Lassithi Zakros

General information

The picturesque village of Zakros is located 110 km southwest of Agios Nikolaos and 38 kilometers from Sitia. It is built on the slopes of Mount Selena and counts around 1,000 inhabitants who are engaged in agriculture and the production of excellent olive oil. In terms of tourist facilities, there are a few accommodations, as well as excellent taverns and traditional cafes.

In the past, the local agrarian activities were based on the use of watermills, some of which have now been restored. Visitors will also find a Water and Water Power Museum which is housed in a traditional Cretan house and exhibits items of daily use from the Ottoman times.

Zakros is the seat of the Sitia Global Geopark, which abounds in Pleistocene mammal fossil sites of international value, as well as in karstic structures. Indeed, with more than 170 caves and gorges recorded to date, the area is a unique speleological park that is a true heaven for nature enthusiasts. The most spectacular of them are the Pelekita Cave on the foothills of Mount Traostalos, and the Dadoulas Cave, which is widely regarded as a living museum of the region’s geological history. A small Natural History Museum dedicated to the natural wealth of the Sitia Geopark can also be found in Zakros.

Moreover, the area boasts a rich history, with the most remarkable sight being the Minoan Palace of Zakros, the fourth greatest palatial center on the entire island. Another must-visit place of both natural and historical significance is the eerie Gorge of the Dead, which owes its name to the Minoan tombs discovered inside its caves. Forming part of the E4 European Long Distance Trail, it is a beautiful and relatively smooth gorge that lends itself to a great trekking experience.