Discovering Beaches on South East part of Crete with CretaGo Camper

Koutsunari-Mavros Kolymbos-Makris Gialos-Kato Zakros

   South Eastern Crete is an excellent area for someone who wants to enjoy a motorhome holiday. On the route from Ierapetra to Kato Zakros, which is 77km, there are several beautiful places where someone can park and enjoy the landscapes, beaches and villages of Crete. 

We would recommend that you buy produce from a large supermarket in Ierapetra, as later on in the route it will be difficult to find a large shop for supplies.  In villages and small districts you can find local markets where you will find local products of excellent quality (fruits, vegetables, cheese, honey etc.).

Koutsunari

   Koutsounari is a beautiful destination for an overnight stay on the sea, a picturesque seaside village with its lacy beach and green hills. There is a parking area overlooking the sea and you can spend the night. If you prefer something more organised, there is a campsite 6.5km away from Ierapetra, camping Koutsounari.  It is open all year round and there you have all the necessary services such as: you can charge the battery of your motorhome, put water, empty the grey and black water.

Mavros Kolymbos

   Mavros Kolymbos is a beautiful area with an excellent beach with fine pebbles. On the beach there are tamarisk trees that offer shade. The bottom is generally rocky, making Mavros Kolympos ideal for swimming with a mask. It is 19.7km from Ierapetra and is preferred by many visitors. Shortly after the beach there is a parking lot, next to the sea where you can spend your evening. There are no services such as electricity and water supply. 2.5km after Mavro Kolympos, there is Apigania beach where there are two parking lots, with no services provided. Both spaces are located on the road.

Makrys Yalos

   On your way to Kato Zakros, you pass by the village of Makry-Yalos (26.6km away from Ierapetra).  You can get down if you want to one of the beaches and just before the beach of Makry Gialos there is a parking area with access to the sea. It is open all year round and with free entrance, no services. Of course in the summer there is a chance, especially if you go late to the parking lot, that you may not find a spot. The nice little harbour of Makry Gialos is famous for its fish taverns, because many owners fish with their own boats, so you will always find fresh fish on the table.

Kato Zakros

   Kato Zakros is a traditional fishing village, built on a fertile plain with ancient olive groves formed at the exit of the amazing Gorge of Dead (Nekron). It is the port of the picturesque Ano Zakros with its water springs and picturesque narrow streets. The area is ideal for those seeking absolute tranquility, away from the bustling daily life of the cities. The wider area is dotted with archaeological treasures, at the exit of the imposing Gorge of the Dead is the Palace of Zakros - the fourth largest Minoan palace to have been excavated.

Further up the main beach of Kato Zakros and behind all the tavernas is a free parking lot with 10 spaces, open all year round. Also, before this parking lot, there is a taverna called Akrogyali, where you can ask the owner if you can park there, the parking lot has 8 spaces and provides several services.