Things to do

Explore nature, swim, enjoy local cuizine

Recommended Activities

Mountain hiking, exploring nature and villages, mixing with the locals or enjoying the sun on an exotic world-famous beach. All within a 25minutes drive.

Beautiful beaches

Elafonissi beach Location 25'

Balos beach Location 45'

Another stunning view of Elafonissi, our personal favorite! Location 25'

Falassarna, huge beach Location 45'

Yaliskari at Paleochora Location 35'

Mountain hiking

Explore near by nature surroundings

Topolia Gorge Location 10'

Agia Sofia Cave Location 8'

Kandanos Gorge Location 25'

Kandanos Gorge is another peaceful hiking area with historical significance. Men, women and children fought against the invasion of Nazis during World War II.

Welcoming locals

Small Villages, heart-warming hospitality

Elos is further down the road to Elafonissi at the peak of the mountain

I Milia is built on stone deep in the mountains

Near by villages include but not limited to Elos(5min), Kantanos(25min) and Paleochora(35min). Tourists are most welcome and treated with warmth by locals. Tip: Think twice before saying no to a complimentary "raki" or "tsikoudia" after your meal. It's the traditional cretan alcoholic beverage and our neighbours are among the finest producers in Crete!

Historic monuments

The razing of Kandanos

Kandanos is a small village of 421 residents 10 minutes drive from the villa on the road to Paleochora. Nearby is the site of the ancient town of Cantanus.

The razing of Kandanos refers to the complete destruction of the village of Kandanos in Western Crete (Greece) and the killing of about 180 of its inhabitants on 3 June 1941 by Nazi occupying forces during World War II.
It was ordered by Generaloberst Kurt Student in reprisal for the participation of the local population in the Battle of Crete that had held advancing Nazi soldiers for two days. The destruction constituted one of the most atrocious war crimes committed during the occupation of Crete by Axis forces in World War II.

Town center Location 25'

Kandanos has many beautiful walking paths

The war memorial

A soldier in front of one of the signs erected after the razing.

The text reads: "Kandanos was destroyed in retaliation for the bestial ambush murder of a paratrooper platoon and a half-platoon of military engineers by armed men and women."

Traditional local

Enjoy traditional local cuizine

Traditional tavern, I Mili Location 10'

Mountain retreat, with an excellent restaurant, Milia Location 15'

Traditional local taverns near the center of Kandanos Location 25'

Many more places to eat and have a drink at Paleochora Location 35'

Whether a 5min walk or a 15min drive there are plenty of options to choose from. I Mili is less than 1km away towards North where I Milia is a 15min drive. Apart from the local near by restaurants there are a lot more in the neighbouring villages.