Quick summary for fast readers

This modern beachfront holiday apartment in Crete is located in Makrigialos on the south-east coast of the island. The penthouse accommodates up to 5 guests and offers approx. 80 m² of indoor space, 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, sea views, a balcony, a private roof terrace, access to a pool and a private parking space at the property.

After two years of holiday rentals, the penthouse has been carefully upgraded: with acoustic wall panels in the bedrooms, fixed bedside tables, dimmable lighting, new pendant lights, a larger TV in the living room, an additional TV in the main bedroom, flexible acrylic side tables and new cushion covers for the roof terrace.

The apartment is also interesting for stays outside the classic summer season. There is underfloor heating in all rooms. The south-east of Crete tends to be particularly mild and sunny, making it attractive for guests who want to experience Crete in spring, autumn or winter.

If you are looking for a beachfront holiday apartment in Crete that combines sea views, comfort and everyday practicality, this penthouse is especially worth considering.

Current availability and direct booking:
[Book the penthouse in Makrigialos directly]

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Beachfront holiday apartment in Crete: Why location alone is not enough

A beachfront holiday apartment in Crete sounds like an easy choice. Sea views, sunshine, balcony, pool and just a few steps to the water – what more could you need?

In reality, it is not quite that simple.

The first impression is created by the location, photos and views. But whether you truly feel comfortable during your stay often becomes clear only in everyday use. Then questions like these become important:

Is there enough storage and surface space?
Is the lighting pleasant in the evening?
Can you sleep well?
Is the living area practical?
Is the apartment comfortable outside the summer months?
Are the beach, café, restaurants and shops really easy to reach on foot?

These are exactly the points we looked at again after two years of renting out our penthouse in Makrigialos – and improved where it made sense.

More inspiration for the best time to travel:

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Beachfront holiday apartment in Crete in Makrigialos

The penthouse is located in Makrigialos, a small holiday village on the south-east coast of Crete. The village is relaxed, manageable and especially pleasant for guests who do not want to experience Crete only from a rental car.

The long beach of the bay is right on your doorstep. The distance from the penthouse to the sea is about 30 metres. That means: a quick swim in the morning, back for breakfast, and later another walk to the beach – without searching for parking, without long distances and without much planning.

Directly opposite the apartment, you will find a well-stocked fruit and vegetable shop as well as a café with coffee specialities, ice cream and a dangerously good chocolate cake. Taverns, restaurants, small shops and more cafés are also within walking distance.

This everyday convenience is one of the reasons why Makrigialos is so appealing for a relaxed holiday in Crete. You stay in a beachfront holiday apartment in Crete, but at the same time you are in the middle of the village and do not depend on a car for every small errand.

More about places, excursions and life in the south-east:
[Discover Makrigialos and Southeast Crete]

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Southeast Crete: A mild climate for spring, autumn and winter

Many people think of Crete mainly as a summer destination. Yet the months outside the high season can be especially attractive.

The south-east of Crete tends to be mild, dry and sunny. Of course, there is no weather guarantee. But compared with many other regions in Europe, Crete often offers pleasant days, clear air and plenty of light even in winter.

For guests who want to hike, read, work remotely, stay longer or simply escape a grey winter, Makrigialos can be an interesting choice.

This is where underfloor heating becomes important. Even if the days can be sunny, evenings and nights in winter on Crete can feel cool. A holiday apartment with underfloor heating in all rooms is then a real comfort advantage.

Read more here:
[Crete in autumn – why the shoulder season can be ideal]
[Crete in winter – is a longer stay worthwhile?]

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Why a holiday apartment directly on the beach in Crete makes your stay easier

A direct beach location is not just about a beautiful view. It changes the entire rhythm of your day.

You do not have to pack a large beach bag for a half-day trip. You do not have to think twice about whether going to the sea is “still worth it”. You do not have to look for parking. The sea is simply there.

For families, couples and guests who want to experience Crete in a calm and uncomplicated way, that is a major advantage.

The apartment is located directly on the bay of Makrigialos. The beach is long, mostly sandy, partly paved and in some sections mixed with stones. For a swim before breakfast, the location is ideal.

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Holiday apartment in Crete with sea views, balcony and roof terrace

Many accommodations advertise sea views. The real question is how present that view actually is during your stay.

In the penthouse, the living area opens to the south through floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows. This makes the rooms bright, open and airy. The view of the turquoise-blue Mediterranean is not limited to the balcony – it also accompanies you while cooking, eating or relaxing in the living room.

The balcony faces south towards the beach and the sea. In addition, there is a private roof terrace, accessible separately from the living area.

This combination of living room, balcony and roof terrace turns the sea view from a single photo motif into a constant part of the stay.

Related article:
[Crete with sea views – why location and orientation matter]

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Modern beachfront holiday apartment in Crete with 2 bedrooms

The penthouse was completed in May 2024 and offers approx. 80 m² of indoor space. It is suitable for up to 5 guests.

The facilities include:

• 2 bedrooms
• 2 bathrooms
• 1 double bed
• 2 single beds
• 1 sofa bed
• 1 child bed
• air conditioning
• underfloor heating in all rooms
• fully equipped kitchen
• Wi-Fi
• washing machine
• Smart TV
• safe
• balcony
• private roof terrace
• access to the pool
• private parking space at the property

Two bathrooms are particularly comfortable when several people travel together. Families, couples or small groups can organise their mornings more easily and enjoy more privacy overall.

A note on the size: In Greece, property descriptions often refer to the indoor area. Outdoor areas such as balconies or roof terraces are usually listed separately. More on this topic:
[Indoor area vs. living space in Greece]

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Underfloor heating in all rooms: A benefit for winter guests

Anyone who knows Crete only from the height of summer may underestimate the importance of good heating.

Winter evenings on Crete can be cool. Houses and apartments in Greece are traditionally not always designed for winter comfort in the same way as homes in Germany, Austria or Switzerland. That makes a well-equipped holiday apartment outside the summer season all the more valuable.

The penthouse has underfloor heating in all rooms. This is particularly interesting for guests travelling in spring, autumn or winter.

The benefit is not just the warmth itself. Underfloor heating creates a more even and pleasant indoor climate. Especially with tiled floors, this makes a noticeable difference in winter.

As a result, the apartment is not only suitable for classic summer holidays, but also for longer stays during the quieter months of the year.

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Sleeping comfort is about more than a good mattress

When people talk about holiday apartments, they often talk about beds. That is important, but it is not the whole story.

A bedroom only feels truly comfortable when several things come together: lighting, storage space, room acoustics, temperature, wall design and practical use.

In many modern apartments on Crete, tiled floors, smooth walls and clean architecture dominate. This is bright, easy to maintain and Mediterranean. At the same time, these surfaces can make rooms feel acoustically harder.

That is why the wall areas behind the bedheads in the bedrooms of our penthouse have been fitted with acoustic panels.

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Acoustic panels in the bedrooms: More comfort and protection

The new acoustic panels serve several purposes.

They make the bedrooms feel more comfortable.
They protect the wall areas behind the pillows.
They give the rooms more depth and warmth.
They can make the room feel acoustically more pleasant.

An honest note is important: acoustic panels do not turn a sound-sensitive building into a recording studio. But they can soften hard surfaces and make a bedroom feel less bare and more welcoming.

On holiday, that feeling matters. After a day by the sea, in the mountains or at a tavern, a bedroom should not only be functional. It should feel restful.

More about holiday properties and equipment:
[Buying a holiday property in Crete – what owners should consider]

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Fixed bedside tables: A small detail with a big effect

Fixed bedside tables may sound unspectacular. In everyday use, however, they are important.

A glass of water.
A book.
Glasses.
A phone.
Charging cables.
Sunscreen.
Earplugs.

All these things need a proper place.

That is why fixed bedside tables have been added to the bedrooms. They feel calmer, more solid and more practical than small loose pieces of furniture that can move around or get in the way.

Especially in a beachfront holiday apartment in Crete, it is not only the big view that matters. It also matters whether the small things are exactly where guests intuitively expect them to be.

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Dimmable lighting and new pendant lights by the bed

Lighting strongly influences how a room feels.

A bedroom can look bright and fresh during the day, but feel uncomfortable in the evening if the lighting is too harsh or too functional. That is why the bedroom lighting has been made dimmable.

In addition, white pendant lights have been added above the bedside tables. They create more atmosphere and make the room more practical – for reading, relaxing or simply easing into the evening.

On Crete, many guests spend most of the day outdoors. That makes it even more important that the apartment feels not only clean and practical in the evening, but also comfortable.

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Living room with larger TV and flexible side tables

The living area has also been upgraded.

There is now a larger TV in the living room. The previous smaller TV has been mounted on the wall in the main bedroom. This is especially pleasant for longer stays or on days when you simply want a quiet evening in the apartment after sunshine, sea and excursions.

Flexible acrylic side tables have also been added beside and in front of the sofa. They can be used separately, placed next to each other or nested together.

This is practical without visually weighing down the room. In a bright penthouse with floor-to-ceiling windows and sea views, a large, heavy coffee table would often be the less suitable solution.

Flexible furniture works better with an open living concept.

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Fully equipped kitchen for relaxed holiday days

A good kitchen is more important in a holiday apartment in Crete than it may seem at first.

Of course, Makrigialos has taverns, cafés and restaurants within walking distance. Still, many guests do not want to eat out every day. Sometimes fresh bread, tomatoes, olives, cheese, fruit, good coffee and a sea view are more than enough.

The kitchen in the penthouse is fully equipped and includes, among other things:

• cooking utensils
• coffee maker
• kettle
• dining table
• dishwasher
• refrigerator
• basic cooking equipment

Since there is a well-stocked fruit and vegetable shop directly opposite the apartment, the kitchen quickly becomes part of the holiday experience.

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Private roof terrace with pergola, sun loungers and hammock

The private roof terrace is one of the special places of the penthouse. It extends the apartment with a private outdoor area, sea views and space to relax.

Under the pergola, there is a lounge seating area with a side table. It is ideal for morning coffee, a glass of wine in the evening or a break in the shade.

Two large sun loungers and a hammock have also been added. This allows you to use the roof terrace in different ways: reading, dozing, sunbathing, relaxing or simply looking out to sea.

For the new season, six new cushion covers have also been brought to the apartment. The reason is very practical: sunscreen and intensive use can put a lot of strain on outdoor cushions in holiday rentals. Some of the previous covers had become permanently stained.

This may sound like a small detail. In reality, it is exactly one of those points that shows whether a holiday apartment is regularly maintained and improved.

A roof terrace is not just extra space. It is a private retreat.

Check current availability here:
[Book the penthouse in Makrigialos directly]

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Pool with sun loungers and clear seasonal rules

The property includes a shared pool area with sun loungers. The pool is approx. 11.7 x 4.5 metres and is used by guests of the small development, which consists of four apartments and one villa.

There are individual water pressure jets in the pool. However, it is not a classic whirlpool or Jacuzzi. That is why a realistic description is important: guests should know exactly what to expect.

Together with the other owners, clearer rules have also been agreed on when the pool is filled and when it is heated. This provides better planning certainty for stays in the early and late season.

Under the current arrangement, the pool is filled and heated each year around Palm Sunday. The spring heating period ends on 30 April. In autumn, the pool is heated again from 15 October. The autumn heating period ends on 31 October.

For 2026, this means specifically:

• filling and heating from 28 March 2026
• end of spring heating on 30 April 2026
• heating again from 15 October 2026
• end of autumn heating on 31 October 2026

Important: Technical, weather-related or organisational changes can never be completely ruled out. However, the arrangement is a useful guide for planning your stay.

More about Crete outside the main season:
[Crete in autumn – why the shoulder season can be ideal]
[Crete in winter – is a longer stay worthwhile?]

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Safety and rental certification: The less visible part of a good holiday rental

Not everything that makes a good holiday apartment is photogenic.

For the rental certification, a lit exit sign, a fire extinguisher and other necessary items have been added.

That may sound technical – and it is. But these points are part of professional holiday rental management.

Guests usually look first at location, photos, reviews, amenities and price. Still, it creates trust when an accommodation is not only beautifully furnished, but also takes safety-related requirements seriously.

Good holiday rental is about responsibility. Not only towards guests, but also towards owners, neighbours and the property itself.

More about requirements for holiday rentals in Greece:
[Holiday rentals in Greece 2025 – new rules and requirements]

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Why small upgrades matter for holiday guests

After two years of holiday rentals, you look at a property differently.

At first, you focus on the big things: location, views, furniture, kitchen, beds, photos. After some time, you start seeing the smaller points that improve the stay.

These include:

• pleasant lighting by the bed
• fixed surfaces and storage
• comfortable bedrooms
• practical furniture
• clean cushion covers
• good Wi-Fi
• underfloor heating for cooler months
• reliable kitchen equipment
• clear pool rules
• good safety equipment
• short distances to the beach, café and supermarket

Individually, many of these points seem small. Together, they decide whether an accommodation only looks good – or actually feels good.

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Who is this beachfront holiday apartment in Crete suitable for?

This beachfront holiday apartment in Crete is especially suitable for guests who want to experience the island comfortably, calmly and right by the sea.

For couples

If you are looking for space, sea views, a roof terrace and a direct beach location, the penthouse offers much more privacy and home-like comfort than a classic hotel room.

For families

With 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, kitchen, washing machine, pool and direct beach proximity, the apartment is also practical for families. It is especially convenient that the sea is only a few steps away.

For small groups

Up to 5 guests can stay in the apartment. The combination of double bed, single beds, sofa bed and child bed offers flexible sleeping options.

For longer stays

Air conditioning, underfloor heating in all rooms, Wi-Fi, Smart TV, washing machine, kitchen and the central location make the penthouse interesting for longer stays, especially outside the absolute high season.

For winter guests

If you want to experience Crete in a quieter way, the south-east of the island can be a good choice. The region tends to be mild and sunny, while the underfloor heating in all rooms ensures that cooler evenings remain comfortable.

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Why direct booking through the website can make sense

Many guests first discover holiday apartments on platforms such as Airbnb. That is practical and familiar. Still, it is often worth checking the direct booking page as well.

There you will find current availability, prices, more photos and additional information about the facilities. Communication is usually more direct and more personal.

Especially with a beachfront holiday apartment in Crete, direct booking can be useful because details such as pool times, facilities and available travel periods can be explained more transparently.

If you are looking for a modern beachfront holiday apartment in Crete with sea views, pool, private roof terrace, underfloor heating and short walking distances in the village, you can check available dates here:

[Book the penthouse in Makrigialos directly]

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What makes this beachfront holiday apartment in Crete special

The most important points at a glance:

• modern architecture
• completed in May 2024
• direct beach location in Makrigialos
• approx. 30 metres to the sea
• approx. 80 m² indoor area
• suitable for up to 5 guests
• 2 bedrooms
• 2 bathrooms
• air conditioning
• underfloor heating in all rooms
• floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows
• balcony with sea views
• private roof terrace with pergola
• lounge seating area with side table
• two large sun loungers
• hammock
• shared pool with sun loungers
• individual water pressure jets in the pool
• seasonal pool heating according to the owners’ arrangement
• private parking space at the property
• café, fruit and vegetable shop, taverns and shops within walking distance
• new comfort upgrades in the bedrooms and living area
• additional safety equipment for holiday rental use

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Conclusion: A good beachfront holiday apartment in Crete is shaped by experience

A good beachfront holiday apartment in Crete is not created by new construction, sea views or beautiful furniture alone.

It is shaped by experience.

After every season, you understand better what guests actually use. You see where surfaces are missing, which lighting would feel better, how bedrooms can become more comfortable and which small details make the stay smoother.

The penthouse in Makrigialos combines the big advantages – beach location, sea views, pool and roof terrace – with smaller improvements that make a real difference in everyday use.

For stays outside the summer season, another point becomes important: underfloor heating in all rooms. Especially if you want to experience Crete in spring, autumn or winter, this is a comfort detail that should not be underestimated.

This beachfront holiday apartment in Crete is therefore not just a beautiful photo motif. It is a well-considered holiday home for Crete guests.

In the end, a holiday apartment should not only look good.
It should feel good.

If you want to experience Crete right by the sea, you can find current availability and booking options here:
[Book the penthouse in Makrigialos directly]

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FAQs about the beachfront holiday apartment in Crete

Where is the holiday apartment located in Crete?

The holiday apartment is located in Makrigialos on the south-east coast of Crete. Makrigialos is a small holiday village with a beach, taverns, cafés, shops and a good starting point for excursions in the east and south of the island.

How far is the penthouse from the beach?

The beach is directly in front of the property, only a few steps away. The distance is about 30 metres.

How many guests can stay in the penthouse?

The penthouse is suitable for up to 5 guests.

How many bedrooms are there?

The apartment has 2 bedrooms.

How many bathrooms are there?

There are 2 bathrooms. This is especially practical for families, couples or small groups travelling together.

Is there a private roof terrace?

Yes. The penthouse has a private roof terrace with sea views, a pergola, lounge seating area, side table, two large sun loungers and a hammock.

Is there a BBQ area on the roof terrace?

No. At the moment, there is no BBQ area on the roof terrace.

Does the penthouse have sea views?

Yes. There are sea views from the living area, the balcony and the private roof terrace.

Is there a pool?

Yes. The property includes a shared pool area with sun loungers. The pool is approx. 11.7 x 4.5 metres and is used by guests of the small development.

Is the pool heated?

The pool is operated seasonally. Under the current arrangement, it is filled around Palm Sunday and heated until 30 April. In autumn, heating is planned from 15 to 31 October. Technical, weather-related or organisational changes cannot be completely ruled out.

Does the pool have a whirlpool?

The pool has individual water pressure jets. However, it is not a classic whirlpool or Jacuzzi.

Is the holiday apartment suitable for families?

Yes. With 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, kitchen, washing machine, pool and direct proximity to the beach, the penthouse is also well suited for families.

Is there parking?

Yes. There is a private parking space at the property.

Is the kitchen fully equipped?

Yes. The kitchen is fully equipped, including cooking utensils, coffee maker, kettle, dining table and dishwasher.

Is Wi-Fi available?

Yes. Wi-Fi is available.

Is there air conditioning?

Yes. The penthouse has air conditioning.

Is there heating for winter stays?

Yes. The penthouse has underfloor heating in all rooms, which is particularly pleasant for stays in spring, autumn or winter.

Is the apartment suitable outside the summer season?

Yes. In addition to air conditioning, there is underfloor heating in all rooms. This makes the apartment comfortable even outside the hot summer months.

Is Southeast Crete a good choice in winter?

Southeast Crete tends to be mild and sunny. Of course, there is no weather guarantee, but the region can be interesting for guests who want to experience Crete more quietly. Thanks to underfloor heating in all rooms, the penthouse is also well equipped for cooler evenings.

What upgrades have recently been made?

Recent improvements include acoustic panels at the bedhead walls, fixed bedside tables, dimmable lighting, new pendant lights, a larger TV in the living room, an additional TV in the main bedroom, flexible acrylic side tables in the living area and new cushion covers for the roof terrace.

Why were acoustic panels added to the bedrooms?

The acoustic panels make the bedrooms feel more comfortable, protect the wall areas behind the pillows and improve the overall room feel. Especially with smooth walls and tiled floors, such elements can make the room feel more pleasant.

Where can I book the penthouse?

The penthouse can be booked directly through Kaste-Holidays.
[Book the penthouse in Makrigialos directly]

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