Best things to do in Asi Gonia in 2024: Activities and Attractions
Asi Gonia is an inland village in the Rethymno region of Crete, 4.7 km west of Argyroupolis. The village is also written Asigonia. It stands between the two coasts of the island: the north-coast sand at Kavros, Episkopi and Georgioupolis lies to the north, and the south-coast beaches below Rodakino lie to the south, at much the same remove.
Chania (CHQ) is the nearest airport to Asi Gonia. The village suits walking rather than swimming: 4 gorges cut the ground within 8 km, the springs and mills of Argyroupolis stand 4.7 km east, and the ruins of ancient Lappa lie 5.6 km east. Tavernas start 4.4 km from the village.
Things to do in and around Asi Gonia
Six outings lie within about 9 km of the village, listed below from nearest to furthest.
- Spend a morning in Argyroupolis. The spring-fed hill village 4.7 km east sits at about 260 m above the Mouselas river valley, and Argyroupolis is known for its waterfalls, its old grain mills that now serve trout, and its tavernas beside running water.
- Walk the Kollita Gorges. The Twin Ravines start 5.6 km east and run as two parallel canyons that finish near the village of Kato Poros, and Kollita is easy enough for people walking their first Cretan gorge.
- See the remains of ancient Lappa. The Roman, Byzantine and Venetian layers that Argyroupolis is built on show 5.6 km east, where ancient Lappa stood.
- Find the Fylaki domed tomb. The tomb sits 5.7 km north-east, on the way down towards the north coast, and Fylaki pairs with Lappa into one half day of ruins.
- Drive up to Episkopi. The town 7.7 km north-east stands at 120 m on the old Rethymno to Chania national road, and Episkopi looks over the Mousselas river valley and the north coast, with the 14th-century Church of the Holy Cross in the centre.
- Cross to Rodakino. The village 8.5 km south spreads either side of the Rodakino canyon in two settlements, Kato and Ano, and Rodakino takes its name from the Greek word for peach and looks out over the South Cretan Sea.
About the village and its setting
Asi Gonia is a small inland settlement in the Rethymno region, away from both coastlines. The country around it is gorge country. The Kollita pair runs east towards Kato Poros, the Moundros gorge among them, bordered by the Vigla peak at 567 m and by Nissiani hill with the abandoned settlement of Nissi on it. Skaloti lies 7.3 km south and Kallikratis 7.8 km south-west.
Neighbouring villages give the district its shape. Argyroupolis, 4.7 km east, carries the water: springs, waterfalls and mill buildings turned into tavernas. Agios Konstantinos stands 7.9 km east, Episkopi 7.7 km north-east, and Georgioupolis on the coast due north. Rodakino, 8.5 km south, sits at a steep canyon through the Kryoneritis mountain, between Plakias to the west and Frangokastelo to the east.
Beaches in and around Asi Gonia
Asi Gonia has no beach of its own, and the nearest sand lies on two different coasts. North of the village the long sandy bays of Kavros, Georgioupolis and Episkopi run along the north coast. South of it, the coves below Rodakino face the South Cretan Sea.
- Kavros lies due north, 4 km east of Georgioupolis. The sand is backed by restaurants, cafés and bars, the shallow water is clear, and the open aspect brings waves on windy days. Parts of it stay unorganised.
- Episkopi beach sits north-east, 3.5 km of sand 14 km west of Rethymno, in the valley between the Mouselas river and the river out of the Petres gorge. The western section has a lifeguard, sunbeds, showers, snack bars and water sports; the eastern end near the Petres bridge stays quiet.
- Georgioupolis is due north, the western edge of a 10 km run of sand, 21 km west of Rethymno. The town beach covers 2 km from the Almiros river east to Kavros, with dunes, shallow water, lifeguards, umbrellas, showers and stalls.
- Korakas lies due south, the main beach of Rodakino, at the mouth of the canyon that drops from the village to the South Cretan Sea.
- Polirizos sits due south, half a kilometre west of Korakas along the coast road, ringed by olive groves. Fine sand and calm shallow water, with a tiny settlement of rooms and taverns behind it.
Where to eat near Asi Gonia
Eating near Asi Gonia means driving to Argyroupolis or down towards the coast, and the nearest taverna is 4.4 km away. The cluster east of the village sits around the springs, where several tavernas occupy old mill buildings.
- Athivoles is 4.4 km east, the closest place to eat.
- Taverna Koundourakis stands 4.5 km east, at Argyroupolis.
- Babis Tavern sits 4.5 km north, on the road towards the coast.
- Tavern Arhaia Lappa lies 5 km east, named after the ancient city.
Getting to Asi Gonia
Reach Asi Gonia on the inland roads, turning off at Argyroupolis 4.7 km east or coming up from Episkopi 7.7 km north-east on the old Rethymno to Chania road. Rethymno lies east of the village and Chania north-west, and Chania (CHQ) is the nearest airport.
A car is needed here. Both coasts, all 4 gorges and every taverna sit outside the village, on minor inland roads. Drivers heading south towards Rodakino cross the Kryoneritis range on the way.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Asi Gonia in Crete?
Asi Gonia lies inland in the Rethymno region of Crete, 4.7 km west of Argyroupolis. The village sits between the north and south coasts, west of Rethymno city and south-east of Chania.
Does Asi Gonia have a beach?
Asi Gonia has no beach of its own. The nearest sand lies due north at Kavros, Georgioupolis and Episkopi on the north coast, and due south at Korakas and Polirizos below Rodakino on the south coast, with the two groups about the same distance from the village.
Which airport is nearest to Asi Gonia?
Chania (CHQ) is the nearest airport to Asi Gonia, although the village belongs to the Rethymno region. The approach runs inland from the old Rethymno to Chania road.
Can you walk a gorge from Asi Gonia?
Four gorges lie within 8 km of Asi Gonia. The Kollita pair, Vilandredo and Moundros, lies 5.6 km and 6.9 km east and finishes near Kato Poros. Skaloti is 7.3 km south and Kallikratis 7.8 km south-west.
What is Asi Gonia near?
Asi Gonia is nearest to Argyroupolis, 4.7 km east. Episkopi stands 7.7 km north-east, Agios Konstantinos 7.9 km east, and Rodakino 8.5 km south.
Where Asi Gonia is
Best things to do in Asi Gonia in 2024 is located at Assi Gonia, Crete, Greece. The map below shows the exact spot; Google Maps and Waze give turn-by-turn directions.
