Kamilari village is located 2.5km west of the archeological sight of Phaistos and 2.5km from the sea, where the resort of Kalamaki is sited.
The name of the village is of Bysantine origin, and is derived from the world kamilari is meaning the one who rides a camel.
Kamilari is built on the top of tree hills, Evgora, Goulas and Alevrota, and it has 339 inhabitants. Its houses are built with stones and are two-stored.
The village is known for its climate that is temperate and there is sunshine nine months every year. Kamilari is cretan traditional village, very quiet, with a panoramic view
to the endless olive groves of the Messara valley on the one side, and to the Libyan sea on the other side. It has been inhabited since the Minoan period.
One of the seven wise men of the ancient world, Epimenidis, a great wise man and a soothsayer, lived in a small community outside Kamilari, called Metoxi.
The old village is built on the top of the hill Evgora. From this site the inhabitants could have an overview of the enemy, to the Messara valley for the Turks
and to the Libyan sea for the pirates. Its people are hospitable with a great respect to the tradition that passes from generation to generation.
The village organizes feasts during the Carnival, while during the Resurrection day in Easter, old customs come to life, like burning the Judas.
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