A quiet village between Heraklion and the sea.
Gournes is a small village in the municipality of Hersonissos on Crete’s north coast, thirteen kilometres east of Heraklion. It is just twenty minutes from the city centre, and a great choice for a quiet day at the beach, away from the noise and pace of the city.
The area keeps its everyday Cretan rhythm. Bakeries and kafeneia in the morning, and tavernas that fill up slowly in the evening. Ten minutes to the east you can explore the livelier waterfront of Hersonissos, while Heraklion airport is ten kilometres away, making arrivals and departures very easy.
Four thousand years within an hour.
16 km
Knossos Palace
The Minoan palace of the labyrinth, Europe’s oldest city and the birthplace of the Minotaur legend.
13 km
Archaeological Museum
The world’s finest Minoan collection, from the Phaistos Disc to the bull-leaper frescoes.
14 km
Koules Fortress
The Venetian sea fortress that has guarded Heraklion’s old harbour since the 16th century.
13 km
Venetian Walls
Four kilometres of Venetian ramparts, with Kazantzakis’ grave on the Martinengo bastion.
6 km
Skotino Cave
One of Crete’s largest sacred caves, a place of worship for four thousand years.
Where to eat well.
Sir Papafigos
Contemporary Greek gastronomy by chef Emi Marantou, on the waterfront facing Koules Fortress. Currently the top-rated table in Heraklion.
20 min · Heraklion old harbour
DirectionsTo Giousouro
A family fish taverna. Whatever reaches your table, they caught it themselves. Ask for the shrimp linguini and whatever came in that morning.
15 min · Nea Alikarnassos
DirectionsTaverna Paximadi
4.8 · Tripadvisor
Family Cretan cooking right on the sand: stews, fresh fish and raki on the house.
on Gournes beach
DirectionsTaverna Tzo
4.5 · Tripadvisor
Homemade moussaka, fresh dorada and a terrace over the water.
5 min · Kokkini Hani
DirectionsSalt water, near and far.
Gournes Beach
Sand, pebbles and clear shallow water, with tavernas right on the sea.
a ten-minute walk
DirectionsKokkini Hani
Organized sandy bays, sunbeds and beach bars along the old coast road.
five minutes west
DirectionsThe beaches every guide agrees on. Each one is worth a full day.