Sissi Holidays 2025/2026

Sissi takes things slow with cosy bars, friendly tavernas and a lounger-lined beach that hit the spot for any laid-back Greek island holiday. Mini golf, boat trips and long walks provide the entertainment. Sissi is situated close to the capital Herkalion and Malia, which provide fun nights out.

Classic Greek style

Boufos Beach

Sissi is privy to its own small beach, which is nestled between low-lying cliffs. Boufos Beach can be a little remote, accessed only by a rocky footpath, but it’s well-serviced with sunbeds and a beach bar serving drinks and takeaway-style food.

Days at Sissi’s beach lean toward the relaxing side, as water sports don’t really take place in these waves. Things are kept much more low key, with lounging on the beach underneath the sunshine, and boats bobbing in the harbour nearby.

You won’t find many children here, as the beach itself can be quite rocky, but if you’re travelling with little ones, there is a small kids’ area where they can safely splash around.

Scenic strolls and 18 holes

The town has a handful of activities that fit with its chilled out lifestyle. The most popular outing on this part of Crete is simply strolling along the coast or pausing at the scenic port.

There are a few opportunities around town to bump up the energy, like going for a round of golf at the Sissi Mini Golf course or treating yourself to a wellness day at a local spa. You can also explore the coastline on a boat cruise, which will anchor up so you can hop out and have some time to snorkel.

Dining with a side of romance

For such a tiny town, Sissi is packed with restaurants and bars to get you immersed in the local cuisine. It’ll come as no surprise that the majority of the tavernas serve Greek food, though quite a few feature British twists. Many of the brightly-coloured restaurants are along the coast and also offer outdoor terraces, so you’ll always have terrific views of the water.

And while Sissi’s nightlife remains on the subdued side, the bars that are here are filled with friendly faces and seriously good drinks. Just because they aren’t wild, doesn’t mean they sacrifice atmosphere.

Cosy wine bars overlooking the water, and beach bars with live music are in place of all-night clubs. Not that you’ll be far from the latter, should you want to embark on a big night out – you’ll just have to hop over to nearby Malia for that.

Happy Train

The Happy Train in Sissi offers an easy and scenic way to view the town’s best sights – it’s a small locomotive that offers two, four-hour routes – one along the coast and another into the mountains.

On the coastal track, you’ll have the chance to spend some time on the beach and grab lunch from a local taverna, while the mountain trek will take you to a monastery and museum about life in town. Whichever one you pick, the driver pauses several times along the way so you can step off and take pictures of the gorgeous scenery around you.

Easy daytrips

Because of its relaxed atmosphere, Sissi may feel like it’s a world away, but it’s actually very well-connected to nearby towns. There’s a bus service that’ll take you to Heraklion, Malia and Aghios Nikolaos – a cosmopolitan little resort with a marina and lake.

Heraklion is the capital of Crete and there you’ll find all the makings of a vibrant metropolis. Having been around for almost 4,000 years, it understandably has quite a bit of history and is the home of Venetian fortresses, the Palace of Minos and a beautiful harbour. It also has plenty of modern touches including hundreds of bars and restaurants.

Malia, on the other hand, is the true nightlife capital of Crete. Its main Strip is where most of the action is, lined with bars and clubs that often host top DJs. Malia is also the home of a major archaeological site, which consists of an ancient palace and Minoan town.