Villa Magdalena

General Description

Villa Magdalena is a fabulous villa situated in a large private plot on the outskirts of the small villages of Agios Pavlos and Gavalochori. The villa is within easy walking distance of renowned tavernas and food shops in Gavalochori and only a short drive to the sandy beach resort of Almyrida. Surrounded by lovely countryside and with views of Crete’s magnificent White Mountains this wonderful location offers peace and tranquillity . It is an idyllic choice for those guests wanting privacy and the convenience of being able to walk to tavernas.

Villa Magdalena is an impressive looking property with a lovely pool (salt water with heating an optional extra for Apr, May and Oct - 2025) and, as it's larger than the average 3 bedroomed villa, all the rooms are spacious as well as being attractively furnished to a high standard.

The villa is air-conditioned and centrally heated throughout and also benefits from pool heating which makes it a good choice for early or late season holidays.

Click on the "media" tab to watch a short clip on You Tube featuring Villa Magdalena.

Ground Floor

The ground floor is one large open plan space with a fully equipped kitchen, dining area and extremely comfortable lounge. Two sets of double doors open up from the dining and lounge areas and extend on to a spacious covered terrace which is perfect for al fresco dining or simply enjoying the lovely views. Steps from the terrace take you directly onto one of the lawned areas in the garden and to the large stone BBQ. Another external door on the ground floor opens up to a second furnished terrace which in turn leads to the pool terrace and a separate lawned area at the rear of the villa . The fully equipped, U shaped, kitchen has windows overlooking the pool and any cook will find it easy to rustle up meals in this well planned space (see the features tab for a full list of amenities). For your entertainment there is a large flat screen TV with satellite reception (not SKY) and a DVD player.

Completing the ground floor accommodation is a shower room with shower, wc and wash basin.

First Floor

All of the three bedrooms are on the first floor along with two bathrooms, one of which is a luxurious ensuite with a ‘walk in’ shower and twin wash basins. Each bedroom has double doors leading on to a spacious, sunny balcony overlooking the pool and gardens. The master bedroom has a private balcony and the 2 twin rooms share another balcony. 

External Areas

The villa is surrounded by well tended, colourful gardens with several areas laid to lawn. To one side of the villa you'll find the large tiled salt water pool with a separated shallow section for children, the sunbathing terraces around the pool are wide with lots of space for sun loungers and parasols. The stone built BBQ is situated away from the pool and gardens to minimise accidents. At night, the whole area can be lit using the numerous external lights around the villa.

Internet Access

Unlimited download via fixed telephone line. Full instructions on connecting are in the Information Book inside the villa.

More Information

Use the different tabs to view the villa's features and amenities, actual location and distances to the nearest beach, shop and taverna. The prices tab contains details of the weekly rate together with discount information and additional charges where applicable. You can check "LIVE" up to date, availability using the availability tab which will also confirm the price for your selected dates ***. If you want to book you can then follow the online prompts. Also see https://www.crete-escapes.com/booking

*** In some cases relating to the low occupancy discount, the price may need adjusting by us. Please see the note on this page for more details https://www.crete-escapes.com/about-our-discounts

Holiday Rental Licence

Villa Magdalena is licensed for holiday rentals with the Greek Tourist Authorities (EOT). Licence number MHTE 1042K92003207301.

General

Chania airport­ - 40 mins drive. Heraklion airport  - 1 hr and 50 mins drive.

Nearest Beaches -­ Almyrida - 10 mins drive or Kalives - 13 min drive.

Nearest Taverna and Shop - Gavalochori - 2 mins drive / 5 mins walk.

NB; all times are approximate and based on average driving and walking speeds. Some walking and/or driving may be on unlit and unmade track roads. Please refer to the map tab to view satellite images of the area.

Booking Information

Change-over days are totally flexible but are subject to existing bookings taken either side. If a booking means that the owner would be left with too many "void" days we might not be able to accept it. If this is the case we will contact you without delay to discuss alternatives.

Payment can be made by bank transfer to our sterling account or by debit or credit card (Mastercard or Visa) only.

Our travel Information provides details of how to get to Crete including flights to both Chania and Heraklion airports.

If you want to book, please use the availability chart above to check your dates, you can then either book on-line, email enquiries@crete-escapes or call us on 0330 111 0061.

Please note: although the calendars show live availability and you can book on-line, please note that your booking is not confirmed until we have issued a confirmation of booking. You may prefer not to book your flights until we have confirmed the booking.

Low Occupancy Discounts- unfortunately the online booking system automatically calculates the single couple or small party discount based on the number of people entered onto the booking form and the start day of your rental. There are 2 problems with this:-

a) If you are 2 people but not a single couple, or 3 or 4 people but not 2 + 1 or 2 + 2, the system will have automatically calculated a discount when it is not due. Please make use of the "additional notes" box on the booking form to tell us and we will adjust the price accordingly before we confirm your booking.

b) If your rental overlaps from a discounted period to a non-discounted one (or vice versa), the discount calculated will be wrong. In these cases we have to make the adjustment manually. You can still book on-line but we will need to change the price on receipt of your booking request. If the price increases we will contact you to confirm the new price before we confirm your booking and take your deposit.

Please don't let either of these issues put you off making a booking. The discounts are genuine and our villa owners welcome couples and smaller parties out of high season. We just can't fine tune the booking system to account for these 2 circumstances - sorry.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxZp2gwVJUo

A really lovely family holiday - what a fantastic week it's been. The villa is perfect for relaxing by the pool and enjoying the peace and quiet. We made a lot of use of the extensive book supply in the cupboard in the living room. Most of our days have been spent relaxing by the pool but we have been down to Almyrida village and beach. If you enjoy lots of great food, we would recommend the Tsunami meze bar for a bite to eat on an evening. Hassan's snack bar is the perfect base for a beach day - they have a few sunbeds on the beach front so it feels as though you have your own stretch of private beach. Overall we had an amazing time. Thank you so much for letting us stay! We hope to be back soon - September 2024. 

Our first visit to this wonderful villa, and we very much hope it will not be our last. Just what we needed before a busy school year. Loved the quiet location, the large pool, thoughtful layout of the house, furniture outside and of course, the Cretan sunshine. Very sad to be leaving! This has to be the best equipped villa in Crete, with great cooking utensils for lunchtimes by the pool. Really enjoyed the tavernas in the village. Arrived with good intentions to go out every day but ended up feeling so comfortable and relaxed, we just stayed here. Great to meet Yvonne, who keeps the place immaculate and was so friendly. Thank you - August 2024. 

I would like to thank you for all your interest and support for our booking.  It was great to chat to you before booking about the villas and their accessibility and it was really impressive that you were so knowledgeable about each villa.  Your support and availability is exceptionally good. Villa Magdalena delivered completely on the description on the website - it was so well equipped and so comfortable. I have never stayed at a villa with such excellent and comprehensive kitchen equipment, in particular.  The beds were comfortable, the air conditioning was efficient, the pool was beautiful and the linen, towels etc were high quality. Yvonne was very helpful and it was a pleasure to meet her.  It also goes without saying that the location of the villa is perfect - the walk into the lovely Gavalochori was about 13 minutes and we spent lots of happy times in the cafe and Monica's taverna! Thank you for a great recommendation and the introduction to this lovely part of Crete and to a superb villa - June 2024.

Thank you - we have had a wonderful stay. The villa is really well kitted out and the surrounding garden and pool, fabulous. Gavalochori is a delight and the food and drink at all the village restaurants is really good - June 2024. 

We've had a wonderful time, wish we'd booked longer! - April 2024. 

What a peaceful and beautiful location. We have so enjoyed our time at Villa Magdalena - it's comfortable and homely with such a well-equipped kitchen. The best place to unwind and relax. Thank you so much for letting us stay here - September 2023.  

What a wonderful villa with little touches that really made a difference, like cushions on the sun loungers, big fluffy pool towels, comfortable beds and lovely views all around us.  The kitchen was well equipped and the whole place felt spacious and restful. Our favourite thing was the secluded pool surrounded by mature trees and garden.  We were looked after us so well and nothing was too much trouble.  We will return! - September 2023

What a peaceful and beautiful location. We have so enjoyed our time at Villa Magdalena - it's comfortable and homely with such a well equipped kitchen. The best place to unwind and relax. Thank you so much for letting us stay here - September 2023. 

Thank you so much for letting us stay in your beautiful villa. From the pool and late night swims to chats on the balcony at sunset it's been amazing. Hope to come again soon - August 2023.  

Had an incredible time as always. Many sun downers in Almyrida at Thalami and ice-cream at Mia Mistrali was amazing as always. Thank you so much, can't wait to come next year - August 2023. 

Thank you so much for allowing us to stay at your gorgeous villa. Beautiful area with so much to see and do. Made some amazing memories - what a week! - July 2023. 

Well, what can we say - fantastic villa, one of the best we have stayed in. Had a fabulous two weeks - June 2023. 

Our 4th visit to Magdalena, still as beautiful as we remember. We found two new tavernas, Parasia in Vamos and for a special meal out Almyvita in Almyrida, the food and service were excellent. Monica's taverna in the square was excellent as always, expecially music night. The villa is excellent as always too, views, sunbeds, comfort etc. We'll be back - August 2022. 

Fantastic! We have been coming here for years - love, love, love it - August 2022. 

Thank you for letting us stay in your lovely house. We've stayed in Apokoronas many times and this is the nicest house we've ever had. Superb pool and mountain views from the sunbeds and so nice to have good quality things like the towels and chair cushions. Also really helpful to have so many adapters around the house. Thanks again - July 2022.  

A wonderful villa, well maintained and equipped, stunning views with a great pool; probably the best villa we've stayed in - June 2022.  

Just wanted to drop you a quick line to thank you for another lovely holiday on Crete – we finally got there! Thanks for all your help with the (several) rearrangements too. The villa was lovely and I fear the secluded location may have spoiled us for all other villas now! - June 2022.

We are sorry but due to the Covid-19 crisis reviews for the 2020 season are unavailable.

The villa was cosy and well equipped and the pool was very clean and good for swimming in - July 2019.

We had a lovely holiday at Villa Magdalena and returned home thoroughly refreshed - May 2018.

Lovely villa in a charming location.  We very much enjoyed visiting the beach at Almyrida and snorkelling in the sea. Lots of best wishes - October 2017.

A delightful villa with wonderful views of the White Mountains. Long may it flourish - October 2017.

Second visit to Villa Magdalena. Thankyou we have had a wonderful week in the most perfect setting - so peaceful - September 2017.

A fabulous comfortable villa in a beautiful setting.  We loved the village and ate at all the tavernas which we thought were all good and very friendly. All in all a great holiday - September 2017. 

We had such an enjoyable stay at Villa Magdalena, the location is superb, so quiet and private. The villa itself is really beautiful, the pools and tiling are very pretty and a great size. Lovely comfortable pool loungers too. The layout of the villa is well thought out, and the balconies are totally charming allowing you to catch the sun and enjoy the spectacular views at all times of the day. I especially liked the rural feel of the location, very private, with just a short walk into the village if you want to do so. The kitchen was especially well equipped, it was lovely to arrive and find a kitchen with a few supplies in it. The welcome pack was greatly appreciated, along with plenty of dried herbs, spices and lots of condiments. We left a few of our own, for the next guests. Can’t wait to visit again, such a lovely holiday - August 2017. 

Another epic stay at Villa Magdalena. Mistrali at Kalives still our go to spot. Psaros in Almyrida a bit more upmarket and wonderful for the sunset - August 2017. 

Just wanted to say a huge thank you for the excellent service. The villa was everything we could have asked for. The pool and views were amazing and all five of us were sad to leave. Will recommend Crete Escapes and the villa to anyone who will listen - July 2017.

We have had an amazing time.  Thanks for the lone of your beautiful home.  Best night watching the sun go down from a restaurant in Almirida - July 2017.

Villa ideal for our family.  Gavalochori a wonderful place to stroll down to and around.  Will remember the view of the White Mountains from here - thank you - July 2017. 

Our third visit to this villa and as always a pleasure, just the same and lovely - June 2017.

Fabulous week! Planning to make a return - June 2017.

Great couple of weeks in this fabulous villa. Yvonne has been very efficient and helpful - June 2017. 

Wonderful villa and fantastic introduction to the sun for wee baby. Perfect for adult and kids - May 2017.

Once again absolutely brilliant! - May 2017.

Lovely relaxing week in the villa. Enjoyed using the pool, helped by gorgeous weather. We did several walks and would recommend the Imbros Gorge and also over the headland from Almyrida to Kalives. The villa was really comfortable for a relaxing week. Nothing we could fault - October 2016.

Blissful setting, perfect white villa, wonderful gardens and fabulous pool and oh so peaceful! It's been a lovely holiday - Sept 2016

An idyllic villa in the beautiful island of Crete. Everything we could want or need was here. Pool perfect, planting spectacular, air-con a life saver and a backdrop to die for. Almyrida beach has been a daily activity, we found the sea and vibe there hard to beat. Thank you for a chilled and top class holiday - August 2016.

Beautiful villa, exceeded all expectations. Well equipped. Favourite beach was at the far end of Kalives, also good for grocery shopping, butchers etc. After the property manager confirmed it was OK, we left our cars in the lane as we found the driveway too steep for our hire cars. A lovely relaxing family holiday - July 2016.

4th visit - just as good as ever. We love it here - July 2016.

Wow what a beautiful villa and a lovely location. A lovely relaxing 2 weeks. Restaurants in the village are all good as are the tavernas by the sea. The BBQ is a bonus - June 2016.

We're back again - nothing alters, as beautiful as ever. This is our 3rd visit and we hope it won't be the last - June 2016.

We once again returned to the Villa Magdalena and it just improves every time. The owner is extremely careful to ensure that anything that is getting worn or even slightly damaged is replaced. Everything in the villa is good quality including the pool side furniture which has been recently replaced. The team that the owner has gathered around him are second to none and are always just a telephone call away. The pool maintenance is absolutely first class and it is still the warmest and cleanest pool I have ever been in and big enough to really swim. Another great plus is that the owner, after much effort, has had a first class wi-fi system installed so no more having to go to a taverna or hot spot, my connection was excellent throughout the two weeks - August 2015.

Back for the 3rd time! Love it here! A very peaceful and wonderfully comfortable 2 weeks. Thanks so much - July 2015.

It has been the most relaxing week, surrounded by the sweet scented jasmine and colourful bougainvillea. The villa has everything we could have asked for: the welcome pack, plenty of towels, abundance of shower facilities and no fighting for sunbeds! We would recommend Arosmari taverna in the village for great food but the BBQ facilites at the villa made it all the more enjoyable - July 2015.

A beautiful, well kept, peaceful villa with total privacy and not too far from many good restaurants, supermarkets and shops. I cannot recommend it highly enough - July 2015.

This is the second time we have booked this villa despite vowing never to visit the same place twice. The villa is totally private and has the (in our opinion) the best swimming pool on Crete. The water temperature has always been brilliant, you can actually swim as it is a large pool. Maintenance of the pool and grounds is performed twice a week to a very high standard. The pool has a "safe" area for children outside of the main pool. The pool furniture is of a high quality which provides just that edge of comfort sadly lacking in many private pools. The well maintained gardens have privacy and the BBQ enables you to prepare both traditional Greek lamb or the burgers etc. There is ample parking for up to 4 cars if required within the secure property. The villa is equipped with excellent quality fittings and furnishings with everything you need for self catering and comfort. The beds are extremely comfortable and all bedrooms have air conditioning should you require this. The master bedroom is en-suite with further good size bathrooms with showers on the first and ground floors. All bedrooms have access to large balconies which have tables and chairs. For dining you have three choices of sitting area - either indoors or the choice of two outside areas which have comfortable furniture. Although the villa is located a short distance from the coast it only takes a few minutes by car to reach Almyrida, Kalives, Vamos or the city of Chania where there are supermarkets, chemists and numerous good quality restaurants.  Just the place for a fantastic break, and, we will return again - June 2015.

A lovely relaxing holiday. Just what we needed. The villa is like home from home - we will be back - Sept 2014.

Fabulous villa and pool. All beautifully looked after - thank you - Sept 2014.

Gorgeous villa. Lovely village and tavernas and pastries at the bakery are awesome! - August 2014.

Perfect villa. Perfect location. Perfect holiday - July 2014.

A lovely week of total relaxation which was just what I needed. Hope I get the chance to return - Sept 2013.

Beautiful villa with fantastic pool in a superb location with stunning views. Gavalochori has excellent eating places - Sept 2013.

A very comfortable villa with spectacular views and an amazing pool in a very tranquil location. Looking forward to returning here! - August 2013.

A beautiful villa. Our holiday was perfect, peaceful, relaxing - everything we had hoped for - July 2013.

After a long, cold winter, to arrive at this villa was total bliss........... the weather has been fantastic. The villa was fantastic - just what the doctor ordered! - April/May 2013.

A peaceful and relaxing holiday. Lovely villa - everything we needed - August 2012.

A blissful holiday. The villa was everything we could have wished for, so peaceful, so comfortable - perfect - August 2012.

Wonderful holiday - fabulous villa and loved the pool. All very well maintained - would love to return - July 2012.

Back again and found everything just as wonderful as last year. This is such a fantastic villa, so private and secluded, peaceful, well positioned and well equipped. We've had a brilliant fortnight and will definitely return in the near furture - June 2012.

Excellent villa, spacious and well kept. We've enjoyed our week - many thanks - Sept 2011.

Another wonderful holiday at Villa Magdalena. Peace and quiet seem to be recurring themes and we completely agree - August 2011.

The villa is fab and one of the best pools we have had - July 2011.

Beautiful villa in a stunning location in a friendly village all contributed to an enjoyable 2 weeks. We were blessed with gorgeous weather and had some lovely meals out in the village and nearby Almyrida - July 2011.

Villa excellent in a tranquil setting. The taverna in the village is worth a visit - May 2011.

We had a blissful week of peace and quiet here - loved it! Thank you so much - Sept 2010.

The villa surpassed all our requirements, couldn't fault it in any way. We had a great holiday and will return - August 2010.

Absolutely marvellous time! - July 2010.

A little peace of paradise - please can we stay for longer? - July 2010.

A Cretan idyll! The most perfect setting for a wonderfully relaxing week - June 2010.

The villa is everything we anticipated - beautiful and typically Greek - August 2009.

Fabulous setting, wonderful villa. We didn't want for anything - August 2009.

A beautiful villa; one of the best we have been in for comfort and everything we needed. Good food in the village tavernas. Don't want to go home - June 2009.

Beautiful villa. Superb pool. Furniture and fittings were very comfortable. Kitchen was great and the villa was all we hoped it would be - July 2008.