⭐ Travel Guide for Island Crete ⛵, Greece❗

Kavoussi is located 26km east of Agios Nikolaos and belongs to the Ierapetra province, below the wild massif of Thripti. Kavoussi is one of the most interesting and unknown regions of Crete. If you come here you must explore the surrounding area, which is full of archaeological sites, natural beauties, and traditional villages. It has a lovely beach formed at the exit of a fertile valley, surrounded by ancient olive groves and vineyards. The region has faced a very mild touristic development, being ideal for a relaxing holiday.

Psira isletPsira Island, opposite Tholos, was a major Minoan harbor. Psira, which can be visited by boat from the nearby Mochlos, hosts a great Minoan settlement. The most important finding of Psira are the carved murals found on a wall. The murals have been transferred to the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion.

West of Tholos it is worth visiting the old frescoed chapel of St. Anthony. Then you can stroll to Kavoussi and walk in the village, built near the outlet of the beautiful gorge Mesonas. In the central square you will see the Venetian church of St. George with Byzantine architecture and beyond you will see the Temple of the Twelve Apostles at Ligaras.

Monumental tree of Azorias The monumental olive tree of Azorias The archaeological site of Azorias, 2km east of Kavoussi, hosts one of the most impressive monuments of nature, a living witness of all historical periods of Crete. This monument is nothing more than an olive-tree being 3500+ years old, one of the oldest surviving in the world. The tree has been declared as a protected monument and you will be impressed by its huge perimeter. Indeed, the tree was used for the crowning of the first winner of the Women's Marathon in the Olympic Games in Athens (2004). 2km south of the monumental olive, you will find the canyons of Mesonas and Havgas, some of the wildest in East Crete.

Besides the above, it is worth visiting the Minoan settlements in sites Vrondas and Kastro, the ancient copper workshop of the Minoan period in the Chrysokamino area (on the coasts east of Agriomandra bay) and the adjacent cave Theriospilios with the very interesting decor. To the eastward of Theriospilios, you will also find the minoan settlement Chylopites.

Kastro settlement at Kavousi

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 3.80 (5 Votes)

The Late Minoan settlement of Kastro is located on a steep hill, 3km south of Kavoussi, which is accessed via an ancient trail. The view of the bay of Mirabello, the wild gorge of Mesonas, Malavra mounts and the island of Psira are unique.

Chrysokamino Copper Workshop at Kavousi

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 4.00 (2 Votes)

Chrysokamino is located near the Cave Theriospilios in the area of Kavousi, Ierapetra province. At the site that locals called Golden Oven (chrysokamino), because they frequently found copper pieces, in 1900 the archaeologist H. Boyd spotted a metallurgy workshop that operated from 4500-3500 BC to the Minoan Era. The most important study and excavations since then took place after 1995.

Vrondas settlement

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 3.67 (3 Votes)

The Late Minoan settlement of Vrondas is located in an elevated position, 2km south of Kavoussi. It was inhabited during the setting of the Minoan Civilization by Minoans who moved to the peaks of the Cretan mountains so as to protect themselves from the Dorians who occupied the island.

Beaches of Psira

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 3.50 (2 Votes)

On the island there are several small beaches, the largest of which is located north of the site is sandy. Just below the ancient settlement (to the south) there is a small bay with two small beautiful pebble beaches. All beaches of Pseira are located on the south side of the island thus they are protected from ordinary north winds.

Trail Vasiliki - Monastiraki - Thripti - Kavousi

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 3.75 (4 Votes)

This E4 European trail part starts from Vassiliki, where there is a Minoan settlement, and heads east to the exit of the imposing gorge Ha, by the village of Monastiraki. From Monastiraki there is a dirt road and trail that climbs on the piney range of Thripti. From there we follow the old path of Kavousi.

Havgas Gorge at Kavousi

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 4.00 (1 Vote)

The small gorge called Havgas starts near the Minoan settlement of Azorias and ends its course in Kavousi, being only 700m long. Crossing it through its stream requires technical (canyoning) equipment as there are six beautiful waterfalls, which the highest is 20 meters high and has water till late winter.

Tholos Granary

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 5.00 (1 Vote)

At the west end of Tholos beach we meet the ruins of a large oblong building that served as a granary for storing grain and other products, especially during the Roman Era. Then, the port of Tholos was a transshipment point for ships carrying grain between Alexandria of Egypt and Rome. It is believed that is was also used during the Venetian Times.

Agia Paraskevi monastery by Vrondas

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 4.33 (3 Votes)

Within walking distance from Vrondas ancient site, there is the old monastery of Aghia Paraskevi, where one of the few arcosolium (domed tombs) of Crete survives.

Kavoussi

Also read: