The traditional villa hails from 1903 (recently renovated) but is much modernized!
A mix of modern and traditional elements to create a harmonious space both relaxed and timeless that truly feels like home.
It sleeps 4 people (up to 6 if you need), with two bedrooms and 1 bathroom on two floors.
The entrance to the house leads to a private parking area and a small garden with an outdoor sitting area.
Inside: a spacious living room with a fireplace, traditional furniture, comfortable sofas converting to single beds, satellite TV, DVD player, HiFi system.
A stone made arch leads to the dining area and fully equipped kitchen (with microwave, percolator, electric cooker, fridge, toaster, and all utensils). In the basement, there is a spacious bedroom with a double and a single bed, a bathroom with a shower cabin, a hair-dryer, and a washing machine.
Wooden stairs lead to another bedroom with a wood floor (ondas) with a double bed and a sofa convertible to a single bed, which looks out on a terrace leading to a garden with a good view. Swimming pool (3.5m x 7.00m, 1.30m deep) and barbeque. Air conditioning (cooling-heating), safe box and electric iron.
Kamilari is a quiet, traditional village in southern Crete. It is small and scenic, with all the features of a typical Cretan village with a small main square, a church, and the famous kafeneia full of character crowded by locals.
Kamilari (350 inhabitants) is built on three hilltops, Goulas, Alevrotas and Evgoras, and offers a panoramic view of the olive groves of the Messara Plain, the peaks of Psiloritis Mountain and the south Cretan Sea.
Kamilari is very close to Tymbaki, Mires and the seaside villages of Kalamaki and Matala and just 4 km from the Phaistos archaeological site … just the ideal base to explore the lovely plain of Messara, with its picturesque villages, rich history and, of course, its great beaches in this part of Crete.
Why We Like It
- Traditional style house just off the village square, private, excellent hospitality, and housekeeping.
- A great base to explore the south coast and all villas within a few minutes' drives of Matala and Phaestos.
- Just 3.5km away from one of the longest sandy beaches in Crete, Kommos.
Good To Know
- Public transport doesn't come this far, so you need to hire a car.
The Villa
The Villa Kamilari can accommodate 2 up to 6 persons.
The entrance to the house area leads to private parking and a small garden with an open sitting area. Entering the house you see a spacious living room with a fireplace, traditional pieces of furniture, a piano antique, comfortable sofas convertible to single beds, TV satellite, DVD, HI-FI system with an excellent view of the swimming pool.
A stone made arch leads to the dining area and the fully equipped kitchen (with microwave, percolator, electric cooker, fridge, toaster, and countless useful things). In the basement, there is also a spacious bedroom with a double and a single bed, a bathroom with a cabin (having hydro-massage, ham-am, perfume therapy), hair-dryer, and washing machine.
Wooden stairs lead to another bedroom with a wooden floor (ontas) with a double bed and a sofa convertible to a single bed, which looks out on a terrace tidied up to a garden that offers a great view.
On the backside of the house in front of the living- room there is a garden with a sitting area, a swimming pool (3.5m x 7.00m,1.30m deep), and a barbeque.
Villa has total privacy and quiet.
Eating
Kamillari Villa has a fully equipped kitchen that has a cooker (oven and 4 hotplates), microwave, fridge, and small freezer, kettle, filter coffee maker, toaster, and dishwasher.
You can enjoy your meal either indoors in the dining area or outdoors in the courtyard, there is also a pleasant dining area, facing the pool.
In the area, there are shops, a bakery, mini-market, butcher, grocery, where you can find all you need.
Of course, if you wish you can eat out - well and cheaply: there are several delightful tavernas at Kamilari Village.
There's a folder of recommendations in the villa, or ask the concierge for his suggestions when you arrive. He can also do a pre-arrival shop if you like - you just pay for the items at cost price.
Kids
Families are welcome at Kamilari Villa and they will love the pools and nearby beaches.
Baby cot on request free of charge for children 0-2 years old.
Activities
- Feel the local rhythm and atmosphere at Kamilari Village. Kamilari is a quiet, traditional village in southern Crete. It is small and scenic, with all the features of a typical Cretan village with a small main square, a church, and the famous kafeneia full of character crowded by locals. Kamilari (350 inhabitants) is built on three hilltops, Goulas, Alevrotas and Evgoras, and offers a panoramic view of the olive groves of the Messara Plain, the peaks of Psiloritis Mountain and the south Cretan Sea. Kamilari is very close to Tymbaki, Mires and the seaside villages of Kalamaki and Matala and just 4 km from the Phaistos archaeological site … just the ideal base to explore the lovely plain of Messara, with its picturesque villages, rich history and, of course, its great beaches in this part of Crete.
- You can find some wonderful beaches close to the hotel, such as Kommos, Kalamaki, Kokkinos Pyrgos, Kaloi Limenes, etc, where you can also enjoy the beautiful sunset over the Libyan Sea. Note that the north part of Kommos beach is the naturists' part with no sunbeds. Kokkinos Pirgos a long sandy beach with shallow water, the east side of the beach is more secluded than the part close to the port.
- Enjoy one of the most beautiful and longest beaches in the south of Heraklion, Komos Beach. Kommos (or Komos) was once the port of Phaestus; you can still see the ruins of the old port of Kommos on the beach. Here you can find the protected loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) who lay their eggs in the sand of the beach, from May to September. The northern part of Kommos, Potamos, or Potamoserma, is a favorite destination for naturists, since the times when hundreds of hippies flooded the area. There are only a few tamarisk trees around, not buildings, because Komos is a protected archaeological area and building is restricted. Next to the archaeological site, on the south, there is an organized beach with umbrellas, sunbeds, toilet, showers, a canteen, and a lifeguard. All around there are sand dunes where you can admire the white lilies of sand, which signifies the end of the summer. The views of Paximadia islets are stunning, especially during sunset. Just opposite the archaeological site, 300m in the sea, you will see a beautiful big rock, which the locals call Volakas. Volakas could not be absent from the Greek myths. Locals say that the stone is the top of the boulder that the blinded Cyclope Polyphemus threw against the ship of Odysseus in order not to escape. This was after Odysseus, with his companions, escaped from Polyphemus’ cave.
- Enjoy and explore the small coastal village of Matala. It first made into the history books as the place where Zeus, in the form of a bull swam ashore with Europa on his back before dragging her off to Gortyna. The Minoans used Matala as their harbor for Phaestos and under the Romans, it became the port for Gortyna. The ruins of these ancient settlements are still visible on the seabed.
- Just a few steps from the central market square (follow the signs) visit the Church of our Lady, a pint-sized chapel which was carved straight out from a cliff apparently during Venetian times. In the church, there are two marble altars, capitals from the early Byzantine period, and precious icons.
- Despite such an ancient pedigree, Matala is well known due to hippies. This little town played host to a colony of flower children, some of them (like Joni Mitchell and Cat Stevens) famous. Rent-free living in the caves, gorgeous beach, cheap tavernas, free love, and more ...
- Since 2011 a Matala Hippie Reunion Festival drew scores of people but overall little of the "peace and love" is left. This takes place at the beginning of June and it is a 3 days music festival with live music, beach parties, right in front of the famous caves with music from the sixties/seventies - the sound & music of the legendary Woodstock festival ... an attractive program with lots of live music and party feeling, all kind of activities like Hippie bazaar, and Hippie events acoustic live music, concerts, happenings, exhibitions, children fun parc ... and more!
- Matala and the area around it is also a popular nesting ground for Caretta Caretta sea turtles. The sea Protection Society has a booth near the car park.
- Matala Beach is one of the four hundred (400) Greek beaches that have been awarded a Blue Flag. This “environmental certificate” is given to beaches that meet stringent criteria of water quality, environmental management, and safety.
- Sometimes Matala's main beach below the caves often gets uncomfortably cramped. To escape the crowds follow the signs to Red Beach reached in a 30-minute scramble over the rocks. It is hardly a secret but it does get fewer people including smattering nudists. Bring water and snacks.
- Don't miss to visit the beach of Agiofaraggo (19km) at the exit of the homonym gorge. To get there you must either cross the gorge, by easy hiking of about 30-50’, or catch a boat from Matala, Agia Galini, or Kali Limenes. We definitely recommend the first option, as the route within the vertical walls of the gorge is breathtaking. On the way, you will see the large caves where some hermits still live and the chapel of St. Anthony, with a well outside.
- Horse riding is another way to discover the hidden paths of south Crete. In Pitsidia (4 km) there is a horse stable, that organizes horse riding excursions. All equipment is supplied to the guests.
- Very close to the Villas, is located the archeological site of Phaistos, the second in size palace after Knossos. Phaistos is built on the most spectacular setting of all palaces in Crete, high on a dramatic hill, overlooking the entire Messara plain. Phaistos was inhabited since the late neolithic era will several organized settlements on the hill and the surrounding area, and the first palace was built around 2000 BC. Excavations have unearthed rich historical strata and ruins dated back to neolithic times.
- Another important archaeological site is this of Gortys (or Gortyna), near the village of Agii Deka and next to the road connecting Agii Deka with Mires. The city of Gortys is one of the most important archaeological sites in Greece. The first archaeological works in Gortys started in 1884 by the archaeologists Federico Halbherr and Stefanos Xanthoudides, after they discovered the Great Inscription of Gortys (discussed later). In 1898 the first excavations started, which continue till today.
- The Museum of Cretan Ethnology is outstanding in the village of Vori and provides fascinating insights into the traditional Cretan culture. This is the best museum of its kind on the island and worth a detour.
- Spend a day in Heraklion, the biggest city on the island, on the north coast. Walk in the pedestrian streets of the old part of the city. Visit the Crete Historical Museum and the excellent Archaeological Museum (one hall, with all the treasures, is open at the moment), combine the visit of the museum with a visit to the archeological site of Knossos (5km from the museum). Knossos was the biggest and the most important Palace of the Minoan Civilisation.
- Get your mask and fins and go for snorkeling. On the south coast of Crete, there is a great variety of fish and sea-plants, the visibility is excellent and there are no currents. Choose a rocky seabed where the sea life variety is wider, and go there either early in the morning or late in the afternoon.
- For more exciting activities in Heraklion area.
House Rules
- Check-in: 16.00 pm
- Check out: 12.00 pm
- Minimum Stay: 5-7 nights, depending on the season
- Payment Policy: Please check here
- Cancellation Policy: Please check here
MHTE: 1039K10000047100
How To Get There
Villa Kamilari located at Kamilari Village in the area of Mesara nearby Matala Village on Crete's south coast.
- By Air
From May through mid-October there are direct charter flights to Heraklion Airport (65km) or Chania Airport (136km). Tickets can be bought in advance for almost all flights via our partner website.
- By Sea
The journey is the thing". A superb way of enjoying the journey to Crete is to fly to Athens and take the ferry from Piraeus (Pireas) - the port serving Athens. A still-romantic way to travel by the overnight ferry from Piraeus to Heraklion Port (63km). Tickets can be bought in advance for all ferries via our partner website.
- By Car
If you want to explore the region while you're here, we recommend that you rent a car, other means of transport are limited and/or infrequent. We suggest our sister website Crete-Car-Rental.com, which offers competitive prices and you can collect your car at either airport.
- By Taxi
Book your taxi transfer online easily and safely from the airport or port to any location via our partner website.
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through CreteTravel.com
Facilities
- Dining: Villa Kamiliari has a fully equipped kitchen which has a cooker (oven and 4 hotplates), microwave, fridge, and small freezer, kettle, filter coffee maker, toaster
- Internet Access: Free WiFi throughout
- Swimming Pool: Private swimming pool(3.5m x 7.00m,1.30m deep), equipped with sunbeds and umbrellas, private garden with flowers and herbs.
- Spa Treatments: Not available
- Disabled Access: Not suitable
- Pets: Pets are allowed on request. No extra charges
- Languages Spoken: Greek, English
- Parking: Free private parking
- Maid Service: Cleaning, linen, and towels changes twice per week