Frequently asked questions

General

What is Ammoudara.com?

A guide and a community for the whole of Crete, starting from Ammoudara. It brings together three sides of the same place: the people who live here, the people who come to discover it, and the local businesses that give it life. Reconnecting people, one place at a time.

Why did we create it?

Because our place deserves better than mass tourism. Visitors often see only what is promoted the most, small businesses get lost among a few big platforms with high commissions, and locals feel their home is turning into a shop window rather than a neighbourhood. We want the opposite: visitors living Crete the way locals do, money staying with local businesses, and the neighbourhood alive all year round, not only in summer.

What makes you different?

• We make online bookings accessible and sustainable for small businesses: no expensive systems, and a small commission only when a customer comes.
• We bring together people who match: locals and visitors with the same interests, so everyone can find their tribe.
• We connect people with the place: we learn from it, from its stories, its land and its people, and discover what we have in common with it.
• Everyone takes their place in a world that has room and time for everyone, as long as we are there.

Could something similar happen in another area?

That is our dream. Ammoudara.com started in Ammoudara, but it was built with the idea that it could bring other places to life too, as small communities, each with its own soul. Because a place cannot be shown properly from far away: it needs locals who love it and know it. If you are one of them and would like to bring it to your own neighbourhood, write to us. Let's talk.

For residents

What's in it for me, living here?

A livelier place. Ammoudara.com doesn't stop in September: events all year round, company, jobs, volunteering. It's the way to find your tribe, people who love what you love.

How do I find my tribe?

In our WhatsApp communities: Foodies, Gym Rats & Outdoor, Book Lovers, Pet Parents, Volunteering, Spontaneous Souls and more. Join the one that suits you from "Meet people" in Koumbaros. In WhatsApp groups, other members can see your phone number.

How do I find a job or quick gigs?

On the Jobs page, with positions from local businesses, and in the Last Minute Calls in Ammoudara group for quick ones.

How can I contribute?

Suggest a hidden spot, an event or a story from your neighbourhood. A place is best written by the people who live it.

How do I support the community?

By choosing local, joining volunteering activities, and through the Support the community page.

For visitors

Why search here?

Because here you see Crete through the eyes of those who live here and love it: the neighbourhood taverna, the beach without queues, the event you wouldn't find otherwise. And every booking here supports a local business.

Who is Koumbaros?

In Crete, a "koumbaros" is someone who is like family. "Rota Mre Koumbare" is our digital assistant. Tell it what you love and who you're with, and it will suggest places and people that match what you're looking for, only from our guide. It is artificial intelligence and can make mistakes.

Do I pay anything? Do I need an account?

No, the site is free. You can search and book without an account. With an account you can save your favourite places, and Koumbaros remembers what you like, if you allow it.

How do I book and where do I pay?

On the business page, tap "Book", choose a day and time and fill in your details. You will receive a confirmation email and a reminder. Tables and sunbeds are usually paid at the venue. Appointments, tickets and experiences are paid online by card, securely through Stripe.

How do I cancel or change a booking?

From the link in your confirmation email. Each business has its own cancellation terms, which you see before you book. More on the Booking protection page.

Where do I find the essentials?

Buses, money, health and emergency numbers on "Ammoudara: the basics". On-duty pharmacies and hospital on "On duty".

For businesses

Why join Ammoudara.com?

Because here online bookings become simple and sustainable, even for a small business: you take bookings without expensive systems, you pay a small commission only when a customer comes, and you are not tied to anything. People looking for exactly what you do find you, and you become part of a community that supports what is local.

Which businesses can join, and how?

Every local business: restaurants, beach bars, accommodation, beauty and wellness, experiences, shops, professionals. Tap "List your business", follow the steps, and our team reviews your application before it goes live.

My business is already in the guide. How do I claim it?

Tap "Claim your business", find the listing and confirm it is yours. Then you manage it yourself.

Does it cost anything?

All plans are free for everyone until 31 May 2027, while we listen to you and make the platform truly useful. Prices will apply from June 2027 and we will let you know 30 days before. A commission applies only to bookings made through our booking systems. See the Plans page.

Is there a commitment?

No. No contract and no minimum term.

Which booking systems are there?

Tables, sunbeds, appointments (e.g. hair salons, massage), tickets and experiences. For accommodation there is a "Book" button that leads to your own booking page. When you start, a short guide shows you step by step what to do.

Can I also add phone bookings?

Yes. Phone and walk-in bookings go into your calendar free of charge, so you have all your bookings in one place.

Do paying businesses rank higher?

Businesses with a plan can appear in the "Recommended" sections, always with a "Featured" label. In search and in Koumbaros, the order comes from what the visitor is looking for.

How do I contact you?

From the Contact page or at contact@ammoudara.com.

For everyone

What do you do with my data?

We use it only to run the site and for your bookings. We never sell it. You can ask to see or delete it at any time. Everything is in our Privacy Policy.

I found a mistake or I need help. What do I do?

Write to us from the Contact page or at contact@ammoudara.com. We reply in Greek and English. If you find a mistake in a Koumbaros answer, tap "Report this answer".