Arolithos Traditional Cretan Village

Spent a night here as it's not far from the airport. The place is fascinating: basically a small village that is now a complex with rooms, restaurant, a small shop and a square for activities etc. I believe there is also a small museum. We arrived late and the staff was super nice. They also reopened the restaurant and gave us a good dinner. The complex has a beautiful view over heraklion and a lovely pool. The room was spacious, and with a working AC unit. It also had a lovely fireplace (it's summer so it was not on!). Unfortunately, the bed was really old and quite uncomfortable. The other small issue was the shower; it had good hot water, but the holder was broken, so you could only hold the shower head in your hand. That's a minor thing, but it's a simple fix that should be addressed. All in all with some relatively minor adjustments (new mattress!) it would be a wonderful place to stay.

Unforgettable Family Day at Arolithos Traditional Village! On August 15th, we celebrated the Feast of the Assumption at the stunning Arolithos Traditional Village – and it was an unforgettable family experience! This magical place is like stepping into a living postcard: charming cobblestone lanes, stone-built houses, blooming courtyards, and the unmistakable warmth of authentic Crete. We savored mouthwatering lamb chops, a generous mixed grill platter for four, golden fried saganaki, and crispy zucchini – all made with fresh, local ingredients and bursting with flavor. After lunch, we enjoyed a refreshing swim in the impressively large, crystal-clear pool, perfect for guests of all ages. To top it all off, our wonderful hosts treated us to complimentary raki and fresh seasonal fruit – the perfect sweet ending to a perfect day. Giannis, Vangelis, and Michalis were truly exceptional hosts, making us feel like part of their family. Arolithos is more than just a destination; it’s a blend of tradition, taste, and genuine Cretan soul. A must-visit when in Heraklion!

Great view, but difficult to climb if you have mobility issues. Stopped as part of a tour with Viking cruises. There is a restaurant, but we did not have time to partake of that. There is a pool also with two different shops to look at.

We opted for the tour and cooking class. Evie our tour guide was just terrific. Very interesting tour, views were spectacular with loads of photo spots! The food was flavorful, and included easy recipes to remake at home. We highly recommend this experience-

We were disappointed with our stay. The Wi-Fi doesn’t reach the rooms, the bathroom door hit the toilet, and the beds were uncomfortable. The pool water was green with no umbrellas for shade, and the property is a 10+ minute drive from the beach. On arrival, there were school kids running around for a project, which wasn’t what we wanted on vacation. The website looks charming, but our experience didn’t match.

We came for a traditional cooking class but got so much more! We loved the musuem and a private tour. We ate wonderful food and met lovely people. Highly recommend to spend an afternoon here.

My home away from home, such an amazing experience to stay in such an authentic village, giving such an insight into traditional life on the island. And all the staff are incredibly friendly and an absolute must fit cat lovers as there's loads of friendly cats and kittens happy to sit on your lap if you give them a bit of fuss.

Amazing place not too far from heraklion town, it s a hidden gem . Rooms are ok if you re not after 5 stars luxury. Super quiet and it s full of lovely kittens all around the place