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Places near Gavdopoula Island
Karave beach is located at the northeast coast of Gavdos Island, very close to Karave port. Is is a pebble beach and not organized but is the only choice for thse who want so swim near the small harbour.
The water is crystal clear and deep. Karave is not very special about swimming, especially if you compare with the other magical beaches of Gavdos. Adjacent to the beach are only a few houses, a cafe, a tavern and a few rooms. There is a bus running from Karave to Gavdos setllements and the beaches of the island.
Ferries to Gavdos used to depart from Paleochora and Chora Sfakion, but as of July 1st 2010, due to new EU safety regulations these ferries are not allowed to do the trip anymore. For several days there was no ferry connection to the island and for the whole summer the locals and the authorities were trying to find a solution to the problem. There is a temporary connection to the island with a small boat departing from Paleochora. It is recommended to call the port authorities of Paleochora (+30 28230 41214) before deciding to do the trip to confirm that there will be a ferry service. Sometimes due to strong wind the trip may be cancelled.
Located at a distance of 3.5km from Kastri village and at an altitude of 290m to the south west, Ambelos is the most beautiful part of Gavdos island, Chania Prefecture. Its name, Ambelos (vineyard), is the only thing left to remind one that the village was once famous for its prolific vineyards and wine production.
Today there are two families living in the village while the patches of land where the once famous grapevines used to grow are now either barren or teaming with weeds.
The beach of Tripiti is situated in the south of the island of Gavdos (and the most southerly point of Europe as well), 8km south from Karave port and it is famous for its beautiful rockformations. The rocks that are in the sea form arcades.
The beach has large pebbles and is definitely not the best one in Gavdos, but it is quiet, as not many people go there, and the setting is wonderful. The name of this southern point is Tripiti ("tripa"=hole) and there are three holes-caves (arches) under the rock that runs into the sea. This is the most southern place in Europe. Standing on a rock in Tripiti is a very large chair that you have to climb on in order to sit on it.
There are two ways to get to Tripiti (see hiking routes and image galleries from Gavdos). The first one is to hire a small boat to get you there and arrange to pick you up later. Ask around at the tavernas and you will be given more info about who can take you there and how much it will cost. The second way is to take the community bus and go to Korfos and then continue on the marked path of 4 Km that takes you to the beach. The path goes up and down, but it is not a difficult one. Maybe it is not recommended for small children.There are absolutely no facilities at the beach (so take plenty of water! Your last chance to do so is at the tavernas in Korfos) but there is a landmark there that you should visit: at the edge of the cape there is a huge chair reading "Southern Point Of Europe" (sic!). From that point you have a magnificent view of the Libyan sea.
Potamos is a beautiful beach in the north west part of the island of Gavdos and 6km west of the port of Karave and 2km south from Pirgos beach. It is a sandy beach with yellow and nicely colored red sand.
This may be one of the most beautiful beach of Gavdos. Huge sandy beach, a few tents (September) under cedars trees, amazing canyons on the back worth exploring. And no more than 10 people spread in this 500m beach, practically deserted. No facilities at all, of course.Ιn the canyon there is still some water dripping from the clay cliffs (Potamos means "river", so there must have been a river there in the past) and the campers (that keep coming back for years in this place) have found some very creative ways to collect this water and use it for cooking and showering. We were told the water is not potable.One reporter reached this beach with two hours of difficult walk from Lavrakas (and Pirgos beach), out of any trail. The easiest way to get there is by boat, but there is also a trail beginning from the settlement of Ampelos. Many people who take the walk to Potamos beach end up just seeing the beach from above and cannot find a safe way down, although some people do succeed!You will a sign pointing to "Ποταμος" (Potamos). The path begins as a very rough gravel road. Maybe a 4-wheel car can use it but also bear in mind that it is very steep. The gravel road ends at something that looks like a small plateau and at that point it is very easy to miss the path; it continues on your left hand side passing through an open wooden door (or gate?). Watch out for the small piles of stones that mark the trail. In general it is not a difficult hike. Only towards the end it gets quite narrow and slippery and you are in steep place, thus you should be very careful. Sneakers or climbing shoes are strongly recommended.
The beach of Pirgos is situated in the northwest coast of the island of Gavdos and 7km far from the port Karave and 1km norteast from Potamos Beach. It can be reached by small boat or by foot after a long and adventurous walk from Agios Ioannis Beach. Pirgos beach is quiet and isolated and beach with no facilities.
You must bring your own water and food. Pirgos has two adjacent emerald sandy beaches, which are both absolutely unorganized and isolated. Many campers prefer Pirgos for camping, as it is very far from any tourist infrastructure. The beaches are hidden in the heart of a large bay, surrounded by dunes and junipers and protected by steep cliffs.
In the south-west, 4km from Kastri village and at an altitude of 220m in Gavdos island, Chania Prefecture, lies the southernmost settlement of Europe, Vatsiana.
The few inhabitants are, perhaps, the most hospitable on earth. Isolation, lack of human contact has turned hospitality into the most priced virtue.
Cape Tripiti
Literally, it is the southernmost tip of Europe. To get there, turn right at the junction outside Kastri village and 4 km further down the road you reach Vatsiana.Gavdos, although a small island, does take time to explore if you have no suitable transport (e.g. mountain bike). We have not exhausted the description of the island; we have commented only on those places we visited ourselves, still there is a lot to see. Rooms to rent: Camping
If you like being among people, watching them come and go, then you will probably choose to stay at the port of Gavdos or at Karave. Fortunately, there are eleven rooms available to choose from and two tavernas. In addition, on the way to Sarakiniko there are eight more rooms. On the beaches of Korfos and Sarakiniko there are more rooms available five and twenty-five respectively. This accommodation is right on the beach so you can dive in the sea as soon as you get up from bed early in the morning.Naturally, most visitors to Gavdos choose to pitch own tents on remote, isolated beaches. I am sure you can find your ideal spot. However, make sure that you do not leave any garbage, or flammable material behind, since there is no fire-department in Gavdos.
Located in the centre of Gavdos island, Chania Prefecture, approximately 5km from Karave and an altitude of 190m, lies Kastri, the capital of Gavdos. The community clinic and community office are under one roof, while the police station and public school are two dilapidated buildings forsaken by the residents long ago.
The need to preserve law and order, and provide education has weathered away with the thinning of population. The stone-built country houses are abandoned and gradually disintegrating. However, there are two bars where you can quench your thirst with a cool beer, soft drinks, or have coffee, canned food, or buy…soap for your laundry.
Walking distances (See hiking routes and image galleries from Gavdos):Karave to Korfos = 60 minKarave to Sarakiniko = 30 minKarave to Kastri village = 45 - 60 minKorfos to Tripiti = 60 - 120 minKorfos to Vatsiana village = 60 minKorfos to Kastri village = 60 minSarakiniko to Agios Ioannis Beach = 60 minSarakiniko to Lavrakas = 90 min Kastri to Ambelos village = 90 min Kastri village to Vatsiana village = 90 min Ambelos village to Potamos = 90 - 120 min Ambelos village to Pirgos = 120 - 150 min
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