Villa Taf is located between the two villages of Kamilari and Kalamaki in the south of Crete, about 65 kilometers from the airport in Heraklion. Far away from mass tourism, the surrounding area with picturesque nature, beautiful beaches and small restaurants and taverns with traditional Cretan food offers a varied experience for young and old.
For culture enthusiasts, for example, a visit to the nearby excavations of Phaistos, a Bronze Age Minoan settlement is recommended.
Surrounding villages
Kamilari 0,2 km
Kalamaki 2,3 km
Matala 9 km
Agia Galini 20 km
The village of Kamilari is located at the foot of the highest mountain in Crete, Psiloritis. If you are looking for peace and tranquility, original taverns with good Cretan cuisine and quiet rural village life, you will feel at home in Kamilari. If you follow the road towards the coast, you will end up in Kalamaki. The coastal village offers an atmospheric waterfront promenade with cafes, restaurants and tavernas that invite you to relax both during the day and in the evening.
However, if you want to experience the vibrant life of Crete, you might be better off in Matala (or in the north of the island). This place is located about 9 kilometers from Villa Taf and is very easy to reach by car, but also for hiking enthusiasts on foot.
The charm of Matala lies in its mixture of traditional Greek fishing village and hippie oasis. As a result, Matala has become very popular with tourists in recent years and is accordingly well developed. You will find many bars, restaurants and tavernas here.
The coastal village of Agia Galini, 20km away, is definitely worth a visit! With its white limestone houses built on rocks and the small harbour, the village is a picturesque sight and also offers all kinds of dining options and souvenir shops.
Shopping facilities
Bakery 230 m
Mini market Milonas 800 m
Supermarkets Lidl 14 km, Xalkiadakis 12 km (in Mires)
Weekly market every saturday in Mires; every Friday in Tymbaki
Beaches
Kalamaki Beach 2,3 km
Kommos Beach 6,6 km
Strand von Matala 9 km
Red Beach 1,5 km (accessible from Matala beach via a footpath)
Pahia Ammos Beach 3,4 km
Afrathias Beach 4,4 km
Kalamaki Beach
The beach of Kalamaki can be reached from the house by walking through olive groves (about 3-4 km) or in a few minutes by car (about 2.5 km). Kalamaki Beach is mostly sandy. On the promenade you can find some cafes, restaurants and the typical Greek taverns. During the day you can relax on sun loungers, in the evening the restaurants and taverns invite you to experience the Greek cuisine at sunset. Here at Kalamaki Beach, compared to the other beaches in the region, it is quite quiet and cozy, perfectly suited to unwind. This makes it especially suitable for families.
Kommos Beach
One of the most beautiful beaches of the island is Kommos Beach. This beach is very spacious and even offers a nudist area. It can be reached either on foot and joins the southern end of Kalamaki Beach. But you can also park your car coming from Pitsidia on one of the numerous parking lots, most of them are free of charge (statement under reserve). From the house it is about 7 kilometers to the beach. The Komos Beach is very natural. On the whole beach section you will find only a few bars and restaurants, but these offer an even nicer ambience, and refreshing snacks and drinks. The different beach passages are either sandy, pebbly or rocky. The sea is clear and, depending on the wind, sometimes glassy, but on other days there can be a high swell. With good wind you can even surf!
Beach of Matala
The beach of Matala is lined with shady tamarisk trees. On the right side of the bay there is a spectacular view of a sandstone rock massif, which is crisscrossed by a gigantic cave system. The water is crystal clear and inviting for swimming. For a fee, sun beds and umbrella can be rented. The infrastructure is very well developed, so there are lifesavers, first aid facilities as well as toilets and showers. Furthermore, there are many cafes and taverns on the beach, which invite you after a relaxing day on the beach or a stroll through the town to end the evening with a gyros, fresh fish or other typical Greek dishes.
Activities
Phaistos (palace) 3,3 km
Museum of Cretan Ethnology 4,4 km
Hiking
Windsurfing
The fees for the activities are not included.
More impressions of the “Golden South”
On our hikes across the golden south, we have already been able to gain some wonderful insights into the island and are surprised every time again how diverse it is. Here are a few more impressions that we would like to share with you:
