| The Municipality of KAMILARI |
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The municipality of Kamilari consists of three villages: The village of Kamilari, the historical village of Agios Ioannis and the coastal resort of Kalamaki.
The village of Kamilari is located 2,5 km west of the archaeological sight of Phaistos and 2.5 km from the sea, where the resort of Kalamaki is sited. The name of the village is of Byzantine origin, and is derived from the world "kamilaris" meaning the one who rides a camel.
Kamilari is built on the top of three hills, Evgora, Goulas and Alevrota, and it has 339 inhabitants. Its houses are built with stones and are two-stored.
Public Bus Service to Kamilari Kalamaki:
The road passes through the Messara valley, one of the most beautiful and fertile areas in Crete. | |||||||||||
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Kamilari is a quiet, traditional village, with a panoramic view to the endless olive groves of the Messara valley on the one side, and to the Libyan sea on the other side. It has been inhabited since the Minoan period. One of the seven wise men of the ancient world, Epimenidis, a great wise man and a soothsayer, lived in a small community outside Kamilari, called Metohi. The old village is built on the top of the hill Evgora. From this site the inhabitants could have an overview of the enemy, to the Messara valley for the Turks and to the Libyan sea for the pirates. | |||||||||||
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Its people are hospitable with a great respect to the tradition, that passes from generation to generation. The village organizes feasts during the Carnival, while during the Resurrection day in Easter, old customs come to life, like burning the Judas. Great fairs are also organized during the feast-days of the village on the 27th of July and on the 6th of August.
In the village one can find a hotel, traditional guest houses and rooms to rent. There are also tavernas and bars. | |||||||||||
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The Tomb of Kamilari In a distance of 4 km from Phaistos, outside the village of Kamilari, archaeological excavations have brought to light a vaulted Minoan tomb, one of the most important in the Messara valley. In this tomb, known as the "Kamilari tomb", several archaeological findings were found, today exhibited in the Archaeological Museum of Iraklion.
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Agios Ioannis
The small village of Agios Ioannis is one of the three villages that constitute the community of Kamilari. The houses of the community are built on the ruins of the ancient city. The church of Agios Georgios (16th century) is located on the hill of Phaistos next to the ruins of an old monastery.
In the village there is the church of Agios Ioannis built on the 16th century, and the tower of Agriolidis. At the south part of the village there is an old distillery of raki. In the village there are two traditional tavernas and a cafe. The village celebrates the feast-day of Agios Ioannis on the 26th of September when a fair is organized.
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Kalamaki
Kalamaki community is fairly new, constantly developing, built on a beach of exceptional natural beauty and character . The fauna of the area is unique, with cedar trees centuries old, lilies of the sea, aromatic herbs, etc.
The beach in Kalamaki is wonderful and extended, over 3 kms long and covered with fine golden sand.
The Caretta-Caretta tortoises lay their eggs on the beach, among the sand-dunes of Kalamaki, and there is an information kiosk in the community.
The view from the beach is also magnificent. To the right of Kalamaki one can see the resort town of Agia Galini and , at a distance on the horizon Paximadia, the two small islands of the Messara gulf.
Kalamaki was built during the 80's, while the first houses were built during the 60's. The community is developing into a modern, tourist seaside resort, with restaurants, bars, hotels and rooms to rent. 
Kamilari Agios Ioannis Kalamaki
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