Elysia
In this section...
- 2-3
- 2
- 1
NEW FOR 2025
The jewel in the crown is Pefki, where Piperia Restaurant is renowned for being one of the best for traditional Cretan fare. The proud owner Fanis uses only local ingredients – wild greens, artichokes, pomegranates, mushrooms – all collected on the nearby hillsides at different times of the year. The energetic will walk up the Pefki Gorge from Makrigialos to get there; more measured souls take a taxi and step out for the spectacular journey back down. Either way a visit is essential to experience Cretan hospitality at its very best; unhurried, unpretentious and utterly delicious.
Looking for 10 nights..? Why not add a 3-night stay in a boutique hotel to your villa holiday. To find out more, view our 10-night holidays in Greece.
In Greece, a tourist tax may apply at your accommodation which will be payable locally, in cash, during the course of your holiday. Please use the link to view details specific to your accommodation. View tourist tax rates here.
Accommodation
Layout
- 2 bedroom villa (sleeps 2-3)
Ground floor
- Fully equipped kitchen includes oven, microwave, hob, fridge-freezer, dishwasher and coffee maker; access to terrace
- Living room with Smart TV; access to terrace
- Single divan bedroom (90cm bed) with en-suite shower room with WC
First floor
- Master bedroom (160cm bed) with en-suite shower room with WC; leads out to terrace
Lower ground floor
- Gym room with gym, yoga and pilates equipment
- Laundry room with washing machine
Garden room
- Separate office/reading room with small terrace; accessed through the garden
General
- Complimentary wifi
- Air-conditioned in the master bedroom only
- Iron, ironing board, hairdryer, bath and pool towels provided
- Twice weekly clean and linen change
- Car parking available downhill (40m away from Elysia); free of charge
- Sloped landscape garden
- Shallow rock pool (2.5m x 1.5m) with small waterfall
- Gas barbecue
- Outdoor dining area
- Please note, children must be 11+ years
Access times
- Check-in time – 4.00pm-5.00pm
- Check-out time – 10.00am
Wifi
- All properties with wifi are able to support basic functionality such as web browsing and checking emails. We aim to offer an uninterrupted service but sometimes due to factors beyond our control reliability can be affected.
National tourist licence (EOT):
Location
- Makrigialos Beach 15min drive
- Pefki (village/taverna/basic shops) 6min walk
- Makrigialos (town/supermarket/boat hire) 15min drive
- Chiona Beach and tavernas 10min walk
- Sitia 35min drive
- Heraklion airport 1hr 45min drive
Car hire
Car options
Based on the number of people travelling, the following hire car(s) are included in the package price of your holiday:
- 2-3 guests – 1 Group C2, Seat Ibiza/Renault Clio/Skoda Fabia or similar*
* All our cars include comprehensive insurance with no excess charge. For this particular destination, the undercarriage, tyres, wing mirrors and windscreen are not included in the cover.
Car specification
Group C2 – 1.2-1.4 litre engine, 1 large suitcase*
The following cars are available as alternatives on request (supplements apply). Please call our travel specialists for details.
Group D2 – Hyundai i30/Seat Leon or similar, 1.4 litre engine, 2 large suitcases*
Group CA – Automatic Nissan Micra or similar, 1.2-1.4 litre engine, 1 large suitcase*
Group D3 – Seat Toledo (diesel) or similar, 1.4 - 2.0 litre engine, 3 large suitcases*
Group DA3 – Automatic Nissan Pulsar / Opel Astra Station or similar , 1.4 - 2.0 litre engine, 3 large suitcases*
Group L2 – Dacia Duster or similar, 1.2 litre engine, 3 large suitcases*
Group F1 - Citroen Grand C4 or similar, 7 seater, 1.4 - 2.0 litre engine, 2 large suitcases*
Group FA - Automatic Citroen Grand C4 Space Tourer or similar, 7 seater, 1.4 - 2.0 litre engine, 2 large suitcases*
* Suitcase sizes are based on a large suitcase being approximately 75cm x 41cm x 31cm, a medium suitcase of approximately 65cm x 46cm x 29cm and a small suitcase of 55cm x 40cm x 20cm.
Our choice of Greek properties is as diverse as the islands themselves, ranging from simple seaside charm to genuine luxury and style. Much of our portfolio is privately owned, and price alone is therefore not a universal guide. We contract all our accommodation in person, and each property has its individual appeal. To help you make the right choice based on your own priorities, we have devised a simple grading guide to be considered in conjunction with each individual property description, awarding up to a maximum of five stars for the below categories.
* For further clarification on Facilities and Amenities, please view the 'Details' tab for each property or speak to one of our experienced sales consultants.
A destination where tourism is not the local raison d’être, this is a place to relax unreservedly into a life by the sea. The landscape is rugged – mountains, gorges and rocky hillsides scattered with tiny villages and ancient ruins – but some of Crete’s finest beaches belong here too. Among them are spectacular Xerokambos and palm-fringed Vai, whilst Palekastro is one of Europe’s favourite windsurfing spots. And there are plenty of excellent waterfront tavernas where the passing of time is best marked by the waves rolling in nearby.
To the south of the region you'll find Makrygialos, an unpretentious one-time fishing village bordering a magnificent sandy beach by the warm Libyan Sea. It's a little more commercial here these days but the real draw is its extraordinary position close to some of Crete's most spectacular scenery and traditional villages. A visit to Pefki is a must, not least to dine at the pretty taverna where the ingredients are locally sourced and prepared in the traditional way to mouthwatering effect. With outstanding views across the southern coastline, there can be nowhere finer to enjoy lunch before indulging in a walk down the Pefki Gorge for a refreshing dip in the sea.
To base yourself in this idyllic destination, visit our collection of handpicked villas in and around Palekastro & Eastern Crete or take a look at our boutique Simpson Hotels.
View holiday Booking Information
