Xerokampos Beach

From Ziros village, follow the unpaved track south for approximately 30 minutes — a 4WD or high-clearance vehicle is strongly recommended, and the road can deteriorate significantly after winter rains. There is no formal parking area; visitors stop informally along the roadside near the coves. No entry fee applies. The nearest major airport is Heraklion International Nikos Kazantzakis (HER), roughly 101 km away.

The Minoan Palace of Kato Zakros, one of the four great Minoan palaces on Crete, lies about 6.7 km away and is well worth a half-day visit before or after the beach. Ziros village, 9.4 km back up the road, is the traditional Cretan plateau settlement that serves as the gateway to Xerokampos and gives a grounding sense of local life. For the physically adventurous, Kakos Potamos Kloof is a natural gorge around 7.8 km from the beach. Further afield, Agkathia Beach — a secluded pebble cove with a natural rock arch — is accessible by steep footpath about 15 km away.

A handful of small options sit within easy reach of the beach: Kostas and LivikoView are both around 0.5 km away, while Taverna Creta Sun is just 0.7 km — all close enough to grab a meal without a long drive. For anything beyond basic taverna fare, Amnesia and Nikos Platanakis are around 6.7 km away. That said, given the remoteness of the coves themselves, packing your own lunch is the smarter move.

The closest options are Creta Sun Apartments and Studios and Liviko View Rent Rooms & Apartments, both rated 4.7/5 and sitting just 0.5 km from the beach — ideal for an early start on the track. Aqua Bliss Xerokampos earns a perfect 5/5 from 42 reviews at 0.9 km, while Asteras Apartments Xerocampos Crete (4.9/5, 105 reviews) and Akti Rooms Xerokampos Crete (4.8/5, 111 reviews) round out a strong cluster of well-reviewed stays within 1.2 km.

Shoot from the low rocky headlands between coves at golden hour — the crystal-clear water catches the warm light and the empty golden sand stretches uninterrupted in both directions. Early morning is best for glassy reflections and zero visitors in frame; the contrast between the raw, scrubby hillside and the vivid water makes for a compelling wide shot.

Bring absolutely everything you need — water, food, sunscreen, a first-aid kit — because there are no facilities of any kind at the beach. No shade exists on the shore, so pack serious sun protection and plan to arrive early before the midday heat peaks. There are no medical facilities or reliable phone signal in the area, so let someone know your plans before you head down the track. Campfires are not permitted, and the beach should be avoided entirely between November and March when the unpaved road can become impassable.