Zaros Lake — Attraction in Municipality of Festos

Zaros Lake is a beautiful artificial lake on the southern slopes of Mount Psiloritis, the highest mountain in Crete. It was created by the Forest Service in 1987 to store the spring waters that gushed from the Votomos spring.

The lake is surrounded by a lush green landscape and offers a tranquil setting for visitors who want to enjoy nature, walk around the lake, or have a picnic at the nearby tavernas. The lake is also home to a fish farm that produces trout and carp.

Zaros is a picturesque village that is famous for its natural mineral water, which is bottled and exported to many countries. The water comes from the Amati spring, which is located at the foot of Psiloritis, and has a unique taste and quality. Zaros water was awarded the title of the "Best Bottled Water in the World" for 2017.

Zaros is also a good base for exploring the nearby attractions, such as the Cave of St. Efthimios, the Vrontisi Monastery, the Rouvas Gorge, and the archaeological site of Phaistos. Zaros is about 45 km (28 miles) from Heraklion, the capital of Crete, and can be reached...

Located about 45 minutes south of Heraklion, Lake Zaros sits halfway up the southern slope of Mt. Psiloritis. It's hard to imagine a more beautiful spot, even on amazing Crete. Renowned for the crystal springs that feed the lake, people have coveted this place since before Minoan times.

Nearby, Rouvas Gorge and woods make the whole area an Eden-like natural paradise. There are too many religious places and monuments nearby to mention here. I recommend travelers stay at one of the local hotels and enjoy the endless hiking and nature exploring possibilities.

By the way, the famous Zaros water distillers use the lake and the springs as the source of Crete's most famous drinking water. This is a "must see" area of...

I visited Lake Zaros in February on a beautiful sunny day and had the entire place to myself. The area was incredibly peaceful and scenic, making it a perfect spot to relax and take in nature. While the cafés and facilities were closed for the season, it’s clear that this is a popular spot in the summer.

We came here to do the hike from the lake up into Rouvas Forest and Gorge, which was absolutely spectacular. The trail is just over 10km there and back, offering stunning views and a great mix of terrain. This has quickly become my favorite area in central Crete—highly recommended for nature...