Gouves

Gouves is a seaside resort, which combines tranquility, fun and crystal clear sea.  It is 17km east of Heraklion airport.  The village took its name from the pits (in Greek called "gouves") which existed in every home, they were used to hide food to safeguard it against the barbarians and fortune hunters.

Archaeological research and excavations have shown that this area goes back to Minoan times, large kilns were found near the beach of Gouves where it is thought that the Minoans manufactures ceramics and shipped them to many places on Crete and to other Mediterranean countries.  In the 60's a sarcophagus of the Minoan period was found in the same area and is now exhibited in the museum in Heraklion.

From the peaceful picturesque village Gouves has developed into a favourite holiday destination with the main attraction being the well kept beaches and the variety of small apartments as well as the large hotels.

Enjoy walking along the beach under the hot Cretan sun and swimming in the cool sea, try out traditional Cretan dishes in the many taverns and fresh fish in the picturesque restaurants which over look the sea or shop in the many fashionable boutiques and in the evenings have fun in the great nightclubs where you can dance to the sounds of foreign and Greek music until dawn.