ancient ruins
Palace of Knossos
The largest Bronze Age archaeological site on Crete and ceremonial center of the Minoan civilization, associated with the myth of the Labyrinth and the Minotaur.
30 km · about 35 min drive
EuropeGreeceCrete
Zarós
Crete, Greece · Europe
About Zarós
Zarós is worth a stop: 10 minutes from Gérgeri, 41km from Kourtaliotiko Gorge Road.
Zarós is in Crete, Greece, with about 2,600 people. You drive on the right here. The nearest town is Gérgeri, about 4 km away.
Zaros (Greek: Ζαρός) is a village and a former municipality in the Heraklion regional unit, Crete, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Faistos, of which it is a municipal unit. The municipal unit has an area of 71.803 km2 (27.723 sq mi). Population 2,565 (2021). Zaros village,Read more
at an altitude of 340 metres, is a village with a lake and gorge nearby. The village has a couple of hotels and it is 44 km from Heraklion at the southern foothills of Mount Psiloritis. The population produce olive oil, sultanas, vegetables and spring water. There are a couple of tavernas that serve trout. Close by is Rouvas Gorge, which is part of the Psiloritis mountain range and is on the hiking route known as the E4 European Walking Path. Nearby Zaros village are traditional water mills which have been working since the 16th century, as well as archaeological sites and monasteries. Zaros is also famous for its bottled water derived from Lake Votomos.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Zarós?
Within an hour or so of Zarós: Palace of Knossos (30 km), Heraklion Archaeological Museum (31 km), Preveli Beach (39 km), CRETAquarium (41 km).
Are there any good drives near Zarós?
The nearest famous roads are Kourtaliotiko Gorge Road.
Where is Zarós?
Zarós is in Crete, Greece, about 4 km from Gérgeri.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 2,565
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- Greece
- Region
- Crete
- Timezone
- Europe/Athens
- Coordinates
- 35.1303, 24.9041
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in Greece
Tourist police (English-speaking): 171.
Full driving guide for GreeceTags
Worth the detour from Zarós
6 notable places within an hour's drive.
museum
Heraklion Archaeological Museum
One of the greatest museums in Europe, housing the world's finest collection of Minoan art and artifacts from Crete's Bronze Age palaces.
31 km · about 35 min drive
beach
Preveli Beach
A dramatic Cretan beach where a palm-lined river meets the Libyan Sea below a gorge, creating an almost tropical setting.
39 km · about 45 min drive
landmark
CRETAquarium
Mediterranean-focused aquarium in Crete showcasing the rich marine biodiversity of the Eastern Mediterranean Sea.
41 km · about 45 min drive
famous road
Kourtaliotiko Gorge Road
Cliff-hugging Cretan road descending through the Kourtaliotiko Gorge toward Preveli, with vultures wheeling overhead, springs in the canyon floor and Libyan Sea views at the exit.
41 km · about 45 min drive
landmark
Old Town of Rethymno
A beautifully preserved Cretan old town with a Venetian harbor, Ottoman mosques, and the massive Fortezza fortress overlooking the sea.
47 km · about 55 min drive
Driving roads near Zarós
- 41 kmKourtaliotiko Gorge RoadCliff-hugging Cretan road descending through the Kourtaliotiko Gorge toward Preveli, with vultures wheeling overhead, springs in the canyon floor and Libyan Sea views at the exit.
- 77 kmAradena BridgeVertigo-inducing steel Bailey bridge spanning the 138 m deep Aradena Gorge in Sfakia, southern Crete: planks rattle as you cross, and it doubles as one of Greece's highest bungee-jump sites.
Driving in Greece
- Drives on
- the right
- Petrol
- ~€1.88/litre
- Motorway tolls
- ~€7.00/100km
When to drive here
April to October
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