Excellence Luxury Villas · Crete
Luxury Villa Rentals in Crete
Sea-view villas with private pools on the largest Greek island, from Chania's Venetian harbour to the bay of Elounda
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An island big enough for a lifetime of summers
Crete is the largest of the Greek islands, and it feels more like a small country than an island: high mountains that hold snow into spring, gorges, long beaches, Venetian harbours, Minoan palaces older than Troy and a cuisine of olive oil, wild greens and raki that many consider the healthiest in Europe.
Our Crete collection runs to 860+ villas, from contemporary villas above the bay of Elounda to stone houses in the villages around Chania and Rethymno, almost all with private pools and many with views of the sea.
Here is where to stay, what to see and when to go.
Crete at a glance
- Villas
- 860+ with private pools, with up to 20 bedrooms
- Guide prices
- Typically £2,400 to £6,300 a week, from around £2,000
- Best areas
- Chania and the west, Rethymno, Elounda and Agios Nikolaos in the east
- Best time
- May to October; spring for walking and wild flowers
- Airports
- Heraklion and Chania, both with direct flights from the UK in summer
Browse all 860+ villas in Creteor see them on the map
Villa numbers and guide prices are updated daily from our live collection.
Daios The Mansion Greece3 bedrooms
Villa Kyanos Exandra Elounda: Luxury 6-Bedroom Villa with Infinity Pool & Tennis Court – Elounda6 bedrooms
Villa Lysias Mavratzi Plaka: Luxury 3-Bedroom Villa with Seaview & Pool – Plaka3 bedrooms
Villa Kritsa Elounda: Luxury 16-Bedroom Apartment with Seaview & Pool – Elounda16 bedroomsWhere to stay in Crete
Chania for a Venetian harbour and wild beaches, Rethymno for an old town and long sands, and Elounda and Agios Nikolaos for the island's most polished resort coast.
A Venetian harbour and wild beaches
Chania's old town wraps around a Venetian harbour, with a lighthouse, a mosque and lanes of tavernas and workshops. The west of the island has some of its most beautiful beaches, including the lagoon at Balos and the pink sand of Elafonisi, and the Samaria Gorge, one of the longest in Europe, is a celebrated day's walk.
Browse villas near Chania
An old town and a long sandy shore
Rethymno has a well-preserved old town of Venetian and Ottoman houses beneath a great fortress, and a long sandy beach running east. Inland, the villages of the foothills are full of character, and the monastery of Arkadi is a short drive away.
Browse villas near Rethymno
The most polished coast on the island
The bay of Elounda, sheltered by the Spinalonga peninsula, is home to some of Crete's finest villas and hotels. Boats run to the island fortress of Spinalonga, and Agios Nikolaos, with its lake and harbour, is a short drive away. Near Heraklion, the Minoan palace of Knossos is the island's most famous ancient site.
Browse villas in Elounda
Olive oil, raki and a long season
Cretan food is simple and generous: dakos topped with tomato and soft cheese, slow-cooked lamb, wild greens, honey and thyme, and a glass of raki at the end of every meal. The season runs from May to October, with spring best for walking and wild flowers, and the sea warmest in September. Our concierge can arrange a private chef, boat trips, guided walks and transfers.
Ask our conciergeFeatured villas in Crete
Spinalonga Villas 8 Greece6 bedrooms · sleeps 12From £24,080 a week
Villa Lampsi Greece3 bedrooms · sleeps 6From £23,918 a week
Spinalonga Villas 3 Greece6 bedrooms · sleeps 12From £23,719 a week
Villa Lysias Plakias Crete: 6-Bedroom Beachfront Villa with Pool & Sea Views – Crete6 bedrooms · sleeps 12From £23,702 a week
Spinalonga Villas 1 Greece5 bedrooms · sleeps 10From £22,575 a week
Villa Anemo Koutsouras: 10-Bedroom Seafront Villa with Pool & Hot Tub – Crete10 bedrooms · sleeps 20From £22,449 a week
Villa Meltemi Heraklion Heraklion Town: Luxury 11-Bedroom Villa with Infinity Pool & Sauna – Heraklion11 bedrooms · sleeps 22From £22,106 a week
Villa Boreas Kolokytha Elounda: Luxury 8-Bedroom Villa with Seaview & Pool – Elounda8 bedrooms · sleeps 16From £20,468 a weekWhy book your Crete villa with Excellence Luxury Villas
The right house, not the nearest one
Crete is a big island, and we know which villas are within walking distance of a beach, which are in the villages and which have the best views. With 860+ properties in Crete, we can usually find the house that suits you rather than the one that happens to be free. Search by size, pool, location and price, or tell us what you have in mind and we will put together a shortlist.
Book direct
You book with us directly, with no booking fees. Questions about access roads, pool heating or how far it really is to the nearest beach go to people who can find out the answer.
A concierge who knows the territory
Private chefs, boat trips to Spinalonga and Balos, guided walks in the gorges, visits to Knossos, transfers from Heraklion or Chania and restaurant reservations. Our concierge team arranges all of it, leaving you free to decide which terrace to sit on.
A house for every kind of party
Couples, families with small children, three generations together or a crowd of friends celebrating a birthday: we match the house to the group, down to the number of bathrooms and whether the pool is fenced.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the best area in Crete for a villa holiday?
Chania and the west suit those who want beautiful beaches and a lively old town. Elounda and Agios Nikolaos in the east are the most polished resort coast. Rethymno sits in between, with an old town and a long beach.
Which airport is closest to villas in Crete?
Chania airport suits the west of the island, and Heraklion suits the centre and east, including Elounda.
Do I need a car in Crete?
Yes, for most villas. Crete is large, and a car makes it easy to explore its beaches, gorges and villages.
Can you arrange a private chef at a villa in Crete?
Yes. Our concierge can arrange a private chef for a single dinner or your whole stay, along with cookery lessons, guided visits, transfers and restaurant reservations.
How much does a luxury villa in Crete cost?
Across our 860+ villas in Crete, weekly rates typically range from £2,400 to £6,300, with the most affordable from around £2,000 a week and the largest estates well above. Prices depend on the size of the property, its location and the season, with July and August the most expensive. These are guide prices based on current listings; each property page shows its own rates for your dates.
When is the best time to visit Crete?
The season runs from May to October. Spring is ideal for walking, and the sea is warmest in late summer and September.
Are there villas in Crete for large groups?
Yes. Our Crete collection includes houses with up to 20 bedrooms. Tell us the size of your party and the occasion, and we will send a shortlist of houses that suit it.
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Find your villa in Crete
860+ properties in Crete, booked direct with our concierge on hand