Introduction

Steeped in history, rooted in tradition and rich in folklore, Crete was the home of Europe's first great civilization and is today populated by a relaxed and friendly people, equally as proud of their unique ancestry as they are of their reputation for warm hospitality.

Crete's most famous asset is Knossos. At the height of the Minoan civilisation this remarkable ancient site once accommodated more than 100,000 people and a 3,500 year old palace still stands as its centrepiece. It is world famous and an essential place to visit.

You will not fail to be impressed by the beauty of the imposing White Mountains (Lefka Ori) that dominate the landscape. These fascinating peaks offer a variety of stunning walks and trails in, over, along and around numerous ridges, gorges and valleys. The Samaria Gorge, said to be one of the deepest and, at 16km, longest in Europe has been declared a national park and is a paradise for keen walkers, ornithologists and lovers of 'the great outdoors'.

Over to the east side of the island and a fifteen minute boat ride from the sophisticated north east coastal village of Elounda takes you across to one of Crete's most captivating attractions; Spinalonga is a tiny island that was, reputedly, physically cut away from the mainland by the Venetians back in 1579 before being turned into a formidable fortress. By the early twentieth century the outcrop had become one of Europe's last surviving leper colonies, caring for patients until finally closing in 1957. Many will be familiar with the best selling novel "The Island" by Victoria Hislop which powerfully evokes Spinalonga's fascinating history through the eyes of a fictional family.

Local Cuisine

Crete is extremely rich in local produce and especially well known for its tasty seafood, wide variety of locally grown vegetables and fresh fruit.

Justifiably proud of their naturally fresh cuisine, more and more of which is being organically cultivated, Cretans have one of the longest life expectancies in the Mediterranean and this is widely believed to be due to their healthy and nutritional diet.

Cretan cuisine makes full use of the island's many fresh, seasonal herbs to add rich and vibrant flavour to dishes.

Desserts, sweets and cakes tend to be made with natural sweeteners such as honey and grape-juice syrup, while the excellent and chemical free Cretan wine is considered an 'indispensable' accompaniment to many meals.

Saints' Days

Crete, the largest of all the Greek islands has countless hamlets, villages and towns where the local church is named after a famous saint. All churches in Greece acknowledge the anniversary day of their saint with many organising colourful processions and celebrations. Indeed, so widespread and popular are these events that it is more than likely you will witness one during your visit.

Crete also claims its very own ancient hero, Zeus, who aspired to become the King of all Greek gods. According to mythology, Zeus dethroned his own father, the then King of the Titans and began the task of dividing the world. He pronounced his brothers, Hades and Poseidon Kings of the Underworld and the Seas respectively, while Zeus himself kept the title King of the Heavens and the Universe.

Climate

Being the most southerly island in Greece, Crete enjoys a delightfully warm and sunny climate. The early summer and autumn months will be comfortably warm with temperatures gradually rising to a peak in July and August that can sometimes reach as high as 40°C.

At all times of the year there will often be a refreshing breeze which is particularly cooling the closer to the coast you are. Generally speaking sea temperatures, even in early and late season, always remain pleasant enough to swim.

The magnificent and easily accessible White Mountains (Lefka Ori), which create a mesmerising backdrop to most of our Cretan properties, offer a cooler (and wonderfully scenic) retreat during the summer months.

Browse Our Villas In Crete

West Crete is brimming with a variety of experiences, from serene beaches and dramatic gorges to
historic towns and traditional olive oil farms. The best part? Every destination recommended in this
guide is within convenient driving distance from our carefully chosen villas. Whether you’re setting
out to explore the pink sands of Elafonisi, hike through Samaria Gorge, or enjoy a wine tasting at a
local vineyard, our villas offer the perfect base for your adventures.

Each villa is selected with comfort and accessibility in mind, ensuring you can make the most of your
time in this remarkable region. Browse our collection of villas in Crete and start planning your perfect
holiday in the heart of the island’s most captivating landscapes.

Villas in Crete

getting to crete

Travel Options

There are two airports on Crete, Chania and Heraklion, both are well served by a variety of flights from many of the UK's regional airports. Most of our properties can be reached within an hour's drive of Chania and 75 minutes of Heraklion.

Nowadays, the variety and choice of flights from UK airports to European destinations is considerable. We do not tie you in to a package holiday with prearranged travel; you are free to choose flights from your closest airport using any charter, scheduled or low cost airline.

We always recommend booking your flights and hire car as soon as you have decided on your holiday accommodation. You will find that fares are usually lower and the choice of flight times is wider.

If you need to place a 'hold' on your chosen property whilst you are booking your flights we are more than happy to do this for you. We can book flights on your behalf if you would like us to, for this service we charge a fee of £30 for each return flight booked

Fly from:

Birmingham
Bristol
East Midlands
Gatwick
Heathrow
Leeds Bradford
Manchester
Stansted

Useful links

Villages and towns in Crete

With its charming harbour and imposing Venetian fortress, Rethymno is one of the most picturesque towns in Crete. The town boasts many wonderful sights, in particular the marvellous Venetian fortress (Fortezza), the largest of its kind in the Mediterranean and an incredibly imposing vantage point. The Old Town is a maze of narrow streets, graceful wood-balconied houses, and ornate Venetian monuments with minarets displaying a glimpse of the Ottoman influence. Small pleasure craft mingle with the fishing boats moored in the harbour, and the waterfront cafés and restaurants offer a shady spot to enjoy a coffee or a fresh fish meze featuring the morning’s catch. The soft, warming tones of the stone and wood façades seem to invoke a gentle pace of life and give the town an enchanting ambience. With a strong, local community that crosses many generations and, as home to a university, Rethymno successfully combines the old and the new to create a vibrant town proud of its past yet embracing its future.

Platanias, 10km west of Chania, offers all amenities and a choice of restaurants and bars, many of them overlooking the beach and sea. There are lots of watersports available including sea diving, and boat trips around the island just off shore, Theodoru, which is home to Cretan wild goats. Inland, the country lanes wind their way past fields and olive groves and through tiny villages such as Patellari and Kirtomados, onto the Botanical Park and Gardens of Crete in the foothills of the White Mountains.

Situated on the north-west coast of Crete, 16 kilometres west of the town of Chania and between the villages of Tavronitis and Gerani, the small, quiet village of Maleme is surrounded by olive trees and vineyards. In its centre amenities include a supermarket, bakery, pharmacy, bars, tavernas and churches. On the sandy part of Maleme’s long beach, facilities include sunbeds and umbrellas for hire, water sports and a taverna, while the other section, of shingle and pebble, remains undeveloped, with tamarisk trees providing shade. The village is of particular interest because of its involvement during WWII, with the fight for its airfield considered the hardest battle in the history of the Battle of Crete.

Many history books will confirm that Chania is the oldest inhabited city in the world, dating back more than 5,000 years and no trip to Crete would be fully complete without a visit to this atmospheric town with its grand Venetian mansions and attractive Turkish minaret.

Its beautiful Venetian quarter is a web of atmospheric streets that open out onto a magnificent harbour. Restored Venetian townhouses have been converted into chic restaurants and boutique hotels, while ruins house intimate tavernas. A spacious promenade provides a backdrop to the waterfront, and out on a headland a lighthouse sits centre stage, highlighted in the evening as the sun sets. The former mosque on the harbour reflects the influence the Turkish rulers once had on this city, and adds to the exotic charm.

Close to Chania, the pretty villages of the Apokoronas and those hugging the coastline due west to Kissamos remain unspoilt, traditional and timeless. From the small cluster of houses of Veni to the seaside villages of Almyrida and Kalives east of Chania, a magnificent array of hamlets, settlements and beaches have been selected by Vintage Travel to show off the charm and variety of Crete.

Our Villas in Crete

SORT BY

Loading Results

Sorry, No Villas found

There are no villas that match your search requirements, try broadening your search criteria or give us a call on
01954 261 43101954 261 431.

Looking for inspiration?