Gavdos

lighthouse at Ambelos

A few residents live on the island throughout the year and the infrastructure for tourists is very basic. According to the census of 2001, Gavdos has 98 permanent residents. The truth is that fewer than 50 live permanently here, but when the census was done, 98 people were on the island. In summer, the total population reaches 3500, most of whom are campers. The port of Gavdos is Karave. It’s capital village is Kastri, while the southernmost inhabited village is Vatsiana with 23 residents. Gavdos is a fishing place, with few but good-hearted people who with patience wait for better days of summer to see their island swarmed with visitors.

The beauty of the beach and the surrounding region cannot be reflected within the lines of this text. It is not surprising that the Discovery Channel has declared Agiannis as the second best beach in the world after one beach in Hawaii. Indeed, Agiannis is a stunning secluded sandy beach, in a wild African landscape.

The beach is surrounded by pines and cedars, making it a favorite destination for campers for those who love hiking. If you come to the river it is worth observing the fossils on the rocks or have some spa with the clay!

It is named after the Saracen pirates who once used the island as a base of attacks. Sarakiniko, like all beaches in Gavdos is one of the best beaches in Greece that any description can not fit the beauty. It is located on a large cove bay looking north.

The beach of Tripiti is located 7km south of Karave harbor and is the southernmost point of Gavdos and Europe. The eastern part of the beach is sandy, while the part close to the "tip" of Gavdos has large stones and pebbles.

Pirgos has two adjacent emerald sandy beaches, which are absolutely unorganized and isolated. Many campers prefer Pirgos for camping, as it is very far from any tourist infrastructure. The beaches are hidden in the heart of a large bay, surrounded by dunes and junipers and protected by steep cliffs.

The beach Lavrakas is located about 2km west of Agiannis, near the northern edge of Gavdos. Lavrakas can be accessed by walking 20'-30' Agiannis, where you can go by bus. Lavrakas is a fantastic beach with golden sand and turquoise water. It is no organized and is one of the most secluded beaches, since it is accessed only on foot.

Korfos (i.e. Bosom) is located approximately 2km south of Karave, the only port in Gavdos. There is a footpath along the coast from Karave that leads to the dorp of Korfos (60'). Moreover, there is a bus running to Korfos from Karave.