Zaros
The Greece Travel Secrets guide to Zaros in Central Crete, including
what to do, where to stay, and where to eat.
St Antony's Church at the Vrontisi Monastery near Zaros
Zaros in Central Crete is a lovely little town. The first
time we went we were just passing through and stopped to do a walk in the
Rouvas Gorge. We loved the town so much that we said we had to go back and stay
sometime - so we did!
Officially Zaros is only a village but with a population of
about 3,000 it's more like a small town. It certainly has a lively atmosphere
and stands out for several reasons.
Zaros Water
One distinctive feature of Zaros is that it has a lake. Lake
Votomos is a short walk out of the village to the west, or you can drive there.
They farm trout in the lake and you'll see it on taverna menus. You have to eat
trout if you visit Zaros!
The lake is fed by a mountain spring and the spring water is
also bottled and well-known locally for its purity. Go into any of the shops in
Zaros and ask for a bottle of the local water. You can find out much more about
the lake and the area here.
Where is Zaros?
Map (c) Google Maps
As you can see from the map, Zaros is almost slap-bang in
the middle of Crete. It's in the southern foothills of Mount Psiloritis, less
than an hour's drive southwest of Irakleio. The Minoan Palace of Phaistos is a
half-hour drive southwest of Zaros, The resorts of Matala and Ayia Galini are
also both southwest of Zaros, and a 35-40-minute drive.
What to Do in Zaros
In truth, there's not a lot to do in Zaros, which is part of
its charm. It makes a great base if you're exploring the area, and in our view
is more interesting, more relaxing, and less expensive than nearby resorts like
Matala and Ayia Galini.
A Fountain at the Vrontisi Monastery near Zaros
One attraction is the Vrontisi Monastery, which is about an
hour's walk or a ten-minute drive northwest of town. It's on the southern
slopes of Mt Ida at a height of 550m (1,804ft) and you get wonderful views from
there. No-one knows how old it is but there are references to it from the late
15th century - so it's pretty old!
At the Kamihis Farm near Zaros
You can also hike in the area, including the Rouvas Gorge
walk we mentioned earlier. Even if you don't stay at the Keramos Studios (see our recommendation below), call in and
ask about visiting the family farm, the Kamihis Farm. They're set up to do tours and it's a
fascinating insight into rural Cretan life.
Our Pick of the Crete Guides
Shopping in Zaros
There are several craft shops in Zaros and we spent an enjoyable
half-hour in the weaving shop of Maria Zacharioudakis, admiring the weavings
and watching Maria work at her loom.
Zaros is also home to one of the best musical instrument
makers on Crete, Antonios Stefanakis. He makes lyra, mandolins, violas,
bouzouki, and Cretan bagpipe, and even if you don't want to buy an instrument
he also sells CDs of Cretan music.
A Walk From Zaros
We thoroughly enjoyed this circular walk from Zaros to the
Rouvas Gorge. It should take 3-4 hours and you can read about it and get
directions here.
Zaros is on the E4 European Walking Path.
Where to Eat in Zaros
You have plenty of choice of eating places but there's
nowhere quite like Vegera, a unique and fun dining experience that we wrote
about here.
A Feast at Vegera!
If you want trout fresh from the lake then the Taverna Votomos is right by a trout farm. It's about a 20-minute walk or a 5-minute
drive from the centre of Zaros.
Where to Stay in
Zaros
There are a few places to stay in Zaros but we definitely
recommend the Keramos Studios and you can read all about our stay there here.
The Keramos Studios
Other Crete pages
This drive along the west coast of Crete and inland from there will take a whole day and starts and ends in Kastélli Kissámou, west of Chania.
The Diktean or Diktaean Cave, also known as the Psychro Cave, near the village of Psychro in eastern Crete, is said to be the birthplace of Zeus.
This tour around central Crete lists some of the area’s highlights such as the traditional village of Arolithos, Minoan remains at Tilisos, and Agioi Deka.
Crete (Kriti) is the largest Greek island and its main attractions include the Minoan Palace of Knossos, the Samarian Gorge, Chania and Rethymnon.
Is someone from Crete a Greek or a Cretan? They are both, of course, but most will tell you that they are Cretan first and Greek second.
Greece Travel Secrets visits Visual Arts Crete who offer accommodation and run art courses at their home and studio in the village of Kastellos near Rethymnon.
The Battle of Crete during World War 2 inspired several books and took place with an airborne invasion over Maleme on the north coast of the island.
Greece Travel Secrets eats at Vegera in Zaros and finds a cheap but wonderful feast of meat, fish and vegetarian dishes cooked daily with fresh local food.
Greece Travel Secrets recommends where to stay in Central Crete including hotels in Matala, Ayia Galini, and Zaros.
What was daily life as a Minoan like on Crete, living in palaces like the ones at Knossos, Malia, Phaistos, and Zakros, and what were their religious beliefs?
Western Crete in five days allows time to visit Chania and Rethymnon, enjoy the beaches, hike the Samaria Gorge and see the monasteries at Arkadi and Preveli.
Greece Travel Secrets visits the Crete Botanical Gardens near Chania and finds a wonderland of colourful plants, trees, and flowers filling a lovely valley.
Hiking the Samaria Gorge on Crete, one of the best things to do on Crete, by Greece Travel Secrets.
Margarites is known on Crete for its pottery, with ceramics shops and workshops lining the streets of this charming small town not far from Rethymnon.
Greece Travel Secrets visits the Cretan Botano herbs and spices shop near Matala in southern Crete in search of the herb man of Kouses.
Crete festivals and events include Carnival Easter, Whitsun, Christmas, many other religious feast days and public holidays.
The most famous Cretan writers and artists include the painter El Greco and the author of Zorba the Greek, Nikos Kazantzakis.
Chania is the main city in Western Crete with a lovely setting and a beautiful harbour as well as several museums.
Greece Travel Secrets tours the Lyrarakis Winery on Crete and learns about Crete grape varieties such as plyto, dafni, vidiano, vilana, mandilari and kotsifali.
This olive grove walk from Limnes to Vrises on Crete also takes you through orchards and gives close-up views of some of the island’s windmills.
These shopping tips for Crete include advice on buying souvenirs like ceramics, icons, jewellery, leather, weavings, wood carvings, and food and drink.
How to see eastern Crete in five days, with its beaches, Minoan palaces, timeless villages, unique churches and mountain and coastal scenery.
The best things to do on Crete and top things to see include the Samaria Gorge, the Minoan Palaces at Knossos and Phaistos, the towns of Chania and Rethymnon.
The Stilianou Winery near Knossos on Crete uses only Cretan grape varieties, with every bottle numbered, and aims for quality rather than quantity.
Greece Travel Secrets chooses ten of the best beaches on Crete including the beautiful beaches at Vai and Elafonisi.
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