Skip to main content
Stella Villas
Menu
  • Accommodations
    • Villa Stella
    • Stella In The Village
  • Availability
  • Crete
    • Beaches
    • Sights
    • History
  • Environment
  • Covid-19
  • Contact
  • En
    • El
    • De
Press enter to begin your search
Close Search

Sights

melidoni11
melidoni1
melidoni2
melidoni3
melidoni4
melidoni5
melidoni6
melidoni7
melidoni8
melidoni9
melidoni10

Melidone Cave

The Melidoni cave is located close to the Melidoni village and has a great archeological and historical significance. According to archeologists the cave was inhabited continuously from the Neolithic to the Late Roman period. In October 1823, 370 Melidoni citizen found refuge in the cave to escape the Ottomans. After some unsuccessful attempts of recapturing the cave, the Ottomans blocked the cave and light a fire. The bones of the victims are still kept in the central chamber of the cave.

kourtaliotiko9
kourtaliotiko1
kourtaliotiko2
kourtaliotiko3
kourtaliotiko4
kourtaliotiko5
kourtaliotiko6
kourtaliotiko7
kourtaliotiko8
kourtaliotiko10
kourtaliotiko11
kourtaliotiko12
kourtaliotiko13

Kourtaliotiko Gorge

Named after the Kourtaliotis or Big River, this extraordinary gorge is famous for the variety of Cretan birds and wild animals that live there and for its impressive natural scenery. The river’s water have to travel a long way under old bridges and over beautiful waterfalls before it can reach the sea and the palm trees of Preveli beach. The gorge is 3km long with cliffs of 600 meters in height and along with the neighboring lake of Preveli, is part of the Natura 2000 Network.

preveli-monastery-1
preveli-monastery-2
preveli-monastery-3
preveli-monastery-4
preveli-monastery-5
preveli-monastery-6
preveli-monastery-7
preveli-monastery-8
preveli-monastery-9
preveli-monastery-10
preveli-monastery-11
preveli-monastery-12
preveli-monastery-13
preveli-monastery-14
preveli-monastery-15
preveli-monastery-16

Preveli Monastery

The monastery of Preveli is located in one of the most beautiful places in Crete. Although the exact date it was erected is unknown, there are indications of the presence of a small monastery in the area since the 10th century AD. The Preveli monastery is actually two monasteries: the Kato Monastery, that is now abandoned, and the Piso Monastery of Theologos. This one is inhabited by monks and can be visited. In the monastery premises there is a museum that exhibits a collection of icons, ritual objects and relics.
samaria2
samaria1
samaria3
samaria4
samaria5
samaria6
samaria7
samaria8

Samaria Gorge

The gorge of Samaria is the most famous gorge of Crete and one of the greatest in Europe. It has been declared a National Park since 1962 and more than 300.000 people visit it every year to admire it’s unique beauty and variety of sceneries. It is home to the endangered species Kri-Kri, a wild goat that can only be found in Crete and almost 450 species of the Cretan flora, 70 of which can only be found in this gorge. The length of the gorge is 16km but hiking from one side of the National Park to the other is 18km and it will take you 6 to 8 hours to cross.

kournas1
kournas2
kournas3
kournas4
kournas5
kournas6
kournas7
kournas8

Kournas Lake

This is the largest natural lake in Crete and surely one of the most beautiful. It hosts a rich ecosystem and it is protected by the NATURA 2000 network. The landscape around the lake is fantastic and offers a great opportunity for long walks and picnics or even swimming. Several cafes and taverns are operating next to the lake for those who want to eat and drink. Legend has it that some nights, a fairy appears and brushes her hair by the lake.

fortezza6
fortezza1
fortezza2
fortezza3
fortezza4
fortezza5
fortezza7
fortezza8
fortezza9
fortezza10
fortezza11
fortezza12
fortezza13
fortezza14
fortezza15
fortezza16
fortezza17
fortezza18
fortezza19
fortezza20
fortezza21
fortezza22

Fortezza Castle

Fortezza, the Rethymno’s fortress was completed on 1590 and it is the trademark of the city. Built by the Venetians to protect the city from Ottomans’ attacks and pirates’ raids it stands upon the city, on the Palaiokastro hill. Most of the walls and buildings of the fortress are still in good condition and the view from Fortezza is astonishing. Within its walls the visitor will also find the outdoor municipal theatre “Erophili”, where most of the Renaissance Festival’s events take place.

venetian18
venetian1
venetian2
venetian3
venetian4
venetian5
venetian6
venetian7
venetian8
venetian9
venetian10
venetian11
venetian12
venetian13
venetian14
venetian15
venetian16
venetian17
venetian19
venetian20

Venetian Harbour

This beautiful harbor was built by the Venetians around 1300 AD and it’s still in use in our day. For many centuries it has been a commercial center and a traditional meeting place for people from around the world. A lighthouse, still standing today, guided the commercial and military ships to moor in the harbor’s calm waters during the long and turbulent hi story of the city. Today, the harbor has something for every visitor. Whether you love long romantic walks by the sea, or you prefer to taste the Cretan cuisine and nightlife, the Venetian Harbor is the place to be.

museum1
museum2
museum3
museum4
museum5

Archeological Museum of Rethymno

It is located in front of the entrance of Fortezza in a pentagonal building, once a stronghold built by the Ottomans. Inside it, several thousand years of local history are exhibited through important finds from the Rethymno wider area. Works of art, tools and everyday objects found in caves, cities and graves arranged in chronological sequence and covering the Minoan, Geometric, Archaic, Classical, Hellenistic and Roman times, will astonish the visitor. Several special events and exhibitions are organized by the Archeological museum each year so be sure to check it out.

spili1
spili2
spili3
spili4
spili5
spili6
spili7
spili8

Spili Village

Spilli is a beautiful village built on a majestic location that offers a fantastic view to the sea and the surrounding area. It is famous for its weaving production and in the main square of the village you will find a fountain shaped as a row of lion heads. Taverns and cafes will provide you with food and drink before you depart for a tour to the interesting surrounding area.

  • TripAdvisor



© Stella Villas. All right reserved. Developed by HotelTeam
Privacy Policy

Close Menu
  • Accommodations
    • Villa Stella
    • Stella In The Village
  • Availability
  • Crete
    • Beaches
    • Sights
    • History
  • Environment
  • Covid-19
  • Contact
  • En
    • El
    • De

Early Booking

This summer early booking 20 – 50%
Enter your email and we will inform you about your discount