Crete
Luxury villas to rent on Crete
Explore our exquisite range of luxury villas and apartments to rent in Crete, the largest island in Greece, and the fifth largest in the Mediterranean Sea. We have luxury villa rentals on Crete close to Chania, Elounda, Palaiokastro as well as on Arvi beach.
Explore our Crete Collection
Discover Crete
Its coastline of over 1000 kms offers both sandy and rocky beaches, while inland, there are also impressive mountains, valleys and steep gorges to explore. With a fascinating history and mythology and a rich gastronomic culture, it is not surprising it is such a popular holiday destination. Visitors can enjoy locally produced olive oil, honey and herbs, fruit and vegetables and fish, while Cretan vineyards cover 12.8% of Greece’s wine regions and hold the 3rd place among the 9 viticultural areas in the country.
One of our luxury villas to rent in Crete is situated on the north coast of Eastern the island, 15 kms from the largest city and the capital, Heraklion, home to the renowned Heraklion Archaeological Museum, housing Minoan artifacts, and Knossos, a Bronze Age settlement. The villa is also just 5 kms from the beaches of Palaiokastro, Lygaria and Agia Pelagia.
Other luxury villas to rent on Crete are close to Chania, and Elounda, all benefitting from beautiful sea views. Last, but not least, we have a stunning new villa to rent in a secluded location at Meakis Beach on the south coast of Crete, and 2 kms west of the village of Arvi.
Frequently Asked Questions
Our Crete portfolio includes luxury villas like Villa Ammoudara I and Villa Ravdo with direct sea access along the unspoiled coastline of the Akrotiri peninsula, and discreet luxury residences like Villa Halepa overlooking the Venetian harbour at Chania – each personally vetted and supported by our full concierge service.
Crete demands its own transport – the north coast motorway is efficient, but the real rewards lie on the mountain routes through the White Mountains and the Lasithi Plateau, and the tracks descending to the island’s most secluded southern coves. A private driver is invaluable for longer excursions, evening dining, and the gorge roads of the interior. We work with a small number of trusted drivers and can arrange dedicated transport for the duration of your stay.
Crete has two international airports – Heraklion in the centre and Chania in the west. Chania Airport is twenty minutes from the city; Heraklion places guests within easy reach of the central and eastern parts of the island. For properties in the west, Chania is the more convenient arrival point. A pre-arranged private transfer is the most seamless arrival experience – let us organise this ahead of your trip.
The Minoan palace at Knossos, outside Heraklion, is one of Europe’s most significant archaeological sites – best appreciated with a knowledgeable private guide. The Samaria Gorge, cutting sixteen kilometres through the White Mountains to the Libyan Sea, is one of the great European walks. The Heraklion Archaeological Museum holds the finest collection of Minoan art in existence, and Chania’s Archaeological Museum, housed in a former Venetian church, is worth an hour of anyone’s time.
The south coast rewards those who make the effort – Loutro, reachable only on foot or by boat, and Agia Roumeli at the foot of the Samaria Gorge are among the most unspoiled villages remaining in the Greek islands. The Venetian fortress of Spinalonga in the Gulf of Elounda is a deeply atmospheric excursion, and the drive across the Lasithi Plateau is one of the finest in the Aegean. We can arrange private drivers and tailored itineraries for any of these.
Chania’s covered market and the Splantzia quarter tavernas are the places for honest Cretan cooking – dakos, slow-cooked lamb, and the island’s exceptional olive oil and cheeses. For seafood, the fishing tavernas around Georgioupoli and Almyrida and the small south coast harbours consistently outperform the larger tourist waterfronts. For a more considered evening, Peskesi in Heraklion is the island’s most celebrated address for elevated Cretan cuisine, with a menu rooted entirely in heirloom ingredients and traditional recipes.
