Rural Accommodation Crete

Rural accommodation Crete. Where the real character of the island is hidden. In the mountain villages, rolling vineyards, olive groves and tiny seaside hamlets, you will find simple stone houses or recently built villas, constructed in the traditional style with all the comforts of the modern world.

Village life presents the opportunity for the visitor to experience the natural Crete, see the herbs growing, wander in the olive groves and taste the local produce, from olive oil to wine and fresh fruits.

This is also the opportunity for the village to share its history, its speciality and its wares. Be it pottery, woven cloths, honey or raki, each village has something exquisite to offer.


Below are detailed rural accommodation Crete options to suit the budget or luxury traveller, and some suggestions in between.


We generally lean towards selected, small, atmospheric traditional houses and pensions – known in Greece as domatia.

For a selection of accommodation options in the towns of Chania, Rethymnon, Heraklion and Agios Nikolaos, click here.

For a selection of beach accommodation in Crete, click here.

Below you can see the rural guest houses we have selected on an interactive map of Crete, making it easy to select your pension by location.

View Larger Map

Rural Accommodation Crete
Elia Guesthouse

Sitting in rolling olive groves just outside of the village of Ano Vouves, the 200 year old restored farmhouse and estate offers a view to the Mediterranean, beautiful gardens, paths and courtyards and relaxing country walks.

To quote the website: A walk around Elia is itself an experience. Wander around the ruins of a Venetian house; sit on the stone benches with their panoramic views or simply wandering through the olive groves and orchards which encircle the main building. Upon your return you may have booked one of the many themed holistic treatments offered here, including use of the Turkish bath, an aromatherapy massage or a Jacuzzi with rose petals and jasmine oil.

A short walk from Elia is also the oldest living olive tree in the world, some 2,500 years old. The guests of Elia are advised on a series of walks which can be taken from here, some guided, which can lead to waterfalls, hilltop Byzantine churches- or simply to enjoy rural Crete at its finest.

Wholesome traditional food is served and adds to the therapies on offer such as massage, reiki, yoga, beauty treatments and revitalising baths.

Rural Accommodation Crete congratulates the team at Elia Guesthouse, so take a deep breath, get ready for your relaxing holiday and lean into the photographs at www.elia-crete.com.gr

Enagron Traditional House

“We are fortunate since we can experience the light of the day and the silence of the night again. We discover again all the elements that compose nature, as well as their purpose; the rain falls to nourish us, rather than drown us, the wind to caress us, rather than drift us away, filling us with nature’s most extraordinary scents and aromas.”

Located 44 kms from Iraklion, the village has played a part in the history of the island and there are many sights to visit, either on foot or by car, in the local area. The Enagron Traditional House has been built of rock and rough washed as in the local style, with large wooden beam features. Terracotta and stone interiors with natural textures playing softly on your eye, these maisonettes and studios have been built in the traditional style complete with modern facilities.

Rural Accommodation Crete
Anastasia House of Kourites
To Spiti ton Kouriton

This beautiful rural accommodation Crete is chosen for its authentic architecture and nice small size, making it a peaceful rustic getaway for a real experience of Kriti.

Located 25 kms from Rethymnon town in the central north of the island, the House of Kourites makes a perfect base for an extended stay in Crete, as it is located centrally on the island, allowing easy driving access to each capital town and to each of the diverse prefectures of Crete.

Located in the picturesque village of Tzanakiana Margarites, very close to the famous Arkardi Monastery, this cluster of traditional stone houses is a delight. It is a lazy 15 km drive to the beaches at Panormo with fresh seafood tavernas on the water.

Myth has it that the Kourites were the inventors of the agriculture and healers with herbs and dance. They also were the protectors of the young god Zeus, who hid from his father Chronos in a cave in the Psiloritis mountains (close by).

The Kourites guarded the cave and also danced and clashed their spears against their shields to mask the sound of the baby Zeus crying. The Kourites have a special place in Cretan mythology.

With accommodation for 23 people, the rooms and maisonettes have been warmly decorated in a simple traditional Cretan style, accenting the rough stone walls and thick timber beams. There is much more than meets the eye here, as there is an active ecomuseum teaching visitors and locals alike about history, ecology, sustainable agriculture, and ‘quieter tourism’.

If you want your visit to Crete to contribute to the island, we encourage you to learn about Kriti and participate in an integrated cultural experience just like this one at House of Kourites, www.kouritonhouse.gr

Rural Accommodation Crete
Αρχοντικό Arhontiko Studios, Arhanes Village

The village of Arhanes is located just 14 kms from Iraklion town and 7 kms from Knossos. Surrounded by fields of low vines, there are many quality vineyards to visit, not to mention the historic sites such as Festos and Malia within Iraklion prefecture alone. The location is central to the whole island of Kriti.

The traditional 19th century mansion in the centre of the village of Archanes, dating from 1893, has been lovingly restored and created into the Arhontiko studios for guests, with every detail of the restoration attended to, from the stone work to the furniture and decoration. The result is spectacular, comfortable, authentic and cosy.

To quote the website: "All of Arhontiko interiors are fitted with antiques, old embroideries and handmade furniture. The beautiful enclosed yard is decorated with stones that are hand-carved by the very stone-builders that raised the house. Amidst an abundance of flowers and a multitude of colors and scents, the visitors can enjoy their coffee, tsikoudia and many more beverages made from the unique wild herbs gathered from the sacred mountain of Jiouktas or taste a thousand and one treats prepared with care by the house owners."

There are just two studios housing up to 4 guests each, in this building that was a former house, and home to rebel armies and now a declared "Protected Traditional Building". This village and this studio really are treasures that make us proud to be Cretan, and we are delighted to present Arhontiko here at Rural Accommodation Crete.

More information and bookings for Arhontiko Studios, Archanes

Rural Accommodation Crete
Ελαιώνας Eleonas Traditional Resort

The village of Zaros sits at the foothills of Psiloritis, the highest mountain in Crete. This lovely green mountain village nestles into the hillside, creating a peaceful haven and surrounded by great scenery, history and nature, makes a wonderful rural retreat only 44 kms from Heraklion town.

See more about Zaros Village on our dedicated page.

Manolis Saridakis and his family will welcome you with true Cretan hospitality…

The Cretan hospitality, especially around the kitchen hearth, is important, to quote from the Saridakis family on their website "Mrs. Koula, our mother, is the cook at our restaurant. She cooks with a mixture of love, good nature and a lot of imagination and guarantees the deliciousness of all the recipes. We offer a large variety of traditional, local dishes. Amongst these are lamb with artichokes, rabbit with peppers and basil and chicken with sage. At our restaurant you will also find a large selection of Cretan wine.

For dessert, you can enjoy Cretan raki, a traditional drink, along with homemade traditional pies with honey. There are also traditional, homemade desserts to choose from, some of which are made by sage or rose, grape, bergamot or quince. The secret to our success are our pure products, most of which we produce ourselves, and which are always fresh. We cook our food in the most healthy way since we use olive oil of our own production."

This is a family friendly resort, with loads of activities for the family, from trekking and horse riding to archery, caving and canyoning.

Nearby are some lovely trout and salmon farms serving fresh fish in their traditional tavernas. One of our favourites!

More information and bookings for Eleonas Traditional Resort, Zaros

Metochi Vai ~ Μετόχι Βάι

Rural Accommodation Crete is proud to present the Metochi Village at Vai.

Located in far eastern Crete, near the exotic palm beach of Vai, this little village of 7 shepherd huts has been restored and presented to show the traditional Cretan lifestyle.

Owned and run by the nearby monatery of Toplou, Metochi literally means ‘dependant of the Monastery’ and refers to the fact that the shepherds, the sheep and the huts were owned and protected by the monastery for hundreds of years. These stone huts have been converted into comfortable studios and maisonettes. The huts still keep their traditional design for cheese making, and are surrounded by an organic garden and provided with all the abundant fruits and vegetables of the region.

Visitors can learn about organic farming, enjoy cooking in the large kitchen, visit the beautiful Vai Palm Forest and Vai Beach, explore the gorges, nature and caves of the region and try their hand at windsurfing. Some of the best windsurfing in Crete is found here.

Closeby are the beaches of Chionia and Kouremenos and the village of Palekastro. Staying at Metochi will open up the beautiful east of the island, the prefecture of Lasithi and the nearby capitals of Sitia and Agios Nikolaos. Rates and more information for Metochi can be found here.

Rural Accommodation Crete
The Eco Village Miliá ~ Μηλιά

This beautiful rural accommodation in Crete is chosen for its authentic architecture and small size, it is a peaceful rustic getaway for a real experience of Kríti. This community is also dedicated to sharing a real grass-roots environmental retreat, using organic farming and solar energy.

Located 60 kms from Chania town in the west of the island, the Eco Village Miliá is a fully restored village built into the rocks of the beautiful Cretan mountains. The closest village is Vlatos 4kms away.

Central to the scenic area of western Crete, the retreat itself persuades visitors to relax, breathe deeply and be at one with nature. Close by are the beautiful beaches of Elafonisi and Paleohora to the south and Falasarna and Gramvousa to the north.

The 120 hectares of Miliá offer plenty of walks and nature to explore. There are chestnut trees, plane trees, acorn trees and cone-bearing trees, and aromatic herbs, various flower-bearing bushes, olive trees, pear and wild pear, and carob trees. The rare vulture Gypaetus barbatus, the Bearded Vulture known for eating bones, lives in the area.

The organic gardens and many village buildings offer farm activities to those guests who choose to get really involved with the local produce, which is then served at the warm, family-like kitchen for guests of Miliá.

Traditional wholesome fare is served according to the rhythms of nature. Dishes offered could be rabbit with mizithra cheese baked in the oven; potato, chestnut and onion stew; pork with orange cooked in the woodstove; boureki zucchini and potato with mizithra cheese; or kalitsounia small cheese pies.

Contact Tassos at Miliá if you have any questions before booking your peaceful retreat rural accommodation Crete. www.milia.gr

Rural Accommodation Crete
Kalithea Villa - Pemonia, Chania

Pemonia is a village in the Apokoronas region of Chania, an area well-known for its natural beauty and the diversity of the genuine Cretan countryside. Chania offers its visitors many opportunities for ecotourism and alternative tourism in the rugged, unspoiled Cretan countryside, in the mountains or on the beaches.

This small but picturesque mountain village has remained unspoiled through the ages, far away from any form of tourist exploitation.

The village is 26 kms from the city of Chania, at the foot of Lefka Ori. It sits exactly between Chania and Rethymnon, and a mere 1.5 kms from the main road axis of Crete, which runs from Chania to Heraklion.

The warmth of the mountainous scenery and the mild Cretan winters make Pemonia an ideal destination for winter getaways; at the same time, its proximity to the picturesque beaches of Kalyves and Almyrida, only 9 km away, and the endless beaches of Georgioupolis, 8 km, provides an alternative solution for wonderful summer visits.

At the end of the village, a private road leads to the panoramic location of the Villa Kallithea. Rural Accommodation Crete is proud to present Kalithea Villa.

More information and bookings for Kalithea Villa

Καμάρες - Kamares Houses

Kamares Houses are in a beautifully restored Venetian monastery in the traditional village of Mahairoi, full of Cretan history and character, in an area of natural beauty. The restoration has combined traditional architecture and modern quality facilities.

Such a small and beautiful retreat is perfect for sanctuary in the hills of Kriti. To quote from the website:

This is the place where you will be reconciled with your dreams. The inner courtyard of Kamares. Overwhelmed by the harmonious combination of simple things.

The sweet smell of jasmine and lemon blossoms. Friendly shadows cast upon the whites slabs of the courtyard by the perennial arches leaning against the mountain.

The soft melody of the murmur of the mulberry, locust and fig leaves. Uncountable stars in the night. A brilliant sun. The joyful flutter of the swallows. The calm sleep of the roving cat on the front doormat. The invigorating sea breeze blowing on the plain and cooling the courtyard.

The furniture in Kamares was designed by your host Roula, following patterns from the local museum of folklore. Each piece has been hand made by local craftsmen of cypress wood, marble and iron. Your host Kostas has hand-forged the iron work and grown the cypress in his family’s woodland.

Congratulations to Roula and Kostas for their wonderful creation. Rural Accommodation Crete is proud to include the Kamares retreat in our selection.

More information and bookings at www.kamares-houses.gr

Rural Accommodation Crete
House Margot, Palekastro

Located in the charming village of Palekastro are the apartments House Margot. Perfectly positioned in far eastern Crete to explore numerous historic sites and beaches, this is a simple family-run pension with good Cretan hospitality.

Palekastro is a traditional Cretan village located just 2 kms from the lovely beaches of Kouremenos and Chiona, 20 kms from Sitia and 90 kms from the capital Agios Nikolaos.

6 kms from the village is the beautiful and famous Vai Palm Forest and Beach, a paradise on the tip of Crete’s eastern coast.

Close by is the spectacular Zakros Gorge and one of the prettiest beaches in Crete; Kato Zakros.

The Papadakis family have kept their apartments small, there are two only, with capacity for 6 and 8, surrounded by lovely gardens. The family provide personal care and beautiful tasty local food, made from their own produce. Rural Accommodation Crete is proud to present this lovely pension in Palekastro.

More information and bookings for House Margot, Palekastro

Accommodation in our capital towns...

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