Goudouras beach
Goudouras, a coastal village, is nestled 37km to the east of Ierapetra and 73km southeast of Agios Nikolaos. It is situated in a vast valley surrounded by untamed mountains and inaccessible canyons. Goudouras is essentially an amalgamation of two settlements, Asprolithos and Goudouras. Positioned near the edge of Cape Goudouras, formerly known as Cape Erythrae, the village takes its name from the cape. The name Goudouras is derived from the local plant “agoudouros” (Hypericum triquetrifolium), which is abundant in the area and was traditionally used as a base for drying fruits like figs and raisins. The region’s extremely warm climate is conducive to cultivating olives and greenhouse vegetables, although this has unfortunately impacted the area’s natural beauty.
Tourism development in the village has been mild, resulting in a serene and peaceful destination even during the peak month of August. A road runs alongside the coastal village, leading to a large pebbly beach with clean, cool water. While it’s not heavily organized, there are spots with umbrellas and nearby taverns. We recommend visiting the neighboring Votsalaki beach, located to the west. To reach Goudouras from Ierapetra, take the road to Makrigialos and then turn towards Goudouras. There are also bus services from Ierapetra to Goudouras.
Within Goudouras, you’ll find the stone-built Church of the Ascension. From here, you can journey to the charming village of Agia Triada, situated 8km north, where you can take in the enchanting beauty of the wild Cretan countryside and ancient olive groves. Afterwards, head to Ziros and Xerokambos and unwind on the seemingly endless golden beaches.
Beach details
- Fine Pebbles
- Pebbles
- Blue
- Normal
- Usually calm
- Tranquil
- Accommodation
- Food and water
- Showers
- Umbrellas and beds
- Water Sports
- Bus services
- Handicap friendly
- Paved road
- Tree Shade
Location
Goudouras beach is located at Goudouras beach, in the Lassithi region of Crete. The map below shows the exact spot; Google Maps and Waze give turn-by-turn directions.
