Good quality studios, above Falasarna beach, with wonderful sea views...Roubini Hotel

Ten spacious modern studios with kitchenette, wonderful views, balconies. Open view cafe and hotel lounge areas. Perched above the sweep of beach and endless sea on the way down to Falasarna beach. Magnificent sunset views.

Roubini Hotel - full details

FALASARNA (FALASSARNA): Falasarna's west coast of Crete location, offering a quiet, un-crowded area to enjoy with its endless, wild sandy beaches facing an endless sea. You can choose a patch of beach to suit, sandy, sand and craggy rock, cafe by the beach, private or with sun umbrellas and beach chairs if you prefer. Several tavernas feed you amply right by the beach. Dramatic scenery on hikes, winding roads through unspoiled west coast villages, passing both pebble and sandy beaches if you take the scenic and adventurous route to Elafonisi's quasi-tropical beach and islet. Read our >>Chania feature<<

* * *

Beautiful countryside inn with pool...Villa Kerasia Inn

Villa Kerasia quietly greets you - a most pleasing country house standing on the hillside. Even on the first visit it feels like seeing a trusted old friend again. Seven rooms, swimming pool and fantastic views in the wine-making heartland of Crete. Between Heraklion and the south coast; 35-50 minutes from the airport or Matala or Knossos.

Villa Kerasia Inn - full details

VENERATO/KERASIA: Venerato is the prime village in this area, just 22 km from Heraklion. This is an agricultural region of Crete with wine-making a growing and successful activity. Lush rolling hills, dry air, accessible to south coast archaeological sites of Gortyna and Phaestos, the Palliani Monastery and also the scenic villages on the drive to Amari. Read our >>Heraklion feature<<

* * *

Small hotel in quiet location, with swimming pool...Calypso Hotel

Overlooking the valley, on the edge of the village of Matala - enjoy its pool, gardens and cafe. Family run, 20 room hotel. 300 m from Matala sandy beach.

Calypso Hotel - full details 

MATALA: Wonderful, wide sandy beach, famous caves carved into the rocks. Good swimming - many waterside cafes, gift-shops & tavernas. Calm in spring and fall, busy & bustling in summer. It's close to the archaeological sites at Kommos, Gortys and Phaestos; also it's a short drive to Agia Gallini for a change of setting. Wonderful sunsets! Absence of large hotels, relaxed & very casual.  

* * *

Small Chania hotel in handsomely restored traditional building on Venetian Harbour, historic features...Belmondo Hotel

Belmondo Hotel is a find. A small hotel with just 8 rooms, some with balcony or terrace, some overlook the Venetian Harbour. Rooms are all interesting, simply and tastefully furnished, well-finished. One of the original Venetian waterfront buildings.

Belmondo Hotel - full details

CHANIA: Host to the beautiful Venetian harbour with its waterfront tavernas, numerous good restaurants, unique accommodation in restored and modern buildings, intriguing narrow shopping streets. Nearby beach, resort and water park areas heading west. The Lefka Ori mountains explorable from here, along with many intriguing villages. Good shopping opportunities for handicrafts, clothes and more. Small - more easily digested museums! Read our >>Chania feature<<

* * *

Early Cretan, traditional houses in a protected gorge...Aspros Potamos

Here, you are staying in a real old Cretan hamlet...very old! A few minutes from the pace of Makrigialos on the south coast, ages away in feel. One of the calmest and most  relaxing places just "to be". This really is back to nature and it has to be said also "back to beauty". A unique experience.

Aspros Potamos - full details  

Apartments and studios...Akrotiri Apartments

Overlooking the Makrigialos bay, Akrotiri Apartments has superb location and views. Comfortable apartments and studios, gardens, two beaches to enjoy nearby.

Akrotiri Apartments - full details

MAKRIGIALOS: Some way from any major or developed tourist towns, it lies east of Ierapetra, along a coastline with secluded bays and beaches. Easy access to and from Sitia. The harbour area has character. "Local" and not excessively tourist-trodden atmosphere. Read our >>Makrigialos feature<<

* * *

Beautiful gardens and views, near the sea...Mochlos Mare Apartments

Gardens so stocked with flowers that you have to look out to sea from your balcony to relax your eyes! These apartments in a little hotel-like group, the hospitality of the owners and their edge of village position, are neat and pleasing - winter or summer.

Mochlos Mare Apartments - full details

Nice studio rooms with view, near the sea...Meltemi     

Views to sea, minutes to the village and waterside tavernas. Simple and pleasant studios with balconies or terrace - most rewarding to enjoy the un-touristy Mochlos on this interesting part of the north-east coast. 

Meltemi - full details

MOCHLOS: A fishing village by any other name. Separated from nearby places by a steep road, winding gently down from the National highway, there are tavernas in a perfect waterfront setting, serving great food, a small friendly village, small sandy beach and rock swimming platforms - a larger beach in from of Aldiana Hotel is an additional choice. The view of the tiny islet opposite with it's archaeological remains, which many swim to, adds to the quiet appeal. An away-from-it-all find that is known for its mild winter temperatures. Winter-friendly! Read our >>Agios Nikolaos feature<<

* * *

Unique recreated old village with traditional style stone houses...Milia traditional village

Up in the mountains, with endless hiking paths, wooded hillsides and away from it all. The alternative, ecologically sound collection of stone buildings with matching taverna and natural foods - somehow just staying here should prove meaningful.

Milia traditional village - full details

MILIA: In the well-forested mountains between Kissamos in the north and Elafonisi in the south. A recreated "village" of traditional stone houses. Endless walking trails, mountain air and if anything is a "retreat" this is it. Not only are houses traditional, most everything else is: heating by wood-burning boilers, lighting by gas/oil lamps or candles, traditional food and a real alternative feel.

* * *

On the beach, charming apartments...Romantika Apartments

Just wonderful - if you had stumbled across this garden-setting, on-the-sandy-beach group of six apartments you would know you are a lucky traveler. Neat, modern and tidy with only-sea views. A few steps and you are sitting sipping a drink or eating at the family run beach cafe/taverna. Here you have a peaceful haven and a short stretch away, the beach town of Agia Galini itself.

Romantika Apartments - full details 

AGIA GALINI: Has a feeling of being very separate from the surrounding area, with a well-used harbour. From the harbourside restaurants and cafes, this small town climbs with some shops and small hotels, steeply uphill. A closely-built place, with two beaches stretching to the east of the town. You can travel in about an hour to Rethymno on the north coast, sample its old Venetian and Turkish history, visiting the beautiful Spili and Amari villages on the way. Matala with its sandy beach and nearby Kommos with its extensive and quiet beach with an archaeological site, are just over half an hour away.

* * *

Zaros mountainside bungalow apartments with spacious gardens, pool & restaurant, horse riding...Eleonas Inn

Zaros is just 20 minutes from the south coast, has a well-walked gorge, lake, trout farms & the old village. Start of the scenic Amari route. Eleonas offers rural simplicity just outside the village, horse riding at the Inn and a restaurant and pool. Romance & family holidays both fit in here. In the midst of the nature and beauty of rugged hillsides.

Eleonas Inn - full details

At the foot of the mountain, near the gorge, in Zaros village...Idi Hotel

Between the interesting central village and the lake of Zaros. This simple hotel is set in gardens with indoor and outdoor pools. Wonderful position for exploring numerous old villages and also a 45 minute drive to south coast resorts and beaches.

Idi Hotel - full details

In the heart of Zaros mountain village...Keramos Hotel    

Very friendly family owned and run, with neat rooms, some balconies and the treat of home baked and family-produced breakfast pastries! Middle of the village, but they'll show you the gorge and lake and you can explore old villages or be at the sea in 45 minutes.

Keramos Hotel - full details

ZAROS: Up in the mountains, with a lake, a small body of water set in interesting surroundings in a picturesque area. From the lake starts the path to the Rouvas forest - a walk worth taking. Many lovely villages around, like Gergeri and Kamares (with a cave), provide extra sightseeing. Fresh trout is available in most tavernas in Zaros!

* * *

Bungalow apartments a few steps from long, quiet beach...Olga Beach

Olga Beach's very acceptable 6 bungalow apartments on the quiet eastern coast of Crete (east of Sitia), allow you to be at one with the sea for days on end. Great swimming and lazing, windsurfing facilities, perhaps a stroll inland for a different view, or stroll to the simple Kouremenos harbour to inspect the morning's catch. A lot of beach, a calm sea, a few tavernas - a quiet area. Close: Archaeology, Vai beach & Kato Zakros.

Olga Beach Apartments - full details

KOUREMENOS BEACH [SITIA]: One of the areas of Crete with very little development - so this is a fairly local place. Nearby archaeological sites and an easy get-there-early-hop to Vai beach to enjoy it before the hoards arrive. The village of Palekastro is the simple, local and traditional seat of the area. Kouremenos is a calm bay with clear swim-able water and a simple harbour. Good chance to amble around small villages and see the Toplou Monastery. Read our >>Sitia feature<<

* * *

Traditional house in a an old village...Agioklima Traditional House

Restored traditional stone houses converted into one and two-level units with character. Impressive views over rolling hills clad with grapevines and olive trees. Short trip to beaches and Heraklion.

Agioklima traditional house - full details

PETROKEFALO: Built on a hilltop, the village commands magnificent views to surrounding mountains, olive trees and vineyards. It is only 16 km from Heraklion and less from Amoudara beach. Sit at the two kafeneia or explore other villages from here, like Agios Mironas, Asites and Kroussonas. Read our >>Heraklion feature<<

* * *

Unique mountain retreat (with horseback riding facility)...Lefkoritis Resort

Unique in Crete, mountain resort/hideaway. Attractive stone-built suites of one or two bedrooms with mountain views. Marble bathrooms, elegant furnishings, some fireplaces. Horseback riding, skeet shooting and range of sports activities provided on request. The warm south coast is a short mountain drive, the E4 path and Imbros gorge minutes away. 

Lefkoritis Resort - full details  

ASKIFOU: In the heart of the Lefka Ori (white mountains), before you reach Imbros from where many choose to walk the Imbros Gorge, is another village where the Sfakian pies are good, local fresh foods can be had and the welcome is warm and inviting. Lefkoritis is above and on the edge of the village and has an excellent view to the Askifou plateau and mountain peaks. Read our >>Sfakia feature<<

* * *

Venetian building, near the harbour...Porto Del Colombo Hotel

A 600 year old building, converted to a comfortable hotel with rooms and suites, attractively decorated. Many of the rooms have views to the Venetian harbour and sea.

Porto Del Colombo Hotel - full details

CHANIA: Host to the beautiful Venetian harbour with its waterfront tavernas, numerous good restaurants, unique accommodation in restored and modern buildings, intriguing narrow shopping streets. Nearby beach, resort and water park areas heading west. The Lefka Ori mountains explorable from here, along with many intriguing villages. Good shopping opportunities for handicrafts, clothes and more. Small - more easily digested museums! Read our >>Chania feature<<

* * *

Exceptional location and views - truly unique...Hotel Porto Loutro

A choice of two distinct buildings of crisp and bright style - beach or elevated on the hillside, this is the established and desirable home from home, immersed in the relaxed magic of Loutro. Rejuvenate with walks or gazing at mountain and sea. 

Hotel Porto Loutro - full details

LOUTRO: Like no other. No cars - no mopeds. A special place. Perfect place to relax, walk, hike, select your beach for the day! Many places to stay - all simple, just what you need. A gem on the south coast of Crete. Read a book, paddle in a canoe, gaze at the mountains and the sea. Read our >>Loutro feature<<

* * *

Traditional hospitality, great views, the mountains...Yakinthos Hotel     

The village of Axos feels eons away from the coastal resorts and has all the treats to offer as a result. Yakinthos is special, as are the views from it, the produce provided for your breakfast, the many historical,  archaeological or cultural interests (your hosts will tell you where) nearby. 

Yakinthos Hotel - full details

AXOS: A steeped-in-history village in the mountains. There are wondrous views of surrounding mountains and from higher viewpoints views of the north coast and sea beyond. Axos boasts numerous historic churches, important archaeological sites and caves in the immediate area. For local and inland exploration, summer and winter, this is a real change for the traditional with a local character and "atmosphere". 

* * *