Live Like Royalty: The Most Stunning Villas on Crete to Rent This Summer

Post originally Published January 28, 2024 || Last Updated January 28, 2024

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Live Like Royalty: The Most Stunning Villas on Crete to Rent This Summer - The Height of Luxury at Villa Zeus Overlooking Elounda


Live Like Royalty: The Most Stunning Villas on Crete to Rent This Summer

Perched atop a hill overlooking the breathtaking Elounda Bay, Villa Zeus offers guests the height of luxury in one of Crete's most desirable locations. This stunning six-bedroom villa epitomizes refined elegance, featuring a harmonious blend of traditional architecture and modern amenities across over 5,000 square feet of living space.

Upon entering the villa, you're greeted by soaring domed ceilings, marble floors, and impressive atriums that fill the home with natural light. The open floor plan seamlessly connects indoor and outdoor spaces, with multiple terraces and lounging areas offering panoramic views of the sparkling Aegean Sea. The infinity pool beckons you to take a refreshing dip or simply relax on a sun lounger surveying the stunning scenery.
Inside, no expense has been spared to create an atmosphere of lavish comfort. The villa’s interior design perfectly balances historical charm with contemporary style. Handcrafted furnishings are complemented by modern conveniences like an integrated Sonos sound system and tablet-based smart home controls.

The villa’s six bedrooms, including two majestic master suites, offer hotel-worthy accommodations. Premium linen, plush mattresses, and spa-inspired bathrooms ensure restful nights. One master even has its own private terrace and outdoor Jacuzzi tub.

A stay at Villa Zeus is an indulgent escape defined by luxurious details. Begin your days with an exquisite breakfast prepared by your private chef. Savor gourmet dinners and sunset cocktails on your expansive veranda. Enjoy relaxing massages in the comfort of your villa. The dedicated concierge service handles every detail, allowing you to fully immerse in vacation bliss.

What else is in this post?

  1. Live Like Royalty: The Most Stunning Villas on Crete to Rent This Summer - The Height of Luxury at Villa Zeus Overlooking Elounda
  2. Live Like Royalty: The Most Stunning Villas on Crete to Rent This Summer - Escape to Blue Paradise Villa's Stunning Sea Views
  3. Live Like Royalty: The Most Stunning Villas on Crete to Rent This Summer - Stay in a Minoan Palace at Villa Minos
  4. Live Like Royalty: The Most Stunning Villas on Crete to Rent This Summer - Sleep Like Royalty at Villa Malia's Sprawling Estate
  5. Live Like Royalty: The Most Stunning Villas on Crete to Rent This Summer - Savor Sunset Dinners at Villa view's Clifftop Perch
  6. Live Like Royalty: The Most Stunning Villas on Crete to Rent This Summer - Relax in a Private Oasis at Villa Nafsika
  7. Live Like Royalty: The Most Stunning Villas on Crete to Rent This Summer - Experience Unspoiled Nature at Eco Villa Delfina
  8. Live Like Royalty: The Most Stunning Villas on Crete to Rent This Summer - Tradition Meets Modern Comforts at Villa 1881

Live Like Royalty: The Most Stunning Villas on Crete to Rent This Summer - Escape to Blue Paradise Villa's Stunning Sea Views


Nestled on a clifftop overlooking the brilliant blue Aegean Sea, Blue Paradise Villa transports you to a world of tranquil luxury and uninterrupted natural beauty. This exclusive four-bedroom villa is situated just above the charming fishing village of Panormos, providing easy access to quaint tavernas and shops while maintaining total privacy.

Step inside Blue Paradise Villa and you’re immediately greeted by awe-inspiring sea views through floor-to-ceiling windows. The living spaces feature an open-concept design that seamlessly brings the outside in. Terraces run along both levels of the villa, allowing you to fully immerse in the serene seaside setting from every angle. Lounging on the sunny terrace with a glass of local wine in hand, you can almost reach out and touch the shimmering waves below.

While the villa’s sublime setting is its main draw, the interior lacks no luxury or comfort. The living room exudes casual elegance with its whitewashed walls, beamed wood ceilings, plush sofas and antique furnishings. Each of the four bedrooms has its own distinctive character, from the airy, nautical-themed master to the cozy and romantic garden view room.

The villa’s pièce de résistance is its spectacular infinity pool that appears to spill out into the sea. As you take a refreshing dip, you’ll feel a sense of harmony from being enveloped by the soothing blues of sky and sea. The poolside terrace is an idyllic spot for sunset dinners, where you can savor fresh seafood while watching the fading light dance across the water.

Live Like Royalty: The Most Stunning Villas on Crete to Rent This Summer - Stay in a Minoan Palace at Villa Minos


Step into the pages of history at the majestic Villa Minos. This extraordinary villa resides on a sprawling 17-acre estate that was once home to an ancient Minoan palace. Today, meticulous restoration and modern luxuries allow guests to experience the elegance of a past era while enjoying every contemporary comfort.

As you walk through the villa’s grand arched entrance and see the wide stone hallways, soaring domed ceilings, and hand-painted friezes, you’ll feel transported back in time. Intricate details like exposed stone walls, mosaic tile floors, iron lanterns and antique furnishings create an authentic Minoan aesthetic. Yet open, airy living spaces, floor-to-ceiling windows and light terrazzo floors add a refined modern touch.

Villa Minos’ setting on a gently sloping seaside hillside looking out to Spinalonga Island is quintessentially Cretan. From the upper verandas, you’ll feel like royalty surveying your palace grounds sweeping down to the sea. The villa has numerous indoor and outdoor living areas to lounge and dine while admiring panoramic coastal views.

While honoring its rich history, Villa Minos offers every indulgence for modern relaxation. Lounge by the villa’s shimmering infinity pool or unwind in the spa with its sauna, massage room and indoor heated pool. Large gatherings can spill out onto the villa’s expansive outdoor patios and dine al fresco under vines trailing down from a central pergola.

Each of Villa Minos’ five palatial bedrooms has distinct old-world charm accentuated by Cretan textiles, antique furnishings and stone-trimmed windows. For the true royal treatment, stay in the magnificent master suite located in its own guest house. This peaceful private oasis has a spacious living area, romantic bedroom, and spa-like marble bathroom.
A meal at Villa Minos is a culinary journey fusing classic recipes and fresh local flavors. Your private chef will prepare refined takes on Greek cuisine using produce from the villa’s abundant gardens. Dine on garden-fresh salads drizzled with fruity olive oil, tender lamb chops with lemon and oregano, and flaky phyllo parcels filled with feta and herbs. Complete meals with a bottle from the villa’s exceptional wine cellar.

Live Like Royalty: The Most Stunning Villas on Crete to Rent This Summer - Sleep Like Royalty at Villa Malia's Sprawling Estate


If you really want to experience the pinnacle of luxury on your vacation in Crete, a stay at Villa Malia is truly fit for royalty. This palatial waterfront villa sits on a sprawling nine acre estate surrounded by immaculately manicured gardens, olive groves and citrus orchards. Its hilltop setting overlooking the brilliant blue Aegean Sea makes you feel like you're the king surveying your kingdom.

Stepping inside the villa's grand arched entranceway makes your jaw drop - soaring domed ceilings tower above while intricate tile work and iron lanterns cast a warm glow over the expansive interior. The villa seamlessly combines old world charm with modern comforts. Vaulted stone ceilings, iron chandeliers and hand-carved furnishings echo the villa's Venetian past, while airy living spaces, crisp white walls and lavish textiles lend a contemporary vibe.
Villa Malia's pièce de résistance is its breathtaking outdoor space that seems to go on forever. From its hilltop perch, the villa has 180 degree views over olive groves and the brilliant Aegean Sea. Multiple sunny terraces surround the villa, so you can follow the sun from morning to evening. The villa’s shimmering infinity pool appears to spill out into the sea and is the ultimate spot for sunset cocktails.

With seven palatial bedrooms, Villa Malia has plenty of room for families or large groups to spread out in luxurious style. Decorated in calming creams and blues, the bedrooms feel like a seaside escape with four-poster beds, romantic drapes and decadent marble bathrooms. The magnificant master suite spans the entire top floor and has its own private terrace overlooking the sea - it's like having your own penthouse retreat.

Villa Malia has numerous indoor and outdoor spaces so large groups can enjoy time together or privacy when needed. Pick fresh oranges from the garden for morning juice. Savor long lunches by the pool or intimate dinners on the sea view patio. Let the kids enjoy the playroom while the adults unwind in the spa relaxation room.
With a dedicated villa manager and private chef, Villa Malia handles every detail and caters to your every whim. Start your day with eggs from the estate's chickens and yoga on the sunset terrace. Take a short stroll down to the sea for afternoon swims. Your chef can prepare farm-to-table feasts sourcing produce straight from the villa's abundant vegetable garden and nearby farms. A staff of housekeepers keeps the palatial villa spotless and well-maintained.

Live Like Royalty: The Most Stunning Villas on Crete to Rent This Summer - Savor Sunset Dinners at Villa view's Clifftop Perch


Perched on a clifftop overlooking the sweeping coastline, Villa View provides front-row seats to Crete's magical sunsets. As the pink and orange hues spread across the sky each evening, Villa View becomes the ultimate hideaway for indulging in a sunset dinner. The villa's panoramic sea view terraces and alfresco dining spaces allow you to fully immerse in the tranquil ambiance.
Villa View's multiple outdoor lounging and dining areas let you chase the sunset around the clifftop perch from afternoon through evening. As the sun begins its descent, head up to the villa's rooftop terrace with unobstructed ocean views. Relax with aperitifs served up here as you watch the sun dip towards the horizon. The scene becomes a painter's palette of soft pinks, oranges and purples reflecting off the sea's glassy surface.

For the main event, make your way to the villa's expansive sea view patio set just atop the cliffs. A large dining table is perfectly positioned to soak up the sweeping views. Your private chef prepares a mouthwatering multi-course meal fusing Greek cuisine with fresh regional flavors. Savor flaky spanakopita packed with leafy greens from the villa's garden. Salivate over tender lamb chops marinated in lemon, olive oil and oregano from the villa's small orchard. Indulge in melt-in-your-mouth loukoumades, fluffy Greek donuts drizzled with silky honey and cinnamon.
Complementing the fresh flavors, the villa's cellar holds an exceptional collection of Greek wines. Sip on crisp white Assyrtiko or fruit-forward Agiorgitiko red to pair with your sunset feast. As darkness slowly envelops the clifftop, flickering candles and strings of Edison bulbs illuminate the terrace for an intimate ambiance.
Beyond the food and views, what makes dining at Villa View so special is the vibe it inspires. The clifftop perch cultivates a sense of peace and contentment. Conversations flow leisurely and easily as you relish the mouthwatering meal. Time seems to stand still, allowing you to be fully present. The mesmerizing sunset casts a warm glow on the terrace. As the last sliver of sun finally disappears into the sea, you're filled with gratitude for yet another magical end to a perfect day in paradise.

Live Like Royalty: The Most Stunning Villas on Crete to Rent This Summer - Relax in a Private Oasis at Villa Nafsika


Tucked away in a secluded corner of Chania, Villa Nafsika provides a peaceful escape into your own private paradise. While only a 10-minute drive from Chania's Old Town, the villa's hillside setting amidst flowering gardens and olive groves makes you feel worlds away. Here, you can immerse yourself in tranquility and natural beauty for the ultimate island getaway.

Stepping through the entry gate, you're greeted by vibrant bougainvillea and sweet-smelling jasmine. A gravel pathway lined with terracotta pots overflowing with herbs and flowers leads up to the villa's traditional stone exterior. Inside, sunshine washes over rustic wood beams, whitewashed walls and colorful textiles. At the heart of the villa is an airy open-plan living space opening out to the private pool and patio.
French doors reveal the pièce de résistance - a stunning mosaic-tiled pool ensconced within the villa's walled gardens. Bordered by verdant cypresses, this private oasis beckons you to leave the world behind. Lounge on cushioned sun beds shaded beneath vines. Take a refreshing dip then relax poolside lost in a book. As evening approaches, flickering candles transform the space into a romantic hideaway under the stars.
While the pool area provides seclusion, another highlight is Villa Nafsika's panoramic rooftop terrace. Climbing the winding stone staircase up top, you're rewarded with spellbinding 360° views over Chania and the sea. From this breezy vantage point, scan the coastline to spot historic lighthouses and quaint fishing villages tucked into coves. Watch the sunset spread fiery hues over the tranquil scene as church bells chime in the distance.

The villa's five suites continue the theme of understated luxury accented by natural elements. Whitewashed walls, wood-beamed ceilings, and linen drapes evoke traditional Cretan style. The suites open onto a shared veranda overlooking the pool, perfect for private sunbathing or relaxing with a morning coffee. The master suite pampers with a cushy four-poster bed, deep-soaking tub, and private terrace nestled amidst fragrant garden plantings.

Live Like Royalty: The Most Stunning Villas on Crete to Rent This Summer - Experience Unspoiled Nature at Eco Villa Delfina


Tucked into the wild natural beauty of southwest Crete, Eco Villa Delfina allows you to immerse yourself in unspoiled island nature. The villa is located in an untouched corner of Crete far from crowded resort towns, allowing you to disconnect from the world. With hiking trails right from your doorstep and breathtaking sea views, Delfina brings you close to Crete’s raw, natural splendor.

Delfina was designed to exist in harmony with the surrounding environment. The villa utilizes passive solar design and renewable energy systems to reduce its ecological footprint. Water conservation and recycling systems let you indulge in guilt-free luxury. Delfina’s remote hillside location ensures glorious seclusion, yet it’s only a 15-minute drive to beaches, villages and amenities.

You’ll feel a sense of peace from being enveloped by Delfina’s tranquil setting. The villa is surrounded by protected olive groves and herb gardens rather than manicured lawns requiring chemicals and irrigation. Flowering native plants like vibrant bougainvillea and delicate cyclamen add pops of color. Each morning, you’ll wake up to a chorus of birdsong from resident feathered friends.

Delfina’s pièce de résistance is its clifftop infinity pool seeming to spill out into the sea. As you float weightlessly in the crisp, clean water, expansive ocean views unfold before you. Scan the coastline to spot quaint fishing villages nestled into hidden coves only accessible by boat. Late afternoon, the pool becomes the ultimate perch to watch the sunset spread fiery hues across the sky and sea.

The villa’s hillside location provides front-row seats to remote beaches and secluded coves ripe for exploration. Follow scenic hiking trails through protected ecosystems down to pebbly shores. Wade into cobalt waters for snorkeling amongst vibrant corals, sea turtles and schools of flickering fish. Paddle a kayak into secret caves accessible only by sea. Let the soothing sound of waves lapping the shore still your mind.
Back at the villa, you can continue to soak up the natural scenery from Delfina’s breezy verandas. Savor garden-fresh meals made with ingredients sourced from local farms committed to organic practices. Dine al fresco and stargaze once darkness envelops the clifftop hideaway. Slip into your private garden tub to soak beneath the moon and stars.

Live Like Royalty: The Most Stunning Villas on Crete to Rent This Summer - Tradition Meets Modern Comforts at Villa 1881


Nestled amid ancient olive groves outside the village of Dafnes, Villa 1881 transports you back in time while pampering with modern luxuries. Stepping into this historic villa, you’ll feel whisked away to another era as the soaring stone arches, hand-carved woodwork, and authentic textiles echo Crete’s rich past. Yet the villa seamlessly fuses its 19th-century character with contemporary comforts to create an indulgent escape.

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