Kato Zakros between coastal paths and the gorge

Káto Zákros can be explored via three different georoutes: two start in the village and follow coastal paths in opposite directions; one leads through the Zakros Gorge to Káto Zákros. The village also has beaches. The route destinations range from the remote Karoumes to Katsounaki and archaeological sites along the gorge trail. This gives you a clear choice when planning: take the coastal path north or south, or follow the route through the gorge.

Coastal paths with different destinations

Georoute 12 starts in Káto Zákros and heads north along an old, clearly marked path. It ends at the remote beach of Karoumes. This route connects a clearly named starting point in the village with a specific direction and a beach destination. If you want to head to Karoumes, you can follow this route.

Georoute 11 also starts in Káto Zákros. It follows the old coastal path south, passes through the Fangromouro area and ends at Katsounaki Beach. In direct comparison, there are two different directions to choose from: Route 12 north to remote Karoumes, or Route 11 south through Fangromouro to Katsounaki. The specific question is which destination beach and section of the route better suit your travel plans. Check local conditions on both coastal routes before setting out.

Through the Zakros Gorge

Georoute 10 takes a different route to Káto Zákros: it starts in Epano Zakros, passes through the Zakros Gorge—also known as the Gorge of the Dead—and reaches the village. The gorge route begins in Upper Zakros and ends in Lower Zakros; along the way, it passes the Minoan cemetery and the archaeological site of the Palace of Káto Zákros. Here, the gorge is more than a landscape feature: the cemetery and palace site also give the route a specific archaeological connection. Anyone interested in Minoan history will find this a clear distinction from the two coastal routes.

Choose your holiday destination based on your tour plans

This route structure can help you identify a specific travel interest when choosing a holiday destination. Káto Zákros is the starting point for the two coastal routes and the destination of Georoute 10, so you can consider whether your plans are shaped more by a tour starting here or by arriving after the gorge trail. When searching for a holiday apartment in Káto Zákros, you can tailor your stay to the excursions you want to take. If you have a coastal route in mind, you can consider its direction and destination beach; if the gorge is your priority, the cemetery and palace site offer further points of interest. This connects your choice of holiday destination with the experiences that interest you most.

Beaches and routes as different travel interests

Káto Zákros has beaches, and the two coastal routes each end at a named beach. This distinguishes the village’s general beach appeal from choosing a specific tour. Karoumes is described as a remote beach, while Georoute 11 ends at Katsounaki Beach. So if you are planning your stay around the coast, you can distinguish between the beaches in the village and a specific route destination. The gorge route offers a different focus: it passes archaeological sites and makes the choice of route interesting for travelers who are fascinated by these historical points of interest.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Kritsa, Riza, Toplou, Paraspori, Sitia, Males, Makris Gialos, Koutsounara.

For the broader travel overview: Lasithi.