Activities
- 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.
- On an 80-meter hilltop to the north of the village is a tholos tomb from the Middle Minoan era. Before the creation of the massive palace complexes, such tombs had social functions beyond the funerary: hosting the rites of spring and harvest as well as drinking ceremonies dedicated to the living and the dead. From Kamilari’s tholos tomb you have a wonderful view over the Messara plain, the Lybian Sea, and the majestic Psiloritis massif.
- Nearby Kamilari village you will find the great sandy Komos beach. The prehistoric settlement at Komos became the port for Phaistos under the Minoans. It was excavated in 1970 by amateur archaeologist Friedhelm Will. The dig is not currently accessible to visitors, as work is still underway bringing valuable finds to light. From June to September the beach at Komos is visited by endangered loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) who come to bury their eggs.
- We are glad to inform you that one brand new tennis court is available for all of our guests at all Cretan Traditional Villas (Kouros n' Kori Villas, Listaros Villas, Phaestias Villas, Sivas Villas, Villa Pasiphae ). Guests from all these villas will have free use of the Tennis Court up to 3 times a week (1 hour at a time).
- 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 which 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.
- Nearby Moni Odigitrias, set in an untamed landscape, at first sight, this monastery looks more like a fortress, and its mighty Xopateras tower was used for defense. Outlaw ex-priest Ioannis Markakis, also known as Xopateras, in 1828 defended himself in the monastery against Turkish forces who were hunting him. Finally defeated, he threw himself from a window to his death. Nowadays the monastery is peaceful. The church in its inner courtyard houses frescos that are up to 600 years old, as well as an exquisite icon screen and precious icons.
- 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 Pyrgos a long sandy beach with shallow water, the east side of the beach is more secluded than the part close to the port.
- 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 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 Minoan site of Kommos, 3km north of Matala along a fantastic wide and sandy beach, is believed to have been the port of Phaestos.
- 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 activities in Heraklion region, please click here.
House Rules
- Check-in: 15.00 - 23.00 pm
- Check out: 11.00 am
- Minimum Stay: 2-3 nights, depending on the season
- Payment Policy: Please check here
- Cancellation Policy: Please check here
MHTE: 1059449
How To Get There
Kouros and Kori Villas 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 (65km) or Chania (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 has a fully equipped open plan kitchen which has a cooker (oven and 4 hotplates), microwave, fridge, and small freezer, kettle, filter coffee maker, toaster and more
- Internet Access: Free WiFi throughout
- Swimming Pool: Private swimming pool : (37.5m2),15m x 2.5m, depth 1,40m with hydro massage jets and waterfall jet for the neck and the shoulders and Children’s pool : (2.25m2) 1.5m x 1.5m, depth 0.5m
- Spa Treatments: Not available
- Tennis Court: We are glad to inform you that one brand new tennis court is available for all of our guests at all Cretan Traditional Villas (Kouros n' Kori Villas, Listaros Villas, Phaestias Villas, Sivas Villas, Villa Pasiphae ). Guests from all these villas will have free use of the Tennis Court up to 3 times a week (1 hour at a time).
- Disabled Access: Suitable
- Pets: Pets are allowed on request. No extra charges
- Languages Spoken: Greek, English
- Parking: Free private parking space with remote control entrance gate
- Maid Service: Cleaning, linen, and towels changes twice per week
