Vaï, Kato Zakros, Palekastro
The beach of Vai, a fine sandy beach, the most famous in eastern Crete, with the backdrop of the palm forest, the largest natural palm colony in Europe with about 5000 trees. An opportunity to visit and eat at the nearby village of Kato Zakros, a village at the end of the world, in an exceptional natural setting. North of Vai, in Palekastro, the long beach of Kouremenos, very popular with wind and kite surfers. Finally, the opportunity to visit the beautiful and historic monastery of "Moni Toplou“.
How to get there
A car is essential here, as buses are rare (see the KTEL). A partir d’Héraklion, en voiture, comptez 2h de route.
To know, to visit, to do
In the high season, July and August, the beach of Vai is very busy. Go early in the morning before the many tourist buses arrive and then have lunch in Kato Zakros. A beautiful
To visit in the surroundings
Kouremenos, a beach is 1.5 km long with fine brown sand, shallow waters and many tamarisk trees. Exposed to strong winds, the site is popular with windsurfers and kite surfers internationally. Kato Zakros is a traditional fishing village on the edge of the "gorge of the deadts“. Gorges nommées ainsi du fait des nombreuses tombes minoennes découvertes dans ses grottes et ses parois. Sans oublier la découverte récente des restes d’un Palais minoen. La région, qui est l’une des zones les plus extrèmes de Crète, est idéale pour ceux qui recherchent un beau cadre naturel, un moment paisible, loin de la vie quotidienne animée des villes. (pour les déplacement en bus, voir KTEL)
Restaurants
In Kato Zakros, at the water's edge, there are a few small restaurants and friendly people. But the best thing is the exceptional natural setting of this site.
Photos of Vai, Zakros, Palekastro
Rent a car
by the french guide “Guide du routard”
Top 10 in Crete: Loutro – Elafonisi – Falasarna – Balos – Chania – Samaria gorge – Rethymnon – Knossos – Agios Nikolaos – Vaï beach
