Best things to do in Gazi in 2024: Activities and Attractions
Gazi is a town on the north coast of Crete about 7 km west of Heraklion, and it works as the commercial centre of the Malevizi area rather than as a beach resort. Gazi holds the Malevizi town hall and museum, a full run of shops, bakeries and tavernas, and a population that lives here year-round instead of emptying out in October. The beaches, the gorge walks and the city all sit within a fifteen-minute drive, which is why many visitors base themselves in Gazi and travel out from it.
Heraklion airport lies about 10 km east on the far side of the city, so arrival transfers are short. Anyone searching for Gazi as a sightseeing destination in its own right will find the attractions are in the surrounding area rather than in the town centre, and the sections below cover both.
Things to do in and around Gazi
Four activities are within easy reach of the town, listed below from nearest to furthest.
- Swim at Ammoudara, where the long organised beach strip west of Heraklion runs toward Gazi and carries sunbeds, beach bars and water sports along most of its 7 km.
- Walk the Almiros Gorge. The closest canyon to Heraklion sits 2.6 km from Gazi at Ellinoperamata, takes about 1.5 hours, climbs 150 m and rates 1 out of 10 for difficulty, which makes it a genuine option for families and first-time walkers. A paved road reaches the trailhead and water runs in the streambed only until spring.
- Visit the Malevizi museum, which shares the town hall building in the centre of Gazi, a short walk from the main square.
- Descend the Spiliotissa Gorge. This smaller gorge starts 6.4 km away at the old Koukos watermill above Rogdia and drops to the 10-metre Rechtra waterfall, reached by a steep section with fixed ropes. It is a harder outing than Almiros.
Beaches near Gazi
Gazi itself sits slightly inland, so every beach below needs a short drive. The coast here runs from the built-up bay west of Heraklion out to quieter coves under the cliffs at Rogdia.
- Ammoudara runs 2.2 km away, a 7 km organised beach of fine brown sand and shallow water, with dunes at its quieter end.
- Ellinoperamata lies 1.9 km away and is also called Linoperamata, a long sandy stretch bounded by the Almiros river, though the nearby power station keeps local swimmers away.
- Pantanassa sits 4 km away beside the small port, named after the Monastery of Panagia Pantanassa and split in two when the harbour was built.
- Helidoni opens 4.8 km away below the Paliokastro fort at Rogdia, a small cove reached in a few minutes by car.
- Paliokastro stands 5.1 km away, an east-facing pebble cove closed in by tall cliffs where a valley meets the sea.
The town itself
Gazi functions as a working Cretan town rather than a resort, and that shapes what it offers. Shops, bakeries, cafés and grill houses cluster within a few hundred metres of the centre, prices track local rather than seaside levels, and most places stay open through winter.
- Oregano “The Grill Project” grills meat 200 m from the centre.
- Nostimo serves Cretan cooking 300 m out.
- Kozo Coffee and Spells Cafe Patisserie serve coffee and pastries in the centre.
- Bridge Cafe stands 500 m from the middle of town.
- Maxim Restaurant & Cocktail Bar opens for evening dining about 1 km out.
Getting to Gazi and moving on
Drive or take a city bus west out of Heraklion along the coast road, and Gazi arrives in roughly fifteen minutes. The town sits on the route toward Rethymno, so it also makes a practical first stop for anyone heading west after landing.
Heraklion city, 6.8 km east, holds the archaeological museum, the Venetian harbour and the island’s main bus station. Further inland, the hill village of Marathos stands 400 m above sea level on the old national road and was first recorded in 1577, and the coastal village of Ligaria lies 8.8 km west with its own sheltered bay.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Gazi in Crete?
Gazi stands about 7 km west of Heraklion on the north coast, within the Heraklion region. The town is the main settlement of the Malevizi area and sits just inland of the coast road.
Does Gazi have a beach?
Gazi has no beach of its own, but five are within about 5 km. Ammoudara, 2.2 km away, is the largest and the only fully organised one, with sunbeds, bars and water sports along a 7 km front.
How far is Gazi from Heraklion airport?
The airport lies about 10 km east of Gazi, on the far side of Heraklion, which usually means a twenty to thirty minute transfer depending on traffic through the city.
Is Gazi a good base for visiting Crete?
Gazi suits travellers who want local prices and year-round services more than a beachfront room. The town keeps shops, tavernas and transport running outside the summer season, and Heraklion, the airport, the western beaches and two gorge walks all sit within a short drive.
Can you walk a gorge near Gazi?
Yes, the Almiros Gorge begins 2.6 km away at Ellinoperamata. The walk covers 3 km, takes about an hour and a half, gains 150 m and is graded 1 out of 10 for difficulty, so it works for families.
Where Gazi is
Best things to do in Gazi in 2024 is located at Gázion. The map below shows the exact spot; Google Maps and Waze give turn-by-turn directions.
