Diagram by Greece Trips. Free to reuse with credit - CC BY 4.0.
What it is actually like
A round lake with mountains behind it, shallow at the edges and deep in the middle, and a colour that shifts from green to blue depending on light and season.
The water level moves through the year. In spring it is full and the shoreline path is short; by late summer the water draws back and exposes a wide beach of sand and gravel, which is when families spread out along it.
Swimming is possible and the shallows are warm. The lake bed is soft in places, and the water is noticeably colder than the sea once you are out of the shallows.
What there is to do
- Pedal boats and canoes, which is what most visitors come for and what makes it a good hour with children.
- Walk the shore, which is easy on the exposed side and rough on the far side.
- Eat, at the tavernas above the water, which have the view.
An hour or two is the visit. It is a stop on a driving day rather than a destination in itself.
When to go
Early or late. The bowl holds heat, and the middle of a July day is unpleasant. Spring is when the lake is fullest and the hills around it are green, which is also the best time on Crete generally, as our best time to visit Greece guide sets out.
Getting there
The lake is a short drive inland from the coast road between Chania and Rethymno, signposted from Georgioupoli. There is a car park above the tavernas, and it fills at midday in August.
It pairs naturally with a day moving between the two cities, or with Argyroupoli and the hill villages inland.
Last checked August 2026. Facilities and water levels change seasonally - see our editorial policy.
Common questions
Can you swim in Lake Kournas?
Yes. The edges are shallow and warm, the middle is deep and colder, and the bed is soft in places.
Is Lake Kournas the only lake in Crete?
It is the island’s only natural freshwater lake. Other bodies of water on Crete are reservoirs.
What is there to do at Lake Kournas?
Hire a pedal boat or canoe, swim in the shallows, walk part of the shore, and eat at the tavernas above the water.
When is the best time to visit Lake Kournas?
Spring for a full lake and green hills, or early and late in the day in summer, when the bowl is cooler.
Where is Lake Kournas?
Inland from Georgioupoli, between Chania and Rethymno, a short signposted drive from the coast road.
Next
Read things to do in Crete, Imbros Gorge, or best beaches in Crete.