Pericles Beach villa — Hotel in Municipality of Kissamos

As a family we always prefer to book a villa preferably off the beaten track a little bit over a hotel or package holiday.

I must admit to being a little nervous before arriving that maybe this one was just a little “too” off the beaten track. For example, the nearest “proper” supermarket is a 25 minute drive away.

However the things that made me nervous are actually what makes this place so great and with a little planning and use of the local shop which sells the basics (bread, fruit, snacks) it provides a real escape from the holiday crowds.

The hosts in Xristina and Pericles are all that you could hope for in as much that they are super communicative, friendly, helpful, always on hand to give advice. The villa is spotless and had two cleans during our fortnight stay as well as separate visits to clean the excellent pool. They also kindly gave us some eggs from their chicken which was a lovely gesture.

The villa is spacious both inside and out with various outdoor seating spots – to enjoy the sun or shade and watch the amazing sunsets.

Pericles villa itself is nestled just below the village of Sfinari and literally sits on the waters edge. It’s a little rocky immediately outside the villa – but with beach shoes you can enter the crystal clear water here for a bit of snorkelling.

A 5 minute walk along the coastline takes you to a rugged but lovely little almost private beach with nice loungers and umbrellas. You’ll get maybe 20 other people on the beach in the height of the summer season, which is incredible given how lovely and natural the beach is.

There are also 3 fantastic tavernas on the beach all pretty equal in terms of quality serving predominantly seafood of course but also with enough other foods done on their outdoor grills (Souvlaki etc).

Ultimately the villa provides a great base to explore the Western Coast of Crete. The amazing Falasarna beach which provides a more “typical” holiday beach experience (watersports, plentiful umbrellas, a little more busy – but still not crazy, white sand and turquoise water) is just 25 minutes away. If you prefer something a little more natural then Elafonisi beach is about 1hr drive and Balos is best accessible by boat – which Xristina will be able to help you with. If you have kids then there are 2 waterparks up towards Chania (about an hours drive away). And of course there is Chania itself which is well worth a visit or two.

Three small points to make. You will definitely need a car. There are some quite “hairy” mountain drives required to explore this side of the island and even get to the villa. We soon got used to it and have of course experienced it elsewhere, but coming up against a herd of goats on a mountain road 500m up with a fair drop was a bit nerve wracking. It can also get really windy at times in Western Crete – in some respects it’s nice as it takes the edge off the heat, but it can blow pretty wild at times.

All in all a 5* experience and we...

The most amazing holiday ever!!!!

If there were more than 5*’s to give we would do so, no pictures/words can do the villa, owners or location justice.

We’ve stayed at many amazing villas over the years and we’ve learned all the things to look for and check that suit what we want. Despite all the research arrival is always an unknown and there are always a few things over a long break that could be improved. Not here, this piece of paradise is pure perfection. We couldn’t fault a single thing inside or out the villa from the moment we arrived to lovely local foods/drink to the sad goodbye at the end of our fortnight.

Sfinari is quite a remote village but there’s all you need here - essential supplies in the mini market to various lovely tavernas either along the beach or a few mins walk/drive up in the village. Kissamos town is a short drive and there are various other places even closer like Phalasarna if you wish to venture in the evening, which we didn’t very much. Every night is a beautiful sunset over the bay so grab a drink, sit and admire this from the terrace, pool area, balcony or (my favourite) hammock (there are no mosquitos here too)!! Then walk under a pink sky along the beach, past goats/sheep with a nice breeze, waves lapping against the shore. In 10 mins there are 3 tavernas where you can sit just metres from the shore and enjoy a warm welcome, great hospitality, the freshest seafood and more local gifts of food/raki than you can manage, all for amazing value. We had to pay twice what we were charged just to feel honest. All 3 tavernas have great reviews but we always came back to Captain Fidias’ place, we were made to feel like family and treated to stunning fresh fish, octopus, calamari, salads, the best mousaka, souvlaki and lamb, and delicious baked desserts - rude to resist!!

The sea is yards from the front door and great for snorkelling, with lots of fish and I even got to swim for 20 mins with a giant sea turtle (Caretta Caretta), must’ve been 1.5m and a truly emotional experience, one I’ll never forget :-)

The pool’s great for swimming and has a protected shallow area for kids or adults who want to paddle. It was always clean and clear and there are plenty of places around the outside space to relax in comfort.

Day trips to Elafonissi and it’s Monastery, Phalasarna, Chania, Milia and Topolia Gorge were all lovely!

Xristina and Pericles were always available to message for help or advice, left us in peace and was lovely to meet once or twice. Thank you so very much for this best holiday we ever had. We WILL be back,...

I happily and highly recommend Pericles Beach Villa in Sfinari, Crete as the most amazing holiday retreat and Xristina, who is the most amazing hostess!!!

I booked the villa, correction...Villa with a capital V!!! for my husbands’ 50th birthday. There’s nothing small about it. It’s massive and stunning in every way possible. It’s serious luxury!!!

There’s a full wrap around balcony upstairs that gives you the luxurious experience of being able to see the sea, lounge on super comfortable built in bench seating with a rolling shade if it’s too sunny (did I say TOO sunny???) overlooking the pool below, and then a few more steps and you’ve got mountain views of beautiful villas and olive tree groves.

When you’re lying in bed in the master room you can see the sea on one side and the mountain on the other...all with accompanying sea breeze moving the diaphanous curtains gently in the breeze. It was just lovely.

There’s a herd of sheep that wear bells around their necks and make the most charming tinkling when they pass right outside your window several times a day! It was my greatest pleasure to watch them go by on the little dirt road that separates the villa from the sea.

Every thing you could think to want of has been catered for. The kitchen had everything we needed to make several homemade meals. The garden has a net up to play volleyball, a barbecue and an outside oven - and seating under deep shade to stay cool.

The villa is at the bottom of a very charming village with very friendly people, and a few taverna’s further down the beach.

Just quickly, back to Xristina for a second. I was quite unlucky in that I picked up a bug on the plane to Crete and spent 5 of my 7 days in bed quite unwell. Xristina got in touch every day to check on me, offered to bring me medicine from the pharmacy, supplies from the shops, and even came over and made me Herb Tea with herbs from her kitchen and lemons from her own garden!!!! On top of that, as it was my husbands special birthday, she had arranged for a special cake and bubbly!!!! Honestly, there just isn’t a better holiday home away from home hostess than Xristina!!!!!

We did get out twice while we were there...Chania and Rethymno, both Venetian port cities...both beautiful beyond words and highly recommended.

If you’re thinking about having a holiday in Crete, in Kissamos, in Sfinari....say yes to Pericles Beach Villa...you will not be sorry!!!!

Cheers,...