Holidays in Gouves

Gouves lies on the northern Mediterranean coast of Crete. Surrounded by picturesque villages, bays and long sandy beaches, Gouves offers many landscapes to explore. Nearby there is the well-developed resort of Kato Gouves, which offers plenty of hotels, bars and beaches to cater to every need. Possidonos Street has a number of tavernas, a boat marina and one of the best seaside promenades on the island.

Gouves holidays on the Mediterranean coast

Gouves is about 20 kilometres from Heraklion, taxis and car rentals are available from the airport. Flight time from London is three and a half hours, with a one hour time difference (local time is GMT+2). Summers are warm and dry, and many tourists visit Gouves between June and September, when the temperatures range from 26 to 30 degrees Celsius.

Historical Sites in Gouves

For those interested in history holidays, Gouves features many archeological sites and museums, such as the Monastery of Saint John Theologos in the village of Anopoli, which dates back to the 16th century. The monastery played a role in the resistance against the Ottoman occupation. In addition, the region boasts numerous caves, the largest and most impressive of which is the Skotino Cave. A number of bronze and ceramic votive offerings were found here, some of which date back to the earliest Minoan periods.

Gouves holidays: Beach relaxation and shopping

Gouves has several beaches in the nearby towns of Analipsi and Chani Kokkini. The pristine, sandy beaches offer excellent facilities, and they have plenty of activities and watersports to try out, such as waterskiing, canoe, paragliding, and banana boat rides. Families can enjoy fun-filled days at several water parks in Gouves which offer many activities for kids. In addition, the open air markets in Aghios Niikolaos and Krista are popular among visitors for their Cretan crafts.