Guardians of a place that has existed long before us, we were inspired by nature’s beauty and the wisdom of times gone by, to create a one off holiday resort that redefines luxury and the concept of the good life.

Propelled by love and awe for this magical place set amidst Crete’s largest olive grove, we embarked on an exciting- albeit sometimes daunting- journey; which was to last for almost four decades.

Even though we didn’t realise it from the beginning, our aim had always been to breathe new life into Kapsaliana in Rethymnon, Crete-the once thriving, autonomous community built around an old olive mill.

Still a work in progress, Kapsaliana Village, a historical hotel in Rethymno, Crete which has been characterized by Presidential Decree as of “High Cultural Value”, nowadays constitutes a novel travel proposal: One that seamlessly blends intelligent luxury with authentic, bespoke experiences; one where discovery is a way of life; and the quest for equilibrium the ultimate objective.

Kapsaliana Village hotel pays homage to the past; celebrates the present; and paves the way to a more a balanced, sustainable future. With our hosts as your personal guide, we invite you to explore and revel in the possibility of each moment.

For here, time melts away as you lose yourself in experiences that will stay with you for a lifetime. Welcome to a world of serenity and wonder. Welcome to Kapsaliana Village hotel!

HISTORY
When Heraklion, Crete born, Athens and Paris educated, architect Myron Toupoyannis, first set eyes on Kapsaliana in Rethymno, Crete in the ‘70’s, he had no idea that a couple of decades later, this desolate, almost forgotten village would become a pioneering, world class resort; advocating an environmentally sound, albeit luxurious and exciting lifestyle.

Equal to none, nowadays Kapsaliana, Village hotel stands out on a multiplicity of levels: A breathtaking natural location steeped in history and tradition; a paradigmatic work of architectural restoration; effortlessly chic accommodation; incredible food; unforgettable experiences; an inspiring ethos of sustainability and service that is uncannily intuitive and wholeheartedly hospitable.

The unique contemporary narrative of Kapsaliana suites in Crete, is intertwined with its equally special legacy and past. Let us not forget after all, that it has been a vital source of life for more than 200 years.

The story begins at the time of the Venetian Occupation. Kapsaliana in Rethymno, Crete was then part of the Arkadi Monastery estate, the island’s most emblematic cenobium; which would subsequently play a pivotal- heroic and dramatic- role during the War of Independence.

Around 1600, a little chapel dedicated to Archangel Michael is constructed and a hamlet thus begins to develop. More than an eon later, in 1763, Filaretos, the Abbot of Arkadi Monastery decides to build an olive oil mill in the area: it’s soil and morphology make it ideal for this undertaking.

The olive seed is at the time key to the daily life: it is a staple of nutricion, it is used in religious ceremonies and it functions as a source of light and heat.

More and more people come to work at the mill and built their houses around it. The settlement flourishes. At its peak Kapsaliana in Rethymno, Crete boasts 13 families and 50 inhabitants with the monk-steward of the Arkadi monastery in charge.

The settlement however gradually wanes after WW2, as the mill-a source of life for more than 200 years- closes down in 1955. When architect Myron Toupoyannis discovers this place in the 1970’s, only seven residents remain.

He falls in love with the place; after all his professional interests lie with the restoration of similar traditional settlements; in fact his dissertation in the National Metsovian Technical University of Athens is a study about the development prospects of Kritsa, a humble, mountainous village in Crete.

Toupoyannis after visiting many artfully restored villages in Italy and France, decides to buy a couple of crumbling residences in Rethymno Kapsaliana. His purpose is yet unclear; and it is merely pure and undiluted instinct that drives his decisions.

After vanquishing many obstacles-as well as significant time and money constraints-Toupoyannis’ vision eventually acquires a more specific shape and form. Works of restoration at Kapsaliana in Rethymno, Crete are painstaking and lengthy.

Above all the architect’s first and foremost concern is to do justice to the land’s legacy and spirit; and to the wisdom of the local, vernacular architecture. In 2008 Kapsaliana Village hotel opens its gates and greets its first visitors.

Reviews are unanimously dithyrambic, but the creator of Kapsaliana Village hotel, does no rest in his laurels. In fact, Kapsaliana Village hotel is a never-ending work in progress: A dynamic community that never stops evolving; and which strives to offer its guests unparalleled experiences that capture the essence of now.

SUSTAINABILITY
Member of the Historic Hotels of Europe, Kapsaliana Village near Rethymno, Crete is like no other. Declared with presidential decree as of High Cultural Vale, Kapsaliana pioneers the modern-day imperative for back-to-nature/ back-to-basics luxury holidays.

Less is more in our case; as the need for striping off contemporary excess and replacing it with balance and equilibrium, becomes nowadays more imperative than ever. In fact it is the actual story of the place that has inspired and shaped its current day manifestation.

Once a thriving, sustainable community of 50 inhabitants centered around a prolific olive mill, Kapsaliana in Rethymnon, Crete eventually atrophies; until architect Myron Toupoyannis discovers it, falls in love and decides to give it the kiss of life.

Drawing inspiration from the very principles that guided existence at Kapsaliana since time immemorial-respect of nature and fellow human beings, autonomy, sustainability and collaboration-Kapsaliana, was transformed into a unique complex of suites in Crete, blending balance with indulgence.

RESTORATION
The reinvention, restoration and restructuring of Kapsaliana Village historical hotel in Rethymnon was a lengthy process which took the better part of four decades.

Not a small feat, nor an easy task, it involved diligent planning, painstaking work, loads of love, abundant patience, persistence and creative thinking and perhaps a dose of ingenious cunning.

The 21st century version of Rethymnon Kapsaliana, though serving a different function, has preserved the settlement’s initial architecture and spatial planning.

The olive oil mill, church, utility rooms and former residences have been gradually transformed into an opulent -yet not ostentatious- complex of rooms and suites, a restaurant, a swimming pool and lounge area; with due respect to the vernacular building methods and techniques and the use of natural, time honoured, materials, such as wood, stone and terracotta.

Characterized by Presidential Decree as of “High Cultural Value”, Kapsaliana Village hotel is an iconic example of traditional Cretan architecture featuring clear geometric volumes, one or two-storey structures interconnected with courtyards, stone stairs and carved arches.

Though archetypal of the past, Kapsaliana Village hotel is in effect timeless: An ageless community in which time stands still; and which has the power to charm visitors from all over the planet.

ROOMS & SUITES
The clear Cretan sky, pure air and limpid light were the source of our inspiration for giving to the rooms and suites of the Kapsaliana Village Hotel names of stars and constellations.

Enjoy your stay in the renovated, authentic village houses and live an unforgettable experience on the island of Crete. Welcome at Kapsaliana Village Hotel!

BOREALIS SUITE
At Kapsaliana Village Hotel, Borealis is a unique, stone house suite with private swimmin pool and panoramic sea views from every corner. At the private entrance of Borealis there is an ancient stone oven that can still be used.

This luxurious suite is part of the latest restoration of the at Kapsaliana Village Hotel. The building dates more that 150 years old and can be booked together with Luna and Aquila hosting up to 9 people.

OLIVE MILL SUITE
Our Olive Oil Mill Suite was originally an 18th century private olive mill. The open plan suite is located side by side as a continuation of our historic olive oil museum.

Part of the room’s ancient decoration are a historic millstone and an underground oil stone protected by glass floors. Within 80square meters the spacious suite features a double bedroom that is separated from its two seating areas with a large stone arch.

The first seating area can accommodate an extra person while the second one is where the historically preserved items are placed. Olive Mill Suite also encompasses a modern waterfall bathroom.

PLEIADES FAMILY SUITE
The “Pleiades” suite at Kapsaliana Village Hotel is a spacious, 2-room suite with a sitting area, fireplace and a separate bedroom. Both the living room and the bedroom have access to the terrace with a pergola and the garden.

The suite also has a living room with a sofa bed that can turn into 2 single beds suitable for 1 or 2 children. The suite overlooks the lush hillside and is ideal for families looking for a unique suite to stay in Crete. Ideal for families with children because of the outdoor protected space.

AQUARIUS SUITE
This exclusive Suite is located in the centre of the Kapsaliana Village Hotel, overlooking the restaurant terrace and pergola. The «Aquarius» suite has a beautiful arch in the middle of the room connecting the sleeping area with the sitting corner, the fireplace and the northern terrace.

Walk up the stone stairs to sit in the large terrace with the wonderful view over the olive groves and the sea. The large terrace on the north side has its own entrance and direct access to the outdoor parking space.

The terrace has also been recently renovated including a ‘mini pool spa’ and pergola. It is an ideal choice for both winter and summer holidays and great for couples looking for a peaceful and quiet stay.

HYADES ROOM
The “Hyades” have given their name to a comfortable double room in the main building complex of the old village.

The room has a double bed or twin beds and fireplace with original wooden beams.  The room is centrally located in front of the spacious paved square, which is a continuation of the courtyard of the old olive mill.

GASTRONOMIC IDENTITY
A wholesome yet delectable Mediterranean cuisine, blending a deep appreciation and extensive knowledge of Cretan cooking with an eye to the future.

In fact, as our Cretan ancestors, we are passionate about great food and sharing it with friends; so under the inspirational command of our culinary team, vegetables from our garden and locally sourced materials from select, small producers are transformed into enticing gastronomic bombs, that tantalize even the world’s most discerning palates.

You are cordially invited to join us on a most memorable culinary journey lasting from morning until late at night. Our Chef Nikos Thomas has recreated the restaurant dishes, completely renewing the hotel cuisine, from breakfast and snacks to lunch and dinner.

The award-winning chef was thrilled with the local ingredients, the freshness from the trees, vineyards, indigenous and ancient grains, old and modern varieties of vegetables of our orchard and finally came up with a gourmet concept of the traditional Cretan cuisine.

Breakfast
“Eat breakfast like an Emperor”. True to the old adage, at Kapsaliana Village hotel each day starts with a sumptuous buffet on the outdoor area of the restaurant with traditional & local delicacies.

Featuring an array of seasonal fruits and freshly squeezed juices; authentic Cretan honey; homemade granola and nut pots, preserves and jams; freshly baked bread; an assortment of the trademark local cheeses-like Cretan ricotta and gruyere; eggs and cold cuts including apaki and syglino.

The breakfast menu is enriched with à la carte recipes of free-range eggs in variation.

Lunch
Discover unique flavours and tastes offering casual comfort in the form of organic, wholesome food. Savoury or sweet dishes and delicious snacks, prepared with abundant love and the freshest local ingredients-from small regional farms or our very own vegetable and botanical garden– will give you ample sustenance throughout the day.

More traditional options include stamnagathi (the “king” of Cretan greens), askolimpri (golden thistle), fennel, verbena and sautéed salads (tsigarista) that come straight from the roots of the authentic gastronomy of Rethymno and become impressive dishes.

Dinner
Dinner is an inimitable, fine dining, all senses experience that suits with the high expectations of your holidays. The a la carte menu features delicious Cretan recipes with a contemporary, fine twist.

Those aficionados with fine dining who have tasted our Chef’s cuisine say that the tomato with urchin and chickpeas with marrow and crayfish will make history.

POOL & SNACK BAR
The pool bar at Kapsaliana Village hotel serves light contemporary dishes, including seasonal snacks and organically grown salads, colourful cocktails, fresh juices, real coffee and other delightful concoctions, for a bit of sustenance prior, after or in between laps at the pool.

LEMONIES – Cocktail Bar
Named after the blooming lemon trees surrounding this cosy spot. Our ‘Lemonies Cocktail Bar’ creates a romantic yet relaxed ambiance where you may enjoy a refreshing sunset drink. Pick your favourite spirits together with a light savory snack before dinner.

Aperitivo Corners
Picture a luscious orchard and nothing but the Cretan sea and olive trees stretching infinitely before you. Now imagine yourself basking in the panoramic vistas while having an aperitif before dinner or a night cup soon after.

At Kapsaliana Village hotel we have carved some intimate, candlelit corners along the communal terraces, for the incurably romantic.

PERIVOLI – A Farm to Table Experience
Our team at Kapsaliana Village Hotel invites our guests to our organic garden and open-air kitchen for a two-hour lesson, followed of course by a delicious feast with smells of firewood and Cretan cuisine.

Let’s start with a tour at the orchard, filled with fresh vegetables, leafy greens, edible colourful flowers, Mediterranean fruits, Cretan olives, as well as aromatic culinary herbs and spices.

After you immerse yourself in the instructions and learn Cretan techniques, such as how to make real dough, you are ready for various cooking methods: how to prepare appetizers and cook with rosemary, sage, oregano, Greek savouries and condiments.

A hands-on experience during which you may prepare a gastronomic Cretan menu varying according to the season. Enjoy authentic recipes cherished by Cretan households and passed on from generation to generation.

At the end of each lesson, you will have cooked tasteful dishes with impressive presentation! Now it’s time to sit back and savour your meal with some of the best Cretan wines.

Traditional Bread Making
A deeply embedded tradition as no Greek meal is ever complete without some freshly baked ‘psomi’ (i.e. bread). At the open-air kitchen of ‘Perivoli’, our Baker Chef holds hands-on seminars around the old stone wood oven.

Whether it’s a traditional bread recipe, sweet cake and/or savory ‘kritsinia’ bites, all delicious secrets are ready to unveil. Flour, salt, water and yeast are not the only ingredients – add local flavors, herbs and spices and give an even more appetizing twist.

Prepare the dough, sift the flour, knead and then it’s time to bake! At the end of the session, take the time to taste your freshly homemade bread accompanied with Cretan bites.

Private Dinner
When the summer sun comes along there’s nothing quite like holding a private dinner on the terrace of your room, a courtyard, a veranda of our hotel, inside the olive oil mill museum or a spot under the lemon trees.

Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion with your better half or you just wish to spoil yourselves and your loved ones, our acclaimed Chef is happy to serve you a fabulous candlelit dinner at your private suite.

How cozy and intimate to enjoy a tailor made al fresco dining experience? Just savor the moment and let our discreet service take care of everything else.

Picnic
Would you like to go on an excursion on the Cretan mountains or spend an entire day at the beach? Our team will prepare you a delicious picnic basket full of snacks and refreshing drinks. Our “Menu” combines simplicity with unique and distinctive tastes.

Meetings & EVENTS
The incomparable beauty of the landscape, the unique aura of the village and wider area, along with the excellent facilities of Kapsaliana Village Hotel, are the ideal place to organize a corporate event or a small conference.

The hotel can accommodate up to 40 people, while the former production area of the monastic olive mill can be transformed into a comfortable hall where 25- 30 people can attend a meeting.

This impressive venue, fully equipped for screenings, along with the two adjacent rooms, the storehouse for earthen jars and the living room (old, private mill), create a special atmosphere of high aesthetics for any professional event.

As for the gastronomic experience of your event participants, they will be fully delighted with the freshness and creativity of the chef’s menus inspired from the Cretan and Mediterranean cuisine. For more information, contact the people of Kapsaliana Village Hotel to discuss all the details of your event.

Yoga
Sunrise or sunset open-air yoga? Whether you would like to wind down and stretch or take a more dynamic flow, make sure you book a session with our specialize yoga instructor in advance.

Massage
Spoil yourself while you let your spirit relax and indulge in the power of human touch. Choose the style that suits you among relaxing, therapeutic, deep tissue or sports massages. All treatments focus on the importance of soothing all five senses in absorbing the stress and held by our qualified therapists.

Hike & Run
Refresh your body and mind with a quick run or long walk through our private routes and orchards. Fill your body with energy and confidence while taking a long tour in nature. Then… recover, rest and nourish yourself.

DESTINATIONS
Less than 30 km from bustling, vibrant Rethymno, set amidst western Crete’s luscious olive groves, Kapsaliana Village hotel is a four season, five senses destination.

At this remarkably serene, little slice of heaven on earth, time slows down to allow you to remember what really matters: How to enjoy the simple things in life; bask in everyday’s little pleasures; reconnect with yourself and your loved ones; rediscover with nature; find peace and inner balance.

Tour of the village estate
A tour in every hidden corner of Kapsaliana Village Hotel estate that allows our guests gather and explore historical evidence of the 1600’s remainants. Stroll around the little paths, gardens, reconstructed homes while finish up the tour in our museum.

See first-hand the differences of past and present while appreciate how the desolate, almost forgotten village is yet to become a resort; advocating an environmentally sound, albeit luxurious and exciting lifestyle.

Explore the Olive Mill’s history
Inside the old olive mill is where the actual story in documentaries is revealed. The olive mill itself, interviews of Arkadi Monastery Abot, of the last village residents and of course of the architect of the entire village, Myron Toupoyannis are kept in videos.

HIKING
An unforgettable hiking experience, recommended during spring, through the flowery nature of Amari, a real eco-touristic paradise in the heart of Crete!

A rare opportunity to explore dramatic landscapes, pretty villages perched in the mountains, high snowcapped peaks until late spring, wild and deep gorges, lush green valleys, old stone bridges, typical water mills, beautiful Byzantine chapels

MOUNTAIN TREK
Discover Cretan mountains by trekking along the steep sides of the stunning Platania gorge, on the western slopes of Mount Psiloritis.

Overlooking the entire valley of Amari the path winds along high breathtaking cliffs. With hundreds of meters of deep wooded areas, the gorge of Platania constitutes an impressive geological phenomenon as one of the most interesting, but least frequented, gorges of Crete.

Among the highlights of the hike: a large colony of Griffon Vultures, nested on the perpendicular walls of the gorge and the discovery of the cavernous church of St. Anthony

CANYON HIKE
Experience the true adventure of crossing the magnificent gorge of Patsos: a gigantic eroded crack through lime-stone, which claims the title of one of the most attractive gorges of Crete. It is a challenging walk open to everyone, through a maze of large boulders and narrow walls, rocks and trees.

The walk combines hiking on marked trails, walking through water, and lightly climbing (easy and enjoyable) up steeper passages using fixed ropes and wooden ladders.

Towering, lush, wet, and wild, the Patsos gorge fascinates hikers with its narrow, rocky and steep relief. Because of the abundant water flowing through the gorge in springtime, a good part of the hike involves walking through water

SEA KAYAKING
Experience Crete’s coastal beauty while paddling in sea kayaks along some of the most beautiful coves and beaches of the south coast of Rethymnon.

An amazing adventure for kayak lovers – and beginners! Enjoy the action and fun, a chance to swim and relax, and end with an excellent lunch by the sea. The trip takes place along the less-known coastal region between Pyrgos, Agia Fotini, Lyngres and Triopetra.

THE SURROUNDINGS
Kapsaliana Village hotel is located in the prefecture of Rethymno, Crete 18km from the main town, 4 km from the historical Arkadi Monastery, 75 km from the International Airport of Heraklion and 85 km from the International Airport of Chania. Access is easy and fast, whichever point you are coming from.

Kapsaliana hotel is built at an altitude of 260m over the sea and lies at the heart of one of the island’s biggest olive groves. Here time stands still as the splendor of Cretan nature is combined by an authentic experience of living in a quaint, meticulously restored traditional village.

Arkadi Monastery
The historic Arkadi Monastery is located 4km from Kapsaliana Village hotel. It is the second most visited place in Crete after the archaeological site of Knossos.

A pivotal stronghold of the Cretans during their struggle for independence, Arkadi Monastery played an instrumental role in abolishing the Ottoman Occupation. Nowadays Arkadi Monastery is recognised by UNESCO as a world monument of freedom.

Today’s visitors will see history coming alive as they wander around the church at the centre of the monastery, the museum and the surrounding areas.

Eleftherna Archaelogical Site & Museum
At a distance of 9km away from Kapsaliana, nestled in the slope of Mount Ida, the ancient city of Eleftherna, birthplace of poet Linos, philosopher Diogenes, and sculptor Timochares, has existed-and flourished- for a very long time: Built in the 9th century B.C. while it prospered until 796 A. C.

Most traces of the ancient city-state had been erased until the Ministry of Culture granted the University of Crete permission to excavate the site in 1985.

Nowadays Eleftherna is the most important archaeological site of Western Crete, while its recently launched archeological museum is considered tantamount to those of Olympia, Delphi, and Vergina.

Margarites village
Margarites village boasts a long tradition in ceramic art; in fact pottery has been the main occupation of its inhabitants until recently. Make sure you visit the ceramic workshops and shops that keep this legacy alive.

The route from Kapsaliana to Arkadi, Eleftherna, Margarites and back, is particularly scenic, combining a striking landscape with amazing vistas-make sure you include it to your itinerary.

Also south of Kapsaliana Village hotel, Amari is one of the most beautiful-and untouched- corners of Cretan mainland; dotted with quaint, little villages, in which you may get a taste of the real Cretan life.

Rethymnon
One of the most picturesque cities of Crete, Rethymnon is the administrative and commercial center of the homonymous prefecture.

Merely 30 minutes from Kapsaliana Village hotel, you’ll find yourselves in this beautiful, vibrant town where you may enjoy strolling along the Venetian port, the old city and the market; while basking in its cosmopolitan, lively atmosphere.

Palace of Knossos
The Minoan Civilization (2.500 B.C.- 1.100B.C.) is the first important civilization ever developed in Europe. Today, the palace of Knossos marks the strongest piece of evidence for the admirable achievements of the Minoans on the island.

The Palace is connected with thrilling legends, such as the myth of the Labyrinth, the Minotaur, and the story of Daidalos and Ikaros.

Archaeological Museum of Heraklion
As one of Europe’s leading museums, the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion is where the unique art of the Minoan Age, the frescoes, the jewellery and many other objects are exhibited. The museum brings together finds from all over Crete, covering over 5500 years of the island”s history.

An award-winning 5-star luxury hotel in Sissi Crete, the Castello Boutique Resort & Spa is part of the Castello Hotels Group and a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World.

The resort overlooks the immeasurable natural beauty of Crete in one of the most sought-after locations of the island, the traditional seaside fishing village of Sissi.

With its exceptional quality and style, the Castello Boutique Resort & Spa is the perfect destination for those seeking a combination of luxury accommodation with private pools or outdoor jetted tubs.

History
The history of Castello Hotels is a story of inspiration, dedication and hard work by the chairman of the company, Mr. Charis Kasmirlis. The word “Castello” which inspired Mr. Kasmirlis is Italian and it means Castle.

Along with the fortifications that were built around the city of Heraklion during the Venetian occupation of the island of Crete, the famous castle Rocca a Mare was built at the towns old harbour.

The castle which is known today by the name “Koules” was also called “Castel di Candia” which meant the Castle of Candia since Heraklion was called “Candia” at the time.

Mr. Kasmirlis built the first hotel of the group, the Castello City in 1981 in Heraklion, the capital city of Crete. Since then, the Castello City Hotel has become the first choice when it comes to accommodation for anyone travelling to the city either for holidays or for business.

After searching through many places on the island, he found Sissi. The charming seaside village was the perfect place for the construction of his second hotel, the Castello Village Resort in 1990. In 2010, Mr. Kasmirlis decided to expand his business even more and thus Castello Boutique was born.

The owners business expertise and innate ability to foresee hospitality trends led him to build a 5 star boutique hotel, smartly designed using the latest in architecture which encompasses modern style, beauty and practicality, successfully blending with classical Crete perspective.

Mr. Kasmirlis latest creation is now a proud member of the “Small Luxury Hotels of the World” family.

Penthouse suite with outdoor jacuzzi
This magnificent open plan suite is located on the second floor with stunning panoramic sea and land views and a large furnished terrace with outdoor jacuzzi.

The contemporary design of the furniture, create an intimate ambience of warmness and lavishness. This eminent suite comprises of a cozy living area and a spacious bedroom with king size bed, elegantly decorated, providing an impressive restful atmosphere.

The luxurious bathroom with the bath tub & crystal cabin rain shower accompanied with branded guest amenities guarantee to sooth away all stress, creating a sense of calm and uplift.

Junior maisonette suite with individual pool
These luxuriously appointed 2-level suites are combining a sitting area with a spacious bedroom. Our maisonettes provide a relaxing atmosphere, making it the ideal place to unwind.

The luxurious bathrooms with the Air Bath or crystal cabin rain shower accompanied with branded guest amenities guarantee to sooth away all stress, creating a sense of calm and uplift.

Superior room with outdoor jacuzzi
Morning and afternoon sun shines in these land/mountain view rooms offering an outside spa jacuzzi for maximum de-stress. Featuring bathroom with walk-in rain shower, full length mirror, premium toiletries and amenities.

Superior room with pool view
Located on the first and second floors with direct pool view, these beautifully designed rooms offer comfort and elegance while maintaining functionality. Featuring a King size or twin bed, walk-in rain shower cabin or bathtub, furnished balcony or terrace, these rooms are designed for comfort and cosines.

Elea Premium Restaurant
Our magnificent restaurant is filled with streams of natural light coming through its glass windows. Elea premium restaurant offers panoramic views of the tropical gardens and the mountains beyond and invites you to a unique fine-dining experience.

Our chef, drawing his inspiration from the vast gastronomic treasures of Crete, creates delicious flavors that you will take you on a fantastic culinary journey.

Elea Private Dining
Elea Private Dining is the private a la carte area of the resort for those who wish to taste exceptional dishes specially prepared by our chefs and selected wines in a warm, congenial atmosphere. All of this is accompanied by nightly mellow music and, of course, warm and friendly yet professional service.

The Aroma Bar
Indulge yourself with delicious dishes and drinks poolside. Our wood and stone pool deck is specially designed for casual comfort, making it one of the most sought out places in the hotel. Light meals, exotic cocktails and other beverages, along with smooth chill-out music, are served here daily.

About the village
Sissi is a picturesque fishing village built on the foot of a mountain. The village is located 24km west of the cosmopolitan town of Agios Nikolaos and 40km east of Heraklion the busy capital of Crete.

Just as you enter the village you will come to a small winding road with olive groves on both sides which leads to the small natural harbor of Sissi. Right after you arrive in Sissi you will feel the tranquility that this serene village has to offer.

Sissi is completely different than its cosmopolitan neighbors Malia, Hersonissos and Agios Nikolaos. Here you will have the opportunity to enjoy a relaxing holiday, away from all the commotion caused by the thousands of tourists that are flooding all the nearby neighboring villages.

The heart and soul of Sissi is the village’s natural harbor just a five minutes walk from the Castello Boutique Resort & Spa. Traditional fish taverns and bars are built around the harbour were you can taste local delications while enjoying the marvelous view.

Boufos Beach
Boufos beach is located within 10 minutes walking distance from the Castello Boutique Resort & Spa. The small, sandy beach provides umbrellas for a small fee. There is also a beach bar offering beverages and snacks.

Minoan Palace Of Malia
The Minoan palace of Malia is the third most significant known Minoan Palace after Knossos and Phaistos. It is known for its strategic port nearby and moreover for its characteristic large central courtyard, the centerpiece of the complex, the stairwells, the skylights, polythira, monumental façades and on each side rooms for specific functions.

Spinalonga Island
Spinalonga is a small island near Elounda in East Crete. Spinalonga is also known as the Leper Island, as that is where lepers from Crete and the rest of Greece were quarantined until 1957.

Agios Nikolaos
Agios Nikolaos is probably best known as a tourist town that serves as a hub to the twenty or so small villages and farms that make up that part of Lassithi.

Tourist attractions include the small lagoon Lake Voulismeni, small beaches in the town, the tiny island Agioi Pantes, the archaeological museum, the local flora exhibition “Iris” and numerous fairs.

The Palace Of Knossos
Located, approximately, 5km south of the Heraklion city center, the Knossos Palace undeniably used to be the capital of Minoan Crete.

Built around 1950 B.C. the Knossos palace covers 14.000m2. Visitors can explore the ruins of the Great Palace and marvel several monuments such as The Throne Room, The Queen’s Bathroom The Hall Of The Double Axes and more.

The Archeological Museum
One of the largest and most significant museums of Greece and one of the most paramount in Europe.

Built during the years 1933 – 1937 the museum is home to historical artifacts that take the visitor 5500 years back in time to the earliest days of european civilization. The Minoan artifact collection of the museum is the most important in the world.

The adults only Royal Marmin Bay Boutique & Art Hotel overlooking the famous Mirabello Bay in Elounda is architecturally blended with the natural environment and is the first energy efficient, ecologically green hotel in Greece that constitutes the ideal five-star choice for those in quest of relaxation and luxury, away from their daily routine.

The hotel owners with their love and their vision undertook to make their dream a reality: An unrivaled luxury resort.

The safe buildings which were built based on the architecture of the Cretan stone are blended perfectly with the natural environment; the Spa facilities, the rooms with a private pool, the eco character and the excellent meals in the restaurants, are just some of the features that make the hotel stand out.

Guided by the need of the guest to experience unforgettable moments and enjoy a stress-free vacation, the managers and the staff of Royal Marmin Bay Boutique & Art Hotel offer all amenities and services necessary for a life experience.

Royal Marmin Bay Boutique & Art Hotel is waiting to welcome you and offer you a warm, Cretan hospitality and a luxurious accommodation. Excellent and safe hotel facilities, impeccable service and prompt response to every request, are only a few of the reasons why it’s worth allowing yourself to live the dream!

6 REASONS TO BOOK
1- PRIVATE BEACH
The private beach of the Hotel extends like a blue carpet of shimmering sea till the far horizon. The atmosphere is effused by the salty breeze of the Cretan sea overlooking the Bay of Mirabello and the historic and famous islet – fortress of Spinalonga.

Only those who have swum in the crystal clear waters of the sea in Elounda, can understand how it is to lose yourself in the endless blue… Enjoy refreshing cocktails, juices and light snacks at Icaros beach bar or ask us to serve you on the beach.

2- ADULTS ONLY
The adults only Royal Marmin Bay Boutique & Art Hotel welcomes you and offers you a warm, Cretan hospitality and a luxurious accommodation. Excellent and safe hotel facilities, impeccable service and prompt response to every request, are only a few of the reasons why it’s worth allowing yourself to live the dream!

3- ELOUNDA
For many years it constitutes one of the most popular destinations because of its uniqueness and unparalleled beauty. On the way to the beautiful fishing village of Elounda, guests have the opportunity to enjoy the magnificent tropical waters of Kolokitha Peninsula and the historic islet of Spinalonga with its long history.

4- SAMURAI SUSHI BAR
The Japanese cuisine lovers are able to taste the excellent recipes of the world famous chef Dannie Mira in the Samurai Sushi Bar & Restaurant Elounda, located at the 5-Star adults only, Royal Marmin Bay Boutique & Art Hotel.

Mr. Mira is a highly qualified and conscientious chef. He has an excellent work ethic, and his passion and unique style is aligned with the standards of our hotel, showing the appropriate professionalism as well as required responsibility.

He has run as chief chef many world famous kitchens all over the world, and his specialization in sushi recipes has placed him as one of the most talented sushi chefs of the world. We are really proud to have him as a member of our staff!

5- VIP AIR TRANSPORTATION & PRIVATE TRANSFER
Royal Marmin Bay, Boutique & Art Hotel cooperates with a company that operates a large fleet of executive aircrafts, maintained by engineering teams, ensuring that they are kept to the highest safety standards.

Our guests that choose VIP Air Transportation service, are reassured that they are secured and they will arrive in absolute safety, superb style, and on time.

6- EUPHORIA SPA
A heaven of bliss and sheer relaxation! The shining jewel of the resort, Euphoria Spa, is available to our guests with a wide range of packages and services.

Relax and let the experienced hands of our therapists pamper you and add a glamour touch to your holiday. Our trained staff reaches not only the physical but also the mental energy level of each guest.

ROOMS & SUITES
Royal Marmin Bay Boutique & Art Hotel offers its guests five types of luxury and seductive accommodation options, to meet the needs of even the most demanding travelers.

Here is where the hotel’s eco-philosophy prevails with energy-autonomous rooms and smart architectural choices offering accommodation in a clean environment.

Luxury and bright rooms (97 in total) fully refurbished and ready to host couples or small families. Take advantage of the fine architecture and delicate design in each of the five types of rooms that will certainly make your stay unforgettable.

Uniquely designed interiors with terracotta and dark blue color, with retro all time classic and minimal style and furnished by the most famous designers with custom made furnishings, your stay in one of the rooms of Royal Marmin Bay Boutique & Art Hotel will ensure you luxury, privacy and relaxation.

DELUXE ROOM WITH PRIVATE POOL & SEA VIEW
Here simplicity meets luxury and enhances your holiday. The room offers all premium amenities and unobstructed magical sea view. Enjoy your sleep calmly, feel safe in a room designed exclusively to meet your needs, and try to let yourself in the ideal reality you could experience on your vacation.

The room features marble floors, marble bathroom with bathtub and a furnished balcony. Sheets, towels and bathrobes are made of natural fabric, and the room’s autonomous energy lends another plus to your choice.

What makes this room stand out from the rest is the additional outdoor pool for private use. Imagine swimming in its peaceful waters, relaxed and calm, observing the most beautiful and magnificent view you could have. Choose to live like royalty…

DELUXE ROOM WITH JACUZZI & SEA VIEW
With elegant decor choices and well design architecture based on your needs, this room type is ideal for quality holidays. The balcony is furnished and ideal for relaxation. Watch the view unfolding before you and experience moments away from the tiring pace of everyday life.

Premium amenities and unobstructed sea views characterize this type of room. It features marble flooring and marble bathroom with bathtub, which stimulate your senses and enhance your stay at a higher level.

Also, the room features an outdoor Jacuzzi. Relax in its warm waters and let the riveting setting take you away…

STANDARD ROOM MEDITERRANEAN
Enjoy your stay in a comfortable and elegant room. It features a king-size bed with sheets made of natural, Egyptian fabric to relax your senses and give you the most peaceful sleep ever. The bathroom has a shower and all the amenities you need.

The modern design of the room combined with elegant artistic interventions, enhances your stay and offers you a unique experience.

Choose to relax in the private furnished balcony of the room and enjoy at your convenience the excellent sea views. Give yourself a few moments of tranquility before heading out for a swim or lunch.

TASTE
Being the first certified energy efficient and green hotel in Greece, Royal Marmin Bay Boutique & Art Hotel uses exclusively organically grown products from local producers (except for meat products) for the needs of our guests. Extra virgin olive oil is used exclusively in all our dishes.

Two exceptional restaurants, three beautifully decorated bars and one traditional café are waiting to be discovered. Get ready for culinary getaways and tastes which will remain memorable.

Try dishes with the freshest ingredients, and discover the Mediterranean / Cretan cuisine through dietary recommendations of our qualified chefs, and escort your meal with wine from a wide variety of labels.

SAMURAI SUSHI BAR & RESTAURANT
The Japanese cuisine lovers are able to taste the excellent recipes of the world famous chef Dannie Mira in the Samurai Sushi Bar & Restaurant.

SUSHI
Sushi (すし, 寿司, 鮨?) is a type of food preparation originating in Japan, consisting of cooked vinegared rice combined with other ingredientssuch as seafood, meat, vegetables and sometimes tropical fruits.

Ingredients and forms of sushi presentation vary widely, but the ingredient which all sushi have in common is rice (also referred to as shari or sumeshi. Although commonly mistaken for sushi, sashimi, which is also a Japanese delicacy, consists of thinly sliced raw meat or fish and may or may not be served with rice.

ATHENA – MAIN RESTAURANT BUFFET
Here you can enjoy a hearty and nutritious buffet breakfast with Greek and international tastes, in an environment inspired by antiquity and especially by Goddess Athena.

In the same venue, an excellent and creative cuisine is also served based on Mediterranean and Cretan dishes, whereas cooking shows and other events are also organized.

GODDESS ATHENA
Athena, the daughter of Zeus and Metis, the goddess who was fighting for justice and who gave her name to the city of Athens, was not only the goddess of wisdom, but also the goddess of protection and defense of the city, of weaving, pottery and other crafts.

POSEIDON ITALIAN CREATIVE CUISINE & FRESH FISH
Poseidon Italian Creative Cuisine & Fresh Fish in Royal Marmin Bay Boutique & Art Hotel is ideal for the lovers of the creative contemporary cuisine, and it is the starting point for gourmet gastronomic adventures.

This is the venue where the dinner of the day is being served. Guests are invited to choose a wide selection of gourmet Mediterranean dishes and fresh seafood from the à la carte menu, which is carefully curated by a professional chef.

Dinner is served at Poseidon Italian Creative Cuisine & Fresh Fish with many à la carte dish choices that will meet all your culinary desires. All dishes are prepared only with the freshest ingredients from the exceptional and skilled cooks, and promise delicious journeys that you will cherish forever.

On Thursday evenings, in the Poseidon Gourmet Restaurant & Fresh Fish instead of the regular menu, special “Lobster Nights” take place, accompanied with Greek live music

GOD POSEIDON
He was the Greek God of sea and earthquakes, the son of Krοnos and Rhea. He spent most of his life in a golden palace on the seabed. Corals and beautiful shells decorated his underwater house, and two huge sea horses were guarding the entrance.

DIONYSUS
Dionysus Main Bar is located in the lobby and opens its doors from 18:00 to 02:00 for guests who want to relax while enjoying a refreshing cocktail or a light snack.

GOD DIONYSUS
He was the great Olympian god of wine, vegetation, pleasure and festivity, the son of Zeus, and he is associated with fertility, through the fulfilled love.

MINOS
With breathtaking views over the islet of Spinalonga and the Bay of Elounda that only nature could have painted, enjoy a drink or cool refreshment at Minoas Pool Bar (10:00 – 18:00). Light snacks are also offered to indulge the palate of our guests.

Minos was the dynamic and righteous king of Crete during the Minoan years. Son of Zeus and Europa, he lived before the Trojan War. He was married to Pasiphae and had to children, Ariadne and Phaedra.

ICAROS BEACH BAR
In our Beach Bar, you can take advantage from the coolness of freshly prepared fruit juices and alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages by the sea, in a very relaxing environment. Since the saltiness of the sea always creates an appetite, light snacks are offered to please our guests.

ICARUS
Icarus, the son of a very competent architect and sculptor, of Daedalus, dared to fly too close to the hot Cretan sun wearing wings of feathers and wax, resulting his fall to an island that currently bears his name: the island of Ikaria.

ARIADNE – OLOUS KAFENEIO
Ariadne – Olous is a traditional Greek café serving delicious local appetizers and drinks. Meet the Greek culture of meeting in a café to chat, relax or play cards & backgammon. It opens between 12:00 and 23:00.

ARIADNE
When Theseus arrived in Crete to offer himself as a sacrifice to Minotaur, he met Ariadne and won her favor. To save him from certain death, Ariadne gave him a ball of thread (the famous Ariadne’s Thread), by means of which he could find his way out of the Labyrinth after his victorious fight with the Minotaur.

EUPHORIA SPA
A heaven of bliss and sheer relaxation! The shining jewel of the resort, Euphoria Spa, is available to our guests with a wide range of packages and services.

Relax and let the experienced hands of our therapists pamper you and add a glamour touch to your holiday. Our trained staff reaches not only the physical but also the mental energy level of each guest.

Choose from a wide range of alternative and holistic therapies from around the world, with organic – natural skincare products for the face and body. Our Spa features 3 massage rooms (1 for couples), 2 steam baths and 2 saunas, manicure and pedicure facilities and a hairdressing salon.

WEDDING SERVICES
The Royal Marmin Bay Boutique & Art Hotel is the ideal place to live out the day of your dreams.

A romantic setting for couples with breathtaking views, 3 churches to pick from for the ceremony, gastronomic restaurants and specialized menus from our highly skilled chefs, luxurious accommodation in deluxe rooms with private pools and Jacuzzi offering privacy and unforgettable moments, experienced personnel to help you plan step by step all details for the wedding, offering a variety of innovative packages to choose from as well as custom made planning.

We can make anything happen to turn your special day into a fairytale.

BEACH & POOLS
The private beach of the Hotel extends like a blue carpet of shimmering sea till the far horizon. The atmosphere is effused by the salty breeze of the Cretan sea overlooking the Bay of Mirabello and the historic and famous islet – fortress of Spinalonga.

Only those who have swum in the crystal clear waters of the sea in Elounda, can understand how it is to lose yourself in the endless blue… Enjoy refreshing cocktails, juices and light snacks at Icaros beach bar or ask us to serve you on the beach.

The design and the sound and safe construction make our hotel pools ideal for guests who choose to spend some of their time on our premises and enjoy a swim in the resort. The amphitheatrical design of the hotel allows you along with your bath to enjoy the unobstructed views that will certainly astonish you.

Royal Marmin Bay Boutique & Art Hotel features 28 private pools and 1 large main pool for all guests.

WATERSPORTS
The crystal clear blue waters and the beautiful beach of the region of Elounda, create the perfect setting for fun adventures and water sports in your holidays.

The hotel’s unique sports facilities, located directly on the private beach, allow guests to participate in exciting activities. Boat rentals, water skiing, wake boarding and more, add extra fun and action to the guests’ holiday.

WATER SPORTS ADVENTURE
When it comes to water sports, we believe that you will find something suitable for you. Mirabello bay offers optimal conditions for water skiing and wake-boarding.

You may expect flat waters and experienced patient instructors who will guide you on your first steps or help you improve your existing skills. Water skiing, wake-boarding, wake- surfing, wake- skating are some of the water sports which you can learn, practice and master!

Our coaches are qualified and Certified with the Greek and British Water Ski Federation diploma, with lot of experience and patience. A variety of towed inflated tubes and water sofas are available for you to choose.

ESCAPE THE CROWDS

• Paddle on a SUP board or on a sea KAYAK!
• Swim & snorkeling in crystal clear waters and explore the beautiful coastlines and coves of Elounda.
• Sit-on-top Sea kayak, life vest and paddle are provided.

YACHTING
GT Cruises is located in one of the most beautiful areas of Crete, where we will sail you along the coast of the Mirabello gulf or any other destination you wish.

TATIANA is prestigious flagship, signals the finest choice in quality day boating enjoyment. This flagship provides all essential elements for truly enjoyable cruising. On board, superior components complement a wealth of unique features to satisfy each personal safety and comfort requirement.

Advanced marine technology assures structural integrity and stellar performance with a proper balance of lively speed and responsive maneuverability which all come beautifully together in the smooth powerful Feretti ride.

BOAT TRIP
Take your vacation to the next level by chartering our traditionally built M/Y Agios Ioannis (“St. John”), offering a personalized and private experience.

Visit historical places in the surrounding area, explore the clear blue seas, discover unseen coves, cruise to a destination where each stop leads you to something new and every moment on board is about your enjoyment.

Feel the tranquility on a private, romantic sunset trip, or have fun in a small group, boat party. Tailor made, half and full day cruises, Spinalonga & swim programs and more.

ART GALLERY
Faithful to our love for all forms of art, and always pioneers to promote artists remarkable work, we host in our hotel the exhibition of the artist Christina Chatzideve. The exhibition is inspired by the Minoan and the Greek culture

LOCATION
Built in the most beautiful corner of Elounda Bay, Royal Marmin Bay Boutique & Art Hotel extends over the sea and spreads out amphitheatrically on a natural hill.

You will certainly be amazed by the breathtaking views offered by the surrounding mountains and the deep blue of the Mediterranean and the Cretan sea. The scenery you will see opposite the hotel will remain treasured…

ELOUNDA
For many years it constitutes one of the most popular destinations because of its uniqueness and unparalleled beauty. On the way to the beautiful fishing village of Elounda, guests have the opportunity to enjoy the magnificent tropical waters of Kolokitha Peninsula and the historic islet of Spinalonga with its long history.

The picturesque Elounda has blended perfectly with the needs of modern guests, offering all amenities they need, without losing its traditional touch. Elounda is a magical place with exceptional beaches, plenty of restaurants with exceptional food and many shops to do your shopping.

It is an ideal destination for those seeking tranquility with a touch of luxury for guests who want to relax, rest and enjoy their stay in a place that includes everything.

DISTANCES

• 70 km from “Nikos Kazantzakis” Heraklion Airport (approximately 60 minutes drive)
• 75 km from Heraklion Port (approximately 65 minutes drive)
• 10 km from Agios Nikolaos (15 minutes drive)
• 2 km from the village of Elounda (5 minutes drive)

VIP AIR TRANSPORTATION
Royal Marmin Bay, Boutique & Art Hotel cooperates with a company that operates a large fleet of executive aircrafts, maintained by engineering teams, ensuring that they are kept to the highest safety standards.

Our guests that choose VIP Air Transportation service, are reassured that they are secured and they will arrive in absolute safety, superb style, and on time.

VIP PRIVATE TRANSFERS
Royal Marmin Bay Boutique & Art Hotel provides airport and point to point transfer services in a luxurious selection of cars, for the exclusive use of the transfer requested. We pledge to take you to any destination on the island, providing high quality service, comfort and safety.

On the native island of Zeus, the King of the Greek gods, sits the Elounda Mare Hotel, with its white cottages that look out onto the turquoise waters of the Mirabello Bay. An ethereal light bathes this retreat and its maze of sweet-smelling gardens.

The spacious and intimate bedrooms, the bungalows, all different but all with a private pool, enjoy magnificent panoramic views.

The hotel’s location is the perfect place from which to discover Crete and its legends, monasteries and chapels bequeathed by the Byzantine civilization. There is even a chapel overlooking the hotel’s private bay, offering stunning vistas of the Mediterranean.

Renowned for its genuine warmth and friendliness, the elounda mare hotel proudly upholds a tradition spanning twenty years of excellence in courtesy and cuisine.

Built as a Cretan mansion, the elounda mare hotel is a jewel of traditional architecture and design, with gems of antique furniture and artwork adorning the halls and accommodations.

Each lounge and open space reflects the integrity of style and originality of expression that make the elounda mare hotel so adorable. It is no wonder that many guests consider it their home away from home.

Minoan Palace with Private Pool
A new unique 4-bedroom beachfront villa opened at Elounda Mare Hotel. The villa, ideal for dream-like family holidays, is named “Minoan Palace”.
Guests will enjoy the 76sqm “master” bedroom and three additional specious bedrooms all with en-suite bathrooms and walk-in wardrobes.

The living and dining area open up to the veranda offering an absolute al-fresco feeling. An elevator connects the two upper-floor bedrooms and work-out room with the ground floor.

Additionally there is a small pantry available for the Chef to prepare a la carte meals for the guests or a BBQ in the private patio of the villa.

An extensive garden reveals a large seawater swimming pool, a superb location near the private sandy beach of the hotel, offering absolute privacy, wonderful view to the sea and direct private access to the beach area.

Dining Experience
The Elounda S.A Hotels & Resorts stage a variety of dining experiences throughout the properties, both with the many restaurants as well as at some surprising locations.

Having received numerous culinary awards like the “Golden Toques”, often being the only restaurants in Crete to hold such distinctions, our chefs will be delighted to cook their delicacies privately in your suite or villa.

Whether indoor or outdoor, in a romantic setting for two or a party for more, in-room dining is an experience to behold. Guests have the opportunity to reserve our yacht for a romantic docked sailing dining experience. The exquisite feeling of dining on the sea is unbeatable.

Throughout the day, our room-service capacity is at the ready. Just a phone call away, and every dish on the menu will be prepared fresh to arrive on your doorstep. Operation of the restaurants depends on weather conditions during shoulder seasons.

Wine tastings
Wine tastings take place either in the wine cellar or at the wine distillery area by the beach of porto elounda GOLF & SPA RESORT and elounda peninsula ALL SUITE HOTEL with an approximate duration of 1hour.

Cooking lesson
Cooking lessons have an approximate duration of 1hour. Greek recipes accompanied by a glass of wine are priced at 80€ per person. Fine dining cuisine recipes are priced at 110€ per person accompanied by a glass of champagne.

Private dinner
A six-course Fine-dining menu is available, alternatively guests can pre-order from whichever restaurants’ menu they prefer. Set-up and service are charged extra. Menus can be sent upon request.Private dinners can take place at

• the beach of Porto Elounda
• the beach of Elounda Mare
• the beach of Elounda Peninsula

Private BBQ
Private BBQ can take place either at the beach of Porto Elounda, Elounda Peninsula or Elounda Mare, or in the villa/bungalow. Set-up, Chef and Butler service are charged extra. Menus can be sent upon request.

Restaurant privatisation
Guests have the opportunity to book one of our eight restaurants privately, to celebrate any special occasion. Privatisation fee applies which includes staff. Choices of restaurants vary depending on season and availability.

Cellar Dinner
5-wines perfectly matched to a 7-course gourmet dinner, prepared by our fine dining restaurant chef and our sommelier. Maximum participation is 8 persons as the wine-cellar has limited seating.

Sailing boat dinner
Private dining on Eliana K sailing boat, at the dock. Guests can choose between a 6-course Fine-dining menu or pre-order from whichever restaurants’ menu they prefer. Boat rental as well as butler service are charged extra. Menus can be sent upon request.

Special Events
Our entire resort has hosted promotional events for automotive companies, mobile telephone operators, pharmeceuticals, and popular stars’ meeting with their fans.

Many special weekends throughout the year play host to a large variety of events, such as our annual Elounda Golf Tournament, the Kazanemata festivities for the distillation of “raki” (our local grappa), and sailing regattas in the azure waters of the Mirabello Bay.

Golf
Elounda S.A. Hotels & Resorts is a world-class five-star resort offering a range of leisure facilities including a private 9-hole par-3 golf course.

The porto elounda GOLF CLUB hosts a Golf Academy with a PGA professional team, offering the opportunity of either learning to play golf during one’s holiday, or of boosting one’s golf techniques.

Especially for beginners, classes are arranged in such a way as to maximise the knowledge acquired, even during a short stay at the resort. The Pro-Shop, situated in the shopping center of the hotel, can provide all the necessary equipment and souvenirs.

And for the 19th hole, or even just for a pause between holes, there are quite a few options: the Beach Bar next to the seaside pool or the Odysseus restaurant on the waterfront are two very enticing alternatives.

• 9-hole par-3 course
• 2 playing options for each hole
• pro shop
• 54 handicap required
• PGA pro on site

The Crete Golf Club, an 18-hole championship course, is located 30 minutes away. It is the only 18-hole golf course on the island of Crete and one of the most impressive courses of the Mediterranean, which holds a unique challenge and a pleasant experience for both golf players and visitors.

The Crete Golf Club has a mountain-style layout, it is meticulously maintained and at the same time it provides an ideal venue for international tournaments. It has hosted the EGA Mens’ Challenge Trophy with great success in July 2008, while for 3 consecutive years it also hosted the Aegean Airlines Pro-Am.

The standard of service at Crete Golf Club is exemplary and adds a great deal to what is already a special experience.

Shopping
The shopping arcades at Playiada, our traditional Cretan square with its own chapel at our porto elounda GOLF & SPA RESORT, is breeming with clothing boutiques, accessories, jewellery, news-stand, souvenirs, art gallery, rugs, and our Six Senses Gallery, while more shopping and boutiques can be found at the elounda mare hotel’s own square.

Indoor Games
Every one of the Elounda S.A. hotels and resorts has a special character and atmosphere, reflected in the kinds of facilities offered for indoor and table games.

The porto elounda GOLF & SPA RESORT has an entire room dedicated to such amusement, featuring billiards tables, card-playing tables, role-playing computer stations, pinball and table football.

The table tennis facility at porto elounda GOLF & SPA RESORT is near the beach, while at the elounda mare hotel it is near the main pool. Every hotel has a dedicated lounge for adults’ card-playing, like bridge.

Casa Delfino is a boutique hotel in Chania housed in a 17th century Venetian mansion, which used to be the private home of the family Delfino. Remaining in the same family for six generations now, hospitality and authentic charm are an important part of our heritage.

Paying homage to the history of the building, all the areas have been sensitively restored to its original splendor. The appearance of this historic structure transports guests to a rare place of refined elegance, where impeccable service, distinctive style and uncommon luxuries rule the day.

With just 24 guestrooms and suites, decorated with a mix of modern and classical décor and furnishings; each room has its own individual character and style. All rooms seamlessly weave architectural heritage with contemporary design.

From tailor-made itineraries to unexpected treats at turndown, we love to spoil our guests. Casa Delfino’s pebbled courtyard is a romantic oasis where guests can read, relax, or simply soak up the serene ambience.

But step outside this enchanted setting and you can stroll to all the main attractions, museums, restaurants, chic shops, and lively bars. The hotel is located in the heart of the walled Old Venetian Town – yet a world apart. Simplicity, tranquility and time.

These elements are so often missing in our frenetic modern lives. Wouldn’t a little luxurious down-time at the Spa be sheer perfection? Pampering and sheer indulgence…every moment of it catered to your every need. And when the sun goes down enjoy a drink at the spectacular roof terrace.

With its sensational views over the harbor and the sea, there’s no better place to be at sunset. Casa Delfino is open all year round.

LOCATION
Casa Delfino is located in the walled Old Venetian Town of Chania; only a few moments from the waterfront with its chic restaurants, shops, and cafes. Most of the main attractions are easily accessible on foot.

The closest organized beach (Nea Chora) is only a 10-minute walk from our front door. Casa Delfino also makes an ideal base from which to explore the gorgeous beaches, mountain villages, and hiking trails of Western Crete. It is 17 km from Chania airport and 7 km from the port of Souda.

HONEYMOON SUITE
Feel right at home in our generously sized Honeymoon Suite, designed with romance in mind and furnished with classical furniture.

There is a bedroom with a king-size bed, a separate living/dining area and a sumptuous marble bathroom with an extra large Jacuzzi. It is perfect for couples celebrating special occasions, or just those desiring the ultimate experience in spacious accommodations.

PENTHOUSE SUITE
The two-storey Penthouse Suite is distinguished by its premier location and hence one of our most popular suites. The interior stairway leads down to a very comfortable living area and an adjacent small bathroom.

The bedroom with a king size bed, a second bathroom with shower stall and a separated large Jacuzzi tub can be found on the upper level, opening onto a spacious veranda with stunning views over the Old Venetian Harbor to the sea.

PRESIDENTIAL SUITE
This lavishly designed, split-level suite offers maximum privacy in a contemporary setup. Its jewel is a private terrace with a fabulous vantage point of the Old Venetian Harbor and the sea.

Meticulously appointed with bespoke furnishings, this suite reflects the historic location and is an epitome of luxury. The suite features two separate living areas and can sleep up to 5 people. The bathroom is lined with Greek marble and features a separate walk-in shower and a bathtub.

BREAKFASTS AT CASA DELFINO ARE LEGENDARY!
Local cheeses and olives, homemade bread and homemade marmalade from organic fruits, sesame honey bars, or yoghurt with thyme honey are just some of the Cretan treats to tempt you.

Our daily selection of freshly baked cakes and pies have been made to the same family recipes for generations. Gluten and lactose free breakfasts are also available (prior notice required). During the winter, breakfast is served indoors in our cozy dining room.

ENJOY THE AMAZING VIEW OF CHANIA OLD HARBOR
The roof garden is an exclusive hideaway for sunbathing, enjoying a drink at the roof top bar (open from mid April until the end of October) or even better a cocktail during the sunset.

Even more sensational than the décor is the stunning skyline, across the pastel-coloured Old Town to the twinkling lights of the harbour and the endless blue horizon.

CASA DELFINO LUXURY SPA SERVICES
Spoil yourself in the privacy of your own spa. The spa at casa delfino is a senstual sanctuary where you can retreat in absolute privacy, when you book a treatment, the spa is exclusively available to you – whether you wish to spoil yourself alone, as couple, with family or friends.

It is a journey tailored to achieve ultimate results, with a completely individualized approach. It features an opulent marble steam room, two treatment rooms, an extra large Jacuzzi whirlpool and a soothing relaxation area.

All designed to pamper and luxuriate the most discerning of guests without ever having to leave our hotel. Our team of qualified therapists will help you choose a bespoke treatment specially designed for you. Every treatment is a holistic experience for mind, body and spirit, featuring the best natural Greek products by Apivita.

The Apivita line of organic skincare products is based on essential oils from organic cultivations, plant extracts and pure honey products of Greek nature.

All treatments incorporate ingredients from the Mediterranean diet to create a relaxing and rejuvenating natural experience. Apivita’s detoxifying oils, revitalizing lotions and deep cleansing scrubs will leave you glowing inside and out.

Golden Honey
ROYAL FOOD FOR THE BODY WITH ROYAL JELLY AND HONEY
A unique treatment, an elixir of youth, designed exclusively to utilize the nourishing ingredients from the hive of APIVITA. The “Queen” of treatments is a complete care that has been inspired by the beneficial properties of royal jelly and honey.

The crystallized honey exfoliates the body while at the same time moisturizes and softens the skin. The fresh royal jelly nourishes, rejuvenates and restores glow and vitality to even the most demanding skin. This “sweet” treatment improves the texture of the skin and offers spiritual wellbeing.

Queen bee face
REJUVENATING AND FIRMING FACIAL TREATMENT WITH ROYAL JELLY AND HONEY
A “Royal treatment” for rejuvenating and firming the mature skin based on the beneficial properties of royal jelly and honey.

Royal jelly, -an elixir of life and youth, rich in fatty acids, proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins and trace elements- nourishes, regenerates, rejuvenates and restores the skin’s vitality, while the honey moisturizes and softens.

The essential oil of myrrh, known for its regenerative properties, strengthens the action of the treatment, while uplifting and stimulating the senses. The unique face massage activates selected energy points (acupressure points) and helps the regeneration and restoration of the skin.

CASA DELFINO IS THE IDEAL SPOT TO EXPLORE THE OLD VENETIAN TOWN
For some people, Chania represents the very best of Crete, the essence of Crete. Chania can be divided into the old town and the new town. The Old Town surrounds the harbor and is typically Venetian, with plenty of Turkish architecture and townscape still visible in the narrow streets and baths.

The Old Venetian Town of Chania with its charming shops, restaurants with delicious Cretan cuisine, numerous historical landmarks and museums is a rare gem waiting to be explored. Walking around the Old Town is such a pleasure-do not miss out!

FOR GIFTS AND MEMENTOS
In our cultural gift shop you can find a collection of accessories from statuettes and cushions to tableware, T-shirts, bags and jewelry all inspired by the Greek history and mythology.

The precious classical heritage takes the shape of modern unique handmade objects based on the philosophy “enjoy thinking”. Every travel is sealed with a little treasure. For exceptional gifts and mementos visit the gift store of Casa Delfino.

VILLA OLEANDER
Romantic Oasis
Villa Oleander is a property owned by the same family, but it is a completely different concept. It is located 15 minutes far from Chania town and it can accommodate 14 persons. It has 7 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms and a private heated swimming pool.  More precisely, Villa Oleander is situated in a hilltop countryside location very close to the sea and the town.

With its generous spaces, wonderful amenities and its multifaceted character amiable to all ages, this property is an ideal choice for big family gatherings or larger groups looking to enjoy a memorable summer experience and the best the island has to offer.

There is easy access to the numerous beaches around the area and it is a wonderful setting for leisure and sunbathing by the pool. It is located in the Akrotiri Peninsula, at just 7,8 km far from the town of Chania.

Composed of two independent units, which could accommodate up to 14 persons, both are designed to offer supreme accommodation in their bright and ultra-sized interiors.

Villa Oleander has been thoughtfully designed to pamper guests with all comforts engaging meticulous taste, as well as automated technology that simplifies the overall living experience and fulfills your every single need.

A careful blend between modern and traditional yields sophisticated results and creates an ever-stylish fusion. The attention to detail is striking and consistent throughout the property.

Outdoors, summer unfolds at its best: a magnificent open-air setting equipped with a wonderful swimming pool with salt water systems, an inviting barbeque area and a dining area shaded by a pergola. The villa is surrounded by a large garden with plenty of olive trees, aromatic herbs and flowers planted throughout.

Chania Flair is neither a typical city hotel nor a secluded holiday resort. It is the new approach to a relaxing holiday: to feel the pulse of a romantic Venetian harbour city and at the same time enjoy a relaxing, regenerating beach holiday! With the quality guarantee of Corissia Hotels. We welcome you warmly!

The hotel’s privileged and very quiet location makes it an ideal starting point at any time of the year from which to experience the historic centre, discover the Cretan cuisine and culture and explore the beautiful and varied surrounding countryside.

The modern hotel impresses with its elegant design, high-quality furnishings and its privileged location between the sandy beach, city and old town. In the hotel building you will find spacious lounges with garden area as well as a reception area which is open 24 hours a day.

On the sitting and sun terrace on the top floor, you can enjoy a magnificent panoramic view of the bay of Chania and the White Mountains of Crete with a drink of your choice.

In the Rooftop Fitness Studio you will find state-of-the-art equipment from renowned manufacturers and you can enjoy your fitness training with a magnificent view of the sea free of charge.

On the roof terrace you will also find a relaxation area, optionally open or closed, with a 20 m2 heated pool, sauna, deck chairs and sun terrace, which you can use at no extra charge.

In addition, in a specially equipped, spacious area, you will experience cosmetic and massage treatments tailored to your needs, which contribute to the relaxation and regeneration of your body and give your soul and spirit rest and well-being. Free high-speed Internet access via WLAN is available throughout the entire facility.

All rooms are large, bright and very comfortably furnished. In the following section you will find detailed information about the different types of rooms.In the stylish premises of the hotel adults are among themselves, the hotel rooms can only be booked by persons aged 16 and over (adults only).

All hotel areas are easily accessible for our guests with walking disabilities. We have taken great care to ensure that the construction and all technical equipment meet the most modern requirements in terms of quality of stay and comfort: thermal insulation, individually adjustable air conditioning with heat pump / geothermal energy, increased sound insulation, special ventilation filters, solar system, etc.

The state-of-the-art construction method in combination with the systematic use of sustainable, renewable energy sources, such as geothermal heat pumps for heating and air conditioning and solar panels for electricity generation meet all the criteria of a climate-neutral building.

The Chania Flair is one of the first CO2-neutral hotels on Crete due to its very high energy efficiency.

The location

Welcome to Chania, the romantic harbour town in the west of Crete with its venetian character. The new Adults Only Boutique Hotel was built in 2020 in a very quiet location within the city of Chania, in the Nea Chora district and is only a few steps (60 m) from the fine sandy beach and a few minutes walk from the dreamy old town with the Venetian harbour. The lively city centre with its countless shopping and entertainment possibilities is also only a few hundred metres away.

A location where city, historic centre and sandy beach all come together
The car-free promenade of the small fishing port of Nea Chora, which stretches west along the fine sandy beach, begins directly in front of the hotel. Further west, there are several small bays with golden, gently sloping sandy beaches: Aptera, Chrissi Akti and Agii Apostoli.

All beaches regularly awarded the Blue Flag are within walking distance of the hotel. The area up to Agii Apostoli is mostly covered with small parks with pine and eucalyptus trees.

In an easterly direction, the old town of Chania, which boasts the romantic Venetian harbour, awaits you after a few minutes on foot. This unique scenery consists of the old lighthouse, the Firkas fortress, the mosque with the large white dome and the pastel-coloured houses from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries.

On the harbour promenade, which offers a unique view of the sea, there is a wide choice of restaurants, cafés and bars. Every evening the whole city meets here for a stroll.

Grand Suite & Spa

The Grand Suites consist of 2 separate rooms and are therefore very comfortable and spacious. Each room has a super king size box spring bed 200 x 200 cm with top quality mattress, living area with armchair and table and a large balcony.

The Grand Suite can be booked by a maximum of 4 adults aged 16 and over. Due to their privileged location, the Grand Suites have a magnificent side or direct view of the bay of Chania.

The highlight of the Grand Suites is the whirlpool system in the room with outstanding hygiene properties, because the system works without a pipe construction, so that nowhere can residual water be left behind.

The whirl intensity ranges from gentle strokes to a powerful and extensive massage of the skin, subcutis and muscles. The pure power of the water can thus be used specifically for well-being and relaxation.

Each room in the Grand Suite also has individually adjustable air conditioning, a small fridge, a 50” smart TV with Internet and satellite reception, VoIP telephone, Internet via WLAN/ LAN free of charge, writing desk with USB sockets / LAN, safe, spacious wardrobe with interior lighting, hairdryer, cosmetic mirror, separate WC and shower with waterfall shower head.

Every day you will find in your room a free selection of coffee and tea utensils as well as a bottle of still water. Beach towels and irons are available free of charge on request.

An innovative gastronomy concept
Premium Breakfast à la Carte
Your rich and tasty breakfast will be served in the quiet Adults-Only Restaurant. Specialities are freshly prepared for you at ‘show cooking’ stations. With Premium Breakfast à la Carte we will serve you your daily, rich breakfast personally and not as usual as a buffet.

Our chef will prepare culinary delights of the highest quality for you, which you can choose from our menu and enjoy in our new premises. The quiet location and the relaxed ambience of the hotel restaurant allow you to enjoy your daily meals undisturbed.

Dinner à la Carte
In our hotel restaurant or on the roof terrace with a wonderful view of the sea, you can enjoy special culinary creations of our chef in the evening. «Getting to know the real Greek culture and the relaxed contact with the locals is an important part of our hotel philosophy and is supported by us in principle.»

In the surrounding, pulsating city you can enjoy Greek, Cretan and international cuisine in all its variations at any time. These culinary experiences, be it in a small tavern in one of the intricate alleys of the old town or in a cosy fish restaurant at the Venetian harbour, should become part of your entire holiday experience.

Relaxation with a magnificent sea view
On the roof terrace you will find an optional open or closed relaxation area with a 20 m2 heated whirlpool, sauna, deck chairs and sun terrace, which you can use at no extra charge.«Let new impulses into your life and get to know yourself from a new perspective…»

Massage & Cosmetics Treatments
In a specially equipped, spacious area, you can enjoy cosmetic and massage treatments tailored to your needs with the help of our expert staff. «A range of massage treatments help to relax and regenerate your body and give your soul and spirit rest and well-being.»

Fitness with holiday feeling
Our fitness studio on the top floor, with a unique 180 degree view of the sea, is equipped with the most modern cardio machines and weight stations (from TECHNOGYM), as well as other special equipment for your individual or group training: treadmills, crosstrainers, bicycle ergometers, rowing machines, Kinesis and TRX.

«Stay fit and healthy by achieving your personal training goals even on holiday.» Personal fitness trainer available on request at extra charge

Cocktail & Wine Bar
At our lobby bar you can enjoy an exquisite selection of wines, delicious cocktails and spirits as well as coffees and refreshing drinks of all kinds in a relaxed, tranquil atmosphere. Pure romance! «Sheer pleasure in a wonderful ambience.»

Recreation directly on the sandy beach
In spring 2021 we will open the Chania Flair Café directly on the beach promenade, only a few meters from the hotel building. The Chania Flair Café has its own beach section with sunbeds and parasols, which our guests can use free of charge. «Close your eyes and concentrate only on the sound of the sea. What a melody!»

Shuttle to 10 nearby beaches 2021
From spring 2021 we offer a free daily shuttle service to more than 10 nearby beaches and bays exclusively for our guests. «Crete is a true paradise for beach lovers. Long golden sandy beaches, rocky reefs and small bays are abundant in Crete.»

Destination Crete
When choosing Crete as a holiday destination, there is no need to distinguish between beach and recreational holidays and other, alternative types of holidays, such as city breaks, hiking holidays, cultural or adventure holidays.

You can simply combine them as you like! This is exactly what makes Crete such a unique destination…

Stroll through dreamy old towns on Crete and experience the magic of history first hand
Which cities in Crete have a beautiful old town? Find out here, as the old towns of Crete should not be missed during your holidays! The island does not only impress with its white sandy beaches, the exciting nightlife and a unique landscape.

Here you can dive into other epochs of European history like in hardly any other place. Embedded in historical city walls and modern buildings are old towns that have retained their old charm thanks to the careful care of their inhabitants.

Go on a search for traces through the old towns of the cosmopolitan island, no matter whether you prefer to spend your holiday on the beach or whether the incomparable nature of the island has captivated you: The old towns of Crete should really not be missed during your holiday!

The Venice of Crete: the old town of Chania
In the west of Crete, only a few kilometres away from the White Mountains, the old town of Chania awaits you with its romantic Venetian harbour.

This unique scenery consists of the old lighthouse, the Firkas fortress, the mosque with the large white dome and the pastel-coloured houses from the 16th, 17th and 18th century.

There is a wide choice of restaurants, cafés and bars on the harbour promenade, where you can enjoy a unique view of the sea. Every evening the whole city meets here to stroll. In addition to the still preserved ship halls of the old Venetians you will not only discover impressive buildings such as old city palaces, mosques and churches.

With its colourful streets behind the promenade the charming place reminds of Venice itself. After a walk through the streets, past taverns and the shops and workshops of traditional craftsmen, you will enjoy a pulsating nightlife.

A hidden treasure: the old town of Rethymno
Unforgettable sunsets can be experienced in contemplative Rethymno, where the old town nestles on the coast of a small peninsula. The extensive Fortezza Castle, which was built in the 16th century, towers above it.

On the café terraces along the sandy beach and the harbour you can enjoy delicious coffee and local specialities before the alleys of the old town with their small flower-decorated houses entice you.

The minarets of the former mosques and the wooden oriels give Rethymno a touch of oriental flair. In combination with the Venetian mansions of the 16th and 17th century, an almost fairytale atmosphere is created.

The modern meets history: the old town of Heraklion
The old town of Heraklion is particularly lively. Here, modernity meets history: in the Minoan era, the port was located here, which was part of the famous palace complex of Knossos. Heraklion has retained this great significance to this day.

The city is the start and finish of many cruises and the economic centre of Crete. The old fortress walls, which were once supposed to protect the Cretan capital from attacks, still house impressive buildings from the Renaissance and Baroque periods.

On three sides, surrounded by walls and one by the sea, the historic centre offers you everything you need for a successful holiday – free from car noise. Because the streets of the old town are part of an extensive pedestrian area that allows you to experience the unique magic of this place.

Greek coffee specialities tempt you in the cafés along the old harbour basin. During the day, interesting exhibitions and markets await you along the alleys and squares lined with ancient buildings, where craftsmen and artists still maintain the old traditions of the island. In the evening you can end the day with a delicious meal in one of the restaurants typical for the region.

Breathtaking mountain landscapes and rough tracks: Discover Crete offroad now!
Offroad Tours on Crete – Explore the beautiful island by jeep or mountain bike.

Fasten your seat belt and explore the island from its most beautiful side. With a 4×4 all-terrain vehicle you drive through lonely nature and create an unforgettable memory of your stay in Crete. Gather impressions of abandoned villages, ancient temples or churches carved into the rock.

Bathing fun is not neglected on these impressive tours either, because at some point you will reach one of the wonderful beaches of Crete, where the Mediterranean Sea invites you to relax and cool off from your off-road adventure.

Jeep tour to the Rodopou Peninsula
The peninsula between the bays of Chania and Kissamos is not yet accessible by asphalt roads at all. Here, a 4×4 jeep is the right vehicle, as the roads are partly very rough. The drive through deserted but sheep- and goat-rich nature is the ultimate experience.

You can see a deserted village, the hint of an ancient temple and two pilgrimage churches in complete solitude. The adventure begins in Kolymbari. Here you can still shop for the picnic planned for the tour and be impressed by the historic Gonia Monastery on the outskirts of the village.

From here the actual tour starts, through a small gorge to the short stone-pebble beach Afrata Beach with snack bar and comfortable sun loungers. Directly at this crossing is the Kafenío ‘I Kalia Kardia’, one of the last signs of civilization before the wilderness. Now it gets bumpy, but also unforgettably beautiful.

Now the real offroad part of your adventure tour begins. It continues on a wide track, where you can make many new acquaintances with locals. Most of them are not people, but rather the sheep and goats that live here and shape the landscape.

The trail ends in a coastal settlement with the 100 m long and 20 m wide pebbled Menies Beach. Next to a tiny white chapel the Greek flag is proudly hoisted. A sight to make the heart of a true Crete fan beat faster!

From here it’s a return trip. Let the impressions you gained on the way there have an effect again until you are presented with the breathtakingly beautiful view of the wide bay of Kissamos. If you are lucky, you may even spot the distant islands of Kythira and Antikithyra in the direction of the Peloponnese.

Other impressive stops are Agios Ioannis Gionas, a sanctuary of pilgrimage, and the church of Agios Pavlos, which was built almost directly on the sea. It is now about 8 km to Rodopou. Then the paved road has you again.

Particularly curious adventurers expect then still an unusual bathing place and a great tavern. For this you drive down via Ravdoucha to the so-called Waves on the Rock. Between the rocks and sand the sea has formed a small natural pool here. Here you can enjoy the evening completely relaxed.

To the Blue Lagoon of Balos via gravel road
In the northwest of Crete lies Balos, the blue lagoon, a breathtaking turquoise bay with a fantastic sandy beach on the west side of the Gramvousa peninsula. You can reach Balos either by car (partly gravel road) and descent via steps or by boat from Kastelli Kissamos.

The way to your destination is already a great pleasure. Almost always you will have a view of the cliffs and the sea; on the other side of the bay of Kissamos the Rodopou peninsula extends far into the Aegean Sea.

From Georgioupolis to Kissamos you drive on a national road that has been converted into a motorway. This way takes about one hour. It is best to drive directly towards the sea to be at the beach of Balos early. It will be worth it, because you will experience a wonderful day that you will not forget so quickly.

Cycling holidays on Crete – wonderful cycling tours through high mountains and traditional villages
The high mountains of Crete, the olive groves and vines, the original villages and ancient buildings form an impressive backdrop also for cycling fans.

Cycling through the white mountains of Crete
This relaxed, but winding and panoramic tour takes you around the two mountain peaks of Fourni and Agathes, which are about 1500 m high.

You will arrive in remote villages with traditional kafenia on tiny plateaus, where only a handful of people live, and you will have a view of the Imbros Gorge, which may stimulate your hiking appetite.

For mountain biking, however, you will need to be in very good physical condition, as some sections of the route are steeply uphill.

Bike tour through the Apokoronas Peninsula
On the peninsula, which stretches out into the Aegean Sea between Georgioupolis and the bay of Souda, you have time enough for a chat with locals in beautiful coffee houses, for a short hike in the green and for a bath and lunch directly at the sea.

You can often see white mountains, sea, Akrotiri peninsula and the city of Chania from the same location.

Mountain bike tour: villages in the backcountry of Georgioupolis
Great villages hide directly in the hinterland of Georgioupolis. In less than 25 km you can experience beautiful landscapes, hidden churches, an amazing castle and a Kafenio that seems to sink into Bougainvilleen. And of course there are nice Cretans on top of that.

By bike to the mountain village of Argyroupolis
Only a few kilometres from Georgioupolis at the north-eastern foot of the White Mountains lies the idyllic mountain village called Argyroupolis. It is known for its springs, which gush down from airy stone walls under shady trees in many small waterfalls. Along the road, rustic taverns await hungry and thirsty visitors.

Lake Kournas: Crete’s only natural freshwater lake
Crete’s only natural freshwater lake, with its turquoise water and picturesque mountain scenery, seems to have been transported here from the Alps. It is a protected area, almost circular and 22.5 metres deep at its deepest point.

Even in midsummer it rarely gets too crowded here and the pretty, colourful pedal boats are also available in sufficient numbers. Also rare animal and plant species, like water turtles, dragonflies and countless bird species can be seen here.

The most interesting museums and historical exhibitions in Crete
Are you interested in culture and history and would like to visit a museum during your visit to Crete? Here are our recommendations.

Those who come to Crete enjoy the endless beaches of this beautiful Mediterranean island, the hospitality and the good food. But the island pearl has much more to offer, because Crete, with its millennia-old history, has always been a center of European culture. Archaeologists have found out that Crete has been continuously inhabited by people since 6,000 BC.

Countless finds and excavation sites on the island tell the varied and adventurous story of its inhabitants. Crete was home to the first high culture in Europe from the third millennium BC onwards. The Minoans and their impressive culture played a major role in the development of the ancient Greek world. The legends that originated during this time and were later passed on from mouth to mouth also had a great influence on the Greek mythology.

Anyone who wants to immerse themselves in this fabulous and legendary world of ancient Greece can do so without difficulty by visiting the numerous museums or excavation sites on the island. Forget for a few hours the hustle and bustle of our modern world and let yourself be captivated by long forgotten worlds.

The archaeological museum in Chania
Chania is one of Crete’s hotspots for archaeology. The first human settlements in the city could be traced back to the period 3,400 to 3,000 BC.

Based on tradition, scientists today assume that it was founded by the mythical king Minos. Kudonija, as the city was originally called, had one of the most important ceramic production of its time and maintained trade relations as far away as Egypt, Cyprus and Palestine.

But nothing lasts forever and so the Minoan culture had to bow to other cultures over the millennia. Finds from various excavation sites tell of this extremely exciting and eventful history of the island. They are kept like a precious treasure in the museums of Chania, for example, and made accessible to interested visitors.

There is no more beautiful museum building than the former Venetian Franciscan church in Gothic style in the whole of Crete. It houses some of what archaeologists have found in Chania and the surrounding area over the last 100 years.

The unique ambience of this archaeological museum is enhanced by the small outer courtyard, which used to be part of the cloister. Visitors to the museum can admire important finds from the pre-Christian period, including a Minoan clay seal known as the “Seal of the Sovereign”.

The representation on the seal shows a powerful male figure standing on the roof of a building in front of the Kastelli Hills in Chania.

The archaeological museum in Eleftherna
Eleftherna was one of the most important Cretan city states in Greek and Roman antiquity. Cretan archaeologists have only been digging here since 1985 and are now planning to continue digging.

What they have already found and what they will find in the future will find its place in the ultra-modern Archaeological Museum, which opens in 2016. For visitors, the excavations are an experience not only because of their historical dimension, but also because of the landscape and nature.

The nautical museum in Chania
The only shipping museum on our island is the striking dark red building at the western end of the harbour. If you are enthusiastic about seafaring and nautics, you have come to the right place.

With the help of the numerous and well-preserved exhibits of the Nautical Museum of Chania, the visitor learns a lot about the millennia-old seafaring tradition of Crete.

The three permanent exhibition areas of this house show the marine environment of the Mediterranean island, the battle of Crete during the Second World War and the ancient shipbuilding tradition of the island.

Among other things, legendary creatures of the deep sea, exhibits from 1941, which tell of one of the worst chapters of the Second World War, and exhibits that bring the old Minoan shipbuilding tradition back to life. Although not a single one of these ancient ships has been salvaged, wall paintings testify to their artful construction.

A replica of these ships can be admired in the Venetian shipyard hall in the port of Chania. If you concentrate on the main exhibits in the two-storey building, you will hardly need more than half an hour for a visit.

The Minoan ship of Chania
The wealth and prosperity of Crete in the 2nd millennium B.C. was not only based on the fertility of the island but also on the intensive trade the Minoans carried on in the eastern Mediterranean.

But what did their ships look like? Not a single wreck of a Minoan ship has been found so far, but only representations on wall paintings. But you can now see a Minoan ship – in a Venetian dockyard at the port of Chania.

The archaeological museum in Heraklion
We now turn to Heraklion, another cultural centre of ancient Crete. According to Greek mythology, Heracles is said to have gone ashore in Heraklion, which means “Heracles city” in English, to capture the legendary Cretan bull.

In ancient times Heraklion was one of the four harbor towns around the legendary city of Knossos, which maintained a variety of trade relations in the Mediterranean.

The Archaeological Museum in the island’s capital is the most important and largest museum on the island. Here you will get the best impression of how varied and high quality the art work on Crete was about 3500 years ago.

But you will also gain an insight into the fashion, everyday life, crafts, festivals and leisure activities of the Minoans of that time. You should plan at least two hours for a tour of the two museum floors.

The historical museum in Heraklion
Rulers came, rulers left Crete. The collapse of the once so powerful Roman Empire and the rise of Christianity have not left Crete without a trace. If you want to get an idea of this extremely varied and exciting time, you should definitely plan a visit to the historical museum of Heraklion.

With the help of modern exhibition concepts involving audiovisual media, you will be immersed in a time when Ottomans and Byzantines determined the history of the island.

The highlight of the exhibition is the painting ‘The Monastery of Saint Catherine on Mount Sinai’ by the famous painter El Greco. It is the only work of the artist on the island, who was originally born as Domínikos Theotokópoulos in Crete and achieved fame and glory in Spain.

The ‘Historical Museum of Crete’ shows a collection of objects from the island’s history during the Christian era in an old and a new building. In front of the ticket office, the figurehead of a Venetian galley of the 16th/17th century hangs on the wall on the right.

These animals have apparently always fascinated people. Here they are probably supposed to keep all evil away from the ship like ancient Gorgons.

The Museum of Christian Art in Heraklion
The small museum with a modern design in the church of St. Catherine of Sinai, built as early as the 13th century, houses the most valuable icons of the island, bringing visitors closer to Byzantine icon painting in Crete.

Even those who have little interest in pious paintings will be delighted with a little artistic sense, because in them the strict theological canon of Byzantine icon painting is combined with the vividness of Western Renaissance art.

The Natural History Museum in Heraklion
Interested visitors can find out more about the island’s past and present flora and fauna in the Heraklion Natural History Museum. The museum has an impressive area of 3,500 m², making it the largest exhibition of its kind in the Mediterranean.

A visit to the museum is highly recommended, because here you can discover the natural characteristics of the Mediterranean in an original way. You will also learn interesting facts about the former and current animal world.

A visit to the live museum is particularly recommended. This is a very special museum complex consisting of many small aquariums and terrariums for live animals such as snakes and lizards, thus illustrating the fauna of the eastern Mediterranean.

Mega-dioramas impressively convey the various ecosystems of the eastern Mediterranean region and with the almost complete skeleton of the giant Dinotherium, an elephant-like animal can be marvelled at, which had its habitat in Crete a good nine million years ago.

In 1981, the natural history museum was founded under the patronage of the University of Crete. It carries out impressive pioneering work in the following areas: studying and managing the environment of Crete, promoting education, raising awareness among the local population and visitors to Crete.

The archaeological museum in Rethymno
The old Archaeological Museum of the city in front of the entrance to the Fortezza was closed in 2015. A new one is planned, but is unlikely to be built before 2022.

Some particularly important and exemplary objects from the rich collection will remain on display in the former Roman Catholic Church of San Francesco for as long as this is the case. Although the exhibition is small, it has been arranged very lovingly. A tour takes about 10-15 minutes.

The archaeological museum in Kissamos
The west of Crete only became increasingly important in the classical and Roman antiquity. For from this time on, the western Mediterranean area was also discovered as a trading partner for the island’s goods.

The most interesting archaeological finds from this period are exhibited in the archaeological district museum of Kissamos. The heart of the exhibition are two very well preserved mosaics from Roman times.

The mosaics are made of white, grey and red-brown mosaic stones and show the life in the urban villas of the Greek-Roman Kissamos. Also very remarkable are a sundial from that time and life-size Roman marble statues.

The museum is housed in an administrative building from the Venetian-Ottoman period which, thanks to expert restorers and craftsmen, forms the traditional heart of the town.

The archaeological museum in Ierapetra
The small museum in a school built in 1899 especially for the Muslim children of the city presents only few but very interesting finds from the region. The English language explanatory panels are relatively detailed and informative.

As soon as you enter you look through the long, narrow alignment of the two halls at an almost completely preserved marble statue of the goddess Persephone from the 2nd century AD.