Villa Kambos
In this section...
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- Short walk to best beach in Crete
- Set in unspoilt Xerokambos
- Beautiful views
- Short drive to tavernas
As tantalisingly close to the Caribbean as you can get without actually being there, the unspoilt beaches of Xerokambos are the most beautiful in Crete; their feather-soft white sands and turquoise waters the ingredients of an unforgettable holiday. And despite the sense of blissful ‘remoteness’, you’re still only a few minutes’ drive from local shops and tavernas.
Villa Kambos is set discreetly into a hillside, just a few minutes’ walk from the beach. In harmony with the natural environment, it’s charming inside and out, and a comfortable, welcoming home to return to after a day of sun, sea and exploring. The terrace is stylishly furnished for relaxed lounging and dining and the sparkling infinity pool is the perfect vantage point for appreciating your idyllic surroundings as you enjoy a cooling dip. Villa Almyra, its identical twin, sits below, and for two families or couples travelling together, these villas complement each other beautifully. There's also Villa Aetos above, a romantic 1-bedroom villa just for two. All enjoy spectacular sea views and a good degree of privacy on the pool terrace.
Following the gentle curve of Crete’s southeast coastline, each of the Xerokambos beaches has its own unique personality. Just a six minute drive away, two are well organised which, combined with the calm, shallow waters and a couple of tavernas ideally situated perfect for a relaxing lunch, makes them ideal if you’re holidaying with little ones. The rest have been left as nature intended – and each is a work of art. Argilos beach in particular deserves a visit for the natural clay that you can use as a skin-softening body mask – and photo opportunity!
The winding road into the hills above Xerokambos is one of the most scenic on the island and if you’re venturing out and about, diminutive Kato Zakros is just a 25-minute drive away. There you’ll find the ruins of a Minoan palace; Pelekita Cave, a vast cavern of stalagmites and crystals, and the Gorge of the Dead at the end of the E4 walking trail. Or for a livelier experience, visit famous Vai Beach. This ‘taste of paradise’ featured in the Bounty commercial is less than an hour’s drive away, and comes with watersports, restaurants and Europe’s only palm forest, as well as all the facilities you could wish for.
Looking for 10 nights..? Why not add a 3-night stay in a boutique hotel to your villa holiday. To find out more, view our 10-night holidays in Greece.
In Greece, a tourist tax may apply at your accommodation which will be payable locally, in cash, during the course of your holiday. Please use the link to view details specific to your accommodation. View tourist tax rates here.
Accommodation
Layout
- 2 bedroom villa (sleeps 2- 4)
Ground floor
- Living/dining area with TV (English-speaking news channels)
- Kitchen with oven, hob, microwave, fridge-freezer, dishwasher, washing machine
Upper ground floor
- 3 steps up
- Double bedroom (160cm x 200cm bed)
- Twin bedroom (90cm x 200cm beds) with en-suite shower room
- Bathroom
General
- Complimentary WiFi
- Air-conditioned throughout
- Iron, ironing board, hairdryer, pool and bath towels provided
- Barbecue
- Outside shaded dining area
- Private swimming pool 8m x 4m (depth 0.60 – 1.5m)
- Situated on a slope overlooking the beach and sea
WiFi
- All properties with WiFi are able to support basic functionality such as web browsing and checking emails*
* We aim to offer an uninterrupted service but sometimes due to factors beyond our control reliability can be affected.
National tourist licence (EOT): 1168320
Location
- Xerokambos beach 7min walk
- Mini-market 12min walk
- Taverna 30min walk
- Kato Zakros 25min drive
- Ziros 30min drive
- Makrigialos 60min drive
- Sitia (supermarket and other major services) 60min drive
- Heraklion Airport (via Ierapetra) 2hr 45min
Car hire
Car options
Based on the number of people travelling, the following hire car(s) are included in the package price of your holiday:
- 2-3 guests – 1 Group C2, Seat Ibiza or similar*
- 4 guests – 1 Group D2, Hyundai i30 or similar*
* All our cars include comprehensive insurance with no excess charge. For this particular destination, the undercarriage, tyres, wing mirrors and windscreen are not included in the cover.
Car specification
Group C2 – 1.2-1.4 litre engine, 1 large suitcase*
Group D2 – 1.4 litre engine, 2 large suitcases*
The following cars are available as alternatives on request (supplements apply). Please call our travel specialists for details.
Group CA – Automatic Nissan Micra or similar, 1.2-1.4 litre engine, 1 large suitcase*
Group D3 – Seat Toledo (diesel) or similar, 1.4 - 2.0 litre engine, 3 large suitcases*
Group DA3 – Automatic Nissan Pulsar or similar , 1.4 - 2.0 litre engine, 3 large suitcases*
Group E1 - Kia Stonic or similar, 1.0 litre engine, 1 medium and 2 large suitcases*
Group L2 – Dacia Duster or similar, 1.2 litre engine, 3 large suitcases*
Group F1 - Citroen Grand C4 or similar, 7 seater, 1.4 - 2.0 litre engine, 2 large suitcases*
Group FA - Automatic Citroen Grand C4 Space Tourer or similar, 7 seater, 1.4 - 2.0 litre engine, 2 large suitcases*
* Suitcase sizes are based on a large suitcase being approximately 75cm x 41cm x 31cm, a medium suitcase of approximately 65cm x 46cm x 29cm and a small suitcase of 55cm x 40cm x 20cm.
I honestly cannot rate Simpson Travel highly enough for their attention to detail with our holiday, we felt entirely safe in their hands and any queries no matter how trivial were answered in full to ensure our confidence. The Eastern Crete concierge Claire was fantastic and really helpful with information and the housekeeper Hara was a pleasure. Thank you to the whole Simpson team for taking such good care of the little things so that we could relax and enjoy.
A beautiful week at Villa Kambos, the pool and its view never failed to delight. The scenery here is just breathtaking and the drive into Palekasto via the incredible restaurant at Hiona beach is worth it for the stunning landscapes on the way alone! We love Xerokambos beach and all swam and enjoyed the company of the pretty fish...how lucky to come back to swim some more in the luxurious pool at Villa Kambos. The local mini market is very well stocked and the staff so helpful and friendly.
Excellent, peaceful and private accommodation in a beautiful location above one of the best beaches in south eastern Crete.
Sunshine, pomegranates and figs in the garden, a beautiful pool with an even more beautiful view. What’s not to like at Villa Kambos. We came to relax and we’ve had a perfect week in every way.
Villa Kambos was excellent and just what we had all hoped for, peace and quiet, wonderful view of sea and wonderful swimming in both the sea and pool.
It’s really nice to be back in Crete again. This was our first time in this villa and it’s been lovely. The perfect location for a quiet, relaxing and beautiful holiday. The pool was great to hop in on really hot days. It’s been wonderful here.
Our 4th stay here, this time with a 4mo baby as well as a 5yo, which we were a little unsure about because of the remoteness of the property, but it was a great experience once again. Xerokambos remains a very special and unspoiled place and it always feels like we're coming back home.
We had a relaxing fortnight in this beautiful villa. Thank you Claire and Hara for looking after us so well. Although it is tempting to stay by the pool and soak up the views, we have been as far as Mochlos. Most mornings, after breakfast at Akrogialia, we spent the morning on the beach, lunch then back to the villa pool. We have fallen in love with the villa and the area and we will be back.
We’ve had yet another wonderful holiday with Simpson Travel. The villa was beautifully positioned with some of the best views we have experienced. We loved its quiet, unspoilt location. It was well presented and comfortable in every aspect. We enjoyed the space of the outside area and spent a lot of time in the pool. Claire was excellent. She helped us out at the beginning of the holiday ensuring we had everything we needed and kept in touch with festivals and events which might be of interest. We will be back.
We’ve had a relaxing fortnight in this beautiful villa. Thank you, Claire and Hara, for looking after us so well. Although it is tempting to stay by the pool and soak up the views, we have been out as far as Mochlos. We have fallen in love with the villa and the area and will be back.
We have had a lovely and relaxing time at this fantastically beautiful place. Incredible scenery and so beautiful. The beach is perfect for kids and the best around, no real need to travel anywhere else when that one is right here. Amazing drives when you you go anywhere else though, incredible views of the many valleys and gorges and sometimes it feels like you're driving right down to the sea!. Claire is really friendly and helpful, very knowledgeable about everything around here, thanks Claire!
Great time of the year to come here – not too hot but sunny and lots of wildflowers. Such interesting geology around that it made me want to be a geologist! Great beach here too – it’s a wonderful place. Great villa – very comfortable. Wanted to stay here but ‘real life’ calls back home. Our third trip to Crete – eastern Crete very different from elsewhere.
A beautiful villa with a stunning view. A fairly long drive from Heraklion but lovely scenery. We went to Xerokambos in the low season & it was idyllic. Highly recommend & we would love to come back next year.
The Villa is in a lovely location in a remote and largely unspoilt area with nice beaches in walking distance. A good taverna is a short drive away. We thought Simpson were really professional and customer friendly from start to finish.
We had a really enjoyable holiday at Villa Kambos. Claire, our concierge, was very knowledgeable and helpful. The welcome basket was life-saver after a long drive from Heraklion. The pool was lovely, and with easy access to a wonderful beach, we and our kids spent a lot of time in the water. The location was quiet but that suited us very well. We came home relaxed and recharged for the September return to work and school.
We love using Simpson Travel, there’s a sense of trust that you know you’ll end up with quality accommodation and that everything has been considered. Will be booking again for next year.
We really enjoyed our holiday at villa Kambos. The views from the villa and pool are spectacular and it was great to have such a beautiful beach within walking distance.
Although only stayed for five days and we have enjoyed our stay. We especially appreciated the stocked fridge and the general good maintenance of the villa. We swam in the sea and the pool lots. We walked to the lovely gorge of Kato Zakros and spent one day visiting ancient sites. All within quite an easy distance. We were lucky to see a ‘kettle’ of about 10 vultures in the pass above Xerocampos. Also saw the rare Eleanora’s falcon. Lots of choughs about too. Weather really good. Enjoyed the mud bath at Argillos beach.
We had enjoyed our stay in Kambos that we have known and loved for 11 years, with a happiness always renewed. We congratulate Simpson Travel for having chosen these both villas, two jewels in this last corner of Europe. It is not just a good bye!
We had three days of wind but what a spot! I have just eaten a mango from the tree below the villa…it was superb. I have consumed perfectly ripe figs and marvelled at the view. I have covered myself in clay on the Argillos beach. I look 20 years younger (I think!). The local taverna, Kostas, is really good. We had a wild goat come for a drink too.
Have used Simpson several times and we keep coming back. Latest holiday was affected by BA pilots’ strike which the Simpson team handled brilliantly and provided us with an excellent Greek holiday as planned. Cheers!
Well looked after by the Simpson team. Villa and setting superb. We loved eating at Kostas and Sunday lamb at Nostos has to be tasted.
Great location for a very peaceful family holiday. The kids enjoyed the pool too much – hard to drag them away to the beautiful beaches. Very well managed property. Thanks.
Loved the villa and the pool. Visited the beach below but the next beach along was excellent for snorkelling and copied the locals by applying beach clay to our bodies! Picked and ate mangos, figs and limes from the garden – delicious. Visited the beautiful village of Kato Zakros which is at the end of a gorge which if you have suitable footwear is well worth walking up. All in all have had a wonderful week relaxing and enjoying the stunning vistas.
Wow what a view and what a location! Beautiful villa in a wonderfully remote part of Crete, perfect for getting away from the hustle and bustle.
Wow – what an idyllic week! Beautiful, unspoilt location with a view that can’t be beaten. Eaten lovely local food at Kostas nearby and at Kato Zakros. Weather has also been perfect (bit breezy on occasions). Thank you to Marian, our rep, and to Hara who kept everywhere spotless. We also managed to persuade Hara to make us her speciality moussaka – yummy!
This must be one of the best kept secrets of the Mediterranean coast! So unspoilt that it doesn’t take much to imagine the Minoans gazing at the same hills and sea thousands of years ago. In terms of places to eat – Metobi and Nostos win hands down!
What an idyllic little place away from the hustle and bustle, and wow what a view! The perfect place to relax with a book. But we also explored the area. Ate lots of local food at Kostas (just down the road) and at the excellent Nostos in Kato Zakros. The mini-market is perfect for essentials. Hold on to your hats as it can be breezy!
Kambos is without doubt the best villa we have ever stayed in – the outdoor area and pool are top notch and the view, just wow. The villa was spotlessly clean on arrival and a lot of thought had gone into the arrival pack which contained a lot of local produce and much more than we expected. The surrounding area is completely unspoilt and the local shops have all the necessities, even selling Prosecco. We did venture out to eat a couple of nights at local tavernas however we soon decided that eating at the villa and enjoying the views was the best way to spend the evenings. The beach is indeed 3 minutes’ walk away however quite narrow, although uncrowded. When we booked we were a little put off by the 2.45 hour drive from the airport, however it’s an experience in itself and the last half hour descending into the village is a drive not to be forgotten. Is it worth it? A resounding YES!
Had a fantastic week. Thank you to all at Simpson. We have thoroughly enjoyed exploring the eastern side of Crete. We went to the Toplou monastery and enjoyed the wine tasting and the olive oil. We have eaten very well at Kostas just a short drive away. Lovely fresh food and very friendly hosts.
I cannot recommend Simpson Travel enough. Every time we travel with them it is just so easy and they are so helpful. Our accommodation was stunning at the Villa Kambos. A lovely quiet retreat with breathtaking views. Everything had been thought of and there was even a bottle of almond milk in the fridge for my daughter who is allergic to milk. A very thoughtful and kind gesture. Thank you to everyone at Simpson. We shall see you again very soon.
Our choice of Greek properties is as diverse as the islands themselves, ranging from simple seaside charm to genuine luxury and style. Much of our portfolio is privately owned, and price alone is therefore not a universal guide. We contract all our accommodation in person, and each property has its individual appeal. To help you make the right choice based on your own priorities, we have devised a simple grading guide to be considered in conjunction with each individual property description, awarding up to a maximum of five stars for the below categories.
* For further clarification on Facilities and Amenities, please view the 'Details' tab for each property or speak to one of our experienced sales consultants.
A destination where tourism is not the local raison d’être, this is a place to relax unreservedly into a life by the sea. The landscape is rugged – mountains, gorges and rocky hillsides scattered with tiny villages and ancient ruins – but some of Crete’s finest beaches belong here too. Among them are spectacular Xerokambos and palm-fringed Vai, whilst Palekastro is one of Europe’s favourite windsurfing spots. And there are plenty of excellent waterfront tavernas where the passing of time is best marked by the waves rolling in nearby.
To the south of the region you'll find Makrygialos, an unpretentious one-time fishing village bordering a magnificent sandy beach by the warm Libyan Sea. It's a little more commercial here these days but the real draw is its extraordinary position close to some of Crete's most spectacular scenery and traditional villages. A visit to Pefki is a must, not least to dine at the pretty taverna where the ingredients are locally sourced and prepared in the traditional way to mouthwatering effect. With outstanding views across the southern coastline, there can be nowhere finer to enjoy lunch before indulging in a walk down the Pefki Gorge for a refreshing dip in the sea.
To base yourself in this idyllic destination, visit our collection of handpicked villas in and around Palekastro & Eastern Crete or take a look at our boutique Simpson Hotels.
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