Kamilari, a quiet village in southern Crete. Kamilari is located in southern Crete, very close to Tymbaki, Mires and the seaside villages of Kalamaki and Matala. Kamilari is 4 km from the archaeological site of Phaistos, and is an ideal location for those who want to explore the beautiful Messara Valley with its picturesque villages, rich history and of course the beautiful bays and beaches of southern Crete. Kamilari is built on top of three hills. It is a peaceful place with panoramic views of the olive groves of the plain of Messara, the peaks of Psiloritis, and the Mediterranean Sea. The village is very close to the beaches of the region. You will feel the strong traditional nature of its small houses, picturesque alleyways, and unique views. It has all the characteristics of a typical Cretan village, with its small Main Square, church, and traditional and colourful cafes. The name of the village, myths and history "Kamilaris" means camel driver and is a name that dates from the Byzantine period. Speculation has it that originally, Kamilaris referred to the castle-guard in 1583. But history here goes much further back. In 1959, a vaulted tomb was discovered near the village, dating to the beginning of Minoan-New Palace period. We have our local myths as well. In the settlement Metochi, located just outside the village of Kamilari, lived Epimenides, one of the seven wise men of ancient Greece. Legend has it that he spent 57 years in a deep sleep. Our village is well preserved. In the years that Crete was plagued by raids, Kamilari proved to be an ideal location - being situated on a hill protected it from damage. How to get there Kamilari is around 68 km from Heraklion International Airport (HER). Coming from Heraklion, take first the national road 90 (E75) to Rethymno and from there the national road 97 to Moires. Drive for about 50 km crossing Mires town torwards Timbaki town. About 8 km after Mires (500 m before entering Timbaki) you'll find a Nissan car station to your right. Turn here left and take the road to Kamilari for another 4,5 km. Just before entering the village turn right to Kalamaki Beach resort, drive 900 meter and at the signs “Orelia Cretan Villas & Deluxe Apartments” turn left. On the crest of a small hill you will find the property after 700 meter. Coordinates: 35.0296571724125,24.774011420086 (on Google Maps and OpenStreetMap ) Nearby facilities Health Care Doctors: There are general practitioners as well as specialists in Moires (14 km) and Timbaki (7 km). Most of the doctors speak English and many also speak German and Italian. Dentists: There are also good dentists in Moires and Timbaki. You can choose from among several. Health Center: The nearest hospital for emergency cases is Moires Health Centre. There are several more hospitals in Heraklion. In a medical emergency, you should phone 166 for an ambulance. Emergency treatment is free to all those with an international insurance. Cash machine: There are cash machines in almost every town large enough to support a bank – in our area the closest are in Timbaki and Mires. Very often you also find ATMs in touristic places, like Matala and Aghia Galini. MasterCard or Visa credit cards are accepted by almost all shops. Internet access: The south of Crete has a reasonable number of internet cafes and today there are many other places offering Wi-Fi as well. In Kalamaki, many of the restaurants and the cafes have Wi-Fi. Opening hours: Due to our hot summers, most shops close for a siesta from lunch-time till afternoon. To compensate, they have extended opening hours in the evening. Kiosks (“Periptero”) don't always close for the siesta and are often open until late at night. •Banks are open Monday-Thursday from 8am-2:30pm and Friday from 8am-2pm. •Post-offices are open Monday to Friday from 9am-2pm. •Opening times for shops vary from 8-9am until 1-2pm and again from 5-5:30pm until 8:30-9pm. •Most souvenir shops are open continuously from 8 or 9am until 10pm. To be really sure you should always check the opening times that are displayed on the establishment. Post: Postcards as well as stamps can be obtained in the supermarket (on the square) in Kamilari. You can also leave your post there to have it sent anywhere in the world. The Family Babis, a former sea captain, Voula her young daughter and Dimitrios, a tourism expert for the last 30 years will take care of all your needs. The family owns and operates agro-cropping (paprika, grapes) and it is possible to make short excursions to watch it. Τhe family gives tips for excursions in the area and is always accessible by telephone.