The beautiful and picturesque landscape of Lake Kournas -which is the only natural freshwater lake on the island of Crete- is located on the borders of the municipality of Apokoronas in the east of the prefecture of Chania, near the borders with the prefecture of Rethymno. Its distance from the sea is approximately 2.5 km.

Lake Kournas, with a perimeter of about 3.5 km, is surrounded by high hills that create the picturesque scenery we mentioned just above. This beautiful scenery is ideal for those who want to try something alternative from the sea during their stay on the island.

The water of the lake runs from the hills that surround it. Having the shape of a pear, it is generally a shallow lake with a maximum depth of 22.5 meters and is located about 20 meters above the sea.

There were two legends about Lake Kournas, with one saying that a girl who many years ago sought to be saved from her father's erotic desires wished the area to sink and become a lake. Thus, according to legend, her wish came true. The whole ground shook and sank creating the lake.

According to the second legend, the lake was created when the inhabitants of the past had left the way of God and He caused rain for many days, resulting in the flooding of the area and therefore the creation of the lake.

In the old days, they even said that the lake was a scam, something that of course was later refuted, when its depth was measured.

For visitors of Crete the area is a popular destination and an alternative choice, that leaves them with an unprecedented experience of the island. Anyone who visits the lake, especially in summer, can get to know it by walking on the path around it or by a pedal boat. It is also worth visiting the homonymous village, where you will be met by the hospitality of the inhabitants and get to try traditional Cretan dishes.