Zakros is one of the most picturesque villages of Crete that combines the natural beauty with the alternative activities and the important archaeological sites. The beautiful landscape of Zakros is completed with its beautiful beach.

Zakros is in the eastern side of Crete, about 38 kilometers from Siteia. It falls under the Siteia municipality and the Lasithi prefecture. Kato Zakros, Adravastoi, Azokeramos, Kellaria, Klisidion, Agios Georgios and Sfaka are under the Zakros district.

1000 people live in Zakros and their main occupation is agriculture and, particularly, the olive oil production. The olive oil of Zakros is famous in all over the world as it has been exported during the last years.

There are many springs in Zakros and that is why it is so green. The most popular are those in Mesa, Viglou, Anevalousa and Palaimilos.

Zakros is actually divided into two settlements, Pano Zakros and Kato Zakros. The ancient Zakros city (one of the most important findings of the Minoan civilization), the Zontanoi Nekroi gorge, the Pelekites cavern and the Zakros beach are in Kato Zakros.

There are very few people in Kato Zakros but many taverns, rooms to let and cafeterias. All the buildings of Kato Zakros are of the old style as the area is declared as archaeological and building is not allowed. The beautiful and isolated beaches of Kserokampos are near Zakros.

HISTORY

The traces in the Pelekita cavern show the human existence in the area from the Neolithic Era.

Zakros flourished during the Minoan Era as it was a very important trading center with relations with Africa and the Middle East.

During the Venetian Occupation Zakros was in the maps of the area by the name “Xacro”.

Later, it was destroyed by the 1471 and 1583 Turkish attacks. The settlement was stated again in the 1880 Turkish census.

PLACE NAME

The name of the settlement was surely Pre-Hellenic but its etymology is not known as there are many different and not confirmed views on it.