On the north coast of Crete and to the east of Heraklion, this municipality spreads from the lovely beaches a few kilometres inland to the fertile fields and picturesque villages that cling to the different hills.
In recent years, the tourist development has been very marked in this area, due on the one hand to its wonderful beaches, on the other hand, to its vicinity to Heraklion to the west and Chersonissos a few kilometres to the east. It covers an area of 9496 ha. and has a population of 4918 people.
Nowadays, the summer resorts of Kato Gouves, Gournes, Kokkini Hani, Amnissos and Karteros have a complete tourist infrastructure to meet all demands.
Organised beaches, large modern hotels, family apartments, restaurants, small tavernas, recreation centres, sports centre, shops, car and motorbikes for rent, small ports (marinas) for small boats, in a word they provide everything our visitors require to spend an agreeable and carefree holiday, enjoying the sunshine by day and the thrilling night-life in the numerous bars in the area.
At a short distance inland you can escape the lively racket of tourist life and find peace and quiet in a traditional setting. Picturesque villages, important monuments, lovely monasteries like the one of “Kyra Eleousa” and “Theologos”, mysterious caves like “Ilithia” and the one of Skotino at Aghia Paraskevi, the pretty chapels strewn all over the beautiful Cretan landscape will remain in your mind and in your heart long after your holidays are over… If you are on your way to Lassithi, a ride through this lovely region will increase your enjoyment.
Kato Gouves is a modern tourist resort with a complete tourist infrastructure to meet all demands. Organised beaches, large modern hotels, family apartments, restaurants, small tavernas, recreation centres, sports centre, shops, car and motorbikes for rent, small ports (marinas) for small boats, in a word Kato Gouves provides everything our visitors require to spend an agreeable and carefree holiday.
Excavations are still in progress at Vlyhada, a place near the beach, where archaeologists have revealed ancient buildings. The area of the delta of Aposselemis river (actually a torent), is a stopping- place for migratory birds.
Village and municipality of the district of Pediada in the prefecture of Iraklion at a height of 100 metres above sea-level. It lies twenty kms away from Iraklion, to the right at 17.3 kms on the National Road to Aghios Nikolaos. The village is built on the western flanks of the Ederi hill (322 m.). The name comes from “edera” which means ivy and symbolises affection. The name Gouves, on the other hand, comes from Gouva and means a hollow in the earth. It also means, in Crete, a hole in which during the middle ages, people stored their wheat.
The earliest reference we have of the village is that of “Guves” in 1387 documents of the Duke’s archives in Chandax. Later on, in 1577, Fr. Barozzi mentions “Guvos” in the district of Pediados, and then “Guves” in the 1583 Register, with 252 inhabitants. Finally, in 1630, Vassilikata refers to “Vuves’.
This is the birthplace of the poet Ioannis Konstantinidis. There are several outstanding churches in the village, among them: Zoodochos Pigis, Aghios Giorgos, Aghios Ioannis and Panayia (dedicated to the birth of Our Lady).
