Best things to do in Timpaki town in 2024: Activities and Attractions
Timpaki is a town on the western edge of the Messara plain in southern Crete, roughly 65 km south-west of Heraklion. The town’s economy runs on the early vegetables grown in the fields around it, and its amenities cover banks, medical centres, schools, stores, hotels, restaurants and a post office. Timpaki is a working town rather than a resort, and its port and beach lie 2 km away at Kokkinos Pyrgos.
Heraklion airport is the nearest airport to Timpaki. The town serves as a base for the archaeology of the Messara: several sites sit within a few kilometres, the ancient city of Phaistos among them, and 5 beaches on the south coast lie within 9 km. Our town guide covers where to stay.
Things to do in and around Timpaki
Six outings lie within 9 km of the town, listed below from nearest to furthest.
- Swim at Kokkinos Pyrgos. The port of Timpaki lies 2.4 km away and takes its name, Red Tower, from a tower built of red soil at the mouth of the Geropotamos river. Kokkinos Pirgos beach runs south-east towards Kommos for several kilometres, loggerhead turtles nest on it in summer, and hotels, tavernas and cafés back the sand.
- Tour the Minoan sites. The archaeological site of Agia Triada stands 3.1 km from Timpaki, and the Kamilari domed tomb 3.4 km. Phaistos, the second largest palace of the Minoan civilisation, sits a few kilometres from the town as well.
- Swim at Kalamaki. The seaside hamlet 4.9 km away fronts a 2.5 km stretch of the Messara Bay coastline, and the part facing the village has sunbeds, umbrellas, eateries, a lifeguard, a playground and water sports. A flat rock bed lies under the sand and north-west winds raise large waves, so getting into the water is awkward on rough days.
- Find the ancient port at Kommos. The beach 6.6 km away is the southernmost and remotest section of the Messara Bay shore, 2 km north of Matala and beside Pitsidia. Remnants of the ancient port of Phaestus are still visible on Kommos, which is reached by driving towards Matala and following the sign near Pitsidia, and loggerhead turtles nest here too.
- Spend a day in Agia Galini. The resort 7.4 km away sits near the mouth of the Amarianos or Platys river, 61 km south of Rethymno, and it carries a full set of tourist facilities. The beach at Agia Galini starts east of the port with fine pebbles and a usually calm sea, and the shoreline from there runs all the way back to Kokkinos Pirgos.
- See the caves at Matala. The bay 8.9 km away lies where the Messara plain meets the Asteroussia Mountains, enclosed and looking out to the Paximadia islands. Matala is known for its rock-carved caves and its 1970s hippie history, and it served as the port of Phaestus and later as the port of Gortyn under the Romans.
Beaches near Timpaki
Five beaches lie within 9 km of Timpaki, strung along the south coast from Agia Galini in the west to Matala in the south. The Messara beachfront is exposed to the prevailing westerly winds, and the seabed turns rocky in places.
- Kokkinos Pirgos lies 2.4 km away, a long sandy beach in front of the port town, with a turtle nesting ground and a working harbour at one end.
- Kalamaki sits 4.9 km away between Matala and Kokkinos Pirgos, 2.5 km of sand that is organised in front of the village and quieter towards Kommos.
- Kommos is 6.6 km away, the remotest stretch of the bay, with the ruins of the Minoan port on the sand and nesting turtles in summer.
- Agia Galini lies 7.4 km away, fine pebbles by the port of a busy summer resort, with caves west of the town and a sea that is usually calm.
- Matala sits 8.9 km away, the widely known beach of the southern Heraklion prefecture, set in an enclosed bay under cliffs full of carved caves.
Where to eat in Timpaki
Eating in Timpaki happens in the town centre, where the grill houses, mezedopoleia and cafés sit within 300 m of one another. The fish tavern is down at the port.
- Kala Krasa Mezedopoleio is 100 m from the centre.
- Pansetopitadiko Grill House stands 100 m from the centre.
- Sifis Coffee & More sits 100 m from the centre.
- Meating Home Food lies 300 m out.
- Pelagos Fish Tavern is 2.4 km out, at Kokkinos Pyrgos.
Getting to Timpaki
Timpaki stands at the western end of the Messara plain, about 65 km from Heraklion. Heraklion airport is the nearest airport to the town.
The coast is 2 km away and works as the town’s front door. Kokkinos Pyrgos is the port and the nearest place to swim, Agia Galini sits 4.1 km further along the shore from there, and the villages of Kamilari and Pitsidia lie 4.7 km and 6.3 km from the town.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Timpaki in Crete?
Timpaki lies on the western edge of the Messara plain in southern Crete, roughly 65 km south-west of Heraklion. The town sits 2 km inland from the south coast, with its port at Kokkinos Pyrgos.
Does Timpaki have a beach?
Timpaki has no beach of its own, but 5 lie within 9 km. Kokkinos Pirgos, 2.4 km away, is the closest, and its sand runs south-east towards Kommos for several kilometres.
Which airport is closest to Timpaki?
Heraklion airport is the closest airport to Timpaki. Heraklion city itself sits roughly 65 km north-east of the town, across the Messara plain.
What is Timpaki known for?
Timpaki is known for early vegetable farming and for the archaeology around it. The fields of the Messara plain drive the town’s economy, and Phaistos, Agia Triada and the Kamilari domed tomb all stand within a few kilometres of the centre.
Can you walk a gorge near Timpaki?
The Apolychnos Gorge is the straightforward walk from Timpaki. It runs about 3 km through olive-grove country a few kilometres north of Mires, from the village of Panagia to the settlement of Agios Antonios, and the exit end of Apolychnos sits beside the main road from Mires. The Kynigospilios canyon at Chordaki is a different proposition, with 8 waterfalls that need ropes and canyoning equipment.
How far is Matala from Timpaki?
Matala is 8.9 km from Timpaki. The bay is one of the most visited spots in Crete, known for the caves carved into its cliffs and for the hippie years of the 1970s.
Where Timpaki town is
Best things to do in Timpaki town in 2024 is located at Timpaki town. The map below shows the exact spot; Google Maps and Waze give turn-by-turn directions.
