The Area
The Villas are situated in a quiet place, near the picturesque village of Pitsidia 10 minutes by foot
A gem among archaeological sites & IMPRESSIVE BEACHES
In the village you can find a Mini market, Baker’s, traditional tavernas, cafés, rent a car, hairdresser’s and a Horse farm for a house ride, if you wish. In the village square, many music festivals take place during the summer.
Around 4km away from Pitsidia is the picturesque fishing village of Matala, famous in 1960’s because of the “hippies” who lived there. Every year in July, an international music festival is organized. I would also recommend a visit to the beach of “Kokkini Ammos” (Red Sand), a fantastic beach next to Matala, accessible only by foot. But the best beach is the one of “Komos”. It is around 20 minutes by foot, from the Villa and it is an amazing sandy beach of 5km, ideal for walks. There you can also try canoeing. Part of this beach is for nudists.
In the area there is another wonderful beach: Agiofaraggo, one of the most impressive beaches of Crete, worth visiting. It is in the exit of a Gorge, surrounded with high rocks, pebbles, sand and emerald waters.
In addition, we must remind to mention the Archeological sites of Festos, Agia Triada, Gortys and of course the Matala caves.
Pitsidia
Pitsidia is a village in Festos municipality and is located at a short distance from the sea of the Messara Bay. The majority of the locals work in tourism, agriculture, livestock farming and fishing industries. A kindergarten and a primary school are operating in the village. There is also the equestrian center “Melanouri”, which organizes excursions to several nearby beaches. Visitors will not miss basic amenities since there are several super markets, butcher and pharmacy. The village also have several traditional as well as modern cafes and a large number of restaurants and pizzerias. Finally, every morning you can find freshly baked bread in the local bakery and taste delicious traditional Cretan delicacies.
Kommos
The Minoan city of Kommos is one of the most important archaeological sites in the prefecture of Heraklion. It used to be a busy port during the Bronze Age. It is especially popular for its vast, crystal clear, sandy and rocky beach which is one of the longest in Crete, spanning from Kalamaki up to Matala.
The beach is not so well known for its role in antiquity, and there is little revealed about it through what visitors see today. What makes it a unique destination is the attractive scenery in which there are no hotels or cafeterias.
Despite the lack of conveniences, the beach will win you over by its crystal clear waters, which are sometimes calm and sometimes, surrendering to the strong winds that blows tirelessly with big waves.
The beach is also worth visiting for its amazing sunsets and beautiful views, but also to enjoy a swim in a truly unique location. Eighty meters from the beach you can see Volakas, the rock which, according to legend, Polyphemus hurled towards Ulysses, trying to block his escape.
Ecologically, Kommos is very important for sea turtle caretta–caretta, which lays its eggs on the beach every summer.
Finally, the northern part of the beach is exclusively used by nudists.
South Crete
For a more authentic escape beyond the conventional holidays in the spotless resorts, the bustling markets and the gourmet restaurants of northern Crete, Southern Crete is the ideal destination since the four prefectures, Chania, Rethymnon, Heraklion and Lassithi they have their own allure. It is ideal for on-the-road adventures as well as visitors in search of relaxation by the Libyan Sea. With a plethora of picturesque villages, historical monasteries, striking gorges, South Crete strongly resist mass tourism development. The principal occupation for most of the residents of southern Crete is tourism, olive cultivation, fishing and farming, with greenhouses to be a particularly dynamic part of the agricultural industry.
Matala
Matala is a stone’s throw away from Pitsidia (just 3 km) and 65 km from Heraklion. Matala served as the ancient port of Phaistos and Gortys and was recently developed into a modern holiday resort with its beach awarded for Blue Flag. In Matala there is a cave known as “Brutus Speliano” which according to the legend was used by the Roman leader Brutus.
Owing to its exceptional natural beauty, Matala became the meeting point for the “flower power” in 1965, with the captivating bay being regarded – not unjustifiably – as one of the best beaches in Crete. The artificial caves, carved on the slope overlooking the beach, have probably been used as prehistoric dwellings and places of worship, during the First and the Second century, as tombs. During the 60s they hosted the world community of hippies. Today the caves are open to the public and are protected by the Archaeological Service.
Matala Beach Festival
Every year in Matala a great party takes place which lasts for three days and nights. During this festival time stops and we are taken to another era in the near past, the era of the hippies! The reason for the revival of this era was the 2011 presentation of the book by Arn Strohmeyer «The Myth of Matala», a presentation accompanied by various concerts and events. The Matala Beach Festival is growing every year and attracts more and more people who want to experience, even for a short while, the carelessness of the hippies. It has become an international meeting point.
Agiofarago
The Agiofarago beach will satisfy even the most demanding fans of nature and sea. Located 80 km. south of the city of Heraklion, the visitor has to cross the Agiofarago gorge to get to the beach.
The easy hike between the vertical walls of rock is simply amazing! You will come across large caves with hermits and the chapel of St. Anthony. The fine pebbles beach on the exit of the gorge is famous for its beauty and the crystal blue sea, which is usually very calm. To get there follow the route Pitsidia – Sivas – Odigitria and then take the dirt road leading to Agiofarago, for about 5 km. At the end of the dirt road you can park and start the 20 to 30 minutes easy trek, to the beach. It’s really worth it.
Agia Triada
Agia Triada (Holy trinity) of Heraklion, Crete, is located 3 km west of the palace of Phaistos, on the hill of Agios Georgios Galatas.
The visitors can admire the villa and the market, the settlement and the cemetery, which came to light during the 1902 excavations.
Phaistos
Phaistos was one of the most important centers of the Minoan civilization and the most prosperous and powerful city in southern Crete.
It dominates the fertile valley of lower Messara, and is surrounded by majestic mountains. It was the second most important Minoan city after Knossos. The archaeological site is located just 7 km from our villa.
Gortys
The lovers of history and ancient civilizations, will be impressed by their visit to the ancient city of Gortyn, 45 km south of Heraklion, on the road leading to Matala and Phaistos.
Gortys flourished during the Minoan period and was the capital of Crete during the Roman era. Characterized by the Church of St. Titus, the Odeon and Platanos, while of particular significant are the room with the Laws, the Early Christian church of Crete and the Praetorium, the seat that the Roman governor of Crete.
DINE OUT!
