The White Houses

Three stylish cottages and two apartments converted from fishermen’s houses, right on the harbour of this sleepy town in eastern Crete

Stepping inside these ex-fishermen’s cottages is like entering a Tardis. Behind their compact whitewashed façades lie interiors of astonishing space and style, where slick Scandinavian fittings sit alongside traditional Cretan furnishings: marble floors, beamed ceilings, gorgeous rugs, vibrant artwork, wooden sofas with hand-embroidered cushions. One has a private chapel converted into a sitting room, another an open-plan shower in the bedroom behind a curvy tiled wall. Excellent kitchens combine modern appliances (dishwasher, oven) with pretty antiques (bread trays, lanterns, clay vases) chosen by the Norwegian owner.

The family cottages are the stars, each arranged over two floors with sunny terraces overlooking the bobbing boats and yellow nets of Makriyialos’ fishing harbour. Two smaller apartments, one on each floor of a newer building, make excellent options for a couple. There are sandy beaches, boat trips to uninhabited islands, and rewarding hikes in the rugged limestone mountains behind.

Highs

• A choice of sizes, ranging from a couple to a large family (if you want more space, the owner also has a stunning villa for 8)
• Gorgeous interiors, which marry simple Greek aesthetics with Scandinavian comforts
• Facilities include washing machine, satellite TV, maid service
• Fish restaurants and waterfront tavernas on your doorstep
• Eastern Crete invites exploration: deep gorges, remote coves, Orthodox monasteries, Minoan palaces

Lows

• Some of the coast nearby is swathed in polytunnels
• The apartments lack character, compared to the cottages
• There’s a preferred minimum stay of a week (but plenty to fill it with)