Local Area Overview

The newly-built Villa Elaine is set in private, terraced grounds within the friendly village of Atsipopoulo, only 3km from sandy beaches and 4km from the large town of Rethymnon. This holiday villa is a perfect base for families wishing to be within easy reach of the sea and attractions. Atsipopoulo is a fairly large village and has two supermarkets, banks, several tavernas and a popular Italian pizza restaurant. These are all within a minutes walking distance, perfect for a stroll into town for dinner, or simply to pop down and get fresh bread in the morning. The regions capital town, Rethymno, is just 4km away. This historic port town is home to an abundance of tavernas, restaurants and cafes that line the fishing harbour and the old town. There are authentic tavernas which come to life at night, playing live Greek music to which the locals dance and sing, and many modern bars as well. This ancient town was once an important and thriving town, full of aristocracy. Evidence of its history still exists in the surviving 16th century buildings, with Venetian facades, and the stone archways hidden throughout the narrow backstreets. The nearby ancient Fortétza castle sits atop Palaiokastro hill, overlooking Rethymnon town. Originally built to protect the island from pirate raids, the existing site has a mixture of ruined and re-built architecture and enjoys lovely views, particularly at night, over the lights of the harbour town. Further afield, 55km away but along a fast, motorway coastal road is the archaeological site of the ancient Knossos Palace. This palatial ruin dates back to 2000-1350BC but was mainly inhabited during the Minoan civilization when local tradition states it housed King Minos, who released the Minotaur into the Labyrinth. Well worth a visit, the site has been partially restored where possible with copies of original frescoes and plenty of stunning architecture on display. There are many more sites of archaeological interest around the island, which is steeped in spine-tingling history and covered in a varied and beautiful landscape. We recommend a car so that you can explore all that Crete has to offer. From the towering spires of Ottoman mosques, to sleepy fishing harbours where boats bob gently on the water, and across rugged hillsides, rocky outcrops and sandy shores, Crete is a truly delightful holiday destination.