Kallithea is a village on the southern edge of Heraklion, in the Heraklion region of Crete, about 4 km from the city centre and 1.8 km from the Palace of Knossos. Kallithea sits in the belt of settlements between the city and the vineyards of the Pediada, close enough to walk to the most visited archaeological site on the island. The airport lies just north-east, which makes this one of the shortest transfers anywhere in Crete.

What the village offers is proximity rather than scenery: Knossos, the city museums, the north-coast beaches and two easy gorge walks are all within about 9 km. Prices here track a residential suburb rather than a resort.

Things to do in Kallithea

Five things lie within about 9 km of the village, listed below from nearest to furthest.

Visit Knossos. The Palace of Knossos stands 1.8 km from the village, close enough to reach before the coach parties arrive.
Swim at Karteros. The wide fine-sand bay lies 3 km away and runs roughly 3 km east from the mouth of the Karteros gorge, taking in the Karteros and Amnissos neighbourhoods that have grown into one another.
Spend a day in Heraklion. The city 3.1 km north is the largest in Crete and the island’s capital and economic centre, with a population of around 177,000.
Walk the Astrakiano gorge. The canyon 5.7 km away joins the Kounaviano near Skalani village, and together the two run about 21 km down to Karteros beach. The trails are easy, which makes them a genuine option with children.
Drive up to Archanes. The restored wine town, 8.7 km south at the foot of Mount Giouchtas, sits in a basin of vineyards and olive groves and holds around 5,000 residents.

Beaches near Kallithea

Kallithea sits inland, so every beach needs a short drive. Four lie within 9 km, on both sides of the city.

Karteros lies 3 km away and is the closest, a broad bay of fine sand beside the airport, named after the Byzantine general Krateros.
Vathianos Kambos sits 6.1 km east, a run of linked bays with golden sand and shallow water, named after the inland village of Vathia and the seasonal river that reaches the coast here.
Ammoudara is 8.5 km west, 7 km of organised sand running from just outside the city towards the mouth of the Almiros, with sunbeds, beach bars, water sports and dunes at its quieter end.
Kokkini Hani lies 8.6 km away, a resort whose name means “Kokkinis’s Inn” after the roadside inn that served travellers here in the early 1900s.

Gorges near Kallithea

Two green canyons start within 7 km, and both are walks rather than climbs.

Astrakiano sits 5.7 km away in the wider Mount Giouchtas area, meeting the Kounaviano near Skalani and reaching the sea at Karteros.
Kounaviano lies 6.9 km away and is the greenest canyon in the Heraklion prefecture. It takes its name from Kounavi village but actually begins at Peza, so it also goes by Pezzano gorge.

Where to eat in Kallithea

Eating options sit in the village and along the road towards Knossos, all within about 2 km.

To Magazaki is 200 m from the centre.
Kudos Coffee Experience serves coffee, 1 km out.
Pasiphae Restaurant stands 1.8 km away beside Knossos.

Getting to Kallithea

Head south out of Heraklion on the Knossos road and Kallithea arrives within a few minutes, before the palace itself. City buses run along the same route through the day, which makes the village reachable without a car.

Anyone staying here for a week has the whole centre of the island within reach. Heraklion holds the archaeological museum and the main bus station 3.1 km north, and Archanes and its vineyards lie 8.7 km south.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Kallithea in Crete?

Kallithea lies about 4 km south of Heraklion city centre, in the Heraklion region, on the road towards Knossos and the Pediada villages.

How far is Kallithea from Knossos?

The Palace of Knossos stands 1.8 km from Kallithea, which is the shortest approach to the site of any settlement around it and makes an early visit straightforward.

Does Kallithea have a beach?

Kallithea is inland and has no beach, but 4 lie within 9 km. Karteros at 3 km is the nearest, and Ammoudara, 7 km of organised sand west of the city, is the longest.

Is Kallithea a good base for Heraklion?

Kallithea works well for anyone wanting Knossos and the city without city prices. The village is on a bus route, the airport transfer is among the shortest on the island, and the museums, beaches and two family gorge walks all sit within about 9 km.

Which gorge walk suits children near Kallithea?

The Astrakiano gorge, 5.7 km away, has easy trails suited to families. It joins the Kounaviano near Skalani, and the combined route runs about 21 km down to Karteros beach, so a short section makes a manageable outing.