Kato Karouzana village: Beaches, Stays, Things to do

Located in the Kasteli area, Kato Karouzana is a charming settlement that boasts stunning views and traditional architecture. The village, which sits at an altitude of 300m, is situated 39km away from the bustling city of Heraklion. Kato Karouzana was first mentioned in 1842 and was named after the Karzano family, which is a common surname in the village.

Tourists flock to Kato Karouzana, especially during the summer months, to enjoy the picturesque lanes, traditional cafes, and taverns. The village is a popular destination for Kritikes Vradies, which are Cretan evenings that feature local music and dance. With its beautiful scenery and lively atmosphere, Kato Karouzana is a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to Crete.

Things to do in Kato Karouzana

Most of what there is to see around Kato Karouzana sits within 3 km of the village, on the Pediada plateau around Kastelli. The gorges of the northern Heraklion prefecture start about 8 km away.

1. Eat and drink around the village. Apomero lies 2.4 km away, the Cafe-Bar Kastelli Pediados and Niki’s Coffee 2.7 km away in Kastelli, and Taverna Maris 3.9 km away.
2. Visit the ancient sites of the Pediada. Three of them stand within 3 km of the village, the Smari Citadel at 2.6 km, the Minoan Settlement of Kastelli at 2.6 km and Ancient Lyktos at 2.9 km.
3. Spend a morning in Kastelli. The town lies 2.7 km away in the rural Pediada and has over 2,000 residents, along with the shops and public services of the area. Concerts, exhibitions and theatre plays run through the year, and the Feast of Xenitemenou in August honours the villagers who emigrated, with folklore performances, concerts and exhibitions: things to do in Kastelli.
4. Call at the Kallergis monastery. The monastery stands 2.9 km away, outside Kasteli: Kallergis Monastery.
5. Hike the Aposelemis Gorge. The canyon lies 7.7 km from the village and is the longest in the northern part of the Heraklion prefecture, with vertical walls up to 200 m, ending at the settlement of Agriana near Hersonissos. Water runs in parts of it only after heavy rainfall, and it stays little walked despite the easy access: Aposelemis Gorge.
6. Walk the trail above the Roza Gorge. The gorge lies 8.7 km away and takes its name from the pink tint of its walls. It branches off the Ambelos Gorge near the Panagia Kera Kardiotissa monastery in the Ano Kera region, and the drops inside the riverbed are too steep to walk, so a marked trail runs along its sides instead: Roza Gorge.

Beaches in and around Kato Karouzana

Kato Karouzana sits inland at 300 m and has no beach of its own. The nearest sea is about 10 km north on the Hersonissos coast, where 4 beaches lie within 12 km of the village.

• Drapanos beaches lie 10.1 km away, the coves east of Hersonissos that begin 2 km from the port and run out to Cape Drapanos. Star Beach is the busiest of them, and further east come small sandy and pebbly coves, some with cool water from freshwater springs in the sea. The Lychnostatis Folklore Museum stands beside them.
• Stalida beach is 10.2 km away, a long sandy beach between Hersonissos and Malia, about 3 km east of Hersonissos. The water is shallow and slopes gently, and sunbeds, tavernas and water sports run the length of the sand in front of the resort. Stalida has grown until it merges with Malia into one continuous stretch of coast.
• Hersonissos beaches sit 10.5 km away, a set of beaches known for calm seas, which are rare on the north coast because of the prevailing north winds. The calmest lie west of the port behind Cape Sarandaris, while the busiest lie east of it, starting with a long narrow organized beach close to the town’s shops and bars.
• Sarandaris coves lie 11.9 km away, also called Limanakia, running from Cape Sarandaris to Hersonissos harbour and sheltered from the northwest winds by the cape. A concrete dock on the rocky western side near the St George Sarandaris chapel is used for diving, and a staircase leads down to a sunbathing spot over a rocky seabed that suits swimming and snorkelling.