Crete
Gavdos
The southernmost point of Europe — a wild, car-sparse island with beaches worth the trek.
Getting around
Walkable
Cost
€€€
In peak season
Quiet
Best months
Jun – Sep
From Athens
Ferry only
In pictures
Gavdos
Gavdos is the southernmost point of Europe, and that geographical fact carries its own quiet weight when you sit on Tripiti beach — a cape of twisted cedar trunks and pale sand at the island's southern tip — and understand that there is nothing between you and Libya across the Libyan Sea. The island has almost no infrastructure: no bank, no ATM, a few seasonal tavernas and rooms to rent, and beaches accessible only on foot through cedar forest or by small boat. The people who come here self-select accordingly — free spirits, naturists, those who want to reach the edge of a continent and find it quiet. Ferry connections from Sfakia in Crete run infrequently and are cancelled in rough weather. Gavdos is not exactly a travel destination. It is more accurately described as a state of mind at the very limit of the map.
How it scores
- Beaches
- Nightlife
- Food
- Culture
- Nature
- Family
- Accessibility
- Value for money
The catch
Almost no infrastructure. Ferry from Sfakia in Crete runs infrequently and can be cancelled in rough seas.
Where it sits
Crete, Greece
Gavdos — frequently asked
- When is the best time to visit Gavdos? +
- The best months to visit Gavdos are June to September. It's very quiet, even in August, so even peak season is workable.
- How do you get to Gavdos from Athens? +
- Gavdos has no airport — you'll need to take a ferry from Piraeus or Rafina. Some travellers fly to a nearby island and ferry across.
- Is Gavdos good for couples? +
- Gavdos is a charming pick for couples, especially shoulder season.
- Is Gavdos good for families with kids? +
- Gavdos is not the easiest island for families with young kids.
- Is Gavdos expensive? +
- Gavdos is one of the cheaper Greek islands.
- Do you need a car on Gavdos? +
- Gavdos is small and walkable — you don't need a car or scooter for most stays.
- What's the catch with Gavdos? +
- Almost no infrastructure. Ferry from Sfakia in Crete runs infrequently and can be cancelled in rough seas.