For a relaxing family holiday in Greece, you can go to Gouves. This is a small resort located near the capital of the island, Heraklion. Modern hotels are built here, a lot of entertainment for adults and young tourists. before traveling to Gouves in Crete, it is recommended to find out about the beaches, hotel complexes, entertainment and transport infrastructure.
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Description of the resort
The first feature is location. The tourist resort of Gouves in Crete is located in the east of the island, between two settlements – Kato and Pano. The first one is located on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea; relatively many hotels and inns have been built here. There are several historical sights in Pano, there are several restaurants and bars where you can try the national Greek cuisine. The distance between the two villages is small – up to 4 km. During the rest you can visit each.
Resort infrastructure, features:
- The hotels are family oriented. It will offer an extra bed for a child, there are several playgrounds and playgrounds. Additionally, you can order a babysitter.
- Nutrition. They offer a standard accommodation option with breakfast or an All Inclusive system. Usually they choose the first one, when you can have lunch and dinner at local restaurants and cafes.
- Beaches. The covering is sandy, small stones rarely come across. The entry into the sea is gentle, but there is a drawback – a narrow coastline.
- Entertainment and active recreation. The resort has several nightclubs and discos, but their number is relatively small. Diving and fishing are offered for adult tourists.
- Tours. There are few local attractions, you can visit them on your own. An alternative is to book a group tour of the island.
The climate in Gouves Crete is mild, in summer there are no sudden temperature changes in the evening or at night. The wind is not strong, does not interfere with a relaxing beach holiday. The air temperature in summer does not exceed +32°С, the sea heats up to 22-24°С. At night, this figure drops by 2-3 degrees.
How to get there
The advantage of the resort’s location is the proximity of the international airport in Heraklion. The distance to it is 18 km. However, there are no direct bus services from the airport. Independent travelers need to get to the bus station of the capital, there transfer to a shuttle bus. The fare is 5 Euro. The frequency of following is 15-20 minutes. Tickets can be bought at the ticket office of the bus station or from the driver.
Alternative ways to get to Gouves:
- Taxi. The fare from the airport will be 45 Euros, from the city center – 35 Euros. It depends on the number of passengers, the amount of luggage.
- Transfer. Group is provided free of charge (included in the price of the tour), for an individual you need to pay. The latter option is convenient for large groups of tourists.
- Car rental. This is done if they plan to visit several resorts. You can see several sights with a rental car.
The area of Crete is relatively small. Plus – there is a developed bus service. On the routes you can get to Gouves or other resorts of the island. It is important to calculate the time of check-in at the hotel. Usually this procedure starts at 14:00. Check-out takes place at 12:00.
The beaches of Gouves
The Greek resort of Gouves in Crete has many beaches. Most of them have a sandy surface, which is convenient for families. For lovers of solitude, it is recommended to visit the coastal rocky areas located near the rocks. There is no developed infrastructure, umbrellas, sun loungers, but there are few tourists during peak seasons. Some of the beaches in Gouves belong to hotels, but there are public areas for beach recreation.
Information about the beach areas of the resort:
- The total length is 12 km.
- On public and hotel beaches you can rent umbrellas, sunbeds. The cost of 1 set is 10 euros.
- The entry into the sea is gentle, which is convenient for children and those who cannot swim.
- Popular beaches are Kokkini Hani, Analipsi. The latter is located 4 km from the village, you can get there by bus or taxi.
- Entertainment – paragliding, jet skis, diving. Periodically equip water attractions, children’s entertainment.
In this part of Crete, the waves are small, but in the evenings and in the morning a relatively strong wind blows. At this time, it is recommended to take warm clothes. Entrance to most Gouves beaches is free. The exception is private property.
Hotels and hotels
Many new hotels and hotel complexes have been built on the territory of the resort. Most are located on the first line, but there are exceptions. Room service is standard. According to tourists, the staff knows English, but there may be problems with Russian. Some hotels in Gouves, Crete have their own beaches. Umbrellas and sun loungers are provided to guests free of charge. Before booking a room, it is recommended to find out the infrastructure of the complex.
TOP 3 hotels in Gouves resort, Greece:
- The Island-Adults Only 4*. A large hotel complex located by the sea. Offers standard rooms, deluxe accommodation. On the territory there is a bathhouse, a sauna, there are several swimming pools. Guests can visit restaurants and bars. There is a representative tour agency.
- Gouves Waterpark Holiday Resort 4*. Good place for family vacation. Playgrounds have been built for children, there are small pools. In addition to sunbathing on the beach, you can stay on the local terrace. Feature – there are tennis courts, a football field. Animators work, you can hire a nanny for a child. Reviews often point to good service.
- Amirandes Grecotel Exclusive Resort 5*. Guests can go to the sea on the hotel’s private beach. There are always few vacationers, there are always free sunbeds and umbrellas. A feature of the hotel in Gouves, Crete – restaurants and bars. Here you can try dishes of national Greek cuisine.
Free Wi-Fi and parking space are provided as standard. Additionally, they offer dry cleaning and laundry services. Almost every hotel has a souvenir shop, a small grocery supermarket. Before ordering a room, it is recommended to study the reviews of tourists.
Resort attractions
In addition to a beach holiday in Gouves, you can visit local attractions. They can be natural or historical. Independent tourists plan trips in a rented car. An alternative is to book an excursion. The cost of the program is from 35 Euro per person. Usually the duration of the tour is 4-6 hours. The price includes meals.
What you can see in Gouves, Crete, on your own:
- Island Dia. It is a completely uninhabited island with an area of 12 km². There is a lot of greenery, trees, there are natural beaches. Groups of tourists come here for a relaxing holiday.
- Embankment. A convenient place for an evening walk, visiting local restaurants. You can try Greek cuisine, take photos of the Mediterranean Sea and beaches.
- Mount Eder. This is a relatively small hill, on the slopes of which olive trees and vineyards grow. Hiking tours are organized here.
For trips to other resorts of Crete, it is recommended to book an excursion. Before the trip, you need to study the program, duration. Holidays in Gouves, Crete can be combined. Spend some time on the beach, devote the rest to outdoor activities.