Located in Vrachasi and only 19 km from Lake Voulismeni, Villa Aires provides accommodation with sea views, free WiFi and free private parking. With mountain views, this accommodation offers a terrace and a swimming pool.
Featuring a Blu-ray player, the villa has a kitchen with a dishwasher, an oven and a microwave, a living room with a seating area and a dining area, 5 bedrooms, and 5 bathrooms with a bath and a shower. Towels and bed linen are featured in the villa.
The villa offers a barbecue.
Cretaquarium Thalassocosmos is 32 km from Villa Aires, while Heraklion Archaeological Museum is 47 km away. The nearest airport is Heraklion International Airport, 40 km from the accommodation.
from
€412
/night
Located in Latsídha, 17 km from Lake Voulismeni and 37 km from Cretaquarium Thalassocosmos, Traditional Residence with terrace provides air-conditioned accommodation with a balcony and free WiFi. With city views, this accommodation features a patio.
The holiday home with a terrace and mountain views features 2 bedrooms, a living room, a flat-screen TV, an equipped kitchen with an oven and a microwave, and 2 bathrooms with a shower. Towels and bed linen are provided in the holiday home.
Panagia Kera Church (in Kritsa) is 18 km from the holiday home, while Agios Nikolaos Port is 19 km away. The nearest airport is Heraklion International Airport, 45 km from Traditional Residence with terrace.
Boasting air-conditioned accommodation with a private pool, Villa Iliothea is situated in Milatos. This property offers access to a balcony, darts, free private parking and free WiFi.
The villa has 8 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, bed linen, towels, a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a dining area, a fully equipped kitchen, and a terrace with sea views.
The reception at the villa can provide tips on the area.
Villa Iliothea offers a children’s playground. A car rental service is available at the accommodation, while fishing and hiking can be enjoyed nearby.
Plaka Beach is 2.3 km from Villa Iliothea, while Volia Beach is 2.5 km from the property. The nearest airport is Heraklion International, 43 km from the villa, and the property offers a paid airport shuttle service.
from
€323
/night
House of Polymnia has mountain views, free WiFi and free private parking, situated in Sissi, 2.2 km from Boufos Beach.
The holiday home provides guests with a terrace, sea views, a seating area, a flat-screen TV, a fully equipped kitchen with an oven and a toaster, and a private bathroom with bath and a hair dryer. A fridge, a stovetop and kitchenware are also available, as well as a coffee machine and a kettle.
House of Polymnia features a barbecue and a garden.
Kalimera Kriti Beach is 2.2 km from the accommodation, while Avlaki Beach is 2.3 km from the property. The nearest airport is Heraklion International Airport, 38 km from House of Polymnia.
from
€81
/night
Boasting mountain views, Sissi – Villa Eleftheria offers accommodation with a balcony and a coffee machine, around 1.7 km from Boufos Beach. This villa has a private pool, a garden, barbecue facilities, free WiFi and free private parking.
The villa is fitted with 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, bed linen, towels, a flat-screen TV with streaming services, a dining area, a fully equipped kitchen, and a terrace with sea views.
Avlaki Beach is 1.8 km from the villa, while Kalimera Kriti Beach is 2.2 km from the property. The nearest airport is Heraklion International Airport, 38 km from Sissi – Villa Eleftheria.
from
€141
/night
Situated in Milatos, just 1.4 km from Plaka Beach, Villa Douloumi features beachfront accommodation with a private beach area, a seasonal outdoor swimming pool, a garden and free WiFi. This villa offers air-conditioned accommodation with a patio.
The villa has 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, bed linen, towels, a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a dining area, a fully equipped kitchen, and a terrace with mountain views.
The villa offers a picnic area. If you would like to discover the area, snorkelling and cycling are possible in the surroundings and Villa Douloumi can arrange a car rental service.
Volia Beach is 1.5 km from the accommodation, while Milatos Port Beach is 1.6 km from the property. The nearest airport is Heraklion International, 42 km from Villa Douloumi, and the property offers a paid airport shuttle service.
Explore off-road trails in Crete on a quad. Marvel at Minoa Palace and drive through olive groves. See an ancient oak tree and a 16th-century monastery. Savor a traditional Greek lunch in a cozy tavern and tour an olive mill. Bask in the sun and cool off with a swim in the sea at the end.
Go to the activity provider’s premises in Malia for a safety briefing. Then, head to Minoa Palace in Malia and continue to the village of Sisi. Cross a forest and pass through olive groves on your way up to the mountains to stop for a memorable photo at an 800-year-old oak tree.
Afterward, visit Vrahasi village and navigate its narrow streets as you head up a steep road to the Monastery of Agios Georgios Vrahasiotis. This monastery dates back to the 16th century. Every 30 minutes, you can stop to take photos and listen to the guide explain where you will go next.
Next, go to the village of Latsida and eat a traditional local lunch in a tavern. Finish your meal and then follow your guide to Neapoli. Check out Vasilakis Estate, an award-winning olive mill where olive oil is produced. Enjoy a tour here and then continue to Sisi to relax on the beach and swim.
Finally, return to the starting point and then transfer back to your accommodation to conclude your adventure.
This tour is a special way to discover the countryside of Crete in a top buggy! You will experience the ultimate adventure, crossing gorges, in an breathtaking manner and being guided to places you have never been. Come and have a try. You will follow our experienced guide starting from our base to the archeological site, Minoa palace, where you will be shown around by a tour guide and then we continue by driving through the beautiful villages of Sissi , epano Sissi and Milatos where we will visit the Milatos cave.
The cave is large, measuring 2,100 square meters, with eight small and large entrances. It is 73 meters long, and its widest point is 63 meters. We will come across a little church built in 1935, and a memorial of those slaughtered by the Turks.
We will continue our tour by driving up the mountain and crossing some gorges. The longest stop of the tour will be made at the village of Latsida where lunch will be served in traditional tavern.
After eating and chatting, our trip will continue to the village of Neapoli where we will visit Vasilakis olive factory and have a friendly olive tour in an award-winning Cretan olive press.
After that we will drive to the village of Vrahasi in a beautiful ethnic museum where you will have the opportunity to learn about the way the local people lived in the past. Nearing the end of our tour we will continue back to Malia where we will have our final stop at a small beautiful private beach, then we will drive back to our base where our journey began.
It doesn’t matter if you have never driven a buggy before as the vehicles are user-friendly, and everybody will get a detailed instruction and practice on the spot before we start our tour. What makes our tour unique is the fact that we reach the most hidden spots on the island where we meet the friendly locals. The distance of the tour is approx. 80km.
Get on board on the two-seater buggy with your partner and cruise along the endless rural roads of Crete with its amazing landscape. we wait for you !!!!!!
This tour includes our olive mill tour and an olive oil tasting session with an expert. You will taste 4 different olive oils and learn what qualities olive oil connoisseurs look for in an award-winning oil.
Crete has produced wine since antiquity.
Our qualified sommelier will guide you through the signature Cretan vine varieties, and you will recognize why Cretan wines compete with the best.
You will also enjoy renowned Cretan foods including cold cuts, cheese, traditional double-baked rusks, olives and olive spreads, and seasonal fruit.
Description:
Arrival at Vassilakis Estate &
greet your guide
Tour of the olive press with
Vassilakis family member:
• Viewing of the original 1865
museum-piece hand-operated press
and description of how olive oil used to
be made
• Viewing of the working olive mill
and description of how olive oil is made
today
Cretan wine-tasting session with
qualified sommelier & appetizers
(at visitors’ building):
Professional tasting of 3 or 5
different Cretan wines accompanied
with a generous selection of local
Cretan delicacies
Browse in our on-site shop:
• Taste local food products
• Opportunity to buy products in
our on-site shop for take-away
or home delivery:
Our multi-award-winning organic
& extra virgin olive oils
Cretan wines & spirits
Olives & olive spreads
Honey & marmalade
Cosmetics made with our
organic olive oil
Free time for photos and
questions.
Start with pickup from your hotel and first pass the Selinari monastery with its impressive gorge, and reach the small town of Neapolis. Visit the Vassilakis Estate, one of the oldest and most successful olive oil producers in Crete. Enjoy a detailed tour of their production facility and learn how olive oil is made.
Continue to the provincial capital of Agios Nikolaos where you can admire the shimmering blue waters of the bay of Mirabello. Walk along the harbor and over the bridge to the freshwater Lake Voulismeni. Visit a local market and browse for specialty local products such as honey, olive oil, and spices.
After a Greek coffee in one of the cozy cafes, continue to Kritsa, one of the most picturesque villages on the island. Admire the views of the whitewashed houses of the village located below a steep rocky slope. Take a break for some lunch at your own expense, followed by a stroll through the village.
Finally, travel to Amazonas Park and discover a sanctuary for the conservation of endangered species. Take a guided tour of the sanctuary and see a variety of colorful parrots and curious monkeys. See rare parrot species which will eventually be released back into their natural habitat, and enjoy the fantastic views of the foothills of the Dikti Mountains.
This tour is a special way to discover the countryside of Crete in a top buggy! You will experience the ultimate adventure, crossing gorges, in an breathtaking manner and being guided to places you have never been. Come and have a try. You will follow our experienced guide starting from our base to the archeological site, Minoa palace, where you will be shown around by a tour guide and then we continue by driving through the beautiful villages of Sissi , epano Sissi and Milatos where we will visit the Milatos cave.
The cave is large, measuring 2,100 square meters, with eight small and large entrances. It is 73 meters long, and its widest point is 63 meters. We will come across a little church built in 1935, and a memorial of those slaughtered by the Turks.
It doesn’t matter if you have never driven a buggy before as the vehicles are user-friendly, and everybody will get a detailed instruction and practice on the spot before we start our tour. What makes our tour unique is the fact that we reach the most hidden spots on the island where we meet the friendly locals. The distance of the tour is approx. 50km.
Get on board on the two-seater buggy with your partner and cruise along the endless rural roads of Crete with its amazing landscape. we wait for you !!!!!!
Situated 34km northwest of Agios Nikolaos and 16km east of Hersonissos, on the western fringes of the Mirabello province, lies Milatos. This coastal village has managed to preserve many of its traditional attributes. Just 1km north, one can find the coastal settlement known as Beach of Milatos or Paralia Milatou in Greek. The region is renowned for the Milatos cave, near the village, where a significant massacre of locals by the Ottomans took place in 1823. Today, Milatos is a popular tourist spot with a significant fishing port. The area is dotted with ancient olive groves and the shoreline is speckled with small, rocky inlets, some of which are suitable for swimming.
About 1km east of Milatos, in Pigada, you’ll discover small isolated bays with narrow sandy beaches nestled between towering cliffs. These secluded coves of Milatos are perfect for those seeking solitude, though the waves can be quite high. As you approach the village, just before reaching the harbour, you’ll encounter the main beach of Milatos. This sizable beach is comprised of pebbles and rocks in certain areas, and while it’s not fully facilitated, it’s conveniently close to the village’s amenities. Regrettably, this beach is also affected by the waves. The next beach is situated within the harbour (Limani), close to the village taverns. It’s a small sandy beach that’s quite well-maintained. This beach is the most frequented, as the water is always tranquil and safe for children.
The inventory of Milatos’ beaches would typically end here, but human intervention has altered this. Following the coastal road west from the village will lead you to the Minos Imperial hotel port. For the sake of tourism and revenue, the hotel has constructed two artificial beaches in the Volaki area, both bordered by a cement pier. Previously a natural rocky coast with a stunning seabed, it has now been transformed into a profitable sandy beach, organized by the hotel owners.
The village of Milatos was established near the remnants of the Minoan city Milatos, which was destroyed in the 3rd century BC by the rival city of Lyttos. Homer referenced it as one of the seven Cretan cities that sent troops to Troy. According to legend, Milatos was the name of a boy who was raised in a forest by a wolf. Upon reaching adulthood, he killed the city’s tyrant and fled to the coasts of Asia Minor. There, he founded the famous Miletus colony in 1500BC, which later became the birthplace of several distinguished philosophers such as Thales, Hippodamus, and Anaximander.
Sissi, also known as Sisi, is a tranquil traditional seaside village nestled 26km west of Agios Nikolaos and 41km east of Heraklion, not far from Malia. The village is renowned for its natural harbour, characterized by tranquil deep green waters, and its charming taverns nestled within narrow streets. The Sissi coastline is predominantly rocky, with only a few sandy stretches. The sea around here is typically choppy, making the only calm swimming spot the small beach within the harbor (Limani). This petite beach offers a few umbrellas and showers for visitors.
If you desire to explore other beaches, you can travel east to Harkoma bay, home to the well-kept Boufos beach. This sandy beach is exposed to the wind. Adjacent to it, you’ll find the smaller Avlaki beach, situated at the exit of a narrow bay.
Moving further east, you’ll find the sandy Kalimera beach, located in front of the Kalimera Kriti hotel. Managed by the hotel, the beach is well-organized and boasts of shallow waters, making it perfect for children. On the opposite side of the hotel is Spiliada, the last beach within the Sissi territory. Spiliada is a sandy beach shaded by numerous tamarisk trees, offering a more peaceful atmosphere compared to the other beaches.
The Agia Varvara beach, positioned 41km to the east of Heraklion and nestled between Malia and Sissi, earns its name from a church in the east dedicated to Santa Barbara. This sandy haven forms a petite bay in front of a hotel, with the islet of Agia Varvara just across the bay, an ideal spot for swimming, although one should be careful of the strong currents. The beach is well-equipped with sunbeds and umbrellas, and tamarisk trees are scattered around for added shade. However, be aware that this beach, like many others in northern Crete, is often subject to the frequent northwest winds.
The primary beach of Malia, situated in the heart of the town, is often teeming with visitors. As a result, those seeking a break from the hustle and bustle tend to head towards the sandy stretches to the east of Malia’s port, conveniently located near the Palace of Malia. The most easterly of these beaches is named Potamos (meaning River), due to a small stream that flows along its eastern edge, adjacent to Malia’s wetlands.
Potamos is a lengthy, sandy expanse that is well maintained, yet typically less populated than Malia’s main beach. The eastern portion of the region remains relatively untouched due to its archaeological significance. However, to the west of the beach, a number of hotels can be found, each boasting its own sandy cove.
The Malia Swamp is a wetland of unparalleled ecological importance, home to an expansive reed bed that provides habitat for numerous bird species. This area also preserves several types of coastal vegetation that have been lost elsewhere on Crete. The entire area is irrigated by water that flows from Mount Selena, forming a stunning river in the winter months, mere meters from the shore, resulting in crystal clear waters that feed into Potamos beach. The sea here is so fresh, locals can even drink from it! It’s not an uncommon sight to see goats descending from the mountain, swimming in the sea and drinking the water due to its fresh scent. Surrounding Potamos are smaller sand dunes, which come autumn, are adorned with stunning white sand lilies.
Located approximately 45km east of Heraklion and 21km west of Agios Nikolaos, the Gorge Sellinari is nestled on the eastern slopes of Selena Mount, draining the valley west of Vrachassi. This gorge is a well-known location for all Cretans as the National Road from Heraklion to Agios Nikolaos runs along it. Historically, it served as the natural passage from the region of Lassithi to the fertile north coasts of Heraklion.
The dense vegetation of Selinari can be enjoyed either by car or by taking a leisurely walk until its exit near Milatos. A route worth exploring is the old National Road, which runs parallel to the New Road and winds through the gorge. The gorge walls and surrounding mountains provide a haven for many birds of prey. Selinari was once a refuge for the rare Cretan wild goat, but sadly, it is now extinct. Several springs are scattered around the area, but the most renowned attraction is the historic Saint George Monastery. For the Cretans, it is considered a bad omen to pass a gorge without stopping at the monastery. This belief stems from the past when the Selinari Monastery served as a rest stop for travelers and their animals.
The Maliaris Gorge, which originates near the Peronides village, travels west of the Souvlos village where a trail commences, and combines with the Anemaliaris gorge before concluding at the Tzavlidon Vlyhada beach. This gorge, characterized by scrublands, expansive areas, and cave-filled walls, is a classic representation of the Mirabello region. Notably, the gorge is home to a massive cave known as Volakospilios, situated in its center.
The Adrianos Gorge originates from the Adrianos village. There are areas within the gorge where large rocks obstruct the pathway, making navigation challenging, but achievable (it takes approximately 3 hours to traverse). In close proximity to the gorge, you can explore the Maridon and Atziganospilios caves.
The river that courses through the gorge is a segment of the Skoulikaris or Xeropotamos River. This river collects water from the Potami village valley and, after covering several kilometers, it finally drains near the Agios Nikolaos town stadium.
The Embasa Gorge, also known as Apotyposi, begins its journey from the village of Kato Kera in the Pediada province and concludes near the village of Gonies, spanning a length of approximately 2km. The upper section of the gorge is notably steep, giving rise to several waterfalls during the winter season, with the tallest one measuring around 20m in height. The largest waterfall is particularly intriguing due to its division into several smaller cascades. It is possible to reach all the waterfalls without any special equipment as they can be circumvented from the sides.
Ascending the canyon from Gonies provides easier access to the waterfalls. However, the dense vegetation and steep inclines may pose a challenge for beginners. The gorge is predominantly populated by oak trees, planes, and brambles. The Life-Giving Spring church (Zoodohos Pigi) is located on the edges of the gorge, above the largest waterfall. According to local lore, a natural rock formation resembling the Virgin Mary can be found above this church. Hence, the gorge is also referred to as Apotiposi (Depiction). The church serves as the nearest parking spot to the large waterfall and can be conveniently reached from here, provided one can first overcome the initial hurdle of the fence erected by local shepherds.
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