £10.23).
- Aposperítis: El. Venizelou 167, Sitia (1 kilometers (0.62 miles) from airport). Moussaka €9 ($10.30, £7.67), souvlaki €7 ($8.01, £5.97), fasolada €6 ($6.87, £5.11).
- Tavern – Restaurant Me Raki: El. Venizelou 151, Sitia (3 kilometers (1.86 miles) from airport). Authentic Cretan cuisine; kleftiko €14 ($16.02, £11.93), genista €8 ($9.15, £6.82), grilled octopus €12 ($13.73, £10.23). Tavern – Restaurant Me Raki is a must-visit for anyone looking to eat near Sitia Airport.
Where to Stay Near Sitia Airport?
- Itanos Hotel: 4 Karamanli Str, Sitia. Two casual restaurants, café, rooftop bar. From €68 ($77.81, £57.96)/night.
- Nora Hotel: Emmanouil Rouselaki 31, Sitia (2.5 kilometers (1.55 miles) from airport). From €50 ($57.21, £42.62)/night.
- Sitia Beach City Resort & Spa: 14 Karamanli Ave, Sitia (1.8 kilometers (1.12 miles) from airport). Restaurant, three pools, complimentary breakfast.
- Hotel Elysee: 14 Karamanli Str, Sitia (1.5 kilometers (0.93 miles) from airport). Breakfast buffet, parking, Wi-Fi included. From €67 ($76.66, £57.10)/night.
Visitors should read more about where to stay in Sitia.
Where can you have a Drink Near Sitia Airport?
- Black Hole Music Bar: Karavelaki Emmanouil 7, Sitia (1.4 kilometers (0.87 miles) from airport). Music bar, lively atmosphere.
- The Wall Music Bar: El. Venizelou 189, Sitia (1.3 kilometers (0.81 miles) from airport). Diverse music genres.
Where to Shop Near Sitia Airport?
- Sitia Market (Agora): Open-air market, 0.93 kilometers (0.58 miles) from airport. Local products, crafts, souvenirs.
- Sitia Old Town: 1.12 kilometers (0.70 miles) from airport. Small shops, boutiques, traditional Greek products.
- Sitia Shopping Center: 1.24 kilometers (0.77 miles) from airport. Fashion stores, electronics, supermarkets, food court.
- Toplou Monastery Shop: 9.32 kilometers (5.79 miles) from airport. Organic olive oil, wine, local delicacies.
What to do in Sitia?
- Sitia Archaeological Museum: Admission €5 ($5.72, £4.26). Minoan artifacts, pottery, sculptures, jewelry.
- Sitia Harbor: Waterfront cafés and restaurants, fishing boats. Meals €10 ($11.44, £8.52)–€20 ($22.88, £17.05).
- Venetian Kazarma Fortress: Entrance €3 ($3.43, £2.56). Views of Sitia and surroundings.
- Richtis Gorge and Waterfall: Free hiking trail, ~3 kilometers (1.86 miles), ~2 hours. Waterfall and lush vegetation.
When is the Best Time to Visit Sitia Crete?
The best time to visit Sitia is during the shoulder seasons of spring (April to mid-June) and autumn (September to October), when temperatures average a pleasant 20°C to 25°C – ideal for hiking, swimming, and sightseeing, with fewer crowds than the peak months of July and August, when temperatures can exceed 30°C.
FAQs About Sitia Airport
Is the Sitia Airport the Smallest in Crete?
Yes – Sitia Airport is the smallest of Crete’s three airports. It primarily serves domestic flights via SKY express (with seasonal Aegean/Olympic Air service and, occasionally in the past, summer charters), and has minimal facilities – an ATM, a café, and a few kiosks. As a small municipal airport about 1 kilometers (0.62 miles) from Sitia town, it efficiently serves eastern Crete. Crete’s three airports are Heraklion (HER), Chania (CHQ), and Sitia (JSH): Heraklion is the largest, serving roughly 8–10 million passengers a year, while Chania handles around 3–4 million.
Does Sitia have Ports?
Yes – the port of Sitia is a commercial and passenger port in the town centre, handling ferry services to Greek islands such as Kasos, Karpathos, and Rhodes, plus domestic routes within Crete. Sitia also has smaller fishing ports and marinas.
Is it Safe to Park at Sitia Airport?
Yes – Sitia Airport has a designated parking area with around 100 free spaces for passengers and visitors. The area is considered safe, with security measures and likely surveillance cameras, and its proximity to the town (about 1 kilometers (0.62 miles)) keeps it well populated.
