Villa Cetus

Villa Cetus can be found nestled into the hewn cliffside of a small five-luxury property complex on the north coast of Crete, a Greek island in the Aegean Sea. The villa is a thirty-minute drive from Heraklion International Airport, a half-hour scenic coastal route drive to your holiday home from home. The island of Crete is equidistant from east to west, so you’ll have no difficulty getting to any attraction of your choice.

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 trekking 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 villa is within a few minutes' drive to the tiny village of Mades. with its beautiful horseshoe bay sandy beach, and crystal clear waters, it is populated with sun loungers and shady parasols, and some sail and fishing caiques too. Other notable beaches within the vicinity can be found at the quiet Agia Pelagia, Liguria with its beach bars, scuba diving and water sports, and the splendid Gulf of Heraklion.

In the village of Liguria, you will find provisions to cater for your holiday, family-run tavernas serving traditional Cretan food, and lots of cosy bars for a glass of local wine and people-watching. For those who love walking, 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.

If you prefer the sea to land, all aboard a boat trip where you can scuba or snorkel underwater ruins, and strap on your jet skis or paraglide with one of the many water sports clubs. The town and port of Heraklion are a short drive from the villa, don’t miss a tour around the ancient Palace of Knossos, a visit to the Archaeological Museum, a walk along the Venetian walls, and a 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, 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, become a bird-watcher, and be at one with nature. Get active and hike the Richtis Gorge, and stroll through streams to reach the twenty-metre waterfall, where you can cool off in the inviting pool.

Find peace and solitude in the fifteenth-century Toplou Monastery, where you can see beautiful Byzantine icons. Take a boat tour to visit the intriguing island of Spinalonga, a former leper colony until as recently as the 1950s, home to a Venetian fortress, and now an open-air museum. No visit to Crete is complete without a trip to Agios Nikolaos, a harbour town that uniquely houses a lake in its centre, is home to the archaeological museum of Minoan treasures, and is full of tavernas, shops, bars, and restaurants, in which to sit and watch the local life go by.

Read more about Heraklion

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.