... Despina Villa ...

West Crete

Crete is the southernmost Greek island, and west Crete has a sub-tropical climate, abounding in wild palms, bamboos, vines, peach and fig trees. Chania is the main town in west Crete, while Agia Marina is one of several coastal villages lying west of Chania. Despina Villa nestles between new Agia Marina village and old Agia Marina village, at a distance of five minutes’ walk from the picturesque, sandy beach of Agia Marina. Empty and windswept in winter, crystal blue and tree-studded in summer, the safe sandy beach is a focal point of Agia Marina’s beauty. Yet Chania Airport is only 40 minutes’ drive away. Car hire is not needed but can be arranged for you if requested, from the airport or at your accommodation.

Surrounding area

The hills behind Agia Marina abound with olive and orange groves, providing plenty of opportunity for long country walks. Despina Villa is within 5 minutes’ walk from a mini-market, a bakery, and a few small restaurant-cafes (tavernas), a small water-sports facility, and of course the beach. Walk only a few minutes further down the coastal road and you are in Platanias, a busy shopping centre lined with clothes shops, cheese-and-wine sellers, silver and gold jewellery stores, Greek artefact sellers, small ceramics factories, leather works, icon sellers, a supermarket, a mini-golf ground and 2 children’s play parks. Buses run regularly along the coastal road into Chania Town every 20-30 minutes until late in the evening. Half an hour away by car is a large new water park, and 2 hours’ drive away is the historical Minoan Palace of Knossos where the infamous mythical Minotaur prowled in the underground labyrinth.

Chania town and airport

Agia Marina is easily accessible from Chania Airport (30-40 minutes), and only 20
minutes from historic Chania Town. Chania is a charming 600-year-old harbour town, built in the days when Crete was ruled by the Venetians, and later added to by Turkish invaders. The Venetian character of the old town has been well preserved, and the narrow passageways - still inhabited by mostly older Cretans - are fascinating to explore with their many cafes, waterside restaurants, leather stores and art shops. Buses run into Chania from Agia Marina and back from early in the morning to late at night.