Out and About

Within 15 mins by car of the villa is the seaside village of Kalives with shops & tavernas. Here the beach curves round at the end by a small harbour. 

Further afield (30 mins by car) is Chania, with its picturesque harbour with quaint streets lined by the many shops where you can buy gifts and leather goods. Chania also has a large selection of tavernas to choose from. From the harbour you can take one of the many boat trips to see the delights of the sea in a glass bottom boat, or maybe you would prefer to visit the museums and the Cathedral. 

Chania

On the Akrotiri peninsulais is Stavros, where the sea is really calm due to the almost completely enclosed circular bay, and it is gently shelving sand, excellent for children. On the far side of the bay the mountainside rises, and this is where the climax of the film ‘Zorba the Greek’ was filmed. Also on this peninsula are some monasteries, should these be to your taste, and near Soudais the Allied War Cemetery, where are the graves of many of those that died in the Battle of Crete. 

BEACHES

Crete has many beautiful and impressive sandy beaches, some only accessible by boat (trips are available). Falassarna, Elefonisi & Balos/Gram Voussa all being well worth a visit, and we are sure you will find many more.

Lake Kournasis Crete’s only freshwater lake, and is small and shallow. Its appearance can vary a lot depending on when you visit – its colour changing as the sun moves round, its size changing according to the time of year. Rethymnon is the third largest town in Crete and is dominated by its Venetian fortress, which can be visited, as can the harbour. It also has museums, the beach, shops and tavernas.

Rethymnon

Heraklion, the capital of Crete, is approximately a two hour drive by car and is the fifth largest city in Greece. The Archaeological Museum here houses the most important collection of Minoan art and artefacts in the world. Near to Heraklion is the archaeological site of Knossos, the largest of the Minoan palaces. This thrived over three and a half thousand years ago at the centre of a highly sophisticated island wide civilization.

SPORT

Pony Trekking and Horse Riding – various levels of both are available, from beginner to advanced. These activities usually take place either earlier or later in the day to avoid the heat of the day. 

Golf– there are plans to build several golf courses on the island. Currently the only opportunity for golfers is the 9 hole course at Porto Elounda Resort, Elounda. 

Diving and Snorkelling– the warm and crystal clear sea make excellent conditions for these. Snorkelling equipment can be hired or bought locally. Scuba Diving is only permitted between dawn and sunset in defined coastal areas. Local diving excursions will take you there. 

Windsurfing and Canoeing– these can be hired locally in Almerida.

WALKING 

For those who like to walk there are many beautiful places to walk, including Samaria Gorge being 18km, the longest gorge in Europe. This gorge has running water, ponds and trees, and is the last home of much of the islands unique flora and fauna. The walk takes about 6 hours and can be quite  demanding.

Rethymnon

Heraklion, the capital of Crete, is approximately a two hour drive by car and is the fifth largest city in Greece. The Archaeological Museum here houses the most important collection of Minoan art and artefacts in the world. Near to Heraklion is the archaeological site of Knossos, the largest of the Minoan palaces. This thrived over three and a half thousand years ago at the centre of a highly sophisticated island wide civilization.

BEACHES

Crete has many beautiful and impressive sandy beaches, some only accessible by boat (trips are available). Falassarna, Elefonisi & Balos/Gram Voussa all being well worth a visit, and we are sure you will find many more.

SPORT

Pony Trekking and Horse Riding – various levels of both are available, from beginner to advanced. These activities usually take place either earlier or later in the day to avoid the heat of the day. 

Golf– there are plans to build several golf courses on the island. Currently the only opportunity for golfers is the 9 hole course at Porto Elounda Resort, Elounda. 

Diving and Snorkelling– the warm and crystal clear sea make excellent conditions for these. Snorkelling equipment can be hired or bought locally. Scuba Diving is only permitted between dawn and sunset in defined coastal areas. Local diving excursions will take you there. 

Windsurfing and Canoeing– these can be hired locally in Almerida.

WALKING 

For those who like to walk there are many beautiful places to walk, including Samaria Gorge being 18km, the longest gorge in Europe. This gorge has running water, ponds and trees, and is the last home of much of the islands unique flora and fauna. The walk takes about 6 hours and can be quite  demanding.