Villa Tanos at

The Neighborhood

Villa Tanos is in a peaceful part of Chania, on the west coast of Crete, Greece. It’s only a 10-minute drive from Chania centre and a 15-20 minute drive from the nearest beach. The seaside village is in the heart of a large natural bay on the Akrotiri peninsula. There, you’ll find the soft sandy beach of Kalathas – perfect for swimming and snorkelling – as well as a couple of local tavernas serving traditional Greek food like moussaka and mezes, shops and supermarkets. With its impressive 14th-century Venetian harbour, cobbled streets and waterfront restaurants, Chania is a beautiful Greek city that’s well worth exploring. Snap pictures of the 16th-century lighthouse with its Venetian, Egyptian and Ottoman influences or get your history fix at the Nautical Museum or Archaeological Museum of Chania. There are also pastel-coloured cafés, boutiques and indoor markets for fresh produce. Fancy a boat trip? Hop on a ferry from Chania to Santorini. There you’ll find classic whitewashed houses, quaint churches and windmills. It’s also renowned for its sheer cliffs and mesmerising sunsets. History buffs are in luck around here. Minoan caves and tombs are dotted all over, so there’s plenty to get stuck into. Ancient Aptera’s Theatre is an exciting site worth seeing, as are the Venizelos Tombs. You could also take a hike among the wildflowers, monasteries and goats of Samaria Gorge. Castles, caves and forests are also in plentiful supply on Crete's west coast. There are plenty of Blue Flag beaches too, and the beautiful Lake Kournas has swim stop and photo op written all over it.