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South of Xerokambos is the renowned beach of Argilos, where the Pliocene marl make their appearance. This marl has two unique characteristics: they contain a high percentage of clay and they are very fragmented. Thus, they can easily be broken off by hand and used by bathers to apply natural clay to their body!
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Xerokambos village is an expanding coastal settlement in the far east of Crete, 42 km from Sitia and 28 km from Palekastro, in a place of considerable natural beauty.
This wonderful unspoilt part of East Crete is open and spacious. It has long sandy beaches & many small sandy coves, all set in front of some wonderful olive groves. Here you can spend idle and restful days recovering from the stresses of everyday life. There are but a few places to stay, the same with tavernas. There are two roads to go to Xerokambos. The road from Zakros to Xerokambos is a dirt track road (9 km). From Sitia, drive the Makrigialos and Piskokefalo road. After 10 km, in Episkopi, turn left to Handras, Ziros, Hametoulo and Xerokambos (45 km from Sitia, on a new surfaced road). There is a small temporary lagoon (dry from the end of May). In March and April tavernas are not necessarily open. Xerokambos beach life at its most tranquil in a dramatic setting.
The ancients were certainly aware of the beauty of this spot and its important position on the shipping routes off the eastern shores of Crete, as the site has been inhabited since Minoan times (Read about the Hellenistic city of Xerokambos).
The water Museum and the old Watermills in Zakros Village are worth visiting within the village and the Kato Zakros beach.
The Canyon of Hametoulou or Xerokambos
It is a very impressive canyon with tall, vertical rocks and lots of caves. One may enter the canyon either from the settlement of Hametoulo or a higher spot in the position Lamnioni. There are lots of flora species.
The canyon is also ideal for the observation of avifauna, especially raptors. Its well-preserved and structured path was once used by the villagers for their transportation to the beach of Xerokambos.
There are scattered yews Quercus coccifera, agkarathu Phlomis lanata, oregano, Origanum onites, throumbi Satureja thymbra, thyme Thymus capitatus, sage Salvia fruticosa, galastoivi Euphorbia acanthothamnos and lots of orchids which make up this particular habitat.
Xerokambos gorge is located to the south of the hamlet by the same name and starts in the Rousomoutsouna area, with a very impressive entrance. The gorge is visible from the country road that connects Ziros with Xerokambos.
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