Featuring pool views, Villa Sandy provides accommodation with a balcony and a coffee machine, around 2.7 km from Sfakaki Beach. This villa features a private pool, a garden, barbecue facilities, free WiFi and free private parking.
The villa is equipped with 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, bed linen, towels, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a dining area, a fully equipped kitchen, and a terrace with mountain views.
If you would like to discover the area, cycling is possible in the surroundings and the villa can arrange a car rental service.
Eleven Beach is 2.7 km from Villa Sandy, while Archaeological Museum of Rethymno is 13 km away. The nearest airport is Heraklion International, 72 km from the accommodation, and the property offers a paid airport shuttle service.
Asteri
Find below list of things to do near Villa Sandy:
For this excursion, you will be picked up from your hotel area by our airconditioned bus. The first
stop is at the Spili village. You will have a chance to see a 100% traditional village with its well know
lion-head fountains in the middle of the village. Walking along its cobbled streets you can explore
the tourist shops which are full of traditional Cretan products. The next stop is at Matala where you
will have 2,5 hour of free time to enjoy the golden sandy beach. Matala is not only known for its
beautiful beaches but also for its artificially carved caves that date all the way back to the Minoan
period. These same caves were later occupied by a hippy commune in the late 6 0’s and 7 0’s. Many
musicians have composed song about the beauty of Matala including Bob Dylan and Cat Stevens.
The next stop is at the amphitheatrically built village of Agia Galini. Here will have 1,5 hours to
explore the village. The small, traditional houses and the harbor make the perfect match for a
coffee οr lunch break. The bus will then take you back to your hotel ending this amazing excursion.
Immerse yourself in the rich culinary heritage of Crete as you embark on a gastronomic journey like no other. Learn from a passionate cook and proud native of a charming Cretan village.
Enter the cook’s home and discover the secrets of traditional Cretan cuisine using fresh products sourced from her family’s farm or local farmers. Learn in a charming atmosphere and cook in a traditional wood oven.
Enjoy a menu that can be adapted for our vegetarian friends or those with allergies. Experience the hospitality of a local home with a warm welcome with Greek coffee or herbal tea, homemade lemonade, ladokouloura, rolls made with olive oil, and loukoumakia.
Chat with the hose to get to know each other and learn the recipes with old traditional practices and cooked in a wood oven.
Try making starters like dakos (Cretan salad with tomato, cheese, olive oil, herbs), tzatziki (the famous Greek dip), and Greek salad. Learn to cook main dishes like gemista (stuffed vine leaves, zucchini flowers, tomatoes, zucchini, and pepper), and mousaka.
Indulge in a traditional dessert like Tyropitakia, traditional pies with homemade cheese, local honey, and cinnamon sprinkled, homemade ice cream, and seasonal fruit. Enjoy local wine and raki alongside your meal.
Experience genuine connections forged during the class and feel like part of the extended Cretan family, creating lasting memories and forging a deep appreciation for the traditions and flavors of this remarkable island.
Arkadi Monastery (in Greek Moní Arkadíou) is an Eastern Orthodox monastery, situated near Rethymno. It is one of the most historic monasteries on Crete.
What’s Included:
Experienced guide, use of bicycle, helmet, reflective orange vest, bottle of water, break for discussion and soft drink in a village during the tour.
Departure & Return:
Sofokli Venizelou 4, Rethymno 741 00, Greece
You will enjoy the beautiful view and you will be enchanted of the wonderful green landscape.
Additional Info:
Most travelers can participate
This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
Check the prices and make your reservation from our booking system in our website.
All protection measures are taken by COVID 19. Helmets and reflective vests are sterilized by a special machine at 120o C.
Discover the village of Loutro, named after the Greek word for “bath”, due to the many ancient baths in the area. Eat seafood and drink wine by the sea. Go for a swim in the warm blue sea. Marvel at the many famous white houses, and enjoy a relaxing sailing trip on a boat.
Begin the excursion and travel from Rethymno, known for its harbor with fishing boats, to Chora Sfakion. Then, sail for 20 minutes to the village of Loutro, on the south coast of Chania. After you arrive here, you can spend 5 hours exploring in your own free time to do whatever activities you want.
Go swimming in the clear blue waters of the sea. Eat some delicious local food such as fresh fish if you are hungry. Sip on wine by the sea. Also, admire the many white houses that make this place famous. Finally, board the boat and sail to Sfakia then return to Rethymno to finish your tour.
While in Rethymno don’t miss the chance to enjoy the sea, right at the main beach of the city. Book from a selection of watersports that are organized by experienced English-speaking crew and safe vessels.
You can choose between Slides, Banana, Crazy Sofa and Water-Ski. At the beginning, you will get safety measures training and the crew will be at all times attentive of your activity.
When booking please read through the options and the requirements if any. Please note that the starting time might vary by up to 30 minutes due to weather conditions or if it’s too crowded (for safety reasons).
Embark on a delightful 3-hour cruise along the tranquil east coast, where we’ll unveil the rugged pirate caves and the awe-inspiring “Camarola” arch, shaped by the relentless sea. Dive into the crystal-clear blue waters for a rejuvenating 30-minute swim directly from the boat. As we journey back to Rethymnon port, witness the grandeur of the Venetian fortress, “Fortezza,” and glide through the picturesque Venetian Port, adorned with timeless beauty. Experience nature’s wonders and historical charm on this unforgettable voyage.
Find below list of beaches near Villa Sandy:
Commencing 11km east of Rethymno and extending 3km eastward is the Skaleta beachfront, marking the end of the expansive beach of the Bay of Rethymno. The first resort you encounter after Pighianos Kampos is Sfakaki, which is exceptionally well arranged.
Stavromenos beach is the next stop, just 1km away, named after the area’s synonymous settlement. The beaches here are predominantly sandy and meticulously organized, with spots featuring pebbles and tiny rocks. As you journey eastward, the sandy stretch narrows down and gradually fades until it vanishes at the end of the Rethymno Gulf.
Continuing another 1km, you will reach the final segment of the immense East Rethymnon beachfront, Skaleta. Like all beaches on the north coast, Skaleta beachfront is exposed to the winds and typically experiences waves. The surrounding area has seen considerable development in recent years, now abounding with large hotels and tourist facilities. Regular bus services are available from Rethymno to Sfakaki, Stavromenos, and Skaleta.
From May to September, summer nights bring an extraordinary sight as loggerhead sea turtles lay their eggs in the Gulf’s sand. It’s not uncommon to see small areas of the beach cordoned off and inaccessible to visitors where nests have been spotted.
Pigianos Kambos, also known as Pigi beach, is situated 8km to the east of Rethymno, centrally positioned along Rethymno Bay’s extensive beach. The name, Pigianos Kambos, translates to “Plane of Pigi” from Greek, reflecting the fertile fields that belong to the inhabitants of the nearby Pigi village. Today, Pigianos Kambos serves as a coastal tourist destination, albeit less developed than its neighbor, Adelianos Kambos. The area boasts a variety of accommodations, from apartments and rooms to larger hotels, complemented by multiple dining, entertainment, and shopping options.
The beach in Pigianos Kambos offers a peaceful and quieter atmosphere compared to the other beaches in Rethymnon. Between Pigianos Kambos and Stavromenos, visitors can enjoy swimming and snorkelling in the numerous small, rocky coves. A unique feature of Pigianos Kambos is the opportunity to spot protected sea turtle nests, as these creatures choose this sandy beach to lay their eggs.
Regular bus services from the center of Rethymnon make Pigianos Kambos easily accessible.
Adelianos Kambos, also known as Adele Beach, is a seaside suburb of Rethymnon situated 6km to the east on a flat plain. This area, previously used for vegetable cultivation by residents of the adjoining village Adele, has seen considerable development over the past century, becoming an integral part of Rethymnon city. Access to Adelianos Kambos is straightforward, with local buses running regularly from the city centre.
The extensive sandy stretch of Rethymnon Gulf beach begins at Adelianos Kambos and continues to Skaleta. The suburb offers a variety of accommodation options, from large hotels to smaller establishments, and plenty of choices for dining, shopping, and entertainment. The beach is well-equipped with amenities like umbrellas, lifeguards, changing rooms, showers and bars, making it a popular spot for beach sports and water activities. The sea here is typically shallow but can be wavy, a characteristic of all open beaches on the northern side of Crete. An interesting feature of this beach is the sea turtles that lay their eggs here, leading to the occasional sight of marked nests protected by ropes and signboards.
Find below list of gorges near Villa Sandy:
Arkadi Gorge is a moderate 4.5 km hike in the Rethymno region of Crete that starts just north of Arkadi Monastery and takes about 2 hours to walk. The route follows the eastern bank of a green, rocky ravine, ends near the village of Pikris where it meets the Gypofarago gorge, and pairs naturally with a visit to the historic monastery above it. There is no entrance fee and no facilities on the trail, so you carry your own water and food.This guide covers what the gorge is, how hard it is, how to reach the trailhead, what you see along the way, how to combine it with the monastery, and what to pack.
The untamed Prassano gorge, also known as the Gorge of Prasses, is situated 10 km southeast of Rethymnon. It commences south of the Prasses village and provides a captivating three-hour hike through enormous rocks and some fairly challenging passages, adding to the intrigue of the trek. The Prasano Gorge, currently serving as the “overflow” channel for the Potami dam, winds its way through the rocky hills of Gargana, with its stream terminating in the suburb of Platania, east of the city of Rethymnon. The river is engulfed by lush vegetation and towering plane trees, making it an ideal spot for a refreshing excursion.
The Prassano gorge can only be accessed from mid-June to mid-October due to the water flow. It is a crucial biotope of Crete, providing a habitat for buzzards and a small group of Bonelli’s eagles.
The Prasses Village
Set amidst the verdant Cretan landscape on the slopes of Vrysinas, Prasses serves as an entrance to the southern coast. This medieval village showcases the intermingling of diverse cultures that have traversed Crete, evident in the Venetian mansions, Turkish farmsteads, and Orthodox churches. The rich natural and cultural diversity make the village an ideal location for tours and walks. Heading south from Prasses, the road leads to the Potami valley, home to the dam of the same name.
Margarites is a renowned village in the Milopotamos province, celebrated for its stunning architecture and traditional pottery. The broader region, encompassing the villages of Margarites, Orthe and Eleftherna, is characterized by a sequence of small, parallel gorges. Tiny watercourses like Margaritianos meander northwards, contributing to the Geropotamos River. These gorges are carved into the white-yellow marly limestone from the Upper Miocene era (8-10 million years ago), a result of the area’s uplift and water erosion.
The gorges’ most striking features are their abundant flora and extraordinary environment. Small groups of horizontally branched cypresses (Cupressus sempervirens var horizontal) blend with low shrubs, wildflowers, and aromatic plants. The local authorities have fashioned small trails that reveal the area’s beauty to visitors.
Last updated: August 2026. Crete Locals.
Mili Gorge is a green hiking ravine about 7 kilometres south of Rethymno, where a shaded, year-round stream runs past the abandoned mill village of Mili. Mili Gorge gathers its water from the northern slopes of Mount Vrysinas and holds so many plants and trees that it reads like a botanical garden. The signed trail follows the length of the valley, so walkers pass old watermills, spring-fed pools, and small rock-cut churches along the way.
Mili Gorge takes its name from the water mills that once worked along its stream. Mili Gorge holds the abandoned village of Mili at its heart, split into two neighbourhoods, Ano Mili (Upper Mills) and Kato Mili (Lower Mills). About 30 watermills once ground the grain from the gorge and the surrounding villages, and nearly every resident worked as a miller. Today a single renovated watermill still stands in good condition, so visitors can see how the mills turned. Fruit trees and vegetable gardens fill the ground between the ruins, fed by the same water that once drove the wheels.
Residents left Mili in 1972 after landslides threatened the houses. The villagers built a new settlement, Nei Mili (New Mills), on the high ground west of the gorge. Some of the old mills have since been restored as homes, and one now serves as a cafe-restaurant for visitors.
Water shapes every part of Mili Gorge. Springs feed the stream at several points, and the two largest, Saint Anthony and Five Virgins, keep it flowing all year. Along its course the water forms small waterfalls and pools, shaded by tall plane trees, where walkers stop for a cool rest. Birds are easy to spot in the canyon, so the gorge rewards birdwatchers as much as hikers.
Mili Gorge holds several rock-cut churches along its trail. The cavernous church of Saint Anthony (Agios Antonios) and the cavernous church of Saint John (Agios Ioannis) sit within the rock, and the cemetery church of the Holy Five Virgins (Pente Parthenes) stands just past the village. Beyond Kato Mili the trail passes two more cave chapels, Saint Paraskevi (Agia Paraskevi) and Saint Nicholas (Agios Nikolaos).
Mili Gorge has two entrances, so walkers can start from either end of the valley. The northern entrance sits near Chromonastiri, and the southern entrance sits near Xero Chorio. The trail is signed and stays shaded through the summer months. After heavy rain the stream rises and the ground turns slippery, so the walk is safest in dry, settled weather. The on-site cafe-restaurant runs mainly in the summer season, so carry your own water and snacks for the walk.
What type of gorge is Mili Gorge? Mili Gorge is a hiking gorge with a signed trail.
Is there water in Mili Gorge? Yes, water runs in Mili Gorge all year round.
How accessible is Mili Gorge? Mili Gorge is reached by a paved road.
How long is Mili Gorge? Mili Gorge is 2.5 km long.
How difficult is Mili Gorge? Mili Gorge rates 1 out of 10 for difficulty.
How many hours does it take to hike Mili Gorge? Hiking Mili Gorge takes about 2.5 hours.
What is the altitude difference in Mili Gorge? The altitude difference in Mili Gorge is 190 m.
Mili Gorge sits about 7 km south of Rethymno, and the trailheads near Chromonastiri and Xero Chorio are far easier to reach with your own vehicle than by bus. Driving lets you park near the entrance, start the walk early before the midday heat, and pair the gorge with the villages and monasteries around Rethymno, which is simplest with car rental in Crete.
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