Gournes is a tourist village located between Kokkini Hani and Gouves, some 16 km from Heraklion. It consists of a series of small sandy coves that are open to the winds and therefore have been equipped with breakwaters.
The largest beach in the area is located in front of the now abandoned US military base of Gournes. It is sandy, not organized and in the east merges into Gouves and the municipal beach of Gouves.
While on holiday hereabouts you should visit the local aquarium (Cretaquarium): this is also on the site of the former American base. It is one of the largest aquariums in the Mediterranean.
