The village of Kamilari is located 2.5 km west of the archeological sight of Phaistos and 2.5 km from the sea, where the resort of Kalamaki is sited. The name of the village is of Byzantine origin and it is derived from the world "kamilari" which means the one who rides a camel.
Kamilari is built on the top of three hills named Evgora, Goulas and Alevrota and it has 339 inhabitants. Its houses are built by stones and they are two-storey. The village is known for its climate that is temperate, as well as for the fact that there is sunshine nine months every year.
Kamilari is a quiet, traditional village 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 Metochi.
The old village is built on the top of the hill Evgora. From this site the inhabitants could have an overview of the enemy, towards Messara valley for the Turks and towards 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 for Carnival, while during the Resurrection day in Easter old customs come to life, like burning the Judas. Great fairs are also organized during the feast-days of the village on the 27th of July and on the 6th of August.
