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
Quick facts
- Region
- Crete, Greece
- Airport
- No — ferry only
- Ferry from Athens (Piraeus)
- —
- Getting around
- Walkable
- Best months
- Jun – Sep
- Cost level
- € (1/5)
- Peak-season crowds
- 1/5
- Best for
- naturists, those wanting Europe's southernmost point, free spirits
- Not ideal for
- anyone wanting comfort, families with children, those needing ATMs or medical facilities
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.