Zaharo Municipality

Greece, Greece

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Zacharo (sometimes spelled Zaharo) is a town and municipality in western Peloponnese, Greece, located in the regional unit of Elis within the West Greece administrative region, sitting on the coast of the Gulf of Kyparissia in the Ionian Sea with mountains Lapithas to the north and Minthi to the east.

The municipality covers 276 square kilometers and was formed in 2011 by merging two former municipalities, Figaleia and Zacharo, and has a population of about 8,654 residents. Situated 18 kilometers south of ancient Olympia and 28 kilometers southeast of Pyrgos, Zacharo is traversed by Greek National Road 9/E55 connecting Patras with Kalamata.

The town is famous for its magnificent pristine beaches, particularly Kaiafa Beach with golden sand and lush green surroundings, and the nearby Kaiafas Lake with therapeutic thermal springs that attract hundreds of visitors annually. Zacharo's economy relies on tourism and agriculture, especially olive tree cultivation for olive oil production, and it is renowned for the Zacharo tomato, a uniquely sweet variety loaded with visible sugar crystals.