Museums Hidden gem

Zakros Watermills Museum

Sitia, Lasithi

About

Restored watermills.

The Zakros Water and Hydropower Museum consists of three restored watermills from the 19th and early 20th centuries.

The museum consists of three restored watermills from the 19th and early 20th century, powered by the springs of Zakros. It aims to show how water was used for grinding grain and generating power. The springs and plane trees of Ano Zakros make a lovely setting.

The watermills are in Ano Zakros, near the springs that also feed the stream of the Gorge of the Dead. The museum shows how the mills worked and how important water was for village life. It's a nice stop before or after walking the gorge.

Sitia is the far east of Crete, a quieter, less touristy area of dry hills, olive groves and vineyards. The town of Sitia has a pretty harbour, a Venetian fortress and museums, and the area includes the palm beach of Vai, the Toplou monastery, the Minoan palace of Zakros and the Gorge of the Dead. Much of the area is part of the Sitia UNESCO Geopark. The local olive oil is among the best in Greece.

Highlights & amenities

Entry: Free

Around Sitia

Lasithi, the eastern end of Crete, is quieter and greener than you might expect. Agios Nikolaos wraps around a small lake and a lively harbour, with cafés on the water and beaches within walking distance. Just north, Elounda and Plaka look across to the fortress island of Spinalonga, one of the most moving places on the island. More about Lasithi