Karfi is a detached 3-storey villa set in olive groves just outside the beautiful fishing village of Elounda. With private pool & garden, 2.5 balconies with sea and mountain views, 3 double rooms, 2 bathrooms, and full aircon, it sleeps 6. Less than 10 minutes' walk from the village centre, with its lively bars, shops and restaurants the villa also has a fully-equipped kitchen (including washing machine) and is perfect for self-catering. Many local restaurants also deliver direct to the villa.
More detail
Villa Karfi is situated down a private driveway surrounded by olive groves, yet is only a (genuine!) 10-minute walk from the centre of the bustling fishing village of Elounda with its Blue Flag-awarded beach and many bars, restaurants and shops. The 3-storey villa has its own secluded garden with flowers, shrubs, and fruit trees, and its own private pool (6m by 4m, available from April to mid-November) with 6 sun loungers, large parasol, and outdoor shower. The top floor of the villa comprises a light and airy open-plan living and dining area, with a large balcony overlooking the village and sea plus a smaller balcony with spectacular views of Mount Oxia and the surrounding hills. There is a 32-inch flatscreen TV in the living area with DVD player and Chromecast (a Netflix sign-in is provided) and there is fast dedicated WiFi which supports streaming TV throughout the villa. Books, maps and games are provided. The kitchen area is fully equipped for self-catering with fridge-freezer, oven, hob, microwave, coffee-maker, kettle, toaster and dishwasher plus all necessary crockery, cutlery and cooking utensils. The middle floor contains 2 double bedrooms, both with king-sized beds, with a large shared balcony giving access to the pool and garden area. It also has a wet-room style shower and WC. The ground floor of the villa contains a further big double room with two single beds (which can be configured as one double if required) with a wet-room style bath, shower and WC, and a separate large utility area with sink and washing machine. All bedrooms have plenty of built-in storage and hanging space. The villa has dedicated parking for up to two vehicles. A travel cot is available on request.
Our availability
Villa Karfi’s owners live in the next-door villa. We’re available if you need us, but are also happy to leave you in complete solitude throughout your stay! We can provide plenty of recommendations on where to eat and drink and how to make the most of your stay in Elounda.
Elounda and the local area
Elounda and its local area has something to offer for people of all ages and interests, and Villa Karfi’s location means that many of these can be enjoyed without the need to hire a car. Elounda’s sandy Blue Flag beach is award-winning for its cleanliness, and offers inexpensive sunloungers and warm, calm shallow water ideal for swimming. Elounda is near to several important archaeological sites of interest, including the epicentre of Minoan civilisation, Knossos, which is an hour’s drive away, and the sunken city of Olous from which the town takes its name. Centred on a busy square with its church, 2 supermarkets (both of which stay open late), several cafes and bakeries, many bars and restaurants, Elounda also offers a wide variety of shops and holds its own weekly fresh produce market every Friday. One of the most popular attractions in Crete, the island of Spinalonga, is a scenic boat trip away, with boats leaving Elounda harbour every 30 minutes during the holiday season. The town of Agios Nikolaos is a 20-minute drive away - buses leave regularly from the village square. The Elounda ‘fun train’ takes visitors up the coast to Plaka (the village closest to Spinalonga) and then travels up into the surrounding hills for a fascinating tour of traditional Cretan villages. There are extensive walking trails all around the local area, many offering spectacular views of Spinalonga and the Bay of Mirabello. Other nearby attractions which are within an hour’s drive include two major water parks, the aquarium of Crete, and the Lasithi plateau. There are several travel agents in the village which provide reasonably-priced car, quad bike, scooter, mountain bike, boat and kayak hire as well as many tailored excursions, including scuba and snorkelling trips and all-day tours of Knossos.
Getting around
The villa is a short walk (9 minutes) from the main village harbour square with its many tavernas, cafes, shops and beach, with no significant gradients to negotiate (unlike many others in the area!) Cars can be parked in the village for free if required, and there is disabled parking provision very close to the major amenities. Heraklion airport is 65km (1 hour) drive on a high-quality modern road, and Heraklion itself, Crete’s largest city, is well worth a visit. Agios Nikolaos is 10km away, with regular buses from the village centre. A large number of small villages, some of which boast some superb tavernas, are all within a short driving radius of Elounda.
