Kournas lake in Crete

Kournas lake in Crete

Crete, Greece

Kournas Lake is a freshwater lake located in a mountainous setting surrounded by hills. It is characterized by its quiet atmosphere and the turquoise color of the water, which creates an impressive contrast with the surrounding greenery.

It’s located 45-minutes east of Chania by car. The roads are good, so you can make it even with a Fiat Punto. You can try to park somewhere around the lake (spaces are limited), however, if you go during the weekend, you will probably find it difficult to find a spot. If that's the case, there is a parking lot where you can leave your car all day for 2€ (here).

The water is quite cool, cooler than the sea. If you go during the dry season, you'll find a kind of beach where you can relax. If you go during or after the rainy season, the beach won't exist as the lake will completely cover it. There are several plants and rocks on the lake's bed, so we recommend you to bring water shoes.

In the surroundings, you can see several types of birds. Also, near the bushes, you may spot some tortoises. As for fish, you can see trout, catfish, or colorful carp, among others.

There are several hiking trails and viewpoints from which you can have a panoramic view of the lake. You will also find Greek taverns where you can eat traditional dishes.

You can rent pedal boats with a slide or kayaks. However, you should be careful with the owners as they often take advantage of tourists. The price is not cheap, you should aim for around 10€ per hour. If you go back just on time, they may try to charge you more, so don't let them take advantage of you.

It's a perfect place to disconnect and enjoy nature.