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Stay in Villages in Crete

Stay in Villages in Crete - we answer a traveller's question below.

We are planning to fly into Chania, and to be on Crete Sept 27 to October 8.

Nearly two weeks. We are thinking to book four sites, not three.

We want to stay in homes inside a village. Not separated from a village. We want to see village life. So we don't want an isolated home for our accommodation.

Chania: We're thinking the first place should be within reasonable driving distance of Chania. September 27-30.

Rethymnon: In the Rethymnon region we're thinking to book the Meronas Eco House.  September 30-October 3.

Iraklion: In the region near Iraklion, we're thinking to book the Pension Aretoussa in Pitsidia thru you.  October 3-6.

Lasithi: In the region of Lasithi, we're looking at the Vilaeti guesthouse in Ayios Konstantinos. October 6-8.

Then we'd take the ferry on October 8 to Santorini.

Does this plan make sense? How do we book these? Happy to have your comments.

Thanks, Charlie

Yiasas Charlie,

Thank you so much for your questions and your very clear ideas and choices so far, we are happy to add to this below.

How to book: we supply suggestions for village hotels and guesthouses, with links for bookings below. As we are not a travel agent, we are a family who love Crete, we include these links to accommodation booking platforms which give you peace of mind for safe bookings. That is the simplest way to book.

In the west we suggest Sokaki House as it is within Kaliviani village and within driving distance from Chania. This is a good location for visiting Elafonisi, Falasarna and Balos Lagoon. Here Fotini will look after you and show you true Cretan hospitality. This impressive property of stone with traditional architecture and wooden ceilings has modern comforts, yet step out your door and you are in a friendly small village.

Yes, in Rethymnon we suggest Meronas Eco House, it is within a village and Manoli will look after you. This is a good central location in the abundant Amari Valley. Here you will have fresh fruit and vegetables from the garden and home-cooking. Here you will feel like one of the family.

Yes, the Pension Aretoussa in Pitsidia is within the village which is back away from the coastal hubbub of Matala Beach. Here the Spinthakis Family - Angelos and Kerstin - will look after you, in a small village community.

In the east in the very traditional village of Agios Konstantinos, you will have an authentic Cretan experience at Vasilikata village house. This is a good choice to explore the gorges, mountains and Psychro Cave. Lasithi Plateau is the vegetable bowl of the island surrounded by dramatic mountains, a lovely choice of location in the east of the island.

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Stay in Villages in Crete
A Personalised Itinerary

Stay in Villages in Crete - a personalised itinerary is suggested below, we have included village guesthouses and some points of interest within driving distance of each village, however you may wish to just stay and enjoy village life and, of course, take suggestions from the villagers. The locals are the best ones to ask about good quality traditional tavernas in each location.

Day One - Sept 27
Arrive Chania Airport
Pick up your hire car
Chania to Kaliviani Village 63 km
Stay in Kaliviani Village
Stay at Sokaki House

Day Two - Sep 28
Possible visits to mountains, gorges, Falasarna or Elafonisi Beach, Balos Lagoon and Kissamos Town
Stay in Kaliviani Village
Stay at Sokaki House

Day Three - Sep 29
Possible visits to Chania Town, Ano Vouves (old olive trees) or beaches
Stay in Kaliviani Village
Stay at Sokaki House

Day Four - Sep 30
Drive from Kaliviani to Meronas 132 km
Possible visits to Chania Town, Theriso Gorge and Village, Lake Kournas, Georgioupolis Beach
Stay in Meronas Village
Stay at Meronas Eco House

Day Five - Oct 1
Possible visits to Arkadi Monastery, Margarites Village, Spili Village, Rethymnon Town or Plakias Beach
Stay in Meronas Village
Stay at Meronas Eco House

Day Six - Oct 2
Enjoy village life or Amari Valley or Bali Beaches
Stay in Meronas Village
Stay at Meronas Eco House

Day Seven - Oct 3
Drive from Meronas Village to Pitsia via the Amari Valley and south 50 km
Stay in Pitsidia
Stay at Pension Aretoussa

Day Eight - Oct 4
Enjoy Gortyna and Phaistos archaeological sites, Matala Beach, Kamilari Village
Stay in Pitsidia
Stay at Pension Aretoussa

Day Nine - Oct 5
Relax and enjoy
Stay in Pitsidia
Stay at Pension Aretoussa

Day Ten - Oct 6
Drive from Pitsidia to Agios Konstantinos 120 km
Via Knossos Palace and the national road to the north
Visit Krasi Village with big plane tree in the plateia
Stay in Agios Konstantinos
Stay at Vasilikata House

Day Eleven - Oct 7
Possible visits to Lathisi windmills, Psychro Cave, Katharo Plateau, walking trails and Selakano Forest
Stay in Agios Konstantinos
Stay at Vasilikata House

Day Twelve - Oct 8
Drive from Agios Konstantinos to Heraklion Port 58 km
Take the ferry from Heraklion to Santorini
Depart 8.40 am – arrive 10.25 am
Stay La Madeleine in Oia

Crete - above is the family-run Pension Aretoussa in Pitsidia, south of Heraklion prefecture which is close to Phaistos and Gortys ancient sites as well as Matala Beach and numerous other beaches.

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Stay in Villages in Crete
Information Pages

Information pages for this trip route and village hotels Crete:

Stay in Villages in Crete - At Meronas House (pictured above) and in each of the village houses mentioned above, you will be warmly welcomed with true Cretan hospitality. This means, sooner or later, you will be offered a glass of the strong, clear grape spirit named tsikoudia or raki.

Just a tiny little glass is so warming and welcoming and gets the conversation moving along. It is a lovely traditional way of greeting guests and we encourage you to try it.

More about tsikoudia here - for those that are not familiar with strong liquor, be very careful and limit your intake until you are sitting down!

When you raise your glass - say "Eviva!"

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Getting Here

Take a 1 hour flight from Athens to Heraklion with Aegean Airlines or Olympic Air, with many flights available per day.

Or take a 9.5 hour overnight ferry from Pireaus port of Athens to Heraklion port.

More on flights and ferries below.

Car hire in Crete is a really good idea as it is a large island 60 km by 260 km. There is so much to explore.

When you book with our car rental partners - Rental Centre Crete - you are supporting a local company with excellent service and easy online booking. We are sure you will be well looked after by the team. Choose from hybrid, electric or regular vehicles.

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About the Team

Yiásas!
Anastasi, Apostoli & Katia are the
We Love Crete team
We just love sharing our passion for Crete, Greece and travel
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