pericles beach villa ([email protected]) - sfinari chania greece

Pericles Villa is perfect if you want to go to sleep with the sound of the sea and the occasional passing goat bell! The villa is spacious, very clean and comfortable and the stony beach right outside the front gate is mostly just for you, with the occasional passing walker. Xristina is very helpful and welcoming, and Pericles is a well-known in the area as a violinist and singer. As Sfinari is so small everybody seems to know everybody, but it is large enough for about 6 good tavernas, with 3 about 500 metres away on the beach. Great for fish and a sunset meal. Even in Chania the Greeks go misty eyed about Sfinari as it is not the usual tourist hustle, so expect local people to be coming as well. The really good sandy beaches of Falassarna are about 20 minutes away by car and the blue lagoons of Elafonissi and Balos Bay are about an hour. For lovers of Minoan archaeology the old harbour at Falassarna and the hill town of Polyrrhenia are worth a visit, as is the museum in Kissamos. We stayed 5 days. Not long enough!

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, Jackie and John

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, can’t wait !!!!

We had a great stay at Pericles Beach Villa. The house was clean and very spacious. Pool was perfect after a hot day out snorkeling. The hosts are absolutely amazing. Great stay!!! Highly recommend!

Amazing place ! we had a very quiet holiday at the end of september, we especially liked the service of the owners and the beautiful garden, immaculate pool and rural character of sfinari. If you like peace and quiet in a heavenly setting, this villa is the right choice.

We had the most wonderful time at Pericles beachvilla with the most beautiful sunsets and a house, equipped with everything you need, clean and as seen on the pictures. We had BBQs in the garden and once made the best pizza in the outdoor pizza oven. Xristina and Pericles were very helpful in all matters and also brought some local raki and homemade food, which was very nice! The direct neighbors of the house are some sheeps, so if you want it quiet and relaxing, there is nothing better to recommend. There are nice taverns just a few minutes walk away and also the neighborhood of Sfinari is super nice. From time to time somebody stopped at the house and we had a nice chat. So all in all, I can just recommend the house, the area, the owners and hope to come back soon!! So thanks again for everything Xristina and Pericles!

We were a group of 4 friends in our 30s from London and had a great time. (You can definitely have more than 4.) There are five different seating areas outside, a pool, volleyball net and hammock. You can swim in the sea straight from the house, if you don't mind rocks and some waves. We loved it. And there are no other houses nearby, so it feels like a private beach. (There is a small road by the villa, but it has maybe one car every 30 minutes). You can also walk 10 minutes to a pebble beach with a couple of touristy restaurants, or find other quiet bays to explore. The owners are very kind - they left us some treats, replied instantly and gave us advice about local activities. There is a small shop in the village (10 mins walk) but we bought most food in the towns of Kissamos and Platonos. We also walked in the 'gorge' (canyon) from Kampos. The mountain roads are steep, with occasional goats - best for experienced drivers. If you want the opposite of a 'package holiday' - this is it! Thank you Xristina and Pericles. (For best price, email the owners directly.)

We just had amazing 3 weeks in this beach front villa with the most beautiful seaviews and sunsets. The villa is really unique and special. The garden is perfect for the children. Sfinari is peaceful and lovely little village. Already waiting to come back!