Villa Milos

The beautiful Villa Milos is located in in Hersonissos, close to one of its three beautiful beaches, the stunning Analipsi Beach. The resort’s main beach Anissaras is just one mile from the villa and the beautiful Aposelemis Beach just a little further away. One of the beaches even comes with its own waterpark with slides and fountains together with go-karts and a bungee rocket. You won’t be able to keep your children away! Hersonissos is a party town though it also enjoys a wonderful family vibe. There are foam parties, famous DJ’s and buzzy beach bars. Shoppers are also in heaven with beachfront shops full of labels such as Girogio Armani, Diesel and Levi. There are also jewellery shops, leather outlets and handcrafted souvenirs. It is a shopper’s paradise!

There are many attractions close by including the Aquaworld Aquarium, Labyrinth Park, the Crete Golf Club, the Lixnostatis Folk Museum, Dinosauria Park, Watercity and the Malia Strip. Hersonissos is almost 26 km from Heraklion and approximately an hour and a half from Rethymno which lies between Chania and Heraklion. Rethmno boasts beautiful beaches, archaeological sites, quaint villages, Byzantine churches and plenty of modern tourist amenities. Rethymno Town is the centre, strongly influenced by the Venetians with elegant architecture and a pretty port. You can explore and discover the monasteries of Preveli and Arkadi, the Ideon Cave where Zeus grew up according to mythology and some stunning gorges. You will taste delicious Cretan cuisine and raki that always comes with a smile and can visit the Fortezza fortress. You can get lost in a maze of narrow, cobbled alleyways and laze on the 12 km of stunning beach which stretches all the way to Skaleta. There are plenty of museums for a cultural experience. 

Crete is a mountainous island with a high range crossing from west to east. The island also boasts numerous gorges which are amazing to visit such as the Samaria Gorge, the Imbros Gorge and the Kourtaliotiko Gorge. The island is Greek’s fifth largest island so you will not be able to see everything in one holiday! There are some sublime beaches, some of which are on the other side of the island. There are a number of islands, islets and rocks that hug the coast. The island’s archaeological sites include the Minoan sites of Knossos, Malia and Phaistos. The island offers a fabulous range of activities and adventures. There are unique beaches, canyons, falls, trekking, kayaking and many watersports. Crete is a very friendly island and the food is absolutely delicious. Many of the beaches offer a wonderful selection of watersports inlcuding sup, surfing, wind surfing and water skiing. One of the most diving spots is the site of the sunken city of Olous. 

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.