"The Lake House" -
Guidebook for neighbourhood...
The neighbourhood...
Cities, seaside towns and small vilages in the neighbourhood, you must visit....
Lake Kournas is the largest natural lake in Crete and is located in an enchanting landscape, between the west slopes of the White Mountains and the fertile plane of Georgioupolis.
It is located near the village Kournas, 2.5km south of the beach of Georgioupolis, 43km east of Chania and 20km west of Rethymnon.
Lake Kournas and its surroundings constitute a very important ecosystem for Greece, as the wider area of Apokoronas is one of the very few areas of Crete where plenty of fresh water is stored throughout the year.
The name Kournas is believed to come from the Arabic word kurna for "lake" or "bath". In ancient manuscripts it is mentioned as Korissia, while it is believed that the area hosted a sanctuary dedicated to Korissia Athena.
40 localnici recomandă
Kournas
Lake Kournas is the largest natural lake in Crete and is located in an enchanting landscape, between the west slopes of the White Mountains and the fertile plane of Georgioupolis.
It is located near the village Kournas, 2.5km south of the beach of Georgioupolis, 43km east of Chania and 20km west of Rethymnon.
Lake Kournas and its surroundings constitute a very important ecosystem for Greece, as the wider area of Apokoronas is one of the very few areas of Crete where plenty of fresh water is stored throughout the year.
The name Kournas is believed to come from the Arabic word kurna for "lake" or "bath". In ancient manuscripts it is mentioned as Korissia, while it is believed that the area hosted a sanctuary dedicated to Korissia Athena.
Georgioupoli is a popular seaside resort located 38km east of Chania and 21km west of Rethymnon. It is a small coastal town, situated in a lush valley full with rivers and springs.
Locals, apart from tourism, deal with beekeeping and agriculture. The river Almiros crosses the town.
Before the town, there is the Almiros marsh, where very important animal species are sheltered. One landmark of the village is the road and the square with the numerous eucalyptus and cypress trees.
The square is full of restaurants, cafes and tourist shops.
At the exit of Almyros, you will meet the picturesque harbor of the area. But the town's highlight is the picturesque chapel of Saint Nicholas (Agios Nikolaos), that is built on the end of the small pier. The church from far looks like floating on the sea surface.
140 localnici recomandă
Georgioupoli
Georgioupoli is a popular seaside resort located 38km east of Chania and 21km west of Rethymnon. It is a small coastal town, situated in a lush valley full with rivers and springs.
Locals, apart from tourism, deal with beekeeping and agriculture. The river Almiros crosses the town.
Before the town, there is the Almiros marsh, where very important animal species are sheltered. One landmark of the village is the road and the square with the numerous eucalyptus and cypress trees.
The square is full of restaurants, cafes and tourist shops.
At the exit of Almyros, you will meet the picturesque harbor of the area. But the town's highlight is the picturesque chapel of Saint Nicholas (Agios Nikolaos), that is built on the end of the small pier. The church from far looks like floating on the sea surface.
Rethymno is the most representative sample of a Cretan Renaissance city.
Rethymnon is the third largest city of Crete, built on the site of ancient Rithymna (4-5th century BC). After the Byzantine era, Rethymnon was fortified and further strengthened by the Venetians.
The old town is one of the nicest attractions for visitors to Crete, who have the ability to roam in the past.
The town with the quaint streets and the beautiful monuments reserves its Venetian and Ottoman hues, as it was not altered by the modern era.
In contrast to Heraklion and Chania, Rethymnon preserved mainly a Greek Renaissance character, as most nobles during the Venetian Period were Greeks.
Near the old town with the narrow streets, the visitor shall visit the largest fortress in Crete, the majestic Fortezza. Other attractions include the small Venetian harbor with the lighthouse, Venetian Loggia, Rimondi Fountain, Rethymno Park, Santa Maria, Historical Museum, Nerantze Mosque, St. Francis Basilica, Great Gate (Porta Guora), Mosque of Kara Musa Pasha and Venetian mansions in Street Arkadi.
Finally, visitors can enjoy their bath in the vast sandy beach starting east of the port of Rethymnon.
470 localnici recomandă
Rethimno
Rethymno is the most representative sample of a Cretan Renaissance city.
Rethymnon is the third largest city of Crete, built on the site of ancient Rithymna (4-5th century BC). After the Byzantine era, Rethymnon was fortified and further strengthened by the Venetians.
The old town is one of the nicest attractions for visitors to Crete, who have the ability to roam in the past.
The town with the quaint streets and the beautiful monuments reserves its Venetian and Ottoman hues, as it was not altered by the modern era.
In contrast to Heraklion and Chania, Rethymnon preserved mainly a Greek Renaissance character, as most nobles during the Venetian Period were Greeks.
Near the old town with the narrow streets, the visitor shall visit the largest fortress in Crete, the majestic Fortezza. Other attractions include the small Venetian harbor with the lighthouse, Venetian Loggia, Rimondi Fountain, Rethymno Park, Santa Maria, Historical Museum, Nerantze Mosque, St. Francis Basilica, Great Gate (Porta Guora), Mosque of Kara Musa Pasha and Venetian mansions in Street Arkadi.
Finally, visitors can enjoy their bath in the vast sandy beach starting east of the port of Rethymnon.
Venice of the East" is regarded by many, and not unjustly, as the most beautiful city in Greece.
The picturesque city of Chania is the second largest city of Crete, after Heraklion.
Fortunately, it did not follow the same fate as the other cities of Crete, e.g. Heraklion, where the great Venetian and Ottoman monuments were destroyed for the sake of economic growth and "modernization".
Instead, the Old Town and the Venetian Harbour have remained almost intact, giving the city a special Venetian character, unique in the Mediterranean. Thus, the visitors of Chania are attracted by the beauty of the scenic narrow streets, the imposing lighthouse at the entrance of the small harbor, and all the amazing monuments that make up the transcendent magic of Chania.
Some attractions of Chania include the old town, the Venetian harbor with the Egyptian lighthouse, the mosque of Kucuk Hasan, the pedestrian road of Kum Kapi, the shipyards, the great Arsenal which houses the Center for Mediterranean Architecture, the central market, the hill of Kastelli with the old Palace and the Minoan settlement, the picturesque district of the Ottomans called Splantzia, the church of St. Rocco, the cathedral of Chania, the Archaeological Museum of Chania, the beachfront of Nea Chora district, the Maritime Museum of Crete in Fort Firkas, the Prefecture and the Courts, the graves of Venizelos family, the house of Venizelos in Halepa, the Allies' Cemetery in Souda, the Historical Archive of Crete.
319 localnici recomandă
Chania
Venice of the East" is regarded by many, and not unjustly, as the most beautiful city in Greece.
The picturesque city of Chania is the second largest city of Crete, after Heraklion.
Fortunately, it did not follow the same fate as the other cities of Crete, e.g. Heraklion, where the great Venetian and Ottoman monuments were destroyed for the sake of economic growth and "modernization".
Instead, the Old Town and the Venetian Harbour have remained almost intact, giving the city a special Venetian character, unique in the Mediterranean. Thus, the visitors of Chania are attracted by the beauty of the scenic narrow streets, the imposing lighthouse at the entrance of the small harbor, and all the amazing monuments that make up the transcendent magic of Chania.
Some attractions of Chania include the old town, the Venetian harbor with the Egyptian lighthouse, the mosque of Kucuk Hasan, the pedestrian road of Kum Kapi, the shipyards, the great Arsenal which houses the Center for Mediterranean Architecture, the central market, the hill of Kastelli with the old Palace and the Minoan settlement, the picturesque district of the Ottomans called Splantzia, the church of St. Rocco, the cathedral of Chania, the Archaeological Museum of Chania, the beachfront of Nea Chora district, the Maritime Museum of Crete in Fort Firkas, the Prefecture and the Courts, the graves of Venizelos family, the house of Venizelos in Halepa, the Allies' Cemetery in Souda, the Historical Archive of Crete.
Small, picturesque village, 20 min driving from the villa, with natural springs and very good taverns with traditional flavors.
117 localnici recomandă
Argiroupoli
Small, picturesque village, 20 min driving from the villa, with natural springs and very good taverns with traditional flavors.
Food scene in the neighbourhood...
Taverns and restaurants with traditional flavors...
Traditional flavours of Crete 300m far from the villa!!!
6 localnici recomandă
Georgia's Traditional Taverna
Traditional flavours of Crete 300m far from the villa!!!
One of the best choices for traditional flavors, just near the lake, 5 minutes walking from the villa.
The Beautiful Lake
One of the best choices for traditional flavors, just near the lake, 5 minutes walking from the villa.
High quality traditional food, in a beautifully landscaped area on the beach of Episkopi, just 10 minutes from the villa.
Chrysos Asterias
High quality traditional food, in a beautifully landscaped area on the beach of Episkopi, just 10 minutes from the villa.
Wonderful beaches a little bit far from the neighborhood....
It is worthwhile to drive a few kilometers southwest of Chania, to swim on this beach ... Organize and prepare for an all-day excursion ..
362 localnici recomandă
Plaja Elafonissi
It is worthwhile to drive a few kilometers southwest of Chania, to swim on this beach ... Organize and prepare for an all-day excursion ..
Plaja Balos
Another lovely beach in the southwest of Chania...
Stunningly beautiful beach on the Akrotiri peninsula in Chania...
239 localnici recomandă
Plaja Seitan Limania
Stunningly beautiful beach on the Akrotiri peninsula in Chania...
Plakias is a popular tourist resort, located 36km south of Rethymno city, at the exit of a fertile valley. Next to it empties the river Kotsifos.
108 localnici recomandă
Plakias
Plakias is a popular tourist resort, located 36km south of Rethymno city, at the exit of a fertile valley. Next to it empties the river Kotsifos.
Preveli is located about 35km south of Rethymno and 10km east of Plakias. Beach of Preveli, also known as Lake Preveli or Phoenix, is located at the exit of the imposing Kourtaliotikos Gorge, where the Grand River (Megalos Potamos) flows.
It is certainly the most famous beach in south Crete, accepting thousands of visitors every summer.
416 localnici recomandă
Plaja Preveli
Preveli is located about 35km south of Rethymno and 10km east of Plakias. Beach of Preveli, also known as Lake Preveli or Phoenix, is located at the exit of the imposing Kourtaliotikos Gorge, where the Grand River (Megalos Potamos) flows.
It is certainly the most famous beach in south Crete, accepting thousands of visitors every summer.
Sightseeing
Knossos...
The largest and most impressive Minoan palace of Crete, located just 5km south of Heraklion.
407 localnici recomandă
Knossos
Knossos...
The largest and most impressive Minoan palace of Crete, located just 5km south of Heraklion.
Arkadi is a historic Eastern Orthodox Monastery in Rethymno Perfecture. The first form of the monastery is probably built either during the period 961 to 1014, or in the first years of Venetian rule.
It is located on a fertile plateau 23 km southeast of Rethymno.
The current church dates from the 16th century and is characterized by the influence of the Renaissance. As early as the 16th century, the monastery was a place of science and art and had a school and a rich library. On a plateau, the monastery is well fortified and surrounded by a thick and high wall.
The monastery played an active role in the Cretan resistance of the Turkish occupation during the Cretan uprising of 1866. 943 Greeks, mainly women and children, sought refuge in the monastery. After three days of battle and by order of the abbot of the monastery, the Cretans blew up barrels with gunpowder, choosing to sacrifice rather than surrender.
There is a Museum in the Monastery today with amazing relics from that time.
178 localnici recomandă
Mănăstirea Arkadi
Arkadi is a historic Eastern Orthodox Monastery in Rethymno Perfecture. The first form of the monastery is probably built either during the period 961 to 1014, or in the first years of Venetian rule.
It is located on a fertile plateau 23 km southeast of Rethymno.
The current church dates from the 16th century and is characterized by the influence of the Renaissance. As early as the 16th century, the monastery was a place of science and art and had a school and a rich library. On a plateau, the monastery is well fortified and surrounded by a thick and high wall.
The monastery played an active role in the Cretan resistance of the Turkish occupation during the Cretan uprising of 1866. 943 Greeks, mainly women and children, sought refuge in the monastery. After three days of battle and by order of the abbot of the monastery, the Cretans blew up barrels with gunpowder, choosing to sacrifice rather than surrender.
There is a Museum in the Monastery today with amazing relics from that time.
Archaeological site with a wonderful museum.
The Museum of Ancient Eleftherna is the first museum inside an archaeological site in Crete, as it is located next to the ancient city of Eleftherna. The three halls of the museum host the whole history of Eleftherna from 3000 BC to 1300 AD with everyday objects and artworks.
16 localnici recomandă
Ancient Eleutherna
Archaeological site with a wonderful museum.
The Museum of Ancient Eleftherna is the first museum inside an archaeological site in Crete, as it is located next to the ancient city of Eleftherna. The three halls of the museum host the whole history of Eleftherna from 3000 BC to 1300 AD with everyday objects and artworks.
The impressive cave of Zeus, the Diktaean Cave, is located above the village Psychro in Lassithi Plateau at an altitude of 1025m.
In Psychro there is plenty of parking space, with plenty of restaurants nearby. Two paths leading to the cave start from the parking area. The easiest path is the left one, because in the right path (the oldest) the stones are worn by thousands of tourists and are slippery.
The route to the cave is magnificent as the view to the Lassithi Plateau is breathtaking.
63 localnici recomandă
Peștera lui Zeus
The impressive cave of Zeus, the Diktaean Cave, is located above the village Psychro in Lassithi Plateau at an altitude of 1025m.
In Psychro there is plenty of parking space, with plenty of restaurants nearby. Two paths leading to the cave start from the parking area. The easiest path is the left one, because in the right path (the oldest) the stones are worn by thousands of tourists and are slippery.
The route to the cave is magnificent as the view to the Lassithi Plateau is breathtaking.
Fortezza fort dominates the hill Palekastro beside the old town of Rethymnon and is one of the biggest fortresses of the Venetian Era.
It has been built on the site of the citadel of ancient Rithimna and the Temple of Artemis Rokkea.
The grand pentagonal fort was built in the 1573 and has perimeter 1300m long. Along the walls you will find four bastions (St. Luke, St. Elijah, St. Paul, St. Nicholas).
541 localnici recomandă
Castelul Fortezza
Fortezza fort dominates the hill Palekastro beside the old town of Rethymnon and is one of the biggest fortresses of the Venetian Era.
It has been built on the site of the citadel of ancient Rithimna and the Temple of Artemis Rokkea.
The grand pentagonal fort was built in the 1573 and has perimeter 1300m long. Along the walls you will find four bastions (St. Luke, St. Elijah, St. Paul, St. Nicholas).
The Old Town of Rethymnon is a preserved Renaissance city that bears elements from both the Venetian and the Ottoman Era. In the old town, we meet the street markets of Arkadiou Street and Antistaseos Street, but also the narrow alleys where life still runs slowly and quietly. Above the old town we meet the imposing fortress of Fortezza that once protected Rethymnon town. The picturesque streets host many restaurants and taverns with traditional music.
73 localnici recomandă
Old Town
36 Emmanoil VernardoyThe Old Town of Rethymnon is a preserved Renaissance city that bears elements from both the Venetian and the Ottoman Era. In the old town, we meet the street markets of Arkadiou Street and Antistaseos Street, but also the narrow alleys where life still runs slowly and quietly. Above the old town we meet the imposing fortress of Fortezza that once protected Rethymnon town. The picturesque streets host many restaurants and taverns with traditional music.
Nature....
The gorge of Patsos or Agios Antonios is located 8 km southwest of the Monastery of Arkadi, in the the beautiful province Amari.
Hiking in the canyon up to one point is very easy, as a well designated path has been formed by the forest service ending at its narrowest point with a unique waterfall falling into a cave. From there the gorge gets narrow and forms several small waterfalls and the descent to the lake of Potami requires considerable attention, especially in winter and spring. Another trail ascends to the watchtower of avifauna above the river.
Patsos Gorge is known for the cavernous temple of Agios Antonios (Saint Anthony), which in ancient times was a sacred cave dedicated to Kraneos Hermes.
73 localnici recomandă
Cheile Agios Antonios
The gorge of Patsos or Agios Antonios is located 8 km southwest of the Monastery of Arkadi, in the the beautiful province Amari.
Hiking in the canyon up to one point is very easy, as a well designated path has been formed by the forest service ending at its narrowest point with a unique waterfall falling into a cave. From there the gorge gets narrow and forms several small waterfalls and the descent to the lake of Potami requires considerable attention, especially in winter and spring. Another trail ascends to the watchtower of avifauna above the river.
Patsos Gorge is known for the cavernous temple of Agios Antonios (Saint Anthony), which in ancient times was a sacred cave dedicated to Kraneos Hermes.
Mili Gorge is a stunning green oasis near the town of Rethymno.
It is actually a ravine, which hosts a huge number of plants and trees, a real botanic garden. It collects water from the north slopes of Mount Vrysinas and starts north of the village Chromonastiri and south of the settlement Xero Chorio. In the recent years it attracts many hikers, who trek along a nice trail that crosses the entire valley.
At the middle of the canyon we meet the deserted village Mili (i.e. mills) which is divided into two neighborhoods, Ano Mili (Upper mills) and Kato Mili (Lower mills). Its name is taken after the water mills that were housed in the gorge, about 30. The villagers were mostly millers and almost all cereals in the region and the surrounding villages were milled at Mili.
Today we can see in good condition only one watermill that has been renovated so the visitors can get an idea of how they operated. Apart from the many mills, there are many gardens with fruit trees and vegetables. The water never stops running from the springs located in the canyon at various points, with the larger springs being that of Saint Anthony and Five Virgins. Along its route, the water creates small waterfalls and lakes where you take a refreshing bath under the shade of huge planes.
130 localnici recomandă
Cheile Mili
Mili Gorge is a stunning green oasis near the town of Rethymno.
It is actually a ravine, which hosts a huge number of plants and trees, a real botanic garden. It collects water from the north slopes of Mount Vrysinas and starts north of the village Chromonastiri and south of the settlement Xero Chorio. In the recent years it attracts many hikers, who trek along a nice trail that crosses the entire valley.
At the middle of the canyon we meet the deserted village Mili (i.e. mills) which is divided into two neighborhoods, Ano Mili (Upper mills) and Kato Mili (Lower mills). Its name is taken after the water mills that were housed in the gorge, about 30. The villagers were mostly millers and almost all cereals in the region and the surrounding villages were milled at Mili.
Today we can see in good condition only one watermill that has been renovated so the visitors can get an idea of how they operated. Apart from the many mills, there are many gardens with fruit trees and vegetables. The water never stops running from the springs located in the canyon at various points, with the larger springs being that of Saint Anthony and Five Virgins. Along its route, the water creates small waterfalls and lakes where you take a refreshing bath under the shade of huge planes.