Villa Harmony 1885 is nestled in nature, ninety metres above sea level, surrounded by olive groves, blossoming flowers and plants in season, with a sea and sunset view, on the North coast of the Greek island of Crete, in the Aegean Sea. The villa is thirty-five kilometres from Chania International Airport, a scenic coastal drive to your holiday home. The nearby tourist town of Platanias offers everything you will need for your vacation, including local stores and supermarkets, banks, bars, and restaurants, a beautiful beach, and lively nightlife. Upper Platanias is perched on a hill, with panoramic sea views, and historical sites, from the Minoan period until World War II.
The nearest beach is a short fifteen-minute walk to a sandy shore, and crystal clear waters of the Aegean Sea, ideal for swimming, water sports, and paragliding. The North coast is noted for some stunning organised beaches with fabulous facilities, most especially; the white sands of Falasarna, the fun and fashionable Pachia Ammos, the hues of blues Balos, and the pretty pink sands of Elafonisi. If you are feeling sporty, there’s horse riding, tennis, and mini golf nearby, whilst walks in nature can be found around the Botanical Gardens, Lake Agia, water springs, and the backdrop mountain range. The medieval town of Chania is only twenty minute drive from the villa. Stroll down to the old port and harbour, visit the Maritime and Archeological Museums, seek solace in the Greek Orthodox Church of Agios Nikolaos, bargain in the local market, and then dine off freshly caught seafood by the seashore.
For those who love hiking, trek the most famous, and most walked trail in Greece. The fifteen-kilometre Samaria Gorge runs from Omalos to Agia Roumeli, with breathtaking landscapes, rare species of wild goats, rich flora and fauna, and an abandoned village. The ancient town and port of Heraklion is a two-hour drive away, take a tour around the Palace of Knossos, visit the Archaeological Museum, walk the Venetian walls, stroll through the old quarter, and shop for souvenirs. Go further afield to Vai, Crete’s easternmost tip, where you will find lush forests and a unique date palm. Explore Psychro Cave, reputedly the birthplace of Zeus, and rock climb Mount Ida to find the Ideon Cave.
Sitia Geopark is three hundred and fifty square kilometres of the island’s diverse ecosystem, where you can trek through gorges, bathe on beaches, walk the wetlands, and bird watching. Hike the Richtis Gorge, and stroll through streams to reach the twenty-metre waterfall, where you can cool off in the inviting pool. If you prefer sea to land, all aboard a boat trip where you can scuba or snorkel over underwater ruins. Take the ferry to the intriguing island of Spinalonga, once a former leper colony and home to a Venetian fortress, and now an open-air museum. Visit Agios Nikolaos, a harbour town that uniquely houses a lake in its centre, with an Archaeological Museum of Minoan treasures, some seriously good shops, and local bars and restaurants, in which to sit and watch the local life go by. Enjoy some wind-down time with a wine-tasting tour, and don’t forget to take a bottle or two home with you.
The Region
Head to the West side of Crete to find some of the best beaches and most charming villages in the island. Indulge yourself by visiting the unique Balos lagoon and jumping into its turquoise waters, or have a truly Cretan dining experience in one of the many tavernas by the sea and taste the delicious seafood on offer.
Find more about Chania and the rest of the Southernmost island in Greece with our travel guide below
How to reach Chania
There are two ways to reach Chania: either by flight or by ferry.
By plane: Chania Airport (CHQ) is only a 20 minutes ride away from central Chania. During the summer months, frequents overseas and domestic flights are performed. In most of the cases, there are available buses that connect Chania city and most of the villas. You can also hire a car from one of the many rental companies at the airport, or alternatively get a taxi to bring you right to your doorstep.
By ferry: If you choose to do an island-hopping trip and use the ferry as a method of transportation, then the closest port is in Souda, only 8km from the centre of Chania. Only ferries from Piraeus in Athens or Heraklion in Crete. Heraklion port has a wider choice: you can also take a ferry from other Greek islands like Santorini, Mykonos or Paros, but you will have to take a longer bus ride to reach your villa. You can easily book your ferry tickets using the link below or the booking engine.
Book your ferry tickets to Crete here >>