Zaros Tour – Mountain Villages and Lake Votomos

The Zaros Tour is the most personal of our Crete excursions. It leads to the village where our guide’s family is at home – with everything that goes with it: mountain roads, village lanes, Lake Votomos and a meal you will not get up from in a hurry. Pick-up directly at the Heraklion cruise terminal.

Through the Hinterland to Zaros

The way to Zaros runs straight across the fertile interior of Crete: olive groves as far as the eye can see, small hamlets, chapels at every bend. We do not drive through, we stop – for photos, for a coffee, for a story. Zaros lies at the foot of the Ida mountains at around 350 metres and is known for its spring water, which is sold from here across the whole of Greece.

Lake Votomos

The small mountain lake above the village, called Lake Zaros by locals, is one of those places where you fall quiet all by yourself. Trout swim in the clear water, turtles sun themselves on the bank, ducks and geese go about their business, and the mountains rise up all around. There is time for a leisurely walk around the lake. You do not have to walk far – the path is flat and short.

A Village Where Time Runs Slower

In Zaros we stroll through the lanes, look in on the bakers and kafenia and see what everyday Cretan life looks like when there is no tour group in sight. That is exactly why this tour touches so many guests.

Traditional Cretan Food

Naturally we eat generously here too: freshly prepared meze, vegetables from the garden, grilled meat or local trout, with bread, olive oil, wine and a raki to finish. At seven to eight hours this is one of our longer tours. Tell us when your ship sails and, if port time is tight, we will shorten the programme to fit.

Tour Highlights

• The village home of our guide’s own family
• Lake Votomos with trout, turtles and a flat lakeside walk
• Village lanes, bakeries and kafenia away from tour groups
• Zaros spring water, sold across Greece
• Generous meal with meze, garden vegetables and local trout

At a Glance

• Duration: approx. 7 to 8 hours
• Available: daily
• Type: private tour
• Guide: English-speaking
• Start: pick-up directly at the Heraklion cruise terminal

Good to Know

• Pick-up at the Heraklion cruise terminal once your ship is cleared; we agree the exact time with you in advance.
• We plan around your ship’s actual port time and bring you back in good time.
• Bring sturdy shoes, sun protection and a hat in summer, plus a jacket in the cooler months.
• There is little walking involved – the tours work well with small children or limited mobility. A walking aid or rollator is no problem, just tell us when booking.
• Vegetarian, vegan and allergy-friendly meals are available on request.
• One of our longer tours – tell us your sailing time and we will shorten the programme if port time is tight.

Booking the Zaros Tour

Tell us which ship you are on and how long you are in port, and we will fit the Zaros Tour around your day ashore. You are under no obligation until everything is confirmed.

This tour is one of our shore excursions in Crete.