Travel Guide by Stelia Home
Beaches
Kalamaki beach (100m)
A beautiful beach, with clear crystal clear waters and tall trees, offering shade to the visitor. Kalamaki beach is only a few meters from the accommodation (3' walk) and is well organized with umbrellas, chairs and lifeguard. Around the beach, there are several taverns and restaurants to enjoy your meal with a view of the sea.
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Kalamaki
Kalamaki beach (100m)
A beautiful beach, with clear crystal clear waters and tall trees, offering shade to the visitor. Kalamaki beach is only a few meters from the accommodation (3' walk) and is well organized with umbrellas, chairs and lifeguard. Around the beach, there are several taverns and restaurants to enjoy your meal with a view of the sea.
A short distance from Stelia's Luxury Home, is the magnificent beach of Kommos. To get there, you will need to drive a distance of about 20 minutes. However, the scenery will compensate you. A sandy, organized beach with umbrellas and sunbeds on one side and a space for free access on the other side with large trees that will provide you with shade. The beach is ideal for seclusion and relaxation as there are no restaurants or cafes around, so you will need to go with plenty of supplies.
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Komos Beach
A short distance from Stelia's Luxury Home, is the magnificent beach of Kommos. To get there, you will need to drive a distance of about 20 minutes. However, the scenery will compensate you. A sandy, organized beach with umbrellas and sunbeds on one side and a space for free access on the other side with large trees that will provide you with shade. The beach is ideal for seclusion and relaxation as there are no restaurants or cafes around, so you will need to go with plenty of supplies.
Matala Beach (11km)
Definitely the most famous beach in Heraklion and one of the top choices for Crete, Matala beach is a 20 minute drive from the accommodation and is fully organised. With pebbles and deep, crystal clear waters, the beauty of the beach will captivate you. The beautiful landscape is complemented by the rock with its famous caves, which were a refuge for the hippies of the 70's. Around the beach you will find several taverns and cafes to enjoy your meal or coffee during your stay there.
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Plage Matala
Matala Beach (11km)
Definitely the most famous beach in Heraklion and one of the top choices for Crete, Matala beach is a 20 minute drive from the accommodation and is fully organised. With pebbles and deep, crystal clear waters, the beauty of the beach will captivate you. The beautiful landscape is complemented by the rock with its famous caves, which were a refuge for the hippies of the 70's. Around the beach you will find several taverns and cafes to enjoy your meal or coffee during your stay there.
Kokkini Ammos Beach (11km)
An impressive beach with characteristic ceramic red sand. To reach it, you have to drive 20' by car from Stelia's Luxury Home to Matala and from there walk a fairly passable path for about 15' to the beach. It is quite isolated so it is advisable to bring along several supplies of food and water. The water is quite deep and has a lovely turquoise color that contrasts with the reddish sandy beach.
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Plage rouge
Kokkini Ammos Beach (11km)
An impressive beach with characteristic ceramic red sand. To reach it, you have to drive 20' by car from Stelia's Luxury Home to Matala and from there walk a fairly passable path for about 15' to the beach. It is quite isolated so it is advisable to bring along several supplies of food and water. The water is quite deep and has a lovely turquoise color that contrasts with the reddish sandy beach.
Agia Galini Beach
One of the most famous tourist resorts of southern Rethymnon is the area of Agia Galini. The beach is pebbled and fully organised, and you can enjoy a coffee or lunch at one of the seaside tavernas and cafes that stretch along the beach. The beach is ideal for families with children as well as for people with disabilities, as it has the necessary conditions for safe access to the sea.
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Agia Galini, Grèce
Agia Galini Beach
One of the most famous tourist resorts of southern Rethymnon is the area of Agia Galini. The beach is pebbled and fully organised, and you can enjoy a coffee or lunch at one of the seaside tavernas and cafes that stretch along the beach. The beach is ideal for families with children as well as for people with disabilities, as it has the necessary conditions for safe access to the sea.
Agios Pavlos beach
Next to the settlement of Agios Pavlos, stretches the magnificent beach of the dunes of Agios Pavlos or Alatsogremon, as the locals call it. It is a particularly impressive landscape, with wild beauty and dunes. The sunset in the area is beautiful and attracts hundreds of tourists and locals alike to enjoy it. The beach is poorly organized with a few umbrellas, so you should have the necessary supplies before you arrive. However, shade can be provided by the caves, located in the middle of the beach. It is advisable to wear sports shoes to access the beach, as the descent from the dunes is steep and the sand is quite hot.
Agios Pavlos Beach
Agios Pavlos beach
Next to the settlement of Agios Pavlos, stretches the magnificent beach of the dunes of Agios Pavlos or Alatsogremon, as the locals call it. It is a particularly impressive landscape, with wild beauty and dunes. The sunset in the area is beautiful and attracts hundreds of tourists and locals alike to enjoy it. The beach is poorly organized with a few umbrellas, so you should have the necessary supplies before you arrive. However, shade can be provided by the caves, located in the middle of the beach. It is advisable to wear sports shoes to access the beach, as the descent from the dunes is steep and the sand is quite hot.
City/town information
Moires is a small town in Heraklion and is just 20 minutes' drive (13km) from the property. There you can find all the supplies and goods you will need during your stay at the accommodation. Every Saturday in Mires is the biggest open-air bazaar in Crete and many producers with local and non-local products come here to exhibit their wares. It is a miniature of the city of Heraklion and has everything the visitor needs, from tourist and commercial shops to taverns, cafes and clubs.
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Moires
Moires is a small town in Heraklion and is just 20 minutes' drive (13km) from the property. There you can find all the supplies and goods you will need during your stay at the accommodation. Every Saturday in Mires is the biggest open-air bazaar in Crete and many producers with local and non-local products come here to exhibit their wares. It is a miniature of the city of Heraklion and has everything the visitor needs, from tourist and commercial shops to taverns, cafes and clubs.
Γειτονιές
Kamilari
Kamilari is a particularly beautiful and traditional village, just a 5 minute drive from Stelia's Luxury Home. It is an ideal spot for those who want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and wander through picturesque narrow streets with traditional stone-built houses and beautiful squares in nature. The village is in a privileged position offering panoramic views of the Messara valley and the sea side.
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Kamilari
Kamilari
Kamilari is a particularly beautiful and traditional village, just a 5 minute drive from Stelia's Luxury Home. It is an ideal spot for those who want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and wander through picturesque narrow streets with traditional stone-built houses and beautiful squares in nature. The village is in a privileged position offering panoramic views of the Messara valley and the sea side.
Matala
A small seaside village, remembered as a destination for hippies! Matala is a beautiful, picturesque village that is only a 20 minute drive from the accommodation and will surely enchant you with its physiognomy and colours. The huge cliff on the north side of the beach is very impressive and suitable for exploration, as there are carved caves, which were used as dwellings for the hippies in the 60's and 70's. In Matala you can wander around the small streets and alleys, which have been filled with unique paintings and colours by the various visitors and local villagers. There you can find several taverns to enjoy your food and drink by the sea.
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Matala Caves
Matala
A small seaside village, remembered as a destination for hippies! Matala is a beautiful, picturesque village that is only a 20 minute drive from the accommodation and will surely enchant you with its physiognomy and colours. The huge cliff on the north side of the beach is very impressive and suitable for exploration, as there are carved caves, which were used as dwellings for the hippies in the 60's and 70's. In Matala you can wander around the small streets and alleys, which have been filled with unique paintings and colours by the various visitors and local villagers. There you can find several taverns to enjoy your food and drink by the sea.
Kouses
Traditional mountain village, which will enchant you with its tranquility and its enchanting colours and aromas. It has a beautiful view of the plain of Messara and there you can find traditional cafes to cool down and rest. Also famous in the area is the small shop selling local herbs and aromatic herbs of the Cretan land. You can find there a multitude of aromatic herbs, spices and local products that will fascinate you with their special flavours and smell.
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Kouses
Kouses
Traditional mountain village, which will enchant you with its tranquility and its enchanting colours and aromas. It has a beautiful view of the plain of Messara and there you can find traditional cafes to cool down and rest. Also famous in the area is the small shop selling local herbs and aromatic herbs of the Cretan land. You can find there a multitude of aromatic herbs, spices and local products that will fascinate you with their special flavours and smell.
Zaros
Zaros is a beautiful, picturesque village of Heraklion, built at the foothills of Psiloritis and is the perfect destination for the traveller who seeks contact with nature, offering a relaxing and rejuvenating atmosphere. Full of running waters and natural beauty, Zaros can offer you beautiful moments by the lake Votomos, which is just outside the village, enjoying your coffee or food with local products. Still, the area is ideal for exploring and touring as there are many hiking trails with natural beauties in the wild landscape of Psiloritis and the towering trees. In the village there are 2 preserved watermills and a number of chapels and churches with a long historical tradition.
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Zaros
Zaros
Zaros is a beautiful, picturesque village of Heraklion, built at the foothills of Psiloritis and is the perfect destination for the traveller who seeks contact with nature, offering a relaxing and rejuvenating atmosphere. Full of running waters and natural beauty, Zaros can offer you beautiful moments by the lake Votomos, which is just outside the village, enjoying your coffee or food with local products. Still, the area is ideal for exploring and touring as there are many hiking trails with natural beauties in the wild landscape of Psiloritis and the towering trees. In the village there are 2 preserved watermills and a number of chapels and churches with a long historical tradition.
Lendas
A seaside settlement with picturesque taverns around the seashore. The beach of the village is fully organized and the shops around it will fascinate you with the delicacies and local products they offer. Just before the entrance of the village, in ancient times, there was a thermal spring, for the sake of which the whole area was a centre for hydrotherapy, physiotherapy and psychiatry. For this reason, a temple in honour of Asclepius was founded on the same spot, the remains of which exist to this day and some were used in the construction of the church of St. John the Theologian, which is located next door. Unfortunately, the thermal spring has now dried up due to the underground pumping of water by drilling.
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Lentas
Lendas
A seaside settlement with picturesque taverns around the seashore. The beach of the village is fully organized and the shops around it will fascinate you with the delicacies and local products they offer. Just before the entrance of the village, in ancient times, there was a thermal spring, for the sake of which the whole area was a centre for hydrotherapy, physiotherapy and psychiatry. For this reason, a temple in honour of Asclepius was founded on the same spot, the remains of which exist to this day and some were used in the construction of the church of St. John the Theologian, which is located next door. Unfortunately, the thermal spring has now dried up due to the underground pumping of water by drilling.
Pitsidia Village
The largest of the villages of the local community is located only 12' drive from the accommodation. There you can buy goods and supplies that you will need, as well as visit the traditional cafes and taverns that can be found in the village. Also, there you will find the family horse farm "Melanouri", where you can spend your time happily riding horses in the surrounding area and on the nearby beaches, following the specially designed path.
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Pitsidia
Pitsidia Village
The largest of the villages of the local community is located only 12' drive from the accommodation. There you can buy goods and supplies that you will need, as well as visit the traditional cafes and taverns that can be found in the village. Also, there you will find the family horse farm "Melanouri", where you can spend your time happily riding horses in the surrounding area and on the nearby beaches, following the specially designed path.
Museums
The Archaeological Museum of Messara is located about 900m away from the archaeological site of Gortys. A small part of it can be visited, as it will be handed over to the public in its entirety at the end of 2022. Only a few exhibits will be found here as the most important ones are in the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion but still, a visit to the Archaeological Museum of Messara is an excellent choice for visitors.
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Archaeological Museum of Mesara
Ethniki Odos Irakliou FaistouThe Archaeological Museum of Messara is located about 900m away from the archaeological site of Gortys. A small part of it can be visited, as it will be handed over to the public in its entirety at the end of 2022. Only a few exhibits will be found here as the most important ones are in the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion but still, a visit to the Archaeological Museum of Messara is an excellent choice for visitors.
The Archaeological Museum of Heraklion is one of the largest and most remarkable museums in Greece and one of the most important in Europe. With representative specimens from all periods of Cretan prehistory and history, spanning some 5,500 years, from the Neolithic Age to Roman times. The dominant position in its collections, however, is occupied by the unique masterpieces of Minoan art, which can be admired in its entire evolution. The collection of Minoan antiquities is the most important in the world and the museum is rightly considered the preeminent museum of Minoan culture.
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Musée archéologique d'Héraklion
1 ChatzidakiThe Archaeological Museum of Heraklion is one of the largest and most remarkable museums in Greece and one of the most important in Europe. With representative specimens from all periods of Cretan prehistory and history, spanning some 5,500 years, from the Neolithic Age to Roman times. The dominant position in its collections, however, is occupied by the unique masterpieces of Minoan art, which can be admired in its entire evolution. The collection of Minoan antiquities is the most important in the world and the museum is rightly considered the preeminent museum of Minoan culture.
The aim of the Museum is to research the environment of Greece and the Eastern Mediterranean in general and to protect, preserve and enrich collections and archives related to the environment (geological, palaeontological, botanical, zoological collections and archives of photographic, geographical documentation, studies and works). A visit to the museum site will be fascinating and an excellent experience full of knowledge and entertainment for the whole family.
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Musée d'histoire naturelle de Crète
Leoforos Sofokli VenizelouThe aim of the Museum is to research the environment of Greece and the Eastern Mediterranean in general and to protect, preserve and enrich collections and archives related to the environment (geological, palaeontological, botanical, zoological collections and archives of photographic, geographical documentation, studies and works). A visit to the museum site will be fascinating and an excellent experience full of knowledge and entertainment for the whole family.
The Aquarium of Crete is one of the largest and most modern aquariums in Europe with state-of-the-art audiovisual systems and innovative interactive applications that will make your introduction to the Mediterranean marine ecosystem unforgettable. Through the representation of Mediterranean marine life in modern ways and media, it offers a unique spectacle that always fascinates young and old and informs, educates and raises public awareness about the diversity of Mediterranean species and habitats.
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CRETAquarium
The Aquarium of Crete is one of the largest and most modern aquariums in Europe with state-of-the-art audiovisual systems and innovative interactive applications that will make your introduction to the Mediterranean marine ecosystem unforgettable. Through the representation of Mediterranean marine life in modern ways and media, it offers a unique spectacle that always fascinates young and old and informs, educates and raises public awareness about the diversity of Mediterranean species and habitats.
Sites
Phaistos is the second largest palace centre, after the palace of Knossos. Phaistos is an 18-acre site that can be visited and the buildings that the visitor sees today belong to the period 2000-1600 BC. The palace of Phaistos is considered a typical example of a Minoan palace because of its excellent architectural composition and its impeccable construction.
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Palais minoen de Phaistos
Eparchiaki Odos Faistou - Kalon LimenonPhaistos is the second largest palace centre, after the palace of Knossos. Phaistos is an 18-acre site that can be visited and the buildings that the visitor sees today belong to the period 2000-1600 BC. The palace of Phaistos is considered a typical example of a Minoan palace because of its excellent architectural composition and its impeccable construction.
Gortyna
Ancient city and archaeological site today. It was inhabited and developed a lot during the Minoan period but was completely destroyed by earthquakes. During the Roman period, it was the capital of the Cretan province and reached its peak. One of the first Christian churches, the Cathedral of St. Titus, was also built in Gortys, the ruins of which are still preserved today.
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Archaeological Site of Gortyna
ΓόρτυςGortyna
Ancient city and archaeological site today. It was inhabited and developed a lot during the Minoan period but was completely destroyed by earthquakes. During the Roman period, it was the capital of the Cretan province and reached its peak. One of the first Christian churches, the Cathedral of St. Titus, was also built in Gortys, the ruins of which are still preserved today.
Agia Triada
Just 3 km south of Phaistos is the royal mansion or small palace of Agia Triada. Although it does not have the dimensions of the palaces of Knossos or Phaistos, it has all the architectural features of a palace and is definitely worth a tour of its premises. You will be impressed by the complexity of its rooms as well as the findings that came to light after the excavations.
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Archaeological Site of Agia Triada
Agia Triada
Just 3 km south of Phaistos is the royal mansion or small palace of Agia Triada. Although it does not have the dimensions of the palaces of Knossos or Phaistos, it has all the architectural features of a palace and is definitely worth a tour of its premises. You will be impressed by the complexity of its rooms as well as the findings that came to light after the excavations.
Knossos
It is the most important Minoan palace and is located just a few kilometers outside the city of Heraklion. It was multi-storey and covered an area of 20,000 square metres. The variety of building materials, the coloured mortars and the frescoes decorating rooms and corridors are impressive. The high technical knowledge of the Minoans is confirmed by original architectural and construction inventions, such as the skylights and polygons, the use of beams to reinforce the masonry, and the complex sewage and water supply system.
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Minoan Palace of Knossos
8 ΦειδίουKnossos
It is the most important Minoan palace and is located just a few kilometers outside the city of Heraklion. It was multi-storey and covered an area of 20,000 square metres. The variety of building materials, the coloured mortars and the frescoes decorating rooms and corridors are impressive. The high technical knowledge of the Minoans is confirmed by original architectural and construction inventions, such as the skylights and polygons, the use of beams to reinforce the masonry, and the complex sewage and water supply system.
Monasteries
Monastery of Vrontisi is located between the villages of Zaros and Vorizia, it is one of the most important monastic centres of Crete and one of the oldest monasteries. The monastery is dedicated to Saint Anthony and has hosted some of the most important representatives of the Cretan School of Iconography. Unique are the frescoes that have been preserved inside the church and date back to the 14th century.
Vrontisi Monastery
Monastery of Vrontisi is located between the villages of Zaros and Vorizia, it is one of the most important monastic centres of Crete and one of the oldest monasteries. The monastery is dedicated to Saint Anthony and has hosted some of the most important representatives of the Cretan School of Iconography. Unique are the frescoes that have been preserved inside the church and date back to the 14th century.
Monastery of Odigitria
It is a male monastery, located near the village of Sivas. The monastery is one of the most historic and richest in Crete and has the shape of a tower, if seen from a distance. The monastery has a remarkable history as it played an important role during the Cretan Revolution and the Resistance, as the monks were constantly on the alert to protect themselves and the monastery's property from pirates and other enemies.
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Moni Odigitrias
Monastery of Odigitria
It is a male monastery, located near the village of Sivas. The monastery is one of the most historic and richest in Crete and has the shape of a tower, if seen from a distance. The monastery has a remarkable history as it played an important role during the Cretan Revolution and the Resistance, as the monks were constantly on the alert to protect themselves and the monastery's property from pirates and other enemies.
Varsamoneros Monastery
Perhaps one of the oldest monasteries in Crete. It is located near the village of Vorizia and the Monastery of Vrontisium. No longer functioning but in its heyday it was an important centre for letters and copying manuscripts. The monastery is famous for the frescoes that adorn it, dating back to the 14th century AD.
Varsamonerou Monastery
Varsamoneros Monastery
Perhaps one of the oldest monasteries in Crete. It is located near the village of Vorizia and the Monastery of Vrontisium. No longer functioning but in its heyday it was an important centre for letters and copying manuscripts. The monastery is famous for the frescoes that adorn it, dating back to the 14th century AD.
Kalyviani Monastery
One of the most important holy shrines in Crete, it is located a few kilometres after the village of Mires, Heraklion, in the village of Kalyvia. Today it is a nunnery, where about 40 nuns live, who have dedicated their lives and work to God and to the protection and care of our fellow human beings in need of help. The convent is famous for its great charitable work and for the miraculous icon of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary found there.
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Monastery Panagia Kaliviani
Eparchiaki Odos Miron - PompiasKalyviani Monastery
One of the most important holy shrines in Crete, it is located a few kilometres after the village of Mires, Heraklion, in the village of Kalyvia. Today it is a nunnery, where about 40 nuns live, who have dedicated their lives and work to God and to the protection and care of our fellow human beings in need of help. The convent is famous for its great charitable work and for the miraculous icon of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary found there.
Gorges
Ruvas Gorge/ Agios Nikolaos
The official name of the gorge is Gafari Gorge but you can also find it under the alternate name of Rouva Gorge. It is the most important gorge of Psiloritis with rich flora and fauna, gorges and interesting geological formations and crags of rare beauty. It has a total length of 4 km, of which 2.7 km is a shaped route. It will take you about 5 hours to cross it and return to your starting point, but the unique beauty of the route through nature will definitely make up for it.
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Rouva Forest
Ruvas Gorge/ Agios Nikolaos
The official name of the gorge is Gafari Gorge but you can also find it under the alternate name of Rouva Gorge. It is the most important gorge of Psiloritis with rich flora and fauna, gorges and interesting geological formations and crags of rare beauty. It has a total length of 4 km, of which 2.7 km is a shaped route. It will take you about 5 hours to cross it and return to your starting point, but the unique beauty of the route through nature will definitely make up for it.
Agiofarago
Its name is due to the hermits who practiced in this remote place, which was the first major centre of ascetic life, not only in the region, but in the whole of Crete since the early Christian years. On the longest part of the gorge there are steep cliffs with caves, but the route through the stream bed is extremely easy and smooth. The time it takes to cross the gorge from there to the sea and the magnificent beach with crystal clear waters is 25-35 minutes. Just before the exit to the sea, there is a climbing field and it is very common to see some people climbing the cliff.
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Agiofarago beach
Agiofarago
Its name is due to the hermits who practiced in this remote place, which was the first major centre of ascetic life, not only in the region, but in the whole of Crete since the early Christian years. On the longest part of the gorge there are steep cliffs with caves, but the route through the stream bed is extremely easy and smooth. The time it takes to cross the gorge from there to the sea and the magnificent beach with crystal clear waters is 25-35 minutes. Just before the exit to the sea, there is a climbing field and it is very common to see some people climbing the cliff.