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Palazzo Greco Boutique Hotel, a delightful stay with gracious hospitality and incomparable sea views in a peaceful and elegant environment.

A beautiful boutique hotel with 28 stylish luxury rooms and suites recently renovated perched upon a slope at Agia Galini Village in south Crete.

Palazzo Greco Stylish Hotel is a beautiful boutique hotel with 28 stylish luxury rooms and suites recently renovated and a large outdoor pool perched upon a slope at Agia Galini, a small, labyrinthine seaside village built in the shape of an amphitheater that opens out into a pretty, picturesque harbor in the south of Crete.

The results are stunning.

Colorful, stylish, sophisticated rooms and suites with all essential amenities produce an elegant small boutique hotel overlooking the ever calm waters of this bay of South Crete.

A harmonious dialogue between an elegant country chic ambiance, the distinctive Mediterranean architecture, and the excellent services, makes Palazzo Greco Boutique Hotel a unique holiday experience in lovely Crete.

Agia Galini has some unique features. A small village growing up its hillside with harbor edged with cafes and tavernas smaller shops and a beach to the side of the harbour. It provides variety, entertainment, small shops, and boat trips. The natural beauty of the emerald beaches, the rugged caves in the west, the myth of Icarus and Daedalus, the memories of the hippies, and the tranquility of the sea, have made this village a favorite destination for thousands of visitors.

East of the Agia Galini port starts a long beach where the sea is almost always calm. The part of the beach near the port is very well organized and provides all the necessary amenities. It has fine pebbles and cold water, due to the river Platys or Amarianos which is located 200m east of the port. In the area near the river, ruins of an ancient temple of Artemis have been identified. If you cross the river (there is a metal bridge), you will find the second beach which extends further 1km to the east. The beach has small pebbles and is less organized as well.

You can visit Matala or Phaestos in 25 minutes or Rethymno in an hour, by car.

Numerous villages on the Amari to Zaros and Spili routes beckon with the temptation of traditional hospitality and the spectrum of local life.

Why We Like It

- It's just one of those views in the world you can soak up for a good while.

- The staff are really friendly and would help with anything you need. The beds are super comfortable!

- Delicious breakfast with a great variety of choices and incomparable sea views.

- Enjoy the boat trips to the nearby beaches and the Paximadia islands.

- A convenient base to visit Phaestos, Agia Triada, and Gortys three of the most important archeological sites in Crete.

Good To Know

- Agia Galini is another erstwhile picturesque fishing village that has lost much of its original charm due to the development of tourism ... but still, a lot to show and enjoy.

- We highly recommend renting a car (our sister website Crete-Car-Rental.com) in order to be able to explore unique south Crete!

The Rooms

28 colorful, stylish, sophisticated rooms and suites with all essential amenities produce an elegant small boutique hotel overlooking the ever calm waters of this bay of South Crete.

Each room is the epitome of comfort with chic, ethnic furnishings, and comfortable mattresses. Details such as crystal chandeliers, unique pieces of furniture, and carefully selected textiles to add a touch of luxury to this inspiring setting making it ideal for resting and unwinding.

All rooms and suites are equipped with power showers, air conditioning, and satellite TV.

Rooms are painted in light green, light blue and light red, so you can choose the one that best suits your mood.

- Standard Room Land View ( up to 2 adults & 1 child ): Well-appointed one-bedroom room with elegant decor and all essential amenities, features a double bed or twin beds, a bathroom, and a private balcony.

- Standard Room Sea View (up to 2 adults & 1 child ): Well-appointed one bedroom room features a king-size bed or two singles, bathroom with power-shower, and private balcony.

- Junior Suite Sea View (up to 4 people ): sea and pool views, appropriate for families with two children, Mediterranean décor, with one king-size bed and one or two sofas in a single (common) space, bathroom with power-shower, equipped kitchen, balcony or terrace.

- Two-Bedroom Suite Sea View (up to 7 people): Two separated bedrooms with a double bed, separate living room with sofa beds, fully equipped kitchen, and dining area for 4-6, Jacuzzi, and one bathroom with power-shower, private balcony and all the comforts of a home away from home.

- For more images of rooms and check prices here, please!

Eating

Enjoy your delicious breakfast on the hotel's terrace ... the sun is shining, sea views are spectacular.

The small cafe/bar offers small snacks and fresh drinks along all day.

In ten minutes you could visit the village of Agia Galini for a vast range of food and drink, much of it excellent and maybe not so expensive. The bulk of the tavernas are along the taverna street, which in the evening is choked with pedestrian traffic.

Kids

Children of all ages are welcome at Palazzo Greco Boutique Hotel

Two-bedroom Suites and Junior Suites are appropriate for families.

Baby cot is available on request (free of charge).

Activities

- Agia Galini before the advent of tourism was a port of the ancient settlement of Sybritos. Now it is a convenient base to visit Phaestos, Agia Triada, and Gortys around 25 km away. Then you could follow an impressive mountain route, which starts from Apessokari and gives you a taste of the Asterousia wilderness and the sandy beaches behind the mountains.

- Legend has it that, the name of Agia Galini was given by Empress Eudocia of Byzantium when her ship sailing to Africa faced a big storm close to the ancient city of Soulia. Asking for the help of the Virgin Mary, the Empress suggested that the crew approach the shore, and vowed she would build a church dedicated to the Virgin Mary if they could find shelter.

- History of Agia Galini village is built upon the ancient Minoan city of Soulia, one of the hundred cities of Crete described by Homer. It was a place of worship and there was also a temple dedicated to the goddess Artemis. The history of Soulia continued until the 7th century when it was destroyed by pirates. Remnants of this city and temple have been found, such as buildings, tombs, marbles, as well as two granite columns that adorn the church of the village till our days. The bay of Agia Galini has always been a suitable anchorage for ships. It was used in the revolutions of 1821 and 1866 for unloading munitions. Due to its proximity to the fertile and oil-producing regions of Ampadia and Melampes, the port was used for loading oil to ships. The settlement was founded in 1884, when commercial buildings, oil warehouses, and some residences were built. Over the years the commercial traffic and oil export increased significantly and therefore Customs was founded. After a few years (1890) there was a permanent settlement of about 20 people. Indeed the ship moored safely to the naturally sheltered beach of the village, and the Empress built the temple, as promised. The temple was dedicated to the so-called 'Holy Virgin of Serenity' after which the village was named.

- 10 things not to miss during your stay in Agia Galini:

- The view from the theatre to the village and the bay of Messara late in the evening when all buildings are lit up.
- The statues of Daedalus and Icarus on the rock from where they flew away, as legend has it.
- Drink local raki and taste “spoon sweet”, a preserve made of fruits.
- Sample local fish (tuna, swordfish, mullets, or the catch of the day) & traditional dishes (mousaka, pastitsio, kleftiko, meat with honey, and local herbs).
- Relax at a traditional “kafeneio” and enjoy a Greek coffee, raki, and meze.
- Take a fishing trip with one of the boats departing from the harbour.
- Swim at nearby beaches (Aghios Georgios, Agios Pavlos, Triopetra, Kommos).
- Visit the archaeological sites of Phaistos, Gortyna, and Agia Triada.
- Take part in one of the many local festivals organized every year.
- Enjoy the breathtaking sunrise.

- During summer there are daily boats from the harbor to the beaches of Agios Georgios, Ayios Pavlos, Agiofaraggo, and Preveli (Palm Beach) as well as the Paximadia Islands 12km offshore, which have wonderful fine sand beaches but little shade, making a sun umbrella a must.

- Don't miss the dolphin-watching excursions which are organized in the area, as dolphins are plentiful here. Ask for details at one of the tourist agencies or the harbor. The days and times change depending on the season.

- For the most romantic ones go down to the jetty to see the sunset and the cave of Agia Galini, just outside the harbor. You can visit the cave with its wild doves by a small boat from the harbour.

- According to mythology, the rock that was used by Icarus and Daedalus to escape from King Minos and fly to freedom is located in the port of Agia Galini. At this point, there is a monument with their statues and the view is excellent.

- Visit Zaros Village a particularly attractive, refreshingly unspoiled village famous for its spring water, which is now bottled and sold all over Crete.

- Discover another side of Crete, visit Kapetaniana Village, and enjoy Cretan delicacies at the tavern of Thalori Village.

- More uplifting activities in south Rethimno Crete

House Rules

- Check-in: 15.00 pm
- Check out: 11.00 am - 12.00 pm
- Minimum Stay: 2-3 nights, depending on the season

- Payment Policy: Please check here
- Cancellation Policy: Please check here

MHTE: 1041K012A0108800

How To Get There

Palazzo Greco Boutique Hotel is set at Agia Galini's fish village in southern of Heraklion prefecture in Crete.

- By Air
From May through mid-October there are direct charter flights to Chania (75km from the village) and, more frequently, to the capital Heraklion (89km). Tickets can be bought in advance for almost all flights via our partner website.

- By Sea
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. The new Athens airport makes this a slightly slower process because it is further from the port, but it's worth the extra time for a still-romantic way to travel. And then take the overnight ferry from Piraeus to Chania-Souda port (80km from the village)or Heraklion Port (85km). Tickets can be bought in advance for all ferries via our partner website.

- By Bus or Car
Buses to Agia Galini terminate at the bus station by the church, in the village proper.

We recommend that you rent a car, other means of transport are limited and/or infrequent. In addition, if you want to explore the region while you're here, you really need to hire a car. We recommend our sister website Crete-Car-Rental.com, which offers competitive prices.

- By Taxi
Book your taxi 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