Gouves

Gouves is 18 kilometers east of Heraklion, near Gournes.

Gouves is a large area that encompasses several smaller villages, including the popular resort area of Kato Gouves (lower Gouves) and the traditional village of Pano Gouves (upper Gouves), both of which are built into the side of small Mt. Ederi, which stands at just over 300 meters high and offers spectacular views.

The name Gouves comes from the word “gouva,” which means “hole in the ground.” The term Gouves is most commonly associated with the coastal resort of Kato Gouves, and it will be used in this article in that context.

Gouves is neither a town nor a village. It is a populated region that owes its growth to tourism. From the ancient Heraklion-Hersonissos National Road down to the beach road, there is a primary road. Hotels and residences stretch for miles on each side of the road, nestled among the fields. Above the old National Road, there are a few hotels and residences. To put it another way, this is a sparsely inhabited area that has retained much of its original agrarian character.