The southernmost island of Europe, Gavdos, south of Crete: here are the 8 things to do in Gavdos!
Gavdos is a small Greek island off Crete (40 kilometres south) in the Libyan Sea, which is the southernmost island of Europe outside the remote islands (its southernmost point is Cape Tripiti). Over a period of more than 5,000 years, it has only been home to a population of about one hundred permanent inhabitants on 27 km2. Insulated island of mass tourism by its situation, Gavdos is devoid of large tourist infrastructures, which guarantees you a wild and natural stay where you live as out of time.
Lands of piracy, of Venetian influence, Byzantine, Roman, place of exile for the communists under the dictatorship of Metaxas , Gavdos became a den for hippies looking for a peaceful nature on the margins of civilization.
It also goes there for its landscapes made of sandy dunes, wet beaches of turquoise water, its garrigues and maquis, pine and juniper forests, and an incredibly preserved fauna: Gavdos is an important passage during the migration of birds.
What to do in Gavdos? For you who will visit Gavdos from Crete, here is a top 8 things to do Gavdos.
Also: The 10 things to do in Crete
1. Karave
Photo credit: Flickr – Jörg Weingrill
The “capital” of the island is only a small port used to connect Gavdos to Crete, located on the east coast of the island. There are only a few houses, a coffee and a few rooms available for rent to stay in Gavdos one or two nights. So much to say that we will not go for a long stay and even less to visit historical monuments: there is simply no!
We come to visit Gavdos to do nothing, take rest time for yourself, recharge and spend time in water or sand. Careful, nudism is practiced on the island: pudical and puritan souls abstain but you can of course stay clothed with your clothes. Note that there is no bank on Gavdos: you will have to withdraw your tickets to Crete before. Visit Gavdos offers a stay Farniente guaranteed. Arrived in Karavé, a bus still allows to reach the beaches of the island.
2. The beaches of Gavdos
Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons – Artemis Katsadoura
What to do in Gavdos? Learning to do nothing, precisely, this is the quintessence of a fierce and successful stay in Gavdos!
A few beaches, all as beautiful as immenses, with clear, calm and turquoise waters, make it possible to achieve its relaxing goals on the island: Cap Tripiti, Lavraka Beach, Sarakiniko Beach, Ai Giannis, Agios Ioannis – elected as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world by Discovery Channel -, Diana Beach. The beaches are equipped with bars, snacks or restaurants, sometimes supermarkets to supply.
3. Potamos
Photo credit: Flickr – ermakov
The best way to reach Potamos and its beach is to take a taxi boat (request Georgos or Eftihis in Sarakiniko). Potamos is one of the most isolated beaches of Gavdos.
4. Korfos
Photo credit: Flickr – taver
The beach of Korfos is one of the quietest, a good option if you are looking to isolate yourself from the world. Note that it is possible – understand tolerated – to make camping on Gavdos. The best place in Korfos is under the trees. Be careful to check the inside of the shoes and clothes with slipping them in the morning, then obviously, to leave the place intact as you found the day before.
5. Sarakiniko
Photo credit: Flickr – Graeme Churchard
This is where most tourists go, because Sarakiniko houses the most popular beach on the island. If you like to take a look at yourself, narquois, spend time, tasting grilled fish, it’s a tiny village to see.
6. A boat ride
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Dynamoland
Once the sea view is appreciated from the beaches, why not change the point of view? Rent a boat in Gavdos will allow you to relax from the sea, and enjoy the view on its fine sandy beaches.
You can also vogue in peace, and discover the seabed that Gavdos offers, with a snorkeling session in the middle of the sea!
Find a boat for rent in Gavdos
7. Faros
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Georgios Tsichlis
The Faros lighthouse is no longer used and has been rehabilitated in a mini-museum but it nevertheless allows a beautiful hike on the highest point of the island, from where you can admire the sunset with the island of Crete as a backdrop. To drink a drink or snack a small snack, a small bar is open until late evening.
8. Tripiti
Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons – Eneas_Ts
What to do in Gavdos? Between Korfos and Vatsiana, south of Gavdos, a beautiful walk between the garrigues is to be done: it is the Cape Tripiti, the southernmost point of Greece and Europe. A few hundred kilometres away, the Libyan coast.
How to go to Gavdos?
Gavdos with no airport, you will have to choose a flight to Crete. Many inexpensive flights exist from France, you can consult our partner's website Ulysses to find yours. Then you can reach the port of Paleochora and Sfakia on Crete to board a boat: count two hours of crossing from Skafia and four hours from Paleochora. There are two connections per week and the crossing days may vary depending on the weather.
Where to stay in Gavdos?
There are few offers of accommodation on Gavdos: few accommodations at home and only a few hotels in Sarakiniko, Fokia, Kastri. In addition, you can always try the wild camping on the beaches (under the trees). You can find a cheap hotel in Gavdos by doing a search on this Compare hotels . Finally, to choose your ground foot in Gavdos, go to our article « Where to stay on the island of Gavdos? "!
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