Located in Kambánion in the Crete Region, a 15-minute drive to Chania Town with its Venetian Port, Dream Villa boasts an outdoor pool, barbecue and sun terrace. Kalathas Beach is a 5-minute drive away. Free private parking on site and WiFi throughout the property is available.
The accommodation comes with a seating area with a fireplace and a flat-screen TV, computer, and DVD player. Some units have a terrace and/or balcony. There is also a kitchen, fitted with a dishwasher. An oven is also available, as well as a coffee machine and a kettle. Bed linen is offered. Massage and beauty treatments can be provided upon request and at extra charge.
Georgioupolis is 25 km from Dream Villa and Réthymno Town is 39 km away. The nearest airport is Chania International Airport, 5 km from Dream Villa and surcharge airport shuttle is provided.
There is an outdoor heated pool.
Eparchiaki Odos Profiti Ilia-Monis Agias Triados 107
Find below list of things to do near Dream Villa:
Classic Sail Yacht 40feet long*
Full Day PRIVATE Cruise out of the old venetian harbor of Chania
Check in: 10am
Check out: 5pm
Description: A Sailing cruise around the gulf of Chania will give your vacations a different view of the city! We set sails every morning at 10am in the Old Venetian Harbour of Chania making a cruise around the gulf of Chania. We will make two stops, anchoring for swimming and relaxation, one at the nearby island of Ag.Theodori which is a protected area of “Natura” as it hosts many birds as well as the wild Cretan goat named “KRI-KRI”, and the second stop will be in a secluded beach named “Maherida” and has beautiful turquoise waters. During the stops we will offer you traditional Cretan snacks, season fruits, drinks from the open bar and of course lunch that will be prepared onboard. snorkelling equipment will be provided as well to those who wish to explore the seabed!!! At about 5pm we will be back to the old Venetian port for disembarkation!!!
Destination: Sailing around the gulf of Chania making stops for swimming and relaxation, anchoring at Maherida bay and the nearby island of Ag.Theodori.
Icluded: snacks (Cretan traditional dakos), fruits, drinks (soft drinks, beverages, wine and bottled water) and lunch onboard (home-made cooked, based on the local Mediterranean cuisine)
Must have: Have with you, your swimsuits, sea towels and your very best mood. Leave the rest to us!!!
*Maximum participation 8people
Start your trip to Elafonissi Beach with a convenient pickup from your accommodation in Chania. Then, sit back and enjoy the views as you make your way towards the southwestern part of the island.
Once you arrive at your destination, you get to choose how to spend your free time here. Lie back and soak up the sun on the beach or go for a walk and admire the rare flowers that grow in the sand dunes.
Explore the lagoon that connects the tiny islet to dry land and take advantage of the SUP board and snorkeling equipment included in your day trip. (SUP is available from May the 1st).And if you’re feeling parched, enjoy some of the complimentary water, juice, and fresh fruit provided.
Finally, once your day at the beach comes to an end, hop back aboard your private vehicle for a comfortable return journey to your accommodation in Chania.
We are an authorized company employing professional drivers for your safety and comfort. We primarily handle transfers to and from the airport, but we also cater to private excursions and transportation for weddings or other events. Our drivers are trained to serve you with professional courtesy. Our mission is to provide discreet, quality transportation with a driver at competitive prices, managing all requests with a high level of responsibility and responsiveness, whether it’s a simple transfer from the airport/port or a multi-day exclusive VIP transfer. Upon your arrival at the airports or ports of Crete, our driver will be waiting for you at the arrivals exit to offer you cool and refreshing water. They will escort you to the vehicle and provide you with wet wipes. You can then sit comfortably and enjoy the journey to the hotel. Our vehicle is equipped with USB and Type-C ports, as well as free Wi-Fi.
We are an authorized company employing professional drivers for your safety and comfort. We primarily handle transfers to and from the airport, but we also cater to private excursions and transportation for weddings or other events. Our drivers are trained to serve you with professional courtesy. Our mission is to provide discreet, quality transportation with a driver at competitive prices, managing all requests with a high level of responsibility and responsiveness, whether it’s a simple transfer from the airport/port or a multi-day exclusive VIP transfer. Upon your arrival at the airports or ports of Crete, our driver will be waiting for you at the arrivals exit to offer you cool and refreshing water. They will escort you to the vehicle and provide you with wet wipes. You can then sit comfortably and enjoy the journey to the hotel. Our vehicle is equipped with USB and Type-C ports, as well as free Wi-Fi.
We start our van tour from Chania at the pick up point that we have both agreed on. We then start going towards Ag. Triada the first monastery that you will be able to visit. You can spend some time there and then we continue our tour to Gouvernetou Monastery where you can also have the chance to visit and buy local products from the monks. You can even follow a path called The Bear’s Path that leads you to a cave. It’s quite interesting and you will be delighted by the view of the sea! Then, upon request, we can even take you to Marathi beach or Seitan Limani for a swim or eat at the local restaurants.
Are you ready for an unforgettable journey beneath the surface?
-Pick-Up or Meet-Up: We’ll either pick you up or meet you at our dive center, where you’ll meet your instructor.
-Theory and Briefing: Get ready for a quick session to cover essential theories behind safe diving practices and equipment use basics and safety tips.
-Choose Your Gear: Your instructor will help you pick out gear that suits you best.
– Beach Prep: We’ll head to the beach together, gear up, and get ready for our dive.
– Dive Time: Let’s dive in and explore the stunning underwater world together, for about 45minutes
-After we finish, we’ll return back to the dive center to get ready for the drop-off or if you have your own transportation, you are more than welcome to use it.
Our experienced instructors will take you through step-by-step instruction, before diving, covering everything you need to know in order to make most of it!
Book your beginner scuba diving course today and let the exploration begin!
Find below list of beaches near Dream Villa:
The seaside village of Kalathas is located 12km northeast of Chania city, in a natural bay at Cape Akrotiri, which is open to the north winds. Current Kalathas is a relatively new village, which has been inhabited by residents of Chania who wanted to live away from the city centre.
The beach in front of the village is beautiful, with fine sand and shallow crystal clear water. Opposite Kalathas, there is a small island which you can easily reach by swimming.
The beach is very well organized with umbrellas, water sports, restaurants, hotels, lifeguards, mini markets, etc.
West of the main bay, beyond the rocky end, there is a secluded sandy bay. This is not organized and is ideal for those who do not like crowded places.
Tip: If you continue towards the far right of the beach, you will find a rather remote beach with usually hardly any people should you wish to avoid the crowded part of the beach.
Agios Onoufrios, a serene seaside village located 8km north of Chania and close to Kounoupidiana, is a hidden gem worth visiting.
The beach of Agios Onoufrios is quiet and sandy, and well protected from the winds, as it is located in a deep bay, along with a picturesque small port. Although not well-organized, it’s a popular spot for locals who come for the picturesque landscape and traditional taverns. The only downside is the fuel tanks located northwest of the beach, which break the peaceful atmosphere.
Despite this, the beach is equipped with sunbeds, parasols, showers, changing rooms, and a lifeguard service. For sports enthusiasts, there are two volleyball courts available. Overall, Agios Onoufrios is a great destination for those looking for a quiet beach away from the crowds.
Tersanas is a charming coastal village situated 13km northeast of Chania, tucked away in a small cove on the west side of Cape Akrotiri. While it serves as the harbour for the neighbouring village of Chorafakia, Tersanas is a well-developed area and a popular holiday destination.
The beach at Tersanas is nestled within a natural harbour that faces southwest. With its white, fine sand and crystal-clear shallow waters, it’s a small beach that can get crowded, especially on weekends. Visitors can take advantage of the available sunbeds, umbrellas, showers, and snack bars. Its calm waters and proximity to tourist facilities make it perfect for families, and there are buses from Chania that stop at Tersanas.
Maherida Beach (also spelled Macherida) is a small, secluded white sand beach with turquoise water on the Akrotiri peninsula, about 14km northeast of Chania and 1km west of Chorafakia village, near Tersanas. Maherida sits in a calm southwest-facing bay enclosed by sharp rocks, and it stays undeveloped and quiet, with no sunbeds, umbrellas, or tavernas at the beach itself. The cove is family friendly and nudism friendly, and its clear shallow water suits swimming and snorkeling.
The name comes from the Greek word “machairi,” meaning “knife,” a reference to the knife-like shape of a rocky cape at the northern end of the bay. A second theory traces the name to the Gladiolus flower, known in Greek as “macherida,” which grows in the area.
Maherida is a small, wild cove rather than an organized resort beach. White sand meets turquoise water at the heart of a southwest-facing bay, and sharp rocks enclose the shore on either side. The sea surface here is usually calm, and the water clarity is exceptional because the currents frequently change direction and sweep away any rubbish.
The beach has not been developed, though some residential building has gone up nearby in recent years. Its seclusion makes it a popular spot for nudists, and it is one of the preferred beaches for the gay community in Chania. The crowd is usually quiet, which is much of the appeal for visitors who want a calm swim away from busier organized beaches.
The coastline around the cove is a habitat for wild species. Close to the main road, among the rocks, lies the Macherida pond, a crater-like pool fed by saltwater springs. This pond shelters water snakes, turtles, and seagulls, and it is worth a look on the way to or from the sand.
Maherida Beach is reached from Chania by a paved road across the Akrotiri peninsula, roughly 14km to the northeast. The cove lies 1km west of Chorafakia, near the coastal village of Tersanas, and the map coordinates are 35.57353, 24.07667 for Google Maps or Waze navigation.
Public transport reaches the area as well. The city bus route to Stavros passes through Tersanas and runs close to Maherida beach, so travelers without a car can get within a short walk. A small parking area sits near the beach, and it can fill up during peak season. The most flexible way to reach this quiet cove and the other Akrotiri beaches is with your own vehicle, which you can arrange through Crete Locals car rental partner.
Maherida is an undeveloped beach with no facilities on the sand. There are no sunbeds, umbrellas, showers, toilets, lifeguards, or snack bars at the cove, so plan to be self-sufficient for the day.
Key points to prepare for before you go:
Accommodation and some food and water options are found in the surrounding area and nearby villages, including Stavros and Kalathas. You can compare hotels, villas, and apartments close to the cove on the Crete Locals places to stay listings.
Maherida Beach is suitable for swimming, with usually calm, shallow, turquoise water that is clear enough to see the seabed. The bay faces southwest and stays sheltered, which keeps conditions gentle on most days. No lifeguards are on duty, so swimmers should take their own care.
The clarity and the rocky edges of the bay make Maherida ideal for snorkeling and spearfishing. Snorkelers can explore the sharp rocks that enclose the cove, where fish gather in the clear shallows. Divers and swimmers who want to reach the bay by sea can also arrive on a Chania private sailing cruise, which anchors at Maherida for a swim and snorkel stop.
Maherida suits travelers who prefer a quiet, natural cove over a lively organized beach. The calm shallow water and family friendly setting work well for families with children, provided you bring your own shade, food, and water. Couples and solo visitors looking for seclusion will find the cove peaceful, and it is nudism friendly for those who want it.
The beach is best for snorkelers, swimmers, and anyone comfortable spending a self-catered day at a wild beach. It is a natural pairing with the nearby Akrotiri coves for a slower beach day, and you can plan a wider route through the Crete Locals beaches guide.
Two well-known Akrotiri beaches sit within a short drive of Maherida. Tersanas Beach lies about 0.9km away, a small white sand beach in a natural harbour with sunbeds, umbrellas, showers, and snack bars that make it a good family option, described in full on the Crete Locals Tersanas Beach page. Kalathas beach lies about 2.3km away and is very well organized, with umbrellas, water sports, restaurants, hotels, and lifeguards, covered on the Crete Locals Kalathas beach page.
Boat trips, guided tours, and airport transfers round out the area. The gulf of Chania sailing cruises stop at Maherida and the protected island of Agioi Theodoroi, and you can browse more tours and day trips on the Crete Locals things to do page.
Maherida Beach is on the Akrotiri peninsula, about 14km northeast of Chania and 1km west of Chorafakia village, near Tersanas.
Yes, Maherida Beach is suitable for swimming. The water is usually calm and shallow, but there are no lifeguards on duty, so swim with care.
No, Maherida Beach is undeveloped and has no sunbeds, umbrellas, tavernas, showers, toilets, or lifeguards. Bring your own umbrella, food, and water.
Yes, a small parking area sits near Maherida Beach. It can get crowded during peak season.
Maherida Beach is reached by a paved road across the Akrotiri peninsula, and the Stavros city bus route passes nearby through Tersanas.
Yes, Maherida Beach is family friendly and ideal for snorkeling and spearfishing, thanks to its calm, clear, shallow water. There are no facilities for children, so come prepared.
The best time to visit Maherida Beach is during the summer, from June to September, when the weather is warm and sunny.
Hotels, villas, and apartments are available near Maherida Beach in the surrounding area and nearby villages such as Stavros and Kalathas.
Find below list of gorges near Dream Villa:
Avlaki Gorge is a 2 km hiking gorge in the Chania region of Crete, walked from Gouverneto Monastery down to Katholiko Bay about 16 km east of Chania city. The route rates 2 on a difficulty scale of 1 to 10, takes roughly 1 hour, drops 280 metres in altitude, and stays generally dry. Hikers reach the sea through a chain of caves, hermitages, and the abandoned Katholiko Monastery, which is why the canyon is also called Katholiko Gorge.
Avlaki Gorge is a short, steep monastic gorge that connects Gouverneto Monastery to the coast at Katholiko Bay. Avlaki Gorge sits in Arkoudovounia, a rugged pocket of the Akrotiri peninsula near Gouverneto Monastery, and it counts among Crete’s most significant canyons for its religious history. The secluded ravine gave refuge to numerous monks and hermits, who lived in its caves for centuries. The same gorge shelters the ancient, abandoned Katholiko Monastery, and that landmark gives the canyon its second name of Katholiko Gorge.
The gorge is not entirely accessible along its full length, so most visitors follow the marked trail rather than the raw riverbed. A signposted path from the monastery carries you on a scenic but steep descent toward Katholiko and the sea. The walk is dry underfoot in normal conditions, because Avlaki Gorge carries no permanent stream. You can preview other routes in the region on the wider Crete gorges guide.
Avlaki Gorge is an easy gorge to time but a steep one to walk. On a scale of 1 to 10, the route rates a difficulty level of 2, which suits reasonably fit walkers rather than technical canyoning. The one-way hike takes approximately 1 hour over its 2 km length, and it loses 280 metres of altitude between the monastery and the bay. The descent is the gentle part of the day; the same 280 metres must be climbed back on the return, so the uphill leg is where the effort concentrates.
Reach the trailhead by driving to Gouverneto Monastery, roughly 16 km east of Chania city on the Akrotiri peninsula. Follow these steps from Chania:
The monastery is the trailhead, so a hire car is the most direct way to reach it and to link Avlaki with other stops on Akrotiri. Renting a vehicle keeps the return climb on your own schedule rather than a tour timetable, which matters when you want to swim at the bay before heading back. Compare vehicles and pickup points through the Crete car rental directory.
The trail passes four monastic and coastal landmarks in sequence, each a short leg apart:
The bay guards one more curiosity worth the descent. A rock formation shaped like a boat stands near the water, and local legend calls it a pirate ship turned to stone by a monastery abbot’s curse. The deep blue water of the fjord makes the coastal finish a natural place to rest before the climb back.
Pack for a steep, dry, and shadeless walk with a coastal reward at the end. Sturdy shoes grip the rocky descent far better than sandals, and they protect ankles on the loose sections toward Katholiko. Water and sun protection matter because the gorge is dry and largely exposed, so carry enough for both legs of the hike. Swimwear is worth adding, since the deep blue fjord at Katholiko Bay invites a swim before the return climb.
What is Avlaki Gorge? Avlaki Gorge is a hiking gorge in the Chania region of Crete that runs from Gouverneto Monastery down to Katholiko Bay.
What type of gorge is Avlaki Gorge? Avlaki Gorge is a hiking gorge, walked on a marked trail rather than descended with ropes.
Is there water in Avlaki Gorge? Avlaki Gorge is generally dry, so the riverbed carries no permanent stream in normal conditions.
How can I access Avlaki Gorge? Access Avlaki Gorge on foot, following the marked trail that starts at Gouverneto Monastery.
How long is Avlaki Gorge? Avlaki Gorge is 2 km long from the monastery to the bay.
What is the difficulty level of Avlaki Gorge? On a scale of 1 to 10, Avlaki Gorge has a difficulty level of 2.
How many hours does it take to hike Avlaki Gorge? Hiking Avlaki Gorge takes approximately 1 hour one way.
What is the altitude difference in Avlaki Gorge? The altitude difference in Avlaki Gorge is 280 metres.
Where does Avlaki Gorge end? Avlaki Gorge ends at Katholiko Bay, a slender rocky fjord with deep blue water, a small Venetian well, and a tiny harbour once used by monks.
Several Chania canyons pair well with an Avlaki visit, each offering a different landscape and difficulty. Diplohahalo Gorge lies about 5.4 km away at the tip of Akrotiri, a technical route ending on the sands of Stefanou Beach. For a greener, car-accessible contrast further inland, the six-kilometre Therisso Gorge climbs toward the historic village of Therisso at the foot of the White Mountains.
Located at the farthest point of Akrotiri Cape lies the Diplochachalo Gorge. This gorge is situated near the village of Chordaki, en route to the renowned Stefanou or Seitan Limania beach. The gorge is a compact, breathtaking, and purely technical canyon featuring six descents, two of which are quite tall. It begins just beneath the quarry that stands out in the area. The gorge’s brief route, apart from the descents, forms dramatic rock shelters and formations with steep slopes. At the centre of the tallest waterfall, which stands at 38m, resides a beautiful cave adorned with stalactites and stalagmites, stretching around 20 meters deep. The gorge’s exit leads directly to the sandy shores of Stefanou Beach.
The Diktamos Canyon, nestled within the White Mountains, commences 21km to the east of Chania, near the Katochori village at an elevation of 300m. It concludes 8km further east, at the Faragi village, situated at a height of 40m and in close proximity to the Stylos village in the Apokoronas province. Consequently, it is also referred to as the Katechori Gorge or Stylos Gorge. The canyon’s stream serves as the primary tributary of the Kiliaris River, gathering water from the northern slopes of the Mavri peak and discharging it onto the Kalives beach.
Navigating through the canyon can be challenging, with certain areas requiring extra caution and approximately 3 hours to traverse. The canyon is a stunning, verdant landscape filled with towering trees and steep inclines, home to dittany or diktamos, a herb endemic to Crete. In Stylos, you have the opportunity to explore the ancient church of Apostle John (Agios Ioannis Theologos), refresh yourself at the local springs, and replenish your energy at the village’s taverns.
The Cyclamen Gorge, also known as Agios Georgios Gorge or Gorge Vandes, is nestled on the northern slopes of the White Mountains. Its starting point is the Aletrouvari settlement, situated at an altitude of 300m, and it extends east of Agios Georgios village, ultimately ending at the village of Vandes, which is at an elevation of 50m. The stream that runs through this gorge gathers water from the Drakona area, resulting in the formation of quaint, small ponds at certain spots.
However, this route is not recommended for novice hikers as it requires approximately 2 hours to traverse from Aletrouvari or about 1 hour from Agios Georgios. As visitors journey through this route, they will encounter a diverse landscape that changes along the river, all under the cool shade of towering plane trees and cypresses.
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