Lagou village: Beaches, Stays, Things to do

Lagou village is a must-visit destination for those who love nature and history. The village boasts stunning natural scenery and charming old stone houses that are being carefully restored to their original traditional form by the cultural center members. This restoration work is aimed at preserving the village’s unique cultural heritage and ensuring that it is recognized as a protected traditional settlement.

Apart from the restoration work, the cultural center also offers visitors a chance to learn about the village’s rich history and cultural traditions. Visitors can enjoy traditional music and dance performances, attend workshops on local crafts and cooking, and immerse themselves in the local culture.

Whether you’re a history buff, a nature lover, or simply looking for a unique travel experience, a visit to Lagou village is sure to be a memorable one. So, pack your bags and get ready to explore this beautiful village and its cultural treasures.

Things to do in Lagou

Things to do in Lagou start with the village itself and reach about 6 km out. The restored stone houses and the cultural centre are the reason to walk the lanes; beyond them sit the citadel above Smari, 2 monasteries, a hilltop shrine and the longest gorge in the north of the Heraklion region. The village stands inland, and the nearest beaches are about 9 km away.

1. Climb to the Smari citadel. The acropolis stands 900 m from Lagou, the closest site to the village: Smari Citadel.
2. Visit Kallergis Monastery. The monastery lies 1.3 km from the village on the Kastelli side, and Kastelli itself is 4.8 km out. See Kallergis Monastery and things to do in Kastelli.
3. Walk up Maza hill above Kalo Chorio. The village sits 2.9 km from Lagou at 320 m, at the crossroads of the National Road to Agios Nikolaos and the Gouves road, and it was called Stravorina until the present name was given between 1830 and 1840. The Maza hilltop southeast of it rises to 457 m and is thought to have carried a town between the 10th and the 8th century BC; its summit served as a shrine in Middle Minoan times, and clay figurines and offerings were found there. Details are on the Kalo Chorio village page.
4. Stop at the Monastery of Kera Eleousa. It stands 4.7 km from Lagou: Monastery of Kera Eleousa.
5. Hike the Aposelemis gorge. The canyon starts 4.9 km from the village and is the longest in the northern part of the Heraklion prefecture, with vertical walls up to 200 m; it ends at the settlement of Agriana near Hersonissos. The Aposelemis river runs through it, but water only shows in parts of the canyon after heavy rain: Aposelemis Gorge.
6. Carry on to Askoi. The neighbouring village is 6 km from Lagou: Askoi village.

A second gorge runs down to the coast 8.3 km from Lagou. The Agia Anastasia Gorge begins at Kenourgio Horio at 160 m and comes out at the coastal village of Gournes, takes about 3 hours to descend, and is named after the cave chapel of Saint Anastasia near its entrance. Oleanders line the streambed and the walls close in at several points, but rubbish from nearby sheepfolds has fouled long stretches of it.

The nearest beaches are 9 to 10 km from the village, on the coast either side of Hersonissos. The sheltered sand west of the port at Hersonissos lies behind Cape Sarandaris, while the beaches east of the port are the busiest in the resort. The Drapanos coves run from 2 km east of the port up to Cape Drapanos and take in Star Beach and a string of smaller sandy and pebbly coves, some of them cooled by freshwater springs, with the Lychnostatis Folklore Museum alongside. Aposelemis beach sits at the river mouth beside a wetland that draws migratory birds, with shallow cool water and few umbrellas. Analipsi is quieter than the resorts around it, and Gouves has sandy, well-equipped beaches that suit families.