Gouves Pictures

At eight o’clock in the morning in Gouves the rising sun casts rosy hues over Mount Ederi or Micky Mouse Mountain, called that because the two radar dishes on the peak look like mouse ears.

We are on the eastern beaches of Gouves near the Pantheon Palace Hotel. The eastern beaches at Gouves are small sandy coves alternating with rocky parts of the coast.

Photo of another beach in the same part of Gouves. In two to three hours the loungers will be full of people coming for a cool dip in the sea.

Some parts of the Gouves coast are rocky with little sand, but even here some people enjoy the sun and sea

This pirate boat no longer ploughs the seas but rests on the seashore rocks.

The boat flying the Jolly Roger belongs to one of the seaside café bars in Gouves.

At eight in the morning the café bar is still closed, but it will be lovely to sit here in the afternoon and relax as you gaze out to sea.

A great idea for tête-à-têtes by the sea

Heading towards the centre, we come to the tiny seaside church of Ss Constantine, Helen and Panteleimon, built among the pines on the seashore.

An elderly woman lights a candle in the chapel before entering the church.

The little church is one of the main features of Gouves. Weddings and christenings are often held here, and you might be lucky enough to see one for yourself.

Inside the church during the Sunday service. It is so small that candles are lit in the chapel.

First thing in the morning is the ideal time for a run on the beach.

The beach here is full of large pebbles, but just to the east are the large sandy beaches of Gouves

This tiny cove is known as Aphrodite Harbour after the nearby Aphrodite Hotel, and is ideal for days when the north wind is making the sea rough off the other Gouves beaches

A fishing boat rocks gently on the almost still water in the little harbour of Gouves

Right next to the harbour is the new Gouves marina, with several craft moored there.

Next to the marina is the largest beach in Gouves, running east

An umbrella and two loungers on the beach cost 6 euros. This is the usual price on most beaches in northern Crete.

Here we see the prices for watersports in Gouves, from pedalo to parasailing, banana boat and jet ski.

This picture was taken in the afternoon, which is why there are people on the beach, unlike the previous pictures.

The municipal beach at the east end of Gouves, next to the former American Base. You will notice that the umbrellas here cost 4 euros, much cheaper than the central beach.

The Gouves beaches look very different in the afternoon, with lots of people enjoying the sun and sea.

Children playing on a rock a few yards from the beach, with the Gouves church in the background.

There are cafeterias and tavernas all along the Gouves beach road, which is 3 kilometres long.

Late in the afternoon people go for a stroll along the main Gouves road with its shops and restaurants.

Walking in Gouves at night

The main road of Gouves has both souvenir shops and many restaurants.

If you want to buy jewellery, there are a few jewellery shops on the main road.

In the cafeterias and bars of Gouves you can watch a football match while drinking your beer.

There are also street artists in Gouves, who will paint your portrait in a few minutes.

The evening is a good time to rent a car for your excursions around Crete. There are several car rental bureaux in Gouves, so you’re bound to find a car that suits you.

From the international atmosphere of seaside Gouves, we head up to Pano Gouves for something a little more Greek.

A pretty corner to enjoy your coffee in Pano Gouves

Taverna in Pano Gouves village square

The kafeneio in Pano Gouves. When this picture was taken there were two kafeneia in the square.

Pano Gouves is just a short distance from Kato Gouves and the beach, but it is a completely different picture.

Gourds or “tsouki” as we call them in Crete, saints’ icons and a picture of a couple in traditional Cretan costume decorate the kafeneio. But take a look at the next photo...

A large collection of football scarves from many different countries

In Pano Gouves you will see many old stone houses, most of them restored.

Another snap of Pano Gouves village

An old empty house in Pano Gouves is an invitation for a quick exploration.

The wooden doors open onto an inner courtyard overgrown with weeds, and an old pithos pot.

The storeroom still contains the old pithoi, now empty of oil or wheat, and a Greek flag which once decorated the house on national holidays.

An old school photograph still hangs on the wall of the empty house, reminding us that children once grew up here, filling the house with their shouts and laughter.