Villa Knossos is situated on the beachfront of Kokkini Khanion, on the northeast coast of the Greek island of Crete, in the heart of the Aegean Sea. The villa is only seven kilometres from Heraklion International Airport, a short ten-minute drive. Whether you are looking for a relaxing time sunbathing on sandy beaches, yearning for some culture and visiting archaeological sites in the cradle of civilisation, or trek the trails through the local flora and fauna, before dancing the night away, there’s something for everyone with a holiday on the island of Crete. The nearest beach of Kokkini Hani is just six metres from the villa, you can almost touch it with your toes. It's also a short walk to shops and tavernas.
Nearby the family-friendly beaches of Themis, Thalassa Konaki, Kokkini Chani, and Vathianos Kampos, are all within walking distance, under a kilometre away. These soft sandy beaches have easy shallow entry into the calm Aegean Sea, organised sunbeds with shady brollies, some with water sports activities, and promenades lined with cafes and tavernas. Explore the three hundred caves the island hides, hike over hillsides, streams, and rocky ravines to discover watermills and ruins, and stop along the way at a local winery and taste the fruits of the many vineyards The area is soaked in history, particularly Minoan and Dorian, Crete was conquered by the Venetians in the fifteenth century, who built fortresses to keep the Ottoman pirates at bay, then finally gaining independence in the nineteenth century and becoming part of Greece.
All aboard a boat trip where you can scuba or snorkel underwater ruins, and jet ski or paraglide from one of the many water sports clubs. The town and port of Heraklion is just nine kilometres north of the villa, take a tour around the ancient Palace of Knossos, visit the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, walk along the Venetian walls, and stroll through the old quarter, where you can shop for souvenirs, before enjoying a souvlaki and ouzo like a local.
Go further afield to Vai, Crete’s easternmost tip, an hour and a half drive away, where you will find lush forests and a unique date palm. Visit 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-watch. Hike the Richtis Gorge, and stroll through streams to reach the twenty-metre waterfall, where you can cool off in the inviting pool. Find solace in the fifteenth-century Toplou Monastery, an hour-and-a-half drive through the Cretan countryside to see beautiful Byzantine icons.
Take a boat tour to visit the intriguing island of Spinalonga, once a leper colony with a Venetian fortress, and now an open-air museum. Take a trip to Agios Nikolaos, a harbour town that uniquely houses a lake in its centre, with an Archaeological Museum of Minoan treasures, and tavernas, shops, bars, and restaurants in which to sit and watch the local life go by. End your day dancing the night away in the holiday hot spot of Malia, a twenty-five-minute drive from the villa!
The Region
On the northern coast, the thriving city of Heraklion is the perfect destination for visitors wishing to learn all about Crete’s incredible history whilst soaking up the hospitality and vibrancy of the island’s impressive capital.
Heraklion is also a wonderful gateway to the charming coastal village of Agia Pelagia, the popular resorts of Hersonissos and Kato Gouves, the nightlife of Malia as well as the stunning landscapes of the Psiloritis Natural Park.
The city’s heritage dates back thousands of years, as can be seen just south of Heraklion at the fascinating UNESCO World Heritage site, the Palace of Knossos, once the centre of Minoan civilisation. Keen historians should also visit the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion and Historical Museum of Crete.
Meanwhile, back in Heraklion’s old town, admire stunning views as you stroll along the Venetian fortifications dating back to the time when the island was under Venetian rule, then look out for beautiful architecture from the Ottoman Empire.
Shopping in Heraklion is a delight. Pick up Cretan delicacies at the bustling Central Market, then explore the heart of the old town with narrow lanes and grand squares, coming across little shops, boutiques and historic churches as well as cafes, restaurants and bars. In the height of the summer, embrace the city’s wonderful ambience with café terraces, outdoor theatre and bars and clubs near the waterfront.
Enjoy the hearty cuisine of Heraklion where traditional dishes are prepared using locally sourced ingredients such as dakos salad made with Cretan tomatoes, feta and olive oil or slow-cooked stamnagathi with wild greens from the island. Grilled octopus, Cretan fish soup and other seafood specialities are served with pride in tavernas and restaurants across the region.
Head to the family-friendly shores of Ammoudara beach with its blue-flag, sun-beds and beachside bars, also a popular spot for kite-boarding. A little further west is the picturesque fishing village of Agia Pelagia with another gorgeous beach, turquoise coloured water and tavernas overlooking the sea.
Venturing east instead, the popular tourist resorts of Hersonissos and Kato Gouves offer long sandy shores, summer sun-beds and a wealth of watersports as well as waterparks, boat trips, cafes, restaurants and bars. Nor forgetting the nightlife and beaches of Malia as well as the Minoan Palace of Malia, not far from the idyllic Potamos Beach.
