Zakros

Zakros is a small quiet town located on the easternmost tip of Crete and about 38 km from Sitia. It is the administrative center of the area and has about 1000 permanent residents, while in summer the population increases mainly due to tourism. Its port is Kato Zakros.

Even today the rich water springs, which supply a very large area and extensive olive cultivation in dry-thermal Eastern Crete, are the driving force for the development of Zakros. The village of Zakros itself was originally developed as a mill village that served the needs of the entire province. Unlike the rest areas of prefecture Lassithi, which were dominated by windmills, due to the lack of water, Zakros housed mainly water mills. Dozens of watermills were operating incessantly for grain milling, wool processing and olive grinding.

Now that the watermills are no longer in operation, the area attracts thousands of visitors each year to explore the natural beauties. Zakros is the seat of the Sitia Geopark and is located on the European E4 trail. Attractions in the area include the Gorge of the Dead, the beaches of Kato Zakros and Xerokambos, the Minoan palace of Kato Zakros and of course the dozens of caves of the geopark. Folklore museums, restored watermills and an information center – museum for Sitia Geopark, operate in the settlement.