Located in Skalánion, Crete’s Hidden Treasure: Family Villa with Pool and Majestic Views provides accommodation with a private pool, a balcony and garden views. This property offers access to a terrace, free private parking and free WiFi.
The villa is equipped with 6 bedrooms, a flat-screen TV with cable channels and a fully equipped kitchen that provides guests with a dishwasher, an oven, a washing machine, a microwave and a fridge. Towels and bed linen are provided in the villa.
Guests can relax in the garden at the property.
The Palace of Knossos is 4.9 km from the villa, while Venetian Walls is 11 km away. The nearest airport is Heraklion International Airport, 6 km from Crete’s Hidden Treasure: Family Villa with Pool and Majestic Views.
Liapaki
Find below list of things to do near Crete’s Hidden Treasure: Family Villa with Pool and Majestic Views:
Join a tour with all of Crete’s most iconic products. All the areas that you will visit are famous for their vineyards, the olive groves, and their wine production since the Minoan era. Even today they are considered the largest areas in Greece for cultivating grapes and high-quality olive oil.
Stop at a local olive mill and take a tour of the olive grove and after the olive mill where you can taste fresh olive oil. The second stop is a family-owned winery that uses organic methods for cultivating. You will get a tour around the vineyards and the winery and taste 5 wines.
The next stop is a unique distillery with an ancient wine press. Raki is the most famous Cretan spirit. Take a tour of the distillery and then enjoy a traditional lunch at a local tavern. Before finishing off the tour with a visit to a pottery studio located in a traditional village that is famous for its pottery.
*The pottery lab is not available on Sundays
Visit the most important Minoan palace on a full-day trip to Knossos Palace from Chania. Explore Heraklion city center with free time, or pay a visit to the Heraklion Archeological Museum. Stop in the picturesque city of Rethymno on your way back to Chania.
After pickup from your hotel or a nearby meeting point, head straight to Knossos Palace, the home of various Greek legends and myths such as the Labyrinth, Minotaur, Daedalus, and Icarus.
Upon arrival, take a guided tour of the palace with your guide. Learn about the Minoan civilization, and see what is believed to be the throne of the legendary King Minos.
At the end of your palace tour, continue toward the center of Heraklion and enjoy free time to explore once there. If you like, you can use part of your free time on a tour of the Heraklion Archeological Museum.
Once your time in Heraklion is up, reconvene with your guide and start the drive back. Along the way, stop for a break in Rethymno and enjoy more free time to stroll through the city’s streets. The tour concludes with drop-off at your hotel.
Rent a mini iPad tablet and make the most of your visit to Knossos Palace. See how the site looked in ancient times while learning about the Palace’s history via audio guide.
Immerse yourself in Greek history with a special virtual and augmented reality application. Pick up your rental tablet to see a representation of the archaeological site in its original state in 3D and 360°. The reconstruction is based on studies supervised by a team of globally renowned archaeologists.
Feel peace of mind knowing that the tablet is fitted with a shockproof protective case, and purpose-built sun shield allowing you to use it seamlessly under the summer sun. It also features a carry strap, and disposable earphones sealed in a small bag.
Take advantage of the audio guide, allowing you to listen to recorded spoken commentary in your choice of language. Hear fascinating facts and learn about the Palace’s history as you walk around its ancient ruins.
Enjoy a tour of the mythological Labyrinth with your own licensed guide who will take you through Knossos, focusing on the highlights of the area and its most prominent features. Afterward, the driver will take your group to the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion where your private tour will continue.
Discover Knossos, the capital of Minoan Crete, considered Europe’s oldest city. Hear about the islands long history from your guide and learn about the peak of the Minoan culture in 2000 B.C. Later visit the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion where you can marvel at the findings of the first civilization of Europe, the Minoans.
The tour will guide you through the ages, in a period of time that extends over a 5.000 years, from the neolithic to the roman era.
Get to know the lesser-known side of Crete with a guided tour of the Lasithi Plateau, Knossos Palace, and an archaeological museum. Tour traditional local villages, an olive oil factory to learn about olive oil making, and old windmills once used to make corn and flour.
Start off with the Lasithi Plateau, the highest plateau in Crete with an altitude of 900 meters above sea level. Step into history with a visit to old traditional villages and head to an olive oil factory where you can discover how olive oil used to be made as compared to its modern production.
After tasting some olive oil, visit Krasi village where the oldest plane tree in Crete is located. Visit old windmills that were used for corn and wheat production, as well as others that were used to pump water up to water the crops. See the cave where the mythical Zeus was rumored to have been born.
Visit Crete’s most important archeological sites, the Knossos Palace and Heraklion Archaeological museum. Enjoy lunch and peruse the area before leaving.
This is a full-day pass to WaterCity in the hills above Heraklion with the transfer built in, which is the part that usually complicates a waterpark day. The ticket covers unlimited use of the slides and pools, a sunbed and an umbrella, and the park runs on a cashless wristband so you carry nothing around. T4V run it over about 6 hours from €32.50, with a 4.33 rating across 290 reviews.
The day is a transfer, a full-day pass and a transfer back. Three parts.
First is the pick-up, which starts somewhere between 08:30 and 10:45 depending on how far your hotel is from the park, at the hotel entrance or a meeting point within short walking distance. Second is the park itself, with slides graded for different ages, pools at varying depths, a wave pool, a jacuzzi, a 385-metre lazy river and a dedicated water playground for toddlers. Third is the return, with departures at roughly 16:00 and 18:00.
Tickets are collected from the reception desk at the park on arrival rather than sent in advance.
The day is spent at one site inland from the coast.
The €32.50 covers the transfer, the entry and your spot by the pool.
Included:
Not included:
Outside food and drink cannot be brought in, so budget for eating at the park.
We recommend this version specifically because of the transfer. WaterCity sits up a hill outside Heraklion, a taxi each way turns a cheap day into an expensive one, and driving means someone spends the day sober and watching the clock. At €32.50 including the coach, sunbed and umbrella, the arithmetic is good.
The park itself reviews well on the things that matter for a family. A British parent took a 14-month-old and reported slides for all age groups and pools at different depths. Another British guest praised clean surroundings and well-maintained attractions. A third called it not too big and not too busy, which is a fair description, this is a mid-sized park rather than a mega-resort, and several reviewers count that as a positive.
The cashless wristband comes up again and again, and it deserves the mention. You pay for everything with the band, so nothing needs carrying, no wallet, no phone, no cash by the pool. Combined with the lockers, reviewers describe it as the thing that let them relax.
Three honest caveats, because 4.33 is a middling score and the reasons are consistent.
The transfer is the weak link, not the park. GetYourGuide’s own summary of verified reviews says pick-up timing and communication for transfers could be clearer and more reliable, and guide quality, which here effectively means the transfer operation, is the weakest dimension at 4.3. Your exact pick-up time arrives by email or chat the day before, not on the ticket, so watch for it.
Expect queues in high season. A British reviewer said to expect some, while calling them still manageable.
The slide range has gaps. A Dutch reviewer enjoyed the tyre slides but was disappointed there were no Category 2 slides without a tyre. If you are booking for teenagers chasing the steepest rides, check the current line-up.
Watch for the pick-up message, wear water shoes, and take a towel.
Pick-ups run between 08:30 and 10:45 depending on your distance from the park, and returns leave at approximately 16:00 and 18:00. Tickets are collected from reception on arrival.
Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, a towel and sunscreen. Outside food, drinks and alcohol are not permitted, and pets are not allowed apart from assistance dogs. Lifeguards are on duty throughout.
The trip runs about 6 hours, with pick-ups from 08:30 to 10:45 and returns at roughly 16:00 and 18:00.
Yes, pick-up and drop-off are included, with the exact time sent by email or chat the day before.
A sunbed and umbrella are included in the ticket, but towels are not.
No, outside food and drinks are not permitted. The park has restaurants and bars, paid by wristband.
Everything is paid with a cashless wristband, so you can leave your wallet and phone in a locker.
Yes, there is a dedicated water playground for toddlers and pools at varying depths, though some slides have minimum height limits.
Check dates and prices for the WaterCity waterpark day with hotel pickup.
Find below list of beaches near Crete’s Hidden Treasure: Family Villa with Pool and Majestic Views:
Karteros beach is a wide, fine-sand bay on the north coast of Crete, about 7 km east of Heraklion and right beside the island’s airport. The bay stretches roughly 3 km east from the mouth of the Karteros Gorge and takes in two neighbourhoods, Karteros and Amnissos, which have grown together as the area developed. Its name honours the Byzantine general Krateros, who landed here in 824 AD in a failed attempt to free Crete from the Saracens.
The sand is fine and golden, mixed with a little pebble in places, and the water is shallow with almost no rocks. The bay faces the open sea and catches the northern winds, so the surface is often wavy, especially towards the eastern end. Those same winds make Karteros a popular spot for windsurfing. The shallow, gently deepening water suits children and families, and lifeguards watch the organised stretches in season.
You will find tavernas, cafes, and beach bars along the shore, together with umbrellas and sunbeds on the organised sections. A paved road and a city bus from Heraklion reach the beach, and there is a parking area by the shore, so getting here without a car is straightforward. Off the bay lies the small rocky islet of Monochorako, close enough for confident swimmers to reach from the sand.
The quietest part of the bay is Florida, at the western end next to Heraklion’s Nikos Kazantzakis airport. Here the Karteros River flows out of the gorge and forms a small seasonal wetland that dries up in summer, and there are fewer umbrellas and facilities than further east. The wetland is easiest to see in spring, before the summer heat dries it out. While you are at this end, look for the small church of St John and St Nikon, built inside a cave in the rock face across the old national road. Do not be surprised to see horses on the sand here either, as the Heraklion Riding Club brings them down to the beach.
A rental car makes it easy to combine Karteros with the beaches and sites further east along the coast. Compare options for your trip on the Crete car rental page.
Karteros beach is on the north coast of Crete, about 7 km east of Heraklion and directly east of the island’s airport. The bay stretches around 3 km and includes the Karteros and Amnissos neighbourhoods.
A paved road links Karteros beach to Heraklion, and a city bus serves the area, so you can reach it with or without a car. There is a parking area next to the shore for visitors who drive.
Yes. The water is shallow and deepens gently with few rocks, which suits children, and lifeguards watch the organised stretches in season. The sea is often wavy because the bay faces the northern winds, so keep an eye on the conditions and any warning signs.
The bay is exposed to the northern winds and the surface is frequently wavy, most of all towards the eastern end. Calmer conditions are more likely early in the day and on the more sheltered western sections.
The organised sections have umbrellas, sunbeds, showers, and lifeguards in season, with tavernas, cafes, and beach bars along the shore. The western Florida stretch, next to the airport, is quieter and has fewer facilities.
Yes. The steady northern winds make the bay well suited to windsurfing, and water-sports operators work the organised stretches in the summer season.
The beach is named after the Byzantine general Krateros, who landed on the bay in 824 AD to try to free Crete from the Saracens but was defeated. The nearby river and settlement carry the same name.
At the western Florida end, the Karteros River forms a small seasonal wetland, and the cave church of St John and St Nikon sits across the old national road. Off the bay lies the small islet of Monochorako, which strong swimmers can reach, and the eastern Amnissos area continues the same long stretch of sand.
Situated 15km east of Heraklion lies the well-liked tourist resort of Vathianos Kambos. It derives its name from the nearby village of Vathia, found just a few kilometers to the south. The region is known for the Vathianos River that drains into the area and dries up during the summer. It is characterized by several contiguous bays with golden sands and shallow waters. Due to its north-facing beach front, the area experiences regular wave activity in the months of July and August, leading to the construction of numerous small piers that help to break the waves, retain the sand, and safeguard swimmers.
The most developed beach of Heraklion is found in the westernmost part of Vathianos Kambos, within the Estavromenos settlement. It is widely recognized as Arina, named after a local hotel. This extensive sandy beach attracts thousands of locals who flock there daily for a swim. The beach is teeming with umbrellas, bustling beach bars, and offers a plethora of beach sports options.
Moving east of Arina, you’ll come across the small bay of Agii Theodori. Here, you can still find the carved Minoan shipyard visible in the sea. Further on, you’ll encounter the successive coves of Vathianos Kambos, hidden from the main road due to the hotels interspersed between them. These bays are somewhat protected due to the presence of small piers. Only a handful of locals are privy to these secluded beaches, which extend all the way to Kokkini Hani.
Situated 15km west of Heraklion and to the west of Vathianos Kambos, Kokkini Hani is a thriving resort, nestled amidst numerous crops grown in the region’s fertile plain. Its name, meaning “Kokkinis’s Inn,” harks back to the early 1900s when an inn run by a man named Kokkinis provided a resting place for weary travellers en route to Heraklion.
The resort boasts numerous beaches, safeguarded by artificial mini piers. Characterized by sandy shores and shallow turquoise waters, these beaches, though located in front of hotels, are open for public access. The resort is replete with shops and restaurants, and the beaches are well-equipped with umbrellas, lifeguards, and water sports facilities, providing all the necessary tourist infrastructure. In comparison to Malia and Hersonissos, Kokkini Hani’s nightlife is rather subdued.
Close to Vathianos Kambos, on Kokkini’s eastern side and near the coast, lies the small archaeological site of Niros Villa. This mansion from the Late Minoan Times served as the dwelling of a high-ranking Minoan priest, presumably overseeing the local Minoan harbour. Open to the public, this site offers visitors a glimpse of the architecture of a Minoan religious structure from 4000 years ago. Excavations at the villa have unearthed several large bronze axes – the emblem of the Minoans, along with jars, offering tables bearing raw clay, and a host of other smaller artefacts.
Kato Gouves, often referred to as Gouves, is a sought-after holiday destination nestled 18km east of Heraklion, at the base of Mount Ederi. Historically, the valley of Kato Gouves was a fertile ground for vegetables, olives, and cereals, cultivated by the inhabitants of Ano Gouves. Today, it’s been transformed into a tourism hub, featuring numerous hotels. Unlike the bustling resorts of Malia and Hersonissos nearby, Gouves offers a tranquil vacation experience, making it an ideal spot for families and the elderly. The sandy beaches here are loved by families, and are conveniently close to all necessary amenities.
Gouves beach is well-equipped with facilities such as umbrellas, sunbeds, lifeguards, water sports, and diving centres, alongside showers and changing rooms. The sea, featuring fine sand and shallow waters, is exposed to the common north winds. As a result, there are several small piers and marinas in the vicinity where you can enjoy a swim, shielded from the waves. The coastal road of Gouves runs parallel to the coastline, simplifying the task of locating your perfect beach spot! Enjoy an evening stroll on this road while admiring the sunset. The road also boasts numerous cafes and restaurants, offering panoramic sea views. Furthermore, Gouves’ main road houses a number of supermarkets, shops, pharmacies, clinics, and ATMs.
One must-visit spot is the Church of St. Constantine, nestled in a quaint pine forest adjacent to the sea. Its picturesque seaside location makes it a popular wedding venue, especially for couples from Heraklion. If your visit falls on a Saturday, you’re likely to witness a traditional Greek wedding or baptism. Beyond the shoreline, 2km to the north, lies the village of Ano Gouves. Its narrow streets, churches, and coffee shops exude a traditional charm. Further north, you can explore the Cave of Agia Paraskevi near the village of Skotino. To the east, Mount Ederi stands tall, home to radars used by the Americans for the operation of the erstwhile US air base in Gournes.
Find below list of gorges near Crete’s Hidden Treasure: Family Villa with Pool and Majestic Views:
The Astrakiano and Kounaviano canyons are two verdant gorges that converge near Skalani village and empty out onto Karteros beach. The combined length of these canyons is roughly 21 km. Situated to the east of Heraklion city, these gorges are part of the broader Mount Jiouktas area. They offer easy walking trails, making them perfect for families and children.
The longer of the two, Astrakiano, begins at the Paliarda location in Kolomodi and extends to the area beneath the deserted Kato Astraki village, after crossing the picturesque Astrakiani Kamara bridge. From Kato Astraki, a brief trail leads to the Neraidospilios site, known for its stunning pond and gushing water caves.
The path along the Karteros river commences from this point, offering a lush green trail equipped with wooden bridges and railings. After crossing the Aitania bridge at Kaki Rachi, we reach Kali Rachi where the Astrakiano and Kounaviano Gorges, originating from Peza, merge. From Kali Rachi, the river continues to Karteros along a well-structured path. This section, known as Karteros Gorge, passes by ancient water mills and the historic Saint Nicholas Church (Agios Nikolaos). Near the Karteros gorge exit, at the Mesa Karteros spot, you’ll find an old inn and a second chapel dedicated to Saint Nicholas. This location, accessible by car from Karteros, is an ideal picnic spot.
The Astrakiano canyon (Astraki – Kali Rachi) measures about 7km, with a hiking duration of 3-4 hours. The Kounaviano Gorge (Peza- Kali Rachi) is roughly 4km long, requiring about 2 hours for trekking. The shared section of the Karteros gorge (up to the second Saint Nicholas chapel (Kali Rachi – Mesa Karteros)) is approximately 6km.
The canyons’ route is abundant in natural, morphological, aesthetic, historical, and cultural aspects. The landscape boasts exceptional natural beauty, featuring springs, ponds, rivers, mini waterfalls, and lush vegetation. Prior to World War II, the canyon housed 10 watermills, and locals would fish for eels and crabs, some of which still exist today.
The Kounaviano gorge, known for its lush vegetation, is the greenest canyon in the entire Heraklion prefecture, serving as a verdant oasis in the heart of Pediada province. The gorge is named after the village of Kounavi in its district, even though it actually begins from the village of Peza, hence it could be referred to as Pezzano Gorge. This gorge is a tributary of the Karteros river and runs parallel to the Astrakiano gorge. The Astrakiano and Kounaviano gorges converge at the Kaki Rachi area near Skalani, forming the Karteros Gorge. Kounaviano’s entrance is situated at the northernmost point of the fertile Peza plain, collecting all the area’s water. It has numerous springs along its bed, some of which retain water throughout the year.
In recent years, the gorge’s trail has been marked and cleared, with the addition of small bridges, wooden railings, and informational signs. Walking along this trail is a delightful and easy experience, shaded by perennial plane, oak, and other trees. The riverbed walk is simple, without significant altitude changes or difficulties. At the gorge’s starting point, two small waterfalls can be seen. Old watermills, once used to grind the area’s cereals, can be found at three different points along the trail. This region has always been one of Crete’s most productive. Additionally, limestone kilns and various fruit tree gardens can be spotted. A walk from the gorge’s entrance at Peza to its exit at Kaki Rachi near Skalani takes approximately 2 hours.
The Agia Anastasia Gorge commences from Kenourgio Horio in the Pediada Province (at an elevation of 160m) and concludes at the coastal village of Gournes. It’s named after the cavernous chapel of Saint Anastasia situated near its entry point. The stream that flows within it collects water from the region east of Sgourokefali and originates near Agia Triada.
Its plant life mainly consists of oleanders and the gorge narrows at various points along its path. A descent through the gorge typically takes around three hours. Regrettably, the gorge has been heavily polluted by trash and waste from nearby sheepfolds. Despite ongoing appeals from hiking clubs to the Hersonissos municipality, the situation remains dire.
The Spiliotissa gorge, situated approximately 24km to the south of Heraklion, is a verdant chasm that originates from the Houdetsi village, passes through Agios Vasilios, and terminates in the Peza valley, where its waters feed into the Kounaviano gorge. The most picturesque section of the gorge is the 1.5km stretch between Houdetsi and Agios Vasilios. Starting from Houdetsi, where parking is available in the village, a well-kept trail leads down to Agios Vasilios, meandering through dense foliage and groves of orange and olive trees, irrigated by the stream.
At the beginning of the path, two Byzantine churches, Saint John the Baptist and Saint Nicholas, are encountered, along with two former grain mills. After approximately 500m, the historic Sinai Monastery of Panagia Spiliotissa can be found, which lends its name to the gorge. A quick exploration of the small monastery with its cave-like church is followed by a continued journey into the verdant heart of the canyon, towards Agios Vasilios. A beautiful fountain and the Byzantine church of Saint John are located just outside the monastery.
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