The Houses
The 3 houses-cottages and 2 apartments vary in size and layout, but surely all of them have great style. All properties have a well-equipped kitchen, gratifyingly efficient bathrooms (some ensuite, others adjoining; some with tub, others with shower). You could have a look at Video of White Houses for a further aspect.
- The White House
The White House offers superior accommodation for up to seven people with two gorgeous double bedrooms both overlooking the beach and each with its own bathroom. A magnificent living room that includes two sofas that may be used as single beds, plus an adjoining bathroom. There is an enclosed terrace upstairs and a secluded sun deck on the roof. Your fully equipped kitchen includes a complete with fridge-freezer, cooker, microwave cooker, dishwasher, kettle, and coffee percolator. A well-stocked larder is all ready for your arrival. This includes bread, butter, cheese, milk, yogurt, jam, biscuits, tea, coffee, sugar, fruit, soft drinks, a bottle of wine, and matches. All bed linen, towels, and soap, plus extra towels to take to the beach are provided. Washing/drying machine and iron as well.
This interesting building was once a derelict ruin until it was acquired by the present owner who then spared no expense in transforming it into the wonderfully comfortable and very special holiday home that it is today. This is a spectacular house of classic Greek Island architecture on two floors, furnished with a wonderful combination of Norwegian design flair and traditional Cretan ambiance. The house is in a truly unique position and with its commanding view over the old harbor allows guests to enjoy watching the comings and goings of the local fishing boats from their own private terrace. Carefully chosen antiques, oriental fabrics and tasteful objets d'art have also been thoughtfully placed to further emphasize the highly individual character of this unique property.
- The Double House
The Double House is the largest of our properties and offers superior accommodation for up to nine people. There is one large master bedroom with a double bed and its own shower room and stairs to a roof terrace. One smaller bedroom with double bed and three single bedrooms with two additional shower rooms. A beautifully furnished living room on the first floor. In your house, you will find an unusual small private chapel or relaxation area. Roof terrace with views over the harbor. Your magnificent and fully equipped open plan kitchen includes a large fridge-freezer, cooker, microwave cooker, dishwasher, kettle, and coffee percolator. A well-stocked larder is all ready for your arrival. This includes bread, butter, cheese, milk, yogurt, jam, biscuits, tea, coffee, sugar, fruit, soft drinks, a bottle of wine, and matches. All bed linen, towels, and soap, plus extra towels to take to the beach are provided. Washing/drying machine and iron as well.
This property was once three small, derelict, cottages until they were acquired by the present owner who then spared no expense in transforming them into just one wonderfully comfortable, spacious, and very special holiday home. This is a most spectacular house with a splendid harbourside location and a whole host of unusual and interesting features. In common with all of the other properties you will find that this house skilfully combines a traditional Greek ambiance with modern luxuries such as marble shower rooms, a sensational open plan kitchen, and, of course, air conditioning throughout.
- The Winter House
The Winter House offers superior accommodation for up to six people. As the Winter House is smaller than the White and Double houses you might prefer its cozy ambiance if your party comprises just one to six people, or if you're coming to Makrigialos for a low season break.
This property is a fairly new building carefully constructed behind a much older façade and arranged on two floors. Each of the properties has its unique character and the Winter House is no exception with its Scandinavian minimalistic interior design style. On the ground floor, there is a large kitchen with a dining area and a separate living room. The ground floor also includes the master bedroom, with a double bed, and an adjoining bathroom. Upstairs you'll find a double bedroom, a single bedroom, and a separate bathroom. This property also features a terrace with a splendid view overlooking the old harbor, a perfect place for a relaxing drink in the evening. A fully equipped kitchen, complete with a large fridge-freezer, cooker, microwave cooker, dishwasher, kettle, and coffee percolator. A well-stocked larder is all ready for your arrival. This includes bread, butter, cheese, milk, yogurt, jam, biscuits, tea, coffee, sugar, fruit, soft drinks, a bottle of wine, and matches. All bed linen, towels, and soap, plus extra towels to take to the beach are provided. You will find a washing/drying machine and iron too.
The apartments would suit a couple, each occupying one floor of a newer building. They are clean, white, and refreshingly minimal, but lack the exotic touches and decorative flair of the cottages. The Balcony Apt has a balcony overlooking the harbor and the Harbour Apt has no outside areas but, unlike the others, there are no stairs to negotiate.
- The Balcony Apartment
The Balcony Apartment offers comfortable accommodation for two people. This apartment owes its name to its balcony with splendid views right across Makrigialos bay. The apartment is situated on the first floor of a 1970's building that was extensively renovated in 1997. It is tastefully furnished and features a fascinating gazebo dining area reached from the kitchen/living room. There is one bedroom with a double bed and an adjoining bathroom. Your fully equipped kitchen comes with complete with a large fridge-freezer, cooker, microwave cooker, dishwasher, kettle, and coffee percolator. A well-stocked larder is all ready for your arrival. This includes bread, butter, cheese, milk, yogurt, jam, biscuits, tea, coffee, sugar, fruit, soft drinks, a bottle of wine, and matches. All bed linen, towels, and soap, plus extra towels to take to the beach are provided. This apartment may also be booked in conjunction with the Harbour Apartment immediately below to create one larger family unit if required. In common with all of our properties, you'll find that the Balcony Apartment is fully equipped with all the modern luxuries required for a superb and memorable holiday.
- The Harbour Apartment
The Harbour Apartment offers comfortable accommodation for up to three people. The Harbour Apartment was once a taverna and is on the ground floor of a 1970's building that was extensively renovated and converted to an apartment in 2002. Being entirely on the ground floor makes it very convenient for anyone who prefers not to use stairs. At night the settee in the living room can be converted into a bed suitable for a third adult or an older child. A cot is also available on request. There is a fully equipped kitchen, complete with a large fridge-freezer, cooker, microwave cooker, dishwasher, kettle, and coffee percolator. A well-stocked larder is all ready for your arrival. This includes bread, butter, cheese, milk, yogurt, jam, biscuits, tea, coffee, sugar, fruit, soft drinks, a bottle of wine, and matches. All bed linen, towels, and soap, plus extra towels to take to the beach are provided. Washing/drying machine and iron too.
This apartment may also be booked in conjunction with the Balcony Apartment immediately above in order to create one larger family unit if required. In common with all of our properties, you'll find that this apartment skilfully combines a traditional Greek ambiance with all the modern luxuries needed for a superb and memorable holiday. Just step out of your front door and you'll be right by the side of Makrigialos's old harbor.
Eating
Houses and Apartments have a well-equipped kitchen (fridge-freezer, kettle, coffee machine, toaster), with a dining area for the appropriate number of guests.
Makrigiallos Village has plenty of Tavernas, and is just a 1-minute stroll away, with a string of old-fashioned tavernas serving fresh-grilled fish, home-baked vegetarian dishes, and the always best choice for Summer Greek salad, all accompanied by a good wine or maybe a retsina.
Other good options, Olympio café serves good snacks and pizzas, or there’s an Italian restaurant in neighboring Analipsi. For a bizarre dinner experience, drive to Kalo Nero (20 minutes east) to dine at the foot of an illuminated grotto, the ‘Dragon’s Cave’; or head west to Kalliotzina taverna in Koutsouras village for yummy, unpretentious home cooking from 2 sisters, overseen by a silent granny.
Kids
Families are welcome at The White Houses of Crete in the lovely village of Makriyialos.
The houses are appropriate for families.
Whatever the size of your family, there's something at The White Houses to suit you. Apartments can sleep 2 adults and a child, and the cottages can fit up to 9 people. Do note that none of the bathrooms have a tub.
Baby cot is available on request.
The beach of Makrigialos has a very gentle incline that makes it particularly suitable for children.
Activities
- The White Houses of Crete is an ideal base for a relaxing vacation by the sea in a pleasantly uncrowded beach town. Good swimming, water sports, and boat trips to Koufonisi. Explore other fairly quiet beaches nearby like Mavros Kolimbos and Koutsouras or the interesting villages of Pefki and Agios Stefanos in the mountains above. Visit Ierapetra and take a boat trip to Chrissi island (Gaidouronisi), with the white sands and cedar trees.
- Hikers can explore marked, pine-shaded tracks through the Pefki valley, a few miles east of Makriyialos; climb the rocky 1500-meter summit of Afendis Estravromenos; or trek through the breathtaking Thripti gorge that gashes through its flanks (start from Orino, 30 mins drive away).
- Small excursions should include the Kapsa Monastery above the gorge of Perivolakia (about 10 km east of Makrygialos) and the remains of the medieval village of Vóila. You can also make longer trips to the famous palm beach of Vaï (but don’t go in July or August when it gets sadly crowded), the excavations of the Minoan palace at Kato Zakros, and the so-called Gorge of the Death, the lively seaside town of Agios Nicolaos on the northern coast, the Lasithi plateau famous for its 7,000 (or so) windmills, or, closer to ‘home’, the island of Koufonisi, to see the remains of the ancient Roman theatre and to go for a swim from the wonderful sandy beaches.
- There are numerous fine beaches in the Makriyialos region. Whilst the most popular during the summer is the Makri Gialos main beach, which offers all facilities including water sports. You can also reach several other beaches within a short walking distance.
- To the east of Makri Gialos, there are two beaches below the Sunwing Hotel, reached by walking down the right-hand side of the hotel past the bungalows belonging to Sunwing. Further east takes you to Diaskari beach, which has wooden pergolas shading sunbeds and hammock sand is home to a small traditional taverna.
- Further still, by taking the road to Kalo Nero, you will reach Amathi beach and several other small coves and beaches which are often deserted although there are no facilities on the beaches.
- To the west of Makrigialos the first beach is Kalamokania, further on there are beaches along the coast Koutsouras and Mavros Kolimbos and very attractive horseshoe-shaped bays at Agia Galini and Agia Fotia.
- There are many fine villages in the Region of Makri Gialos, all with their own particular merits. It is well worth hiring a car to visit these villages, sample some of the local atmosphere, hospitality, and culture, visit their splendid and historic churches, and enjoy spectacular views as most are mountain villages. Aori, Agios Stephanos, Azali, Bembonas, Chrysopigi, Lapithos, Lithines, Orino, Pefki, Pervolakia, Schinokapsala, Stavrohori.
- More uplifting activities in Lasithi area!
House Rules
- Check-in: 14.00 - 18.00 pm
- Check out: 10.00 - 12.00 pm
- Minimum Stay: 2-3 nights, depending on the season
- Payment Policy:
Credit card details (Visa or Mastercard) are required to charge the deposit amount to confirm the reservation.
No additional charges will be made to the credit card unless cancellation charges have to be applied.
The balance will be charged one month before your arrival date. Credit Cards (Mastercard, Visa, and American Express) are accepted at The White Houses Of Crete.
- Cancellation Policy:
Up to 42 days before arrival deposit will be kept.
41 - 28 days before arrival 65% of the total price
will be charged.
27 - 1 day before arrival 90% of the total price
will be charged.
Not arriving at the hotel for your booking: the full balance will be charged (at the hotel's discretion).
Departure before booked departure date: at the hotel's discretion, the full balance may be charged by the hotel.
MHTE: 1335-12-1646
How To Get There
The small and hospitable The White Houses Of Crete is located at Makriyialos Village with views to the sea, 25 km from Ierapetra Town.
- By Air
From May through mid-October there are direct charter flights to Sitia (35 km from the village) and, more frequently, to the capital Heraklion (120 km). Tickets can be bought in advance for almost all flights via our partner website.
- By Sea
"The journey is the thing". A superb way of enjoying the journey to Crete is to fly to Athens and take the ferry from Piraeus (Pireas) - the port serving Athens. A still-romantic way to travel by the overnight ferry from Piraeus to Heraklion Port (101km). Tickets can be bought in advance for all ferries via our partner website.
- By Car
If you want to explore the region while you're here, we recommend that you rent a car, other means of transport are limited and/or infrequent. We suggest our sister website Crete-Car-Rental.com, which offers competitive prices and you can collect your car at either airport. We recommend that you rent a car, other means of transport are limited and/or infrequent.
- By Taxi
Book your transfer online easily and safely from the airport or port to any location via our partner website.
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through CreteTravel.com
Facilities
- Dining: All properties have a well-equipped kitchen with a fridge-freezer, kettle, coffee machine, and toaster, plus all excluding the Harbour Apartment have a dishwasher. You get a welcome hamper on arrival and there are numerous eateries a short walk away. No breakfast available. But Makrigiallos Village has plenty of Tavernas and is just a 1-minute stroll away
- Internet Access: Free Wi-Fi Internet
- Housekeeping: 3 times per week
- Swimming Pool: Not available
- Communal areas: Not available
- Meetings/Functions: Not suitable
- Disabled Access: Not suitable
- Pets: Not accepted
- Languages Spoken: Greek, English, German, Norwegian
- Parking: Only 30 m away