Gazi: River Name, Gorge and Coast

Around Gazi, an urban centre, a nearby forest with hiking and cycling opportunities, a gorge and beaches come together. Gazi lies west of the Gazanos River, from which the place name derives. Gazi is the seat of the Municipality of Malevizi and its main urban centre. Nature and cultural attractions can also be found nearby. If you are looking for a holiday apartment, you can start by considering whether the town itself or the surrounding landscapes and coastal destinations will be the focus of your stay.

Forest, Gorge and Coastal Landscape

The nearby Keri Forest has a shelter and benches. The forest is suitable for hiking and cycling; the benches provide a place to rest, while the shelter offers a protected spot. Nearby Almyros Gorge adds a different landscape: it runs between the heights of Keri Forest and Kastrokephala Hill, and meets Ellinoperamata Beach, also known as Linoperamata. An ancient city is located on the summit of Kastrokephala. The surrounding area therefore offers different themes to consider when planning your trip: activities in the forest, the course of the gorge and views of the neighbouring mountain ridges.

Beaches with Different Features

Nearby Ammoudara Beach is sandy. Ellinoperamata Beach, which is also nearby, has sun loungers, umbrellas and showers. Check whether these facilities are available before visiting. When planning your time by the water, you can distinguish between the two destinations by these specific features: Ammoudara is described as a sandy beach, while Ellinoperamata also has the facilities listed above. The gorge meets the coast at Ellinoperamata, where the coastal setting and the gorge's outlet come together. Which of these features matters most to you depends on whether you are more interested in the beach itself or the gorge landscape when planning your visit.

Churches and Archaeological Traces

At the outlet of Almyros Gorge, visitors can see the small church of Agia Marina, looking against the stream's flow. It formerly served as the cemetery of the Monastery of Agios Ioannis tou Farangiti. A few metres above it, inside the gorge, is the two-aisled church of Agios Antonios and Agia Paraskevi, which has significant frescoes. As well as contributing to the area's landscape, the two churches give it a cultural connection: Agia Marina is associated with the monastery's history, while Agios Antonios and Agia Paraskevi stand out for their architectural form and frescoes.

Archaeological finds are also part of the area around Gazi. Excavations by archaeologist Marinatos uncovered part of a building containing cult vessels and three Late Minoan figurines of the goddess of snakes and doves. The historical interest thus extends beyond the churches in the gorge: the finds date to the Late Minoan period and bring together building remains, cult objects and figurines. If you would like to include both landscape and history in your trip, the gorge, churches and archaeological traces offer different points of interest without constituting a single excursion destination.

Choose the Right Holiday Apartment for Your Plans

When looking for a holiday apartment in Gazi, the place name alone is no substitute for checking how well it fits your daily destinations. Consider whether Gazi as an urban centre, Keri Forest, the gorge and its churches, or the beaches are your priority. This way, you can choose your accommodation based on the experiences that matter to you, rather than deciding by accommodation name alone. If your travel group has different interests, you can also consider which of the themes listed will matter most to your shared plans.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Agioi Deka, Kroussonas, Voros, Damasta, Klima, Achlada, Gouves, Kamárai

Go to the main travel overview: Heraklion.