Villa Maestoso - Private olive grove - Pool

Summary:

Nestled in the hills above the traditional village of Mirsini in eastern Crete, this lovingly restored stone house offers a peaceful escape surrounded by an old olive grove and sweeping views across the beautiful Mirabello Bay. Facing west, the villa enjoys spectacular sunsets as the sun dips into the sea. Fully off-grid and powered by its own solar PV system, Villa Maestoso combines the charm and tranquility of traditional Crete with an independent, eco-conscious way of living.



The Space:

Originally an old Cretan stone house, the property has been expertly renovated to combine authentic character with modern comfort. The home now offers three bedrooms and generous indoor and outdoor living spaces designed for relaxed, slow-paced holidays.



The outdoor areas are one of the highlights of the property. The private swimming pool is surrounded by a sun lounge area where you can relax and take in the views. Next to the pool you will find a dedicated bar area and WC, perfect for spending long summer days outdoors without needing to return inside. A traditional stone BBQ with coals provides the ideal setting for outdoor cooking and relaxed dinners under the Cretan sky.



The garden extends across several levels, including a unique sitting area created from a beautifully restored traditional threshing floor on a lower level of the grounds — a quiet and atmospheric spot to unwind. At the front of the house, a covered terrace with a large wooden dining table overlooks the sea, offering the perfect place for breakfast, long lunches, or sunset dinners.



The interior of the house is divided between two levels.



The main lower floor features:



A fully equipped kitchen



A bathroom with shower, thoughtfully created from the old kitchen hearth of the original house, preserving a unique element of the building’s history



A master bedroom with a queen bed



A second bedroom with a double bed



The upper floor, accessed via an external stone staircase, contains a third bedroom with its own small private bathroom — an ideal space for added privacy.



Surrounded by nature, olive trees, and the sounds of the countryside, the house offers tranquility while still being within easy reach of local villages and the coast. It is an ideal retreat for guests seeking quiet, calm holidays with authentic Cretan charm, beautiful landscapes, and unforgettable sunsets over Mirabello Bay.



Villa Maestoso is a fully off-grid, energy-independent home powered by its own solar photovoltaic (PV) system. Designed to live in harmony with its natural surroundings, the house generates its own electricity from the Cretan sun, allowing guests to enjoy a comfortable stay with a much smaller environmental footprint. The property has been carefully set up to make the most of the available solar energy, with the system designed to support the normal needs of the house throughout the day and evening. As with any off-grid solar-powered home, we kindly ask guests to use energy thoughtfully, particularly during periods of limited sunshine. In return, you get to experience a truly independent Cretan home surrounded by olive trees, fresh air and spectacular views, while enjoying the satisfaction of staying somewhere that is powered by the sun.



The village is a small and peaceful destination that offers an authentic Greek countryside atmosphere, ideal for relaxation and a quiet getaway away from the noise of the city. In the village you will find a very good traditional taverna where you can enjoy local cuisine, as well as a mini market for basic groceries and everyday needs.



Just 2 minutes away by car is the nearby village of Tourloti, which offers additional amenities including a pharmacy, bakery, restaurant, and mini market. The combination of the village’s tranquility and the convenient nearby services makes the area a perfect base for a comfortable and relaxing stay.



Guest Access:

The property offers privacy and seclusion. You will have the full property for your use throughout your stay.



The Neighborhood:

Just 2 minutes away by car is the nearby village of Tourloti, which offers additional amenities including a pharmacy, bakery, restaurant, and mini market. The combination of the village’s tranquility and the convenient nearby services makes the area a perfect base for a comfortable and relaxing stay.



Eastern Crete



Eastern Crete, (east from Aghios Nikolaos) is the most authentic and unspoilt region of Crete since it is not touristically developed. It is the region that people from large Cretan cities (Heraklion, Chania) choose for their own relaxing vacations. Eastern Crete is mostly mountainous and the driving routes are winding and scenic, offering great views over wild mountains and the sea. In fact the whole route from Aghios Nikolaos to Sitia is considered on the best scenic drives in Greece. In this region you will meet writers and music composers who find inspiration in the sea/mountain views and the authentic village people.



An introduction to Mirsini village



Mirsini is a traditional Cretan village, unspoilt by tourism. It was incorporated during the Minoan period in the territory of the major Minoan city of Mochlos. It is located on Crete's northern main route, on the road from Agios Nikolaos to Sitia, 45 km from Agios Nikolaos and 23 km from Sitia at an altitude of 330 meters overlooking the gulf of Mirabello. It is famous for its great views (the village is west facing), its tranquility, the good food, wine and raki and for its hospitable and friendly residents. The village is surrounded by olive groves, fruit plantations, steep mountains and deep ravines.



Restaurants in Mirsini



Kathodon: a beautiful and cosy terrace within walking distance from the house. It serves traditional dishes and offers spectacular sea views. Another great restaurant is located in the neighbouring village of Mouliana, just 5 minutes drive from the house (it is open all year round during lunch and dinner hours).



Shopping



There is a small shop selling basic groceries in the village. In the neighbouring village of Tourloti there is a big market shop with fruits and vegetables as well as a bakery. For large supermarkets and a large wekkly fruit/vegetable market you will need to drive to Sitia town (30 min by car). If you prefer to avoid shopping we can stock the kitchen for you with all items you may need. The nearest pharmacy is located in the neighbouring village of Tourloti (5 minutes drive).



Hiking



If you prefer running water, lush vegetation and waterfalls, the entrance of Richtis gorge is a 15 minute drive by car, close to the nearby village of Exo Mouliana. The trail winds down the ravine for 4km passing from old bridges and abondoned watermills, through thick vegetation before reaching the sea at Richtis beach.

If you choose to explore the mountains and the amazing views you can start from the nearby village of Lastros and head towards the chapel of Saint John and Kapsas peak or towards Saint Nikitas (5km round trip).



Beaches



The closest beach is in the village of Mochlos approximately 15min by car. The nearest large sandy beach is Tholos, at a distance of 20km towards Aghios Nikolaos. Sitia sandy beach is 23km drive from the house. There are various other great options available. We will provide information about the best beaches in the region.



Sitia town



It is the nearest town (at 23km from the house) with a large sandy beach, supermarkets, a weekly farmer's market and a hospital.



For history and archaeology enthusiasts, Sitia's archeological museum display's exhibits dating back to the Neolithic era in 3,500 BC while the medieval fortress of Kazarma, situated at the top of Sitia is a reminder of the town's medieval past. Furthermore, the folklore museum exhibits items from the past century such as weavings, woodcuts and other everyday life items.



During the evening you can visit one of the numerous small restaurants ("Rakadika") situated along the town's fishing port, which serve delicious variety plates along with Cretan spirit "Raki". And if you are up to it you can continue your night out until the early morning hours in one of the local bars and clubs.



Getting Around:

You will need to rent a car in order to fully enjoy what the region has to offer. For travel plans:

The main access to Crete is through Heraklion (about 1.30 hours distance) with an international airport and port. There are scheduled flights throughout the year from Athens and various European airports as well as charter flights from April till October while the port offers connection to Athens and Aegean islands.

The newly constructed Sitia airport is served with scheduled flights from Athens and charter flights from Europe in the summer months. The airport also offers scheduled flights to the nearby islands of Kasos and Karpathos.



Interaction with Guests:

We will greet you and provide a tour of the house. If you have any need or require information (beaches, historical sites, restaurants, hiking routes etc) you can always contact us at any time! We can stock the fridge and storage with any groceries you require. Just provide us with a list!