Gouves holidays 2026 / 2027

Gouves is the perfect Cretan spot if you're after holidays that blend a beautiful, chilled-out beach scene with easy access to buzzing nightlife and historical whoppers nearby.

Why do people love going on holidays to Gouves?

Gorgeous Sandy Beaches - The resort is famous for its long, golden stretches of sand and shallow, crystal-clear waters, making it bang-on for families with kiddos who want safe swimming.
Proximity to Heraklion - You’re just a short trip from Crete's capital and main airport, meaning you can easily switch up your beach days with history, museums, and serious city shopping.
Chill Village Vibe - Gouves maintains a lovely, laid-back atmosphere, offering a mix of traditional tavernas and modern bars, perfect for chilled-out evening jollies.
Easy Access to Fun - The resort is super close to some mahoosive water parks and the famous resort of Hersonissos, so if you fancy a change of pace, the action is right on your doorstep.

What is the best time to visit Gouves?

Crete is all about that scorching Mediterranean heat! The island gets a ton of sunshine, making your Gouves holidays a delight. If you want maximum sun and lively resort action, aim for summer. For a more tranquil, yet still sunny, holibobs experience, spring and autumn are a total win.

Spring - Average 19°C-23°C - Beautiful mild warmth, ideal for mooching, sightseeing, and enjoying the island's famous wildflowers before the summer heat kicks in.
Summer - Average 28°C-32°C - Scorchio weather perfect for endless beach days, with the resort and nearby bars absolutely popping off every evening.
Autumn - Average 27°C-22°C - Delightfully warm sea temperatures for swimming, and a calmer vibe throughout the resort as the main summer crowds thin out.
Winter - Average 15°C-18°C - Mild, peaceful temperatures that are great for exploring historical sites like Knossos without the heat or the tourist rush.

What are the best beaches to visit on your Gouves holidays?

The coastline around Gouves offers a range of stun beaches, from sheltered bays ideal for the littluns to more open stretches where you can try out some watersports. You're never far from a gorgeous place to drop your towel.

Gouves Beach (Central) - Long, soft sandy stretch with calm, shallow waters and plenty of amenities- the perfect family sunbathing spot.
Cato Gouves Beach - Located in the lower part of the resort, this sheltered cove offers sunbeds, clear water, and easy access to local cute tavernas.
Aposelemis Beach (Near Kokkini Hani) - A quiet, sandy option further west, offering a more peaceful experience away from the central resort area.
The Peninsula Beaches - Several small, pretty coves nestled on the nearby peninsula, great for a little quiet exploration and finding a secluded sun spot.

Things to do on your Gouves holidays

Don't just stick to the beach! Gouves gives you a great base to explore both the Cretan coast and its rich history. From ancient palaces to thrilling water parks, you’ll find top-notch activities close by to liven up your holibobs.

Discover the Palace of Knossos - Take a short trip to see the mahoosive and fascinating ruins of the ancient Minoan civilisation near Heraklion.
Splash Out at Waterpark - Head to one of the nearby water parks, like Aqua Plus or Star Beach, for a day of monster slides and pool action.
Visit the CretAquarium - A top-tier marine park showcasing Mediterranean sea life- a brilliant, cool activity for all ages, especially the kiddos.
Explore Old Gouves Village - Wander up to the original, upper village for traditional architecture and authentic tavernas offering delish local cuisine.
Cycle the Coastal Path - Hire a bike and cruise along the flat, scenic coast to nearby resorts like Kokkini Hani or Analipsi, stopping for a cheeky Fanta Lemon.
Enjoy the Nightlife in Hersonissos - If you fancy a more lively, late-night scene, Hersonissos is only a short taxi ride away and is constantly popping off.

Weather in Gouves

JAN

12^°C

FEB

12^°C

MAR

14^°C

APR

19^°C

MAY

23^°C

JUN

26^°C

JUL

30^°C

AUG

30^°C

SEP

24^°C

OCT

20^°C

NOV

15^°C

DEC

13^°C

Gouves is absolutely drenched in that Mediterranean sunshine, which means you're almost guaranteed a cracking climate for your jollies, whether you’re after a swanky summer escape or a mild, peaceful break. During the high summer season, the sun does not give in, delivering average daily high temperatures that peak around 30°C and ensure the sea is bath-like warm for swimming and watersports. Outside of the peak, the late spring and early autumn months offer a delightful mix of warmth and comfort, with temperatures typically settling in the mid-twenties- ideal for relaxed mooches or hitting the beach without the tourist hustle. Even throughout the winter, conditions are spot-on, allowing for comfy exploration of the island's beaut landscape.

Gouves has attractions to suit most tastes, with the modern beach resort at Kato Gouves and traditional Cretan villages further inland. Gouves Village provides a nice contrast to the bustle of the resort, and there are plenty of interesting historical sites to explore nearby. In a tree covered valley close to the village of Anopolis is The Monastery of Saint John 'Theologos'. During Turkish rule the monastery housed a 'secret school' and was a base for local resistance to the occupation.

About 6km inland from Kato Gouves is the spectacular Skotino Cave, which is one of the largest in Crete, with awesome chambers that were used as shrines by the Minoans. The mysterious Cave of Eileithyia takes its name from the goddess who, according to Greek mythology, was born there. The cave shows signs of habitation and religious rituals dating back to the Neolithic era.

Important archaeological sites around Gouves include the excavation at Amnisos and the Minoan villa in Kokkini Hani. Knossos, the most important Minoan site on the island, is reasonably close too. Gouves is conveniently close to Heraklion, and the capital has lots of attractions including museums, galleries and historical architecture.

Culture
Crete has a rich and diverse history. The island's Minoan era is credited as the birth of European culture, and evidenced of this advanced civilisation is scattered around the land near Gouves. The Archaeological Museum in Heraklion is home to the world's finest collection of Minoan artefacts. Through the centuries Crete has experienced successive invasions and occupations, from the Romans, Byzantines, Venetians and Turks, finally becoming part of Greece in the early twentieth century.
Gouves, like all Cretan towns and villages, has its own traditions, with Holy Week forming the centre of the religious calendar, along with saints' days, Independence Day on the 25th of March, and others. Heraklion hosts an extensive Summer Arts Festival from July to September, with art, theatre, and music, both traditional and modern. It's easy to get to from Gouves, and has something to suit all tastes.
Nightlife
Gouves is well served by bars, cafes, restaurants and tavernas, all offering a pleasant nightlife. There's plenty of places for families to spend an evening, particularly recommended is the Taverna Samaria that serves very good traditional kleftiko. A string of bars and cafes along the waterfront are good venues to enjoy a cocktail, but if you want a night of clubs and dancing you could head to the party resort at Hersonissos. Gouves' nightlife is peaceful and low-key, very good for families and those wanting to chill out after a day on the beach.

Kato Gouves is a great holiday resort with a long, golden sandy beach looking north to the brilliant blue of the Cretan Sea. The beach is well developed with facilities for sunbathing, swimming and water sports, along with a variety of hotels and great restaurants and tavernas. Neighbouring beaches at Analipsi to the east, and Gournes and Chani Kokkini to the west are all good for swimming and worth a visit.

Gouves is ideally situated as a base to explore Crete's mountainous interior and the stunning coastlines in both directions, a beautiful and idyllic holiday location.

Gouves Holidays

Enjoy our lowest-priced travel months!

Why do people love going on holidays to Gouves?

What is the best time to visit Gouves?

What are the best beaches to visit on your Gouves holidays?

Things to do on your Gouves holidays

Weather in Gouves

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUN

JUL

AUG

SEP

OCT

NOV

DEC

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Culture

Nightlife