Kalamaki village & beach

Kalamáki is located in the bay of Messara 2.5 km from the village of Kamilari, 14km from the town of Moires and 65km from the city of Heraklion. It is part of the municipality of Phaistos
Kalamaki is a small fairly new town, constantly developing into a popular tourist resort. It is built on a beach of exceptional natural beauty and character.

The fauna of the area is unique, with century old cedar trees, sea lilies and aromatic herbs.
The Caretta caretta tortoises (loggerhead) lay their eggs on the beach, among the sand-dunes of Kalamaki. The people of the area are doing efforts for the conservation of this endangered species.
The view from Kalamaki is magnificent. To the right one can see the resort town of Agia Galini and, at a distance on the horizon, Paximadia, the two small islands of the Messara bay.

Regular public bus transport is available from/to Heraklion, Moires and Timbaki. Taxi from / to Heraklion airport costs around 50euros.
For moving around the area you can use the public bus or taxi. Rent a car is also possible right on the spot.

The beach of Kalamaki is lined with hotels, restaurants, taverns, café bars and shops. Actually the beach street is the central street of the town and concentrates all the activity.
At the beach, in front of the town, there are umbrellas and sun beds. At the shops you will find the basics but the towns of Moires and Timbaki, with large stores, banks, doctors etc, are only a few minutes drive away.

The area of Kalamaki has been inhabited during the Minoan, Hellenistic and Roman period. South of Kalamaki is the archaeological site of Kommos, port of ancient Phaistos.
Outside the community is placed the church “Palies eklisies”, built on the 18th century probably on the ruins of a Roman temple. South of the “palies eklisies” church there is an excavated building probably of the Hellenistic period.

Kalamaki is in the heart of Crete and major historical places such as Phaistos, Agia Triada, Gortyna, Kommos, Matala and much more are only a few kilometers away. Other attractions in the wider area are: the museum of Cretan Ethnology, the gorges of Agiofarago and Martsalo, the village of Sivas, Matala and others. Of course if you fancy walking, in the surrounding area there is a wealth of interesting places and villages to visit.