Resort Gournes - history and characteristics

The resort of Gournes is located on the coast of the Cretan Sea between the larger and popular tourist resorts of Kokkini Hani and Kato Gouves. However, Gournes is a very quiet, traditional Greek village, a kind of "oasis of calm" on the busy northern coast of Crete. The name of the village comes from the word "gourna", something like "basin" or "reservoir", and refers to the fact that there used to be several irrigation reservoirs here. The village is surrounded by hills full of olive trees and fields of vines. Traces of this irrigation system can still be found today - a river canal runs through the centre of the village, which is empty in the summer months but fills with water during the winter rains and spring thaw.

The town of Gournes is partly made up of old residential houses with picturesque narrow streets and old people sitting on stools in front of the houses. Towards the coast there is a more modern tourist area, with most accommodation and other services along the beach promenade. Visitors can find smaller hotels and individual rooms or apartments, traditional Greek tavernas and quaint cafes, as well as a few mini-markets and souvenir shops.

For more shopping and entertainment, tourists head to the neighbouring tourist resorts of Kokkini Hani, Kato Gouves, Analipsi, etc. The undeniable advantage of this place is the short distance to the capital Heraklion with its other leisure options (historical sightseeing, walking, shopping and nightlife).

Gournes has experienced an interesting phase in its modern history, which has had a significant impact on its current appearance and character. Gournes used to be a small and sleepy village until the late 1950s, when a large American airbase opened here (the remains of the air raid radars earned it the nickname "Mickey Mouse ears"). This occupied much of the surrounding hills and the population of the village suddenly increased several-fold thanks to the soldiers and their families. In 1993, however, the base was closed, about a thousand local residents lost their jobs, and hundreds of rooms and apartments were gradually vacated. The town had to cope with this situation and gradually began to adapt to the increasing tourism. Today, Gournes is considered a pleasant and peaceful holiday resort.

Gournes - coast and beaches

In contrast to the surrounding large holiday resorts, which boast long sandy beaches, the coastline of Gournes is home to smaller, mostly sandy, coves and beaches. Some of them are equipped with sunbeds and parasols, some even have a refreshment stand. A larger selection of food is then offered in the pretty tavernas along the beach promenade.

During strong northerly winds (meltemi), the resort's coastline is quite badly affected by wind and larger waves, so it is equipped with artificial breakwaters at regular intervals.

One of the longer beaches is located below the Blue Sky Beach Hotel, to the west of the town centre. The beach is organised and well-equipped, with a lifeguard even supervising the safety of swimmers. Another sandy and spacious beach is located in the eastern part of the resort, which is unorganized. Both are called Gournes beach.

Excursions and sights around Gournes

Gournes is located close to the main road connecting Heraklion to Agios Nikolaos, so you can get around the island wherever you want thanks to its good transport links. The resort has a car and scooter rental service and even two petrol stations. There is also a regular bus service to the town.

Nearest destinations to Gournes:

The old buildings and the surrounding area of Gournes are perfect for quiet nature walks, the old chapel of St. John Bezetis can be seen in the valley of the village and the large church of Gournes Pediados is right in the town. A boat trip to the nearby island of the god Zeus is also a local tourist attraction.

On the site of the former airbase, a large Dinosauria entertainment complex with a marine aquarium, the Cret-Aquarium Thalassokosmos, opened in 2005 and is now one of the best in Europe. The aquarium aims to introduce visitors to the underwater life of the Mediterranean Sea and the animals typical of the Cretan area (moray eels, tuna, tropical fish and sharks). These attractions can be an interesting excursion tip if you are spending your holiday here with children. And after an educational day out, you and the kids can also head to the nearby Water City water theme park (inland towards the village of Anopoli).

Nearby Gournes:

A popular tourist destination is the archaeological site of Knossos and of course the nearby historic town of Heraklion, the capital of Crete. Heraklion is dominated by a massive Venetian fortress with an old harbour, and is also home to several beautiful churches and the extensive collection of the Kretikon Museion archaeological museum.

Natural attractions include the Lasithi Plateau, the largest mountain plateau on the island, located about 30 km inland and formerly irrigated by a number of small windmills. The remains of the mills can still be seen here today, and in close proximity to the plateau we can also find other interesting and beautiful sights, such as the Moni Vidianis Monastery or the Dikteo Andro stalactite cave, where, according to one of the legends of Greek mythology, the god Zeus was born.

For whom the centre is suitable

Gournes is more suitable for less demanding clientele looking for a quiet holiday resort, away from the big crowds of tourists. For more shopping or lively entertainment, they have to go to the neighbouring larger resorts. However, the sound of planes landing at the nearby Heraklion airport or the remains of an abandoned US base jutting out of the hills around the town can be a distraction for some.

More touristic destinations of Crete

Close resorts: Gouves, Kato Gouves, Kokkini Hani

Most favourite resorts of Crete: Adelianos Kampos, Agia Marina, Agios Nikolaos, Heraklion (Iraklion), Hersonissos, Chania, Ierapetra, Kalamaki (Matala), Malia, Platanias (Chania), Rethymno, Stalis

Resorts, beaches, sights or trips - clearly listed on the map of Crete.