Kamilari among hills, history and wide-open views

Kamilari combines a hillside setting with wide panoramic views and archaeological traces in the surrounding area. The Minoan tholos tomb, a Roman cemetery and the ancient Mana Elia each offer a different point of interest; the four-kilometre Festos Run route begins in the village. Kamilari therefore offers a range of ways to shape your vacation around scenery, culture or activity.

Hillside setting with views of the plain, mountains and sea

Kamilari is set on hills and offers panoramic views of the Messara Plain, Mount Psiloritis and the Libyan Sea. These three landscape features give the village a distinctive setting: the expanse of the plain, the mountains and the sea come together to create a varied backdrop. If you like to take in different kinds of scenery when choosing a destination, you will find more here than just a single viewpoint.

The hillside setting is a useful point of reference when planning your vacation: Kamilari can be considered a destination with wide-ranging scenery, while the archaeological sites appeal to particular historical interests. Which of these aspects matters most to you depends on whether you are mainly looking for scenic impressions, historical themes or a mix of both during your vacation.

Minoan traces in the surrounding area

The Minoan tholos tomb of Kamilari is located on Grigori Korfi hill, three kilometres north of Kamilari and about 80 metres above sea level. The name refers to its distinctive tomb form. Its hillside location, elevation and distance place this archaeological landmark in its surroundings.

Important finds from the tomb are kept at the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion. These include a statue of four figures dancing in a circle, known as the “Dancers from Kamilari.” The findspot and its current place of safekeeping are two distinct points of reference for Minoan history: the tomb near the destination and a significant find in the museum in Heraklion.

A Roman cemetery and an ancient olive tree

Another archaeological point of interest is the Roman cemetery at the foot of Evgora hill. It is in the area around Kamilari and was discovered in 2010. Together with the Minoan tholos tomb, it shows that the historical sites in the area are not limited to a single location.

The Mana Elia stands near the Minoan tomb. The olive tree is estimated to be 2,800 years old and is among the oldest trees in Crete. Its age remains an estimate; this exceptionally long timespan makes the tree a remarkable natural landmark in the area. It adds another perspective on the landscape’s history to the archaeological themes.

A sporting highlight in the village

The four-kilometre Festos Run route begins in Kamilari. Its starting point and length are useful details if running is one of your vacation interests. This adds a sporting option to the scenic and archaeological highlights, without limiting your stay to just one type of experience.

Choose accommodation to suit your interests

If you are looking for a holiday apartment in Kamilari, first consider what you want your vacation to focus on: the hillside setting and views of the plain, Mount Psiloritis and the sea; the archaeological sites; or the sporting option of the Festos Run route. These themes offer different ways to guide your choice of destination. You can decide which combination suits you by focusing on the experiences you want to make central to your trip.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Galatas, Avdou, Astrakoi, Kiparissos, Semeli, Agios Myron, Listaros, Choudetsi.

For the full travel overview: Heraklion.