Groceries
There are two mini markets in the village. Both sell lots of local produce, you can find wine, cheese, olives, olive oil, raki and seasonal fruit and vegetables. Being a fertile area the quality is always high but prices low. We also grow a no chemicals vegetable garden and often offer guests whatever it is producing at the time.
Eating out
There is a traditional kafeneon/ coffee shop/bar on the main road into the village. This caters for the older men of the village and sells simple coffee, raki and small mezes.
A nice thing to do is pack a picnic and have your own lunch under the trees on the main square. Or buy some snacks at the mini market on the square and sit with the locals who gather there in the afternoons.
In the lower village, Kato Asites which is a 15 minute walk away, you can find more places to eat at, plus coffee shops.
Earino
A twenty five minute walk away is the wonderful restaurant called Earino located above Kato Asites. It has spectacular views over the mountains and to the sea. The food is amazing. The walk can be a little challenging for the last ten minutes up a steep hill. www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g3218358-d2589740-Reviews-Earino-Kato_Asites_Crete.html
Kato Asites Taverna
This is a small lovely place to eat for lunch or dinner. It's hidden in the small streets of the lower village.www.google.com/maps/place/%CE%A3%CE%A4%CE%9F%CE%A5+%CE%9A%CE%9F%CE%A5%CE%A1%CE%91%CE%9D%CE%A4%CE%91/@35.2011078,24.996005,18z/data=!4m15!1m8!3m7!1s0x149afc00abf816d3:0xfceebdb840aaa382!2sAno+Asites+700+13!3b1!8m2!3d35.1944081!4d24.9992908!16s%2Fg%2F122sgfr4!3m5!1s0x149aff07a97d25cd:0x32e1b759b9bf7f58!8m2!3d35.2015147!4d24.9971211!16s%2Fg%2F11kqrkq_p1?entry=ttu
Villa Daskalogianni
Similar sweeping views over the landscape to Earino but a smaller taverna. The food is more traditional home style. It is a new favorite and about a 30 minute walk with less challenging hills. Open for dinner every night after 19.00. villadaskalogianni.gr/tavern.html
Art materials
There is no art materials shop in the village. In the lower village there is a DIY shop that sells house paints, and brushes. Materials can be found easily in Heraklion city which is a 45 minute bus trip away.
Pharmacy/ATM
In the lower village these can be found.
Getting to the villages.
Taxi from Heraklion city or the airport (Nikolas Kazantzakis) . Taxi drivers should be asked to give a quote before making such a big trip. The cost should be around 50 Euros from the airport. These prices could vary if late at night. Mathew can sometimes collect guests when possible.
Car hire. Some guests book a car to collect from the airport. Or take a walk down Heraklion Cities main tourist street, 25th August street, and hire one from there. Prices vary depending on the season. Good deals can be made for longer rentals.
Buses leave from Heraklion city. Bus station B, Heraklion at Chaniaporta. The cost is 2.90 Euros. The phone number to check buses is +30 281 024 6530 but this is Greece, so even the person answering questions can get the information wrong... There are a few buses a day but it's best to check current timetables with Mathew.
Note 08/06/2024. Currently correct but check by emailing the residency.
Buses from Heraklion to Asites
6.45 am / 13.00/ 14.30 pm
Buses from Asites to Heraklion
7.00/8.00 am 15.15 pm
Monday to Friday only.
Here is a map for bus station B. During business hours tickets can be brought from the small office across from the buses. It is on the right of a large coffee shop. At the moment there is not sign for it. So just ask a local.
What to expect
The trip up to the village is spectacular. You travel through a few lovely, rural villages and get wonderful views of the mountain of central Crete. Once at the village time stands pretty still. Visiting artists need to have a solid project to work on. There are plenty of lovely walks, and archaeological sites to visit. During summer the days can get almost as hot as the coastal areas peaking at around 30 degrees Celsius. At night it cools down to a very pleasant temperature. Spring and autumn are perfect. Spring is when the village and surrounding areas are covered with wild-flowers. In summer they collect grapes to make wine. In autumn the locals are busy making Raki, the local spirit, winter is the time to harvest olives.
Not many locals speak English but Mathew who runs the residency also lives there. He likes to catch up with the artists when possible and if they want company. Some guests just want to be left alone which is perfectly fine.
Not many locals speak English but Mathew who runs the residency also lives there. He likes to catch up with the artists when possible and if they want company. Some guests just want to be left alone which is perfectly fine.
