MAP
SEARCH
Address
Lake Kournas, Chania
GPS
35.332108, 24.275525353073
Lake Kournas is the largest natural lake in Crete, nestled between the western slopes of the White Mountains and the fertile plane of Georgioupolis.
It is located near the town of Kournas, 2.5 km south of Georgioupolis Beach, 43 km east of Chania, and 20 km west of Rethymnon.
Lake Kournas and its surrounds are a very important ecology for Greece, as the Apokoronas area is one of the few sites on Crete where plenty of freshwaters is preserved all year.
The name Kournas is thought to be derived from the Arabic word kurna, which means “lake” or “bath.” It is referred to as Korissia in ancient writings, and it is thought that the location once had a shrine dedicated to Korissia Athena.
Lake Kournas is a popular location for both visitors and Cretans. It’s a great spot to relax and go for a walk. A stroll around the blue lake takes less than an hour in the summer (3.5 km). There are cafes and restaurants on one side of the lake that overlook the lake, however, they have detracted from the landscape. During the summer, little sandy beaches appear adjacent to the cafes when the water surface drops.