Gavdos lies about 40 kilometres south of Crete and is the southernmost land in Europe. Africa is the next thing south of it.
Diagram by Greece Trips. Free to reuse with credit - CC BY 4.0.
Its permanent population is a few dozen. There is no town, a handful of settlements, and roads that are mostly unsurfaced.
What people come for
Emptiness, and a particular kind of long stay. Gavdos has been a camping island for decades, known for people staying on the beaches under the juniper and cedar for weeks. Greek law prohibits pitching a tent on a beach, on Gavdos as anywhere else in Greece, so the rooms and tavernas are the way to stay that does not rest on it. The pace of the place is still closer to a very slow campsite than a resort.
The beaches are the reason:
- Sarakiniko, the main one, with cedars behind the sand and most of the facilities.
- Agios Ioannis, north, long known for beach camping and naturism.
- Lavrakas and Potamos, quieter still, down tracks.
- Tripiti, at the southern tip, where a natural rock arch stands over the sea and a large wooden chair has been placed on the headland to mark the southernmost point.
The practicalities, which decide the trip
- Ferries run from Chora Sfakion and Paleochora in southern Crete, take two to three hours, and are strongly weather-dependent. Sailings are cancelled in wind, and people get stuck. That is not a rare event; it is part of the island’s character and reputation.
- Take cash. Facilities are minimal and unreliable.
- Water and shade need planning outside the few settlements.
- Nothing here is organised for a short visit.
Getting there and how long
Via Chania or Paleochora in Crete, then the boat.
Four nights minimum, in practice more, because the ferry decides. People who like Gavdos come for a fortnight.
Last checked August 2026. Ferries are sparse and cancelled in wind - see our editorial policy.
Common questions
Is Gavdos really the southernmost point of Europe?
Yes, it is the southernmost land of the continent, about 40 kilometres south of Crete.
How do you get to Gavdos?
By ferry from Chora Sfakion or Paleochora in southern Crete, taking two to three hours, and heavily weather-dependent.
Can you camp on Gavdos?
Not on the beaches. Beach camping has been the island’s culture for decades, particularly at Agios Ioannis, but Greek law prohibits pitching a tent on beaches, the foreshore and the edges of public forests, on Gavdos as anywhere else. The island has rooms and tavernas, and backpacking in Greece explains the rule.
What is at Tripiti?
The southern tip, with a natural rock arch over the sea and a large wooden chair placed on the headland marking the southernmost point of Europe.
How long should you plan for Gavdos?
Four nights at minimum, and expect the ferry rather than your plan to decide. Regular visitors come for a fortnight.