Location

Beaches

Chania prefecture is famous for the unique coastline with so many long sandy beaches - some of these are considered the most beautiful beaches in Greece.

There are a lot of organized beaches around the city of Chania. For those who are looking of trendy beach bars and restaurants by the sea, there are a lot of choices on the west side of the city. Along the north coast line and for 20km up to Platanias village there are a lot of beach bars with intense music crowded with young people. In this area we recommend the Gold Coast, the Holy Apostles, Kalamaki and Agia Marina. Platanias village is a touristic area with many entertainment options like international restaurants, shopping malls, coffee shops, bars, playgrounds and many others.

If you prefer beaches ideal for families, you will love the beaches on the east side of Chania city. Within 15 min from the center of the city you will get to the sandy, swallow water beaches of Stavros, Kalathas, Marathi and Loutraki.

In Chania prefecture you will also find some of the most exotic beaches in Greece. On the west side and in less than an hour from the villa is found the amazing long beach of Falasarna with the breathtaking view as you drive down to the beach. Alternatively you can get the ferry from the small harbor of Kisamos village for a daily cruise to Balos beach, a natural tropical beach at the very north point of cape Gramvousa. Driving south to the south west corner of the island you will find one of Europe’s most beautiful beaches, hidden behind the mountains, Elafonisi beach. Its pink sand and amazingly swallow clear water consist a life time experience.

Excursions

Don’t miss the chance of memorable excursions.

And it’s not only the coastline and the amazing beaches. Chania is the prefecture of the most interesting mountain routes in Crete with numerous gorges starting at the top of the sierra of White Mountains and ending to the south coast.
The biggest in Europe and most famous of all is The Samaria Gorge, 18km long. Five hours walk inside the canyon ends to the beach of Agia Roumeli for the most rejuvenating swimming of your life.
The Botanical Park (18 km. Out of town) is one of the most interesting sights of the prefecture as it is an area of 200 acres with herbs, medicinal, ornamental plants and fruit trees from around the world.

Entertainment

Chania is a destination with a great variety of entertainment, touristic services of very high quality, while hospitality is a part of people’s culture.
Whether you love a cosmopolitan life and intense night life or you prefer to get into the local way of life, tradition and customs, Chania prefecture will certainly fulfill everyone’s expectations.
Walking at the small streets of the old Venetian city, landmark of Chania, is an experience you will never forget. There are so many options of entertainment including museums, shopping, dining and clubbing, so it is impossible not to find what you are looking for.
A visit to the tombs of the Venizelos family, right outside the city, offers the most amazing view of the whole city. Relax and enjoy your drink at the beautiful sunset.

Cuisine

Local cuisine is certainly one of the strongest assets of Crete, that completes the great experience of visiting the island. You will taste products of high quality and high nutrition value in recipes of unique flavors. There are countless trendy and gourmet restaurants but also traditional taverns which you can find in the city of Chania and in various villages around the prefecture.

Taste the local delicacies

kaltsounia, chaniotiko mpoureki, staka, apaki, dakos, meat pie, singlino, cheese pies of sfakia, stamnagathi, snails etc.

Village

Villa Marianna is located in the village of Vryses, very close to the north coast of the island between the two major cities of western Crete, Chania and Rethymnon. Vryses is a place of running water with a river passing through the village. The village is famous for the traditional taverns beside the river where visitors and all travelers always stop to taste authentic Cretan cuisine which is well known for its high nutrition value. The guest of villa Marianna can find all the necessary amenities in the village, from banks and pharmacy to groceries and super markets and from traditional bakeries and pastries to coffee shops and bar.

Vryses is at the heart and capital of Apokoronas region, one of the five municipalities of Chania prefecture. Conveniently located just 2km from the national road of Crete, villa’s guest have an easy access to the picturesque cities of Chania and Rethymnon within 30min by driving (30km). Close to the center of the village is the cross that leads to the southern part of Chania prefecture, Sfakia region, an area of wild nature and amazing views.

Apokoronas region
Apokoronas region combines mountain and sea lying between the roots of the White mountains and the north coast of the island, with a characteristic green landscape. With many kilometers of sandy beaches, guests can find the beach they have dreamed, whether they prefer a quit family spot or an organized touristic beach bar. Although the touristic development along the coast line of the region, the region maintains in a big extend its traditional character. Armenoi, Samonas, Fres, Gavalochori Tzitzifes, Vamos, Vafes and Emprosneros are some of the small villages where visitors have the chance to sense the real Cretan way of life and enjoy the Cretan hospitality of locals.
Apokoronas region is very active area with many small factories and businesses of dairy products, wine and of course olive oil, which you can visit, learn about production process and buy authentic and high quality products.

Beaches

On the east and few minutes away from Villa Marianna is the sandy beach of Georgioupolis, a well-organized beach, ideal choice for families with children because of very swallow water. Georgioupolis is a coastal area, in the middle of a green valley with many springs and rivers, which has become the most touristic place of the region with all services and amenities available in the village. On the beach you can enjoy all the water sports and horse riding on the sand.

The beach extends from Georgioupolis to Kavros and Petres for almost ten kilometers. Along the coastline there are a lot of big touristic developments and busy beach bars with bamboo umbrellas and sun decks. But there are also a lot of quit spots where you can get relax in privacy throughout the day.

On the west of Apokoronas region and 10 minutes from the villa Marianna is the coastline village of Kalyves. The main beach of Kalyves has a large sandy beach with shallow water. There are organized spots with umbrellas and deck chairs but also a lot free points. This beach has the advantage that the swimmers can find and natural shade. Along the beach there are many fish taverns you can enjoy tasteful and fresh fish from Cretan sea.

Right next to Kalyves village is Almyrida bay, a touristic area famous for the ancient findings but also for its intense touristic life. The small bay with the sandy beach and clean water offers numerous options for food and clubbing.

Excursions

With an easy access to mountain and sea and so many traditions, it is not a coincidence that Apokoronas region has been the favorite place of many foreigners for permanent residency.
North of villa Marianna is the traditional village of Vamos. Start form the monastery of Saint George with the huge old olive mills. Then have a coffee in one of the small traditional coffee shops of Vamos village and check for the local products produced there. Next the small village of Gavalohori and the Folklore museum which you should definitely visit. End your trip at the cosmopolitan and touristic beach of Almyrida.
Very close, east of Marianna is the only natural lake in Crete, Kournas lake, where you can swim, enjoy water sports and have a traditional dinner by the lake any time of the day.
The route to the south leads to Sfakia region, a place of wild mountains and some of the most clean beaches of Europe at the very south. Taste local recipes at the plateau of Krapi and Askyfou overlooking the tops of the sierra of White Mountains, and if you are lucky you can see some kri kri, which are found only at Chania prefecture. Driving downhill the gorge of Imbros you will get to Hora Sfakion, visit the castle of Frangokastelo and then enjoy swimming at the nearby beach of clear and hot water.