A double act
Holidays in Gouves take you to the north coast of Crete. The town brings you a laid back, sophisticate atmosphere so you can spend your days relaxing, as well as enjoying close proximity to larger towns and the island’s major attractions. It’s surrounded by Blue Flag beaches, making it ideal for families, with beautiful views, colourful historic buildings, and a pretty port for couples.
Beach lovers will find plenty of opportunities to relax and unwind, with large stretches of golden sands just waiting to be enjoyed. There are watersports, beach bars, and tavernas and plenty of facilities for those wanting to enjoy a bustling stretch of sand, as well as quieter beaches where you can find your own secluded spot. Those wanting to try scuba diving or snorkelling can explore underwater with boat trips leaving daily. Alternatively, stick to dry land and explore the whitewashed buildings and quaint churches of the old town.
Holidays in Gouves bring you wonderful views of the sparkling Mediterranean Sea from its position nestled on the side of a mountain. Its old town in the hills is perfect for those wanting to experience the history of Greece, while the seaside area of the town offers a collection of bars, restaurants, and shops. The island’s capital, Heraklion, is just a 15-minute drive away and offers Venetian architecture, museums, and designer boutiques.
Book your luxury holiday in Gouves and we’ll find the ideal hotel for your time away. Each of the hotels we offer has been specially selected and tried and tested by our expert staff to ensure you can just focus on relaxing. Choose the Grecotel Amirandes where modern architecture is inspired by the luxuries of ancient Greece and perfectly complements views of the sparkling ocean. Try all eight bars and restaurants, relax on the sandy beach, in the spa, or by the elegant infinity pool. There’s plenty for little ones as well, with full days of activities hosted by the Kids’ Club.
I'd really recommend hiring a car, even just for a day or two. Crete has such a beautiful coastline, and the roads are easy to navigate.
Every one of our hotels is handpicked and personally visited by our team
Flight time from the UK to Crete is around 4 hours.
If you're planning a trip to Heraklion (HER) from the UK, the following airports have direct flights:
Belfast (BFS), Birmingham (BHX), Bournemouth (BOH), Bristol (BRS), Cardiff (CWL), East Midlands (EMA), Edinburgh (EDI), Exeter (EXT), Glasgow (GLA), Leeds Bradford (LBA), Liverpool (LPL), London Gatwick (LGW), London Heathrow (LHR), London Luton (LTN), London Stansted (STN), Manchester (MAN), Newcastle (NCL) and Norwich (NWI).
Transfer time from Heraklion airport to Gouves is approximately 20 minutes.
The southernmost Greek island, Crete’s summers are something special. The temperatures are beach-worthy by April, climbing steadily throughout summer and peaking in July and August, when highs of 35°C are possible. Luckily, the island is prone to some cooling winds during summer that stop things getting too hot and sticky.
Currently visas are not required for UK citizens travelling to Greece.
In Greece, a service charge will be included in the bill at restaurants and bars. Much like the UK, an additional tip is not required, although is appreciated for particularly good service. It is common to round off the amount when paying cash, particularly with wait staff and taxi drivers.
The official language of Greece is Greek. English is widely spoken, too, so getting by is easy.