Kalamaki
Kalamaki
Kalamaki is a seaside settlement on the south coast of Crete, Heraklion region, and very close to the famous Matala beach (8km). The village is entirely tourist-oriented and consists only of hotels, villas, restaurants, small shops and basic service providers like car rentals.
Kalamaki boasts a very long and wide beach with view towards the Messaras gulf and the two uninhabited islets of Paximadia. That part of the beach which spreads in front of the village is organized with beach bars, sunbeds and parasols to rent. In this area of the village one can find all the cafes and tavernas lined around the sea. The rest part north and south of the village is empty and guarantees privacy any time. The beach is entirely sandy but waves are almost present and the sea is usually rough for swimming. The southernmost part of the beach, about 1 km away from the center, is called Kommos and is popular among naturists, with a small seaside taverna and beach bar. There you can also see excavations of an ancient Minoan settlement right by the sea.
The area around Kalamaki is perfect to explore by car, especially the rocky cape just south of Matala, with old churches and hidden small beaches between the vertical cliffs. One of them is Vathi beach, the bigger version of Seitan Limania in Chania. Another point of interest in this part of Crete is the Agiofarango gorge which is relatively easy to walk and ends at a fantastic beach with crystal aquamarine water.
