The area around Azatis Luxury Villa has a relaxed, lived-in feel, with low houses, gardens and olive trees climbing the hills of Daratso and Galatas and giving you the sense that you are staying in a real Cretan neighbourhood rather than a tourist zone. Within a short drive you will find bakeries for your morning bread, cafés for a quick espresso, mini markets and supermarkets for everyday shopping and several family-run tavernas where you can try local dishes, fresh fish and Cretan wine among locals.

Down by the coast, the atmosphere becomes more summery with beach bars, seaside promenades and sunset walks, while the old town of Chania is close enough for nights out, shopping and culture, so your stay here naturally combines the calm of a residential area with the energy and charm of the city whenever you feel like going out.

Nearby Beaches

Within a short drive you reach some of the most loved sandy beaches of Chania, including Kalamaki, Agioi Apostoloi, Iguana and Golden Beach, all with shallow waters, organised spots and seaside paths that are perfect for families and evening walks. Chania Old Town and the Venetian harbour are only a few kilometres away for shopping, sightseeing and dinner by the sea, while Chania International Airport and the port of Souda are close enough for smooth arrivals and departures.

From the villa you can easily plan day trips to Balos, Elafonisi, Falassarna or the Samaria Gorge, explore western Crete at your own pace and still be back “home” on the hill in time for a swim at sunset.

Cretan Gastronomy

Cretan gastronomy is a big part of the experience when you stay at Azatis Luxury Villa, with fresh local ingredients and simple recipes that taste amazing under the Cretan sun. In the nearby area you will find family-run tavernas serving classic dishes like dakos with juicy tomatoes and barley rusks, slow-cooked lamb or goat in the oven, wild greens, cheese pies and fresh fish caught in the surrounding waters, all generously dressed with extra virgin Cretan olive oil.

Meals often begin with small meze plates in the middle of the table, continue with larger shared dishes and are usually finished with a complimentary dessert and a little raki, offered as a sign of hospitality. Local markets and shops make it easy to bring the flavours back to the villa, so you can cook with seasonal vegetables, herbs, cheeses and wine and enjoy your own Cretan-style dinners by the pool or under the pergola.

Sightseeing

From Azatis Luxury Villa you can easily explore some of the most beautiful sights in western Crete, starting with Chania Old Town and its Venetian harbour, lighthouse and maze of narrow streets filled with cafés, boutiques and small churches that tell the story of the city’s Venetian and Ottoman past. A little further afield you can plan full-day excursions to iconic spots like Balos Lagoon with its turquoise shallow waters and white-pink sand, Elafonisi on the south-west coast with its famous pinkish shore and clear sea, or the dramatic Samaria Gorge for those who enjoy hiking in wild landscapes.

Along the way you can stop at traditional villages, small wineries, monasteries and viewpoints over the White Mountains and the Cretan Sea, so your stay at the villa naturally combines relaxed days by the pool with discovering the culture, history and nature that make Chania and Crete such a memorable destination.