Kamilari · South Crete

Getting
here.

Kamilari is in the south of Crete, on a low hill above the Messara plain. Most guests fly into Heraklion, pick up a car at the airport, and are sitting in their courtyard in well under two hours.

From Heraklion airport

Heraklion is the closest airport, with flights from most of Europe for much of the year. The drive is about 62 km and takes around 1 hour 15 minutes.

You leave the city on the main road south towards Moires, cross the hills in the middle of the island, and come down into the Messara plain. From Moires it is about another 15 minutes to Kamilari.

Landing late? Tell Vangelis your flight time when you book. Arriving late at night is no problem: he meets you at the house whatever the hour.

From Chania airport

Chania suits you if you want to see the west of the island first. Count on about 3 hours for the 135 km: east along the north-coast highway to Rethymno, then across the mountains to the south. It is a beautiful drive, but a long one after a flight.

By taxi

If you would rather not drive after a flight, take a taxi. Vangelis recommends Giorgos, a taxi driver he knows: +30 697 327 7040. From Heraklion the fare is about €80. Agree the price when you book the ride.

By bus

KTEL, the regional bus company, runs buses from Heraklion’s central bus station to Moires, Matala and on along the south. There is a bus stop in Kamilari, and in summer a local line also links Matala, Kommos, Kalamaki and Agia Galini along the coast.

Times change with the season, so check the current timetable at ktelherlas.gr or call +30 2810 24 65 30 before you travel.

Do you need a car?

Not for a relaxed stay. The houses are in the centre of the village, a few steps from the square. Kamilari has a supermarket that is open all year and sells bread, a pharmacy, an ATM, a doctor and tavernas. The Kamilari tholos tomb is half an hour’s walk through the olive groves, and Vangelis has bicycles for guests (ask him before you arrive).

To see more of the south, a car makes a big difference. With one, all of these are close:

From the houses	By car
Kalamaki beach	about 10 min
Phaistos	about 10 min
Agia Triada	about 15 min
Kommos beach	about 15 min
Matala	about 15 min
Moires (Saturday market)	about 15 min
Tympaki (Friday market)	about 15 min

Bigger day trips work too: Gortyn is about 25 minutes away, and Knossos and the archaeological museum in Heraklion about 1 hour 15.

Parking and arrival

You park right next to the houses.

Arrival is from 15:00, departure by 11:00. Vangelis sends you the location before you set off and meets you at the house himself to hand over the keys. You can also open the houses’ pin on Google Maps.