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!
Press here.
Places near Agrilia
Xerokambos Salt Marsh
The Xerokambos salt marsh is on the southeastern side of the hamlet by the same name and is a large seawater lake, which in the summer evaporates, leaving sea salt deposits behind, thus called “Alatsolimni” (salt lake).
Michalis and his mother Chrisanti Theodorakis are welcoming and inviting you in Xerokambos to "Taverna Kostas". For over 20 years now, Chrisanthi cooks her Greek and Cretan specialties with passion, a unique enjoyment full of fresh vegetables. Meat and fresh fish are grilled for you on charcoal.
In our Tavern, you can of course enjoy your coffee, a cool beer, native wine or other refreshments. The beautiful Xerokampos beach is only 150 m far!
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.
A block of flats with 6 studios, air conditioning, 3 Gardens and 3 floors that lies on the same property as Taverna Kostas, into a beautiful garden, surrounded by olive trees close to Xerokampos beach.
The village of Zakros is only 10 km far and Kato Zakros 19 km.
On Katsounaki beach and on the path leading to Kato Zakros is an ancient quarry in the midst of compacted Pleistocene aeolianite sandstone, which were easily excavated as they are soft rocks due to their many pores.
At the northern entrance of Xerokambos village, Lassithi prefecture, on the main road that runs through the village to Ziros, “Zeus” Apartments are located.
The distance from Heraklion Airport is 176 km, from Agios Nikolaos 105 km, from Sitia 45 and from Palekastro village 25km.
Katsounaki gorge is yet another significant geotope in the Xerokambos area. It is very long and has almost vertical slopes, which inside it exceptional and very impressive landforms develop, while there is surface water runoff over most of it. One can also enjoy it using the country road leading to Xerokambos, especially when the sun is setting, lighting the landforms and offering a unique sight.
