Villa Svega - Timeless Venetian Charm by etouri

Top rated by guests
Pool
Interior
Dining
Private kitchen
Interior
review stars
10Outstanding
(34 Ratings)
Guests praised the historic structure, beautiful property, and superb hospitality of Manolis. They appreciated the well-equipped villa, lovely gardens, great pool, and delicious homemade treats.
From real guest reviews summarized by AI
Don't miss out! Price and availability may change
10 / 10
Outstanding(34 Ratings)

Villa in Crete

6 guests · 3 bedrooms · 2 baths

Reasons to book

Guests love it hereGuests give this property a top rating
High-end valueWell priced for this area
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About this villa rental


Villa Svega is approved by Greek Tourism Organisation & managed by "etouri vacation rental management".


Situated in the small hillside hamlet of Gallou, Villa Svega retains its Venetian charm and offers a harmonious blend of historical character and comfort. The villa is located on the outskirts, yet it is only a few minutes drive from the town of Rethymno, providing convenience.
The villa has been part of the owners family property for the past 100 years and is believed to date back to the latter half of the Venetian era. The estate covers 2,500 sq. m and includes a late 19th-century neoclassical house, two attached Venetian vaults, and a building that was formerly an oil mill, adjoining the western vault. The restoration honors the villas historic soul through the use of traditional materials and meticulous craftsmanship. Interiors reveal mellowed stone walls, solid wood fittings, beamed ceilings, and a palette of soft, natural hues. The space is further elevated by a refined collection of paintings by Greek artists, both oil and watercolor, alongside thoughtfully selected artifacts, creating an atmosphere of quiet sophistication.


The west vault and the historic oil mill have been transformed into a two-story residence of 140 sq. m., accommodating up to six guests in three bedrooms. Designed for year-round comfort, Villa Svega features underfloor heating and a striking stone fireplace (both available at an extra charge), making it equally inviting during the winter months.


Eco Awareness
The Mylonakis family, who have managed Villa Svega for 22 years, has implemented sustainable practices to minimize the villas environmental impact. A solar panel system fulfills all electricity requirements, rainwater reservoirs nourish the gardens, and an on-site composting facility supports the estates natural landscape.


A 10 kW photovoltaic system provides the villa with 100% of its electricity, independent of external sources. The garden irrigation system is designed for maximum efficiency, with watering limited to 20 minutes per session. Guests are kindly asked to rinse off before using the pool and to minimize the use of sunscreens or tanning oils, which can affect water quality and require additional chemical treatment.
In recognition of its commitment, Villa Svega was awarded the 2025 ZERO WASTE HORECA Silver Award.


Indoor Layout
-Spacious open-plan area in the Venetian vault: living room with large sofa, fireplace, and 32" satellite HDTV, dining area, and fully equipped kitchen.
-Old stone passageway leads to the two-story oil mill house.


Ground Floor:
-Master bedroom with a double bed and en-suite bathroom with a shower.
-Main bathroom with hydromassage bath and shower.


First Floor:
-Two bedrooms, each with two single beds.
-Access to a large tiled rooftop terrace with panoramic views of oak forest (east), sea (north), and village below, perfect for morning coffee or evening relaxation.
-Villa lacks air conditioning, but 1.5-meter-thick stone walls maintain a cool indoor temperature. Ceiling fans in both first-floor bedrooms.


Outdoor Area
-Landscaped grounds offering multiple spaces for relaxation and dining.
-South patio enclosed by high Turkish walls for privacy.
Key outdoor features:
-Private 42 sq. m swimming pool (0.65-1.60 m deep)
-Fully equipped barbecue area with charcoal grill
-A Schneider EV charger 22kw is also available.
-Two outdoor dining tables under the patio overlooking pool and the landscape
-Multiple furnished relaxation areas with sun beds, umbrellas, benches, and chairs
-Assigned outdoor parking space
-Fully fenced grounds ensuring complete privacy


** Accommodation cost excludes Climate Resilience Tax. The amount for the accommodation type is set at EUR15 per night from April to October and EUR4 per night from November to March, payable upon check-in.

Amenities at Villa Svega - Timeless Venetian Charm by etouri

Non-smoking
No pets allowed
Family friendly

Map of Crete


Ratings and reviews

10 / 10
Outstanding(34 Ratings)
review starsSummary of reviews
Guests praised the historic structure, beautiful property, and superb hospitality of Manolis. They appreciated the well-equipped villa, lovely gardens, great pool, and delicious homemade treats.
From real guest reviews summarized by AI
10 / 10Outstanding·Oct 2025
Fantastic place, amazing garden, we loved it. Host was great, very warm welcome.
10 / 10Outstanding·Sep 2024
Overall we enjoyed our stay. We were late getting in the first night because the ferry was running behind. The directions put right at the house, it was dark so a little difficult finding the house. We were all tired. The host could not have been any nicer. He showed us around and gave us some history on the house. The beds were comfortable. The time we spent at the house we enjoyed sitting outside.. We would stay there again if ever in the area.
10 / 10Outstanding·Sep 2024
Delightful property with great character. Bedrooms are a good size and all have ceiling fans. The outdoor area is fantastic with plenty of seating, a pool and a beautiful garden. Location is perfect if you plan on hiring a car. We visited Rethymno, Chania and Heraklion; we even did a day trip to Elafonisi Beach. There is a taverna less than 5 mins walk away that serves food until midnight, a couple local grocery shops for your essentials, and a larger Lidl about 10 mins drive away. Manolis was an extremely helpful host and very accommodating with check-in when our flight was delayed. He also provided fascinating information on the history of the villa and gave us some recommendations on current exhibitions happening in Crete.
5 / 10·Jul 2018
We had a wonderful stay in Villa Svega with our young family. Manoli the owner welcomed us personally and then visited the next day with coffee and cakes to talk us through the local area and key sights. More cake, jam and raki were provided during our stay, we were made to feel very welcome.The property itself is a historic venetian mill with lots of character and thick walls making it cool in the summer heat. The pool was well kept and great to cool off after a day at the beach or one of the many sights. Beautiful garden with a variety of spots to find sun or shade at any time of day, and a roof terrace as well.Location in the village of Gallos worked very well with a great taverna, cafe and mini market a short walk away , and Rethymno and its beaches a 5 minute drive.We have stayed in a number of holiday villas and Svega is definitely our favourite, would recommend strongly.

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FAQs

Is parking included with this villa?

Parking is not specified as an available amenity at Villa Svega - Timeless Venetian Charm by etouri. For more information, we encourage you to contact the property about where to park.

Is there a pool at this villa?

We didn’t find pool listed as an amenity for this villa. It may be worth double checking if a pool is important for your stay.

Is Villa Svega - Timeless Venetian Charm by etouri pet friendly?

Unfortunately, this villa is not pet-friendly. Try searching again and filter for "Pets Allowed"

What amenities are available at Villa Svega - Timeless Venetian Charm by etouri?

We found 3 amenities for this rental. This includes non-smoking, no pets allowed, and family friendly.