Villa Belian 1

The location feels almost magical, with a beautiful secluded beach nearby. But reaching it means dealing with a steep climb on the way back, which may be tough for anyone who isn’t very fit. You can’t drive down to the beach, and the two houses closest to it leave no space to park by the road. Getting to the property from Argalasti is another challenge: the road is steep and unpaved, and cars without good ground clearance or low gearing may struggle. I used the low gear in my SUV often to spare the clutch. With a rental car, or if you’re not too precious about your car, it should be manageable. The owners were kind and supportive. They gave us bottled water because the tap water isn’t drinkable. When the tap pressure got too low for a proper shower, which happened every evening, they said it was normal because they were watering the garden then. The room was very clean and well equipped with fresh sheets and towels. The bedding was fine, some furniture was new, and the kitchenette had recently been redone. The air-conditioning unit was new too. We also had a great sea view from the small balcony. Still, the building is old and poorly maintained in places: the doors and windows need replacing, and the very small bathroom badly needs renovation. I can see this working for someone seeking a very secluded stay with a lovely beach nearby, as long as they’re prepared for the drawbacks. But the room isn’t what I’d expect from a modern hostel, and extensive renovation would be needed.

The sea view is superb, and the accommodation is very nice and affordable. The last mile of road is hard on the car, and the five-minute walk down to the sea is part of the daily exercise. Still worth it if you want to stay away from crowded tourist spots.

A quiet little paradise with an amazing view, perfect for relaxing. The path to the beach is steep in a few spots, but otherwise it’s fine.

Surrounded by wild nature and olive groves, with one of the most untouched stretches of coast right nearby.