The best cycling routes around Λίμνη Κουρνά Δήμου Γεωργιούπολης

The old town of Rethymno is partly Venetian, partly Ottoman, but always unmistakably Cretan. A walk through the original settlement of the city, halfway between Chania and Heraklion, on the north coast of Crete, brings the past to life through striking buildings, street markets, atmospheric alleys and historical monuments. You will recognize how the old town became Crete's third-largest settlement, spreading from the port around 1300, but you will also appreciate how intimate and colorful the old town appears with small bars, cafes and concept stores that have opened in renovated buildings. Of course, there are still taverns where you can enjoy traditional Cretan food and Cretan music. Decorated doors adorned with Venetian coats of arms, Ottoman mosques with minarets and wooden facades of mansions attract attention - before you land on the shore of the famous harbor.

Beautiful old town near the Metropolitan Church of the Presentation of the Virgin Mary (Megali Panagia) in Rethymnon.

Lake Kournas is today the only large natural lake in Crete and is located in an enchanting landscape. Surrounded by high mountains and olive groves. It is located next to the village of Kournas, 2.5 km southeast of Georgioupolis beach, 43 km east of Chania and 20 km west of Rethymnon. Lake Kournas and its surroundings form a very important ecosystem for Greece. Kournas is one of the very few regions of Crete where vast amounts of fresh water have been accumulated over the years. Therefore, it is protected under the Natura 2000 program. On one side of the lake are cafes and restaurants with a view of the lake. Adjacent to the cafes, small white sandy beaches form in the summer when the water level drops. Visitors can swim on these beaches and rent sun umbrellas. Visitors can also rent pedal boats and kayaks here. It is an ideal choice for the afternoon when the water takes on a wonderful color and is calm. The lake was formed by the accumulation of groundwater coming from the mountains. The water bubbles up from a spring called Amati or Mati (it means "eye"), which is above the lake's water level in the summer, while it is hidden below the surface in the winter. A second spring is below the surface all year round. The lake is small, round, and covers an area of 570 "morgen" (approx. 2.3 km²), has a maximum depth of 22.5 meters, is 1080 meters long and 880 meters wide. In summer, there are 7.5 million cubic meters of water in the lake. The lake is fed by the Delfinas river. Source: cretanbeaches.com/de/str%C3%A4nde-in-kreta/str%C3%A4nde-auf-chania-west-kreta/kournas-see-chania

Lake Kournas is today the only large natural lake in Crete and is located in a magical landscape. Surrounded by high mountains and olive groves. It is located next to the village of Kournas, 2.5 km southeast of Georgioupolis beach, 43 km east of Chania and 20 km west of Rethymnon. Lake Kournas and its surroundings form a very important ecosystem for Greece. Kournas is one of the very few regions of Crete where vast amounts of fresh water have accumulated over the years. Therefore, it is under the protection of the Natura 2000 Program. On one side of the lake there are cafes and restaurants with a view of the lake. Adjacent to the cafes, in summer, when the water level drops, small beaches with white sand form. Visitors can swim on these beaches and rent sun umbrellas. Visitors can also go pedal boating and kayaking. It is an ideal choice for the afternoon, when the water takes on a wonderful color and is calm. The lake was formed by the accumulation of groundwater coming from the mountains. The water bubbles up from a spring called Amati or Mati (it means "eye"), which is above the lake's water level in summer, while in winter it is hidden below the surface. A second spring is below the surface all year round. The lake is small, round and covers an area of 570 acres, has a maximum depth of 22.5 meters, is 1080 meters long and 880 meters wide. In summer, there are 7.5 million cubic meters of water in the lake. The lake is fed by the Delfinas river. Source: https://www.cretanbeaches.com/de/str%C3%A4nde-in-kreta/str%C3%A4nde-auf-chania-west-kreta/kournas-see-chania

The descent is the reward for the arduous ascent.

The old town of Rethymno (Παλιά Πόλη) 🏛️🌿 is one of the best-preserved historical centers in Crete and a must for any visitor to the island. Here, Venetian palaces, Ottoman mosques, Cretan stone houses, and modern boutiques merge into a unique architectural and cultural ensemble. The alleys smell of fresh bread, olive oil, and herbs, while the laughter of locals and tourists enlivens the atmosphere.

The history of Georgioupolis dates back to antiquity, when the region was settled by the Minoans and later by the Romans. However, the present town was only founded in the late 19th century and named after Prince George of Greece, who was High Commissioner of Crete at the time. Originally a small fishing village, Georgioupolis began to develop as a tourist destination in the 1960s, thanks to its idyllic location and the natural beauty of the surrounding area.

Agios Nikolaos Chapel: This small, picturesque chapel, perched on a rocky promontory jutting out into the sea, is one of Georgioupolis's most recognizable landmarks. A paved path leads to the chapel, which offers a particularly romantic sight at sunset.