This was for us love at first sight. Xerokampos in the extreme southeast of Crete and can be reached from the substantial village of Ziros or from the village of Zakros which is more north. The roads are good here (there are no more dirt tracks in the area, it's all asphalt). Xerokampos is actually not really like a village or a beach, but it is more like a collection of different beaches, and groups of houses, a hotel, a pension, a few tavernas. The houses, the accommodations and the tavernas lie a bit scattered over the valley. There are crudely said three "main beaches" and than there are several other smaller beaches in the area. On some parts of the larger beaches you can rent an umbrella, but most of the beaches are unspoilt.

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We always have a good time here en enjoy every minute of our visits to Xerokampos. We usually find ourselves a great little private beach, one in a row of many more. On parts of the main beaches and on the small beaches you can find the naturists (like us). On some places of the beaches you can find the endangered and protected white beach lilly.

The first beach you encounter when you have driven down is called Mazida beach. It is a fairly long and wide sandy beach with no facilities. Off the coast lie the Kavalli islands, where the rare Mavropetritis falcon nests. You will also see them fly over Xerokampos from time to time. On the next beach where the remnants of the Hellenistic settlement are, there sunbeds and umbrellas for rent. Here are also a few tavernas. This beach is followed by our beloved small sandy beaches. The last in line is Alatsolimni beach: a sandy beach with a salt lake behind it, the "Alatsolimni Wetlands" where your find particular plants and where rare birds are found. Sometimes there is also a rare caretta caretta turtle.

The village of Xerokampos doesn't really have a center and the houses are spread out over the area, there are many beaches to choose from, and a taverna every here and there. There were quite a number of hotels, apartment buildings and pensions, but they are all small scaled, so no large hotel complexes. This was really a fun part of Crete in our point of view and it's also a pretty part, with cute islands in the front, and it is quiet. You can reach Xerokampos trough Ziros, Goudouras or Zakros. In Xerokampos there are also the remains of a Hellenistic settlement to be seen. Nice as a bonus but nothing too spectacular.

The area of Xerokampos was already inhabited in prehistoric times. There are remains of an Minoan town (which has not yet been excavated) and a sanctuary. On a hill the remains of a Hellenistic city were found, which was surrounded by high walls. This city was probably Ampelos and dates from the fifth century BC. There is not really much left to see. The objects that were excavated are exhibited in the Archaeological Museum of Sitia. On the grounds is the Agios Nikolaos church that was built in 1895.

Taverna net to the main beach of Xerokampos. We ordered the chefs salad (beet roots, cheese, ham, egg, tomato, cucumber, lettuce), sfaka with cheese (ommelette with feta cheese), tzaziki and cappuccino. No real complaints. The tzaziki was a bit tasteless though and the waiter didn't make a very happy impression.

Our verdict: a 7,5 out of 10

Taverna next to the main beach of Xerokampos, next to Akrogiali. Here there is a nice atmosphere and the waiter is very friendly. We order the soutzoukakia (meatballs), grilled sardines, a tzatziki and half a liter of wine. Everything okay including the wine.

Our verdict: an 8 out of 10

Kostas Taverna is located along the road that leads to the wetlands of Xerokampos, more in the northern part of the village. We order the spicy cheese dip, the chicken salad and the baked cheese. The salad was very good, with warm chicken, cheese, lettuce, cucumber, onion and dressing (a lot of dressing, but you sometimes you get that with the salads that you order in Greece). The service is friendly.

Our verdict: a 7,5 out of 10

Located in Zakros of Lasithi, Villa Kalliopi is set amidst an olive grove and features a private pool with a furnished sun terrace. The two-bedroom villa offers free Wi-Fi access and includes a seating area with fireplace. Enjoying views over the pool, the garden and the mountain, the air-conditioned villa is elegantly decorated with wrought-iron beds and well-chosen decorative items. It features a fully-equipped kitchen with dining area, microwave and stove. A safe and a flat-screen TV with satellite channels are available. Guests will find taverns and mini markets at the centre of Zakros Village, within 3 km from Villa Kaliopi. Xerokampos is 5 km away and Kato Zakros is 10 km away. The seaside Sitia Town and its port are located 37 km away, while Agios Nikolaos is at 100 km. Free parking is possible on site.

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Surrounded by olive trees, within 300 metres from the beach of Xerokampos in Sitia, Faros Houses offers air-conditioned units with views over the Libyan Sea. Free WiFi is available in all areas and free bicycles can be provided. Opening to a furnished balcony, the rooms, studios and apartments of Faros feature a fridge, a flat-screen TV and a safe. All units include a private bathroom with hair dryer, while some also include a well-equipped with dining area and cooking hobs. A continental breakfast can be served daily upon request. A tavern lies within 50 metres from the property. The seaside Sitia Town and its port are located 50 km from Faros Houses, while Ierapetra is 68 km away. The famous palm beach of Vai is at a distance of 40 km. Free public parking can be found on site.

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Located just 150 metres from the beach in Xerokampos Village, Alkionides offers individual villas that open to a furnished balcony, enjoying unobstructed Libyan Sea views. Free Wi-Fi is available in all areas. All self-catering villas come with air conditioning, a seating area and a satellite, flat-screen TV. They have an equipped kitchen, including a stove, fridge and dining area with dining table. Some units also feature a washing machine. Various taverns with local dishes can be found in Xerokampos Village. Zakros Village with various grocery stores is within a 10-minute drive of Alkionides. The beaches of Limanaki and Karavopetra lie at a close distance of the property. Free public parking is possible on site.

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Following the local Cretan architecture, Lithos Traditional Guest Houses offers fully equipped apartments decorated with unique 19th century antiques, within 350 metres from the nearest beach. The apartments feature a fireplace and views to the Libyan Sea or the garden. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout. Fitted with beamed ceilings and wooden-floored bedrooms, apartments are decorated in warm, earthy tones. Each apartment at Lithos features a well-equipped kitchen. A flat-screen TV with satellite channels is available in the seating area. Fresh products, organic wine and virgin olive oil are offered. Guests can benefit from the barbeque facilities available in the premises. The property also offers free mountain bike rentals, upon request and availability. Traditional taverns and a mini market for the general supplies are 150 metres away. The property is located at Xerokampos and provides access to the Libyan Sea, where several coves are suitable for swimming. Kato Zakros is 2 km away and Palaikastro is at 12 km. Sitia Airport is 45 km away. Free parking is available on site.

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Perched on a hill, just 100 metres from the beach of Xerokampos, Natica Mare Villas offers elegantly decorated houses with unobstructed views over the Libyan Sea. The split-level units feature a living room with fireplace and enjoy free Wi-Fi access. Opening to spacious balconies, the houses of Natica are fitted with modern furnishings and earthy colours. Each air-conditioned unit has a kitchen with dining area, fridge and a stove. A washing machine, a safe and an LCD satellite TV with DVD player are available. Guests will find a mini market within 500 metres from the property, while taverns and caf� are within a short walk. Zakros Village is located 20 km away and Sitia Airport is at a distance of 60 km. Free private parking is possible on site.

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Quietly located only 70 metres from the beach of Xerokampos, Akti Rooms offers self-catered accommodation with free Wi-Fi and balcony overlooking the South Cretan Sea. Shops are 300 metres away. A kitchenette with cooking facilities, fridge and seating area is included in all the soundproof units at the Akti. Each has a seating area with dining space. Sun loungers and umbrellas are available for guests. Restaurants are 1.5 km from the property. Zakro is 10 km away while the town of Ierapetra is at a distance of 55 km. Free private parking is available at the property.

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