Melion Women’s Agricultural Cooperative

Zakros, in southeastern Crete, is a destination worth exploring for many reasons. One of them is the Melion Women’s Agricultural Cooperative, located in the village square.

Here, you can taste xerotigana, butter biscuits, rusks, almond sweets, and more. But the star of the show is their stafidota, a unique raisin-filled pastry made with a special technique.

If the season allows, you’ll also find kalitsounia with fresh myzithra cheese, and depending on the time of year, traditional treats like kourabiedes (powdered sugar-coated butter cookies).

If you arrange it in advance, you can tour their workshop and watch these skilled women at work!

Take some time to wander through the village, visit the local spring and the historic mills, then venture further to discover the archaeological site of Kato Zakros, the Natural History Museum, or even hike the Gorge of the Dead.

Archive photo: Incrediblecrete