This is the main square of Neapoli and is named after
Eleftherios Kyriakou Venizelos who was a famous Greek
Statesman and leader of the Greek National Liberation
Movement. It is a lively square where you will find the
majority of the places to have a drink and something to eat..…
Neapoli is on the main KTEL bus route and buses pass
through the square every hour or so and this is where you
will be getting off to explore the town. If you come by car
there is on street parking but it might be hard to find a space;
there is a free car park by the hospital and just a few minutes’
walk back to the square. Take your time and have a stroll
around the Town Park, visit the
Church of Megali Panagia or take
stroll around the old streets of
Neapoli where you’ll find a
selection of shops. Wander
around Neapoli’s streets with its
small traditional houses and the
larger neoclassical ones that make
up the neighbourhoods of our
small town. There are numerous small churches scattered
throughout Neapoli with each of them celebrating their
“name” day at some point during the year.
Neapoli was the former capital of the region of Lasithi and all
of the essential government amenities were once located
here and we are reliably informed that on every weekend all
the bars, cafes and Kafenions were “standing room” only and
the square was teeming with locals from the nearby towns
and villages…
It may not be as busy as it once was in its “Heyday” but it still
offers an opportunity to experience and enjoy a warm Cretan
welcome and an authentic taste of life in a local Cretan
Town….
The “Hub” of the Town
We all love the “Coffee Culture” and being able to sit outside
and watch the world go by - maybe this is why Cretans enjoy
such good health as most of our time is spent in the fresh
air….
in addition to the cafes and bars you will also find The
National Bank of Greece and assorted shops and businesses
including Kiosk, Florists, Hairdresser, Photography Studio,
Bookshops, Speciality Cheese Shop, Supermarket, Pharmacies,
OPAP, Bakery/Confectionery and Clothing Stores.
Neapoli is also home to a music festival that is held in early
August every year called “The Square Festival”.
Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos
Every year on August 14th & 15th the square plays host to the
celebrations of the Assumption of The Virgin Mary. This is one
of the biggest celebrations that take place throughout Greece
and if you are lucky enough to be here at this make sure that
put the dates into your diary. This is one BIG PARTY so come
and enjoy yourselves in Neapoli
during the festival. Here is a short video of the celebrations
and events that take place…
Soumada
Neapoli is renowned for its production of “Soumada” because
of the quality of the almonds it produces and this is a drink
made from the sweet syrup from Cretan almonds. It is diluted
with water and served cold. It is called “the drink of
happiness”, because traditionally, Soumada, is served at happy
occasions such as weddings and engagements because of its
distinctive white colour. You should be able to find this drink in
most of the cafes in Neapoli and suggest that you give it a try
instead of your usual beer or coffee…
Statues of Neapoli
As you walk around you will come across various statues
and we have put together a page that takes a look at some
these figures
A welcome retreat in the heat of the day with seating
areas and play area for children of all ages including
swings, slides, climbing frames and an outside table
tennis. There is also an outside Gym for those of you
that feel like a workout….
Neapoli Municipal Park
Eleftherios Venizelos Square
This is the main square of Neapoli and is named after Eleftherios Kyriakou Venizelos who was a famous Greek
Statesman and leader of the Greek National Liberation Movement. It is a lively square where you will find the
majority of the places to have a drink and something to eat..…
Neapoli is on the main KTEL bus route and buses pass through the square every hour or so and this is where you
will be getting off to explore the town. If you come by car there is on street parking but it might be hard to find a
space; there is a free car park by the hospital and just a few minutes’ walk back
to the square. Take your time and have a stroll around the Town Park, visit the
Church of Megali Panagia or take stroll around the old streets of Neapoli where
you’ll find a selection of shops. Wander around Neapoli’s streets with its small
traditional houses and the larger neoclassical ones that make up the
neighbourhoods of our small town. There are numerous small churches
scattered throughout Neapoli with each of them celebrating their “name” day at
some point during the year.
Neapoli was the former capital of the region of Lasithi and all of the essential government amenities were once
located here and we are reliably informed that on every weekend all the bars, cafes and Kafenions were “standing
room” only and the square was teeming with locals from the nearby towns and villages…
It may not be as busy as it once was in its “Heyday” but it still offers an opportunity to experience and enjoy a
warm Cretan welcome and an authentic taste of life in a local Cretan Town….
We all love the “Coffee Culture” and being able to sit outside and watch the world go by - maybe this is why
Cretans enjoy such good health as most of our time is spent in the fresh air….
in addition to the cafes and bars you will also find The National Bank of Greece and assorted shops and
businesses including Kiosk, Florists, Hairdresser, Photography Studio, Bookshops, Speciality Cheese Shop,
Supermarket, Pharmacies, OPAP, Bakery/Confectionery and Clothing Stores.
Neapoli is also home to a music festival that is held in early August every year called “The Square Festival”.
Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos
Every year on August 14th & 15th the square plays host to the celebrations of the Assumption of The Virgin Mary.
This is one of the biggest celebrations that take place throughout Greece and if you are lucky enough to be here at
this make sure that put the dates into your diary. This is one BIG PARTY so come and enjoy yourselves in Neapoli
during the festival. Here is a short video of the celebrations and events that take place…
Neapoli is renowned for its production of “Soumada” because of the quality of the almonds it produces and this is
a drink made from the sweet syrup from Cretan almonds. It is diluted with water and served cold. It is called “the
drink of happiness”, because traditionally, Soumada, is served at happy occasions such as weddings and
engagements because of its distinctive white colour. You should be able to find this drink in most of the cafes in
Neapoli and suggest that you give it a try instead of your usual beer or coffee…
Statues of Neapoli
As you walk around you will come across various statues
and we have put together a page that takes a look at some
these figures
A welcome retreat in the heat of the day with seating areas and
play area for children of all ages including swings, slides,
climbing frames and an outside table tennis. There is also an
outside Gym for those of you that feel like a workout….
Neapoli Municipal Park
Eleftherios Venizelos Square