The House
The house was built in the 1930s in a Modernist style. It was previously one big family home, but it has now been split into two apartments. It has two artists' bedrooms upstairs that share a kitchen and bathroom on the same level. Downstairs is an independent apartment with its own kitchen, bathroom, studio space, bedroom, and little private courtyard. The house has been freshly painted, but its bathrooms and kitchens have not been updated in many years. Please do not expect hotel-style accommodation. This is more like staying in a friend's home rather than typical tourist accommodation.
Downstairs off the street is a shared courtyard. In the courtyard lives a cheeky kitty who came with the house. She is not to be let inside so people with allergies don't have a problem.
There are no shared bedrooms unless a partner comes.
The residency is located inside the edge of Heraklion's Old Town. Four buildings down an exit to and from the city via the Venetian walls is located. As the nearby street is a busy shopping one, the location is not quiet during shopping hours. This is offset by the fact that there are many places to eat or grab a drink or coffee minutes away. There is a free bicycle hire place 50 metres from the front door! Don't come expecting picture-perfect Santorini or Mykonos as this is a real Greek city.
There is no studio space upstairs, but after running a residency since 2016 we find that most guests are happy to work from their bedrooms, which have desks and nice natural light. The single bedroom is a good space for visual artists as there is plenty of room to set up a provided easel. The double room is good for writers or artists who just need a regular desk. Upstairs, there is a sunny kitchen that could be used for painting, provided that the other guest is fine with that. The downstairs apartment has a private studio space, which was once the original living room.
Downstairs off the street is a shared courtyard. In the courtyard lives a cheeky kitty who came with the house. She is not to be let inside so people with allergies don't have a problem.
There are no shared bedrooms unless a partner comes.
The residency is located inside the edge of Heraklion's Old Town. Four buildings down an exit to and from the city via the Venetian walls is located. As the nearby street is a busy shopping one, the location is not quiet during shopping hours. This is offset by the fact that there are many places to eat or grab a drink or coffee minutes away. There is a free bicycle hire place 50 metres from the front door! Don't come expecting picture-perfect Santorini or Mykonos as this is a real Greek city.
There is no studio space upstairs, but after running a residency since 2016 we find that most guests are happy to work from their bedrooms, which have desks and nice natural light. The single bedroom is a good space for visual artists as there is plenty of room to set up a provided easel. The double room is good for writers or artists who just need a regular desk. Upstairs, there is a sunny kitchen that could be used for painting, provided that the other guest is fine with that. The downstairs apartment has a private studio space, which was once the original living room.
Upstairs Apartment and Front Courtyard.
Note. The front terrace might not look like the photo all of the time. The overly enthusiastic bougainvillea drops a million flowers that are not possible to keep up with every day. Also the pillows are kept inside when not in use.
Downstairs Private Apartment.
When is best to come?
Spring (April to June) is an amazing time to come. The island is covered in wild flowers and the weather is perfect! The sea is starting to warm up if you are brave. Tourists are few.
Summer (July to September) in Heraklion sits at around 30/33 degrees Celsius. There is a powerful air-conditioner in the hallway upstairs that can cool the full house if doors are left open enough for the cool air to entre. Every bedroom has it's own fan for those who don't like air-conditioning. There is a rocky beach to walk to in fifteen minutes or half an hour to the sandy one. For beaches with shade you need to take a local bus. There are endless choices of beaches short bus trips away. We have water restrictions in summer so guests need to not waste it.
Autumn (October to December) like spring is perfect! The sea is still nice to take a swim. The temperature is pleasant and the tourists are few.
Winter (January to March) the weather can be sunny one day and raining the next. For those looking for an authentic Cretan experience winter can offer that as the locals are not dealing with tourists, plus we still get plenty of sunny days. There are electric blankets on the beds and electric heaters in the bedrooms. Swimming in the sea is still possible for those who don't mind a cold dip.
Summer (July to September) in Heraklion sits at around 30/33 degrees Celsius. There is a powerful air-conditioner in the hallway upstairs that can cool the full house if doors are left open enough for the cool air to entre. Every bedroom has it's own fan for those who don't like air-conditioning. There is a rocky beach to walk to in fifteen minutes or half an hour to the sandy one. For beaches with shade you need to take a local bus. There are endless choices of beaches short bus trips away. We have water restrictions in summer so guests need to not waste it.
Autumn (October to December) like spring is perfect! The sea is still nice to take a swim. The temperature is pleasant and the tourists are few.
Winter (January to March) the weather can be sunny one day and raining the next. For those looking for an authentic Cretan experience winter can offer that as the locals are not dealing with tourists, plus we still get plenty of sunny days. There are electric blankets on the beds and electric heaters in the bedrooms. Swimming in the sea is still possible for those who don't mind a cold dip.
Fees
Suggested donations go towards keeping the residency running, art projects and maintenance costs. To keep costs down food is not included. The kitchens are fully stocked with all of the cooking utensils needed. There are supermarkets and a huge fresh fruit and veg market close by.
After you agree to an amount of time to stay and a cost this must be followed. If artists decide to do trips inside of the agreement you must still pay for the time booked. Many day trips are possible, if you want to do big trips it would be better to plan them before or after your stay. Before booking please think about the fact that this is an artists residency not a tourists hotel. If you want to come to Crete to be more of a tourist then book a hotel. Deposits are non-refundable or exchangeable.
The residency doesn't offer free stays in return for work. The artist fee is way below the average Airbnb but more than a hostel. Please email to enquire about the current fee.
After you agree to an amount of time to stay and a cost this must be followed. If artists decide to do trips inside of the agreement you must still pay for the time booked. Many day trips are possible, if you want to do big trips it would be better to plan them before or after your stay. Before booking please think about the fact that this is an artists residency not a tourists hotel. If you want to come to Crete to be more of a tourist then book a hotel. Deposits are non-refundable or exchangeable.
The residency doesn't offer free stays in return for work. The artist fee is way below the average Airbnb but more than a hostel. Please email to enquire about the current fee.
Residency conditions/ facts
Minimum of two weeks stay.
Long stays. Long stays are a very enjoyable experience but last minute cancelations put on a huge stress to the residency budget and other artists miss out on the opportunity. Only book a long stay if you are sure that you can commit to the dates.
Partners are possible in the private downstairs apartment.
There is no expectation to leave an artwork behind or make an exhibition.
Working language is English.
Murals. The residency helps with the cost of one mural which is generally done in the Lakkos area. Spray paint not included but it's often left via previous artists.
Bedsheets and towels are provided.
The house is normally cleaned between guests but while staying guests must keep the communal spaces tidy.
Long stays. Long stays are a very enjoyable experience but last minute cancelations put on a huge stress to the residency budget and other artists miss out on the opportunity. Only book a long stay if you are sure that you can commit to the dates.
Partners are possible in the private downstairs apartment.
There is no expectation to leave an artwork behind or make an exhibition.
Working language is English.
Murals. The residency helps with the cost of one mural which is generally done in the Lakkos area. Spray paint not included but it's often left via previous artists.
Bedsheets and towels are provided.
The house is normally cleaned between guests but while staying guests must keep the communal spaces tidy.
Things to do while in Crete and Heraklion.
Museums/Easy day trips.
Archeological Museum/ Knossos Palace. The palace is a 20-minute bus trip from the residency. The museum is a 10-minute walk. www.explorecrete.com/archaeology/antiquities-crete.html
Archanes village is possibly the oldest continually inhabited village in Europe. Its history goes back 5000 years and is built above a Minoan village/ palace. It is a 25-minute local bus ride away from Heraklion. The village is very beautiful, and the bus trip there travels through Europe's oldest wine region.
Matala Beach is a one and a half hour bus trip from Heraklion. Take the bus from station A. www.cretanbeaches.com/en/sea-tourism/central-crete-beaches-heraklion/matala-beach
Walking/Hiking Groups. Outside of the summer season, there are local walking groups that charge very little and take groups to remote locations. You won't hear any languages apart from Greek on these tours. Our experiences with them are always fun and it is not hard to find somebody who talks in English.
www.eos-her.gr/en/program/
http://www.pezoporikos.gr/en/
Samaria George is one of the big highlights of visiting Crete. It's a long drive to the the gorge but if you are willing to get up early it is possible. A taxi to the collection point is the best way.
www.tripsomnia.com/en/p/511-crete-samaria-gorge
www.getyourguide.com/crete-l404/crete-hiking-tour-in-samaria-gorge-t56068/
The Ancient city of Gortyna. Gortyna is a delight for those who like a more off the beaten tract archaeological experience. . www.explorecrete.com/archaeology/gortys.html
The Lassithi Plateau is a big day trip. The plateau is very beautiful. It is also the 'birthplace' of Zeus. It can get a bit touristy but you can just do a big walk around the plateau and get away from it. www.explorecrete.com/archaeology/dikteon-andron-cave.html
Spinalonga Island is about a one hour bus from Heraklion, then a ferry takes you from Agios Nikolaos to the old leper island. It can get pretty touristy in the summer months but is a great experience.
www.explorecrete.com/crete-east/spinalonga.html
The Lassithi Plateau is a big day trip. The plateau is very beautiful. It is also the 'birthplace' of Zeus. It can get a bit touristy but you can just do a big walk around the plateau and get away from it. www.explorecrete.com/archaeology/dikteon-andron-cave.html
Spinalonga Island is about a one hour bus from Heraklion, then a ferry takes you from Agios Nikolaos to the old leper island. It can get pretty touristy in the summer months but is a great experience.
www.explorecrete.com/crete-east/spinalonga.html
Stuff to do around the residency
The Lakkos Kafeneon is the spiritual home of the residency. The mural project begun here in 2016, and there are approximately sixty murals, old and new. The previous residency was in this location, but as rents are high it was not possible to find a new one there so now it's about a ten minute walk away. It's located on a lovely square which is great for taking your PC to do some work in a relaxed environment. During the day it is good for breakfast and coffee. In the evening it is one of the best places for some drinks and small Greek dishes called Mezes. www.facebook.com/lakkos.gr/?hc_ref=PAGES_TIMELINE&fref=nf
A walk around the historic area of Agia triada (Holly Trinity). This is another area inside of the Venetian walls similar to Lakkos. It is not a restored old city so the areas beauty is in its neglect and original character.
cretazine.com/en/heraklion/city-life/city-routes/item/955-walk-in-agia-triada
Georgiadi Park is where we head in summer to escape the heat. It is a lovely park with a great kafeneon. In summer there is always something going on, and a sea breeze.
cretazine.com/en/heraklion/city-life/city-routes/item/955-walk-in-agia-triada
Georgiadi Park is where we head in summer to escape the heat. It is a lovely park with a great kafeneon. In summer there is always something going on, and a sea breeze.
