Lake Kournas — Attraction in Municipality of Apokoronas

A rare freshwater lake with crystal-clear water – confirmed by my own taste test. This beach is my personal favorite swimming spot on the island of Crete. If you have a car, skip a day at the seaside and come here to enjoy peace and breathtaking views. Along the so-called 'beach street' you’ll find food and drinks, so you can come without bringing your own.

You can rent a pedal boat at the lake – we didn’t try it ourselves, but they were very popular. Some even had a water slide and a movable sunshade for protection from the sun. The beach has coarse sand mixed with stones, so it can hurt to walk barefoot – I recommend water shoes. In the water, the sand can be almost muddy-soft, but watch out for rocks and coral on the bottom.

Snorkeling is also pleasant here, as there’s no saltwater to bother you if it gets in your mouth. Thanks to the crystal-clear water, visibility underwater is excellent. If you’re wondering – there are only a few small fish near the shore, but after the drop-off, there might be more (I didn’t swim that far myself). I recommend this unforgettable place to everyone, from babies to...

We were almost a bit reluctant to visit here as we had a villa 5k away with a pool and a short walk to the beach. Glad we made the journey via the fun little train-bus vehicle that the kids loved and offered great views. This lake is pretty stunning and the water was so warm! Got a pedlo to visit the turtles on the other side; wind made it a bit hard work so perhaps don't try on a really windy day. Take beach shoes as the pebbles near the waters edge can be a little harsh. Get here early as sunbeds are free. Locals were very friendly. On return MAKE SURE YOU GET THE CORRECT COLOUR TRAIN-BUS vehicle..we ended up at an up-market hotel resort well over a mile from Georgiouplis where we started out! Had to send the girls home in a taxi while we walked on a rather hot day as the concierge didn't specify a people carrier when it was obvious we needed one. The train wasn't returning to the lake from this hotel for several hours. Visit the lake though, worth the effort even of the relatively steep walk down to the water...

The lake may be breathtakingly beautiful, but what’s happening here is nothing short of a reckless exploitation of a true natural paradise. Turtles, which need peace and protection in their natural habitat, are relentlessly disturbed by waves of tourists. Pedal boats constantly crisscross the water, crowds swarm the shores – any respect for nature seems to have been completely lost. What’s advertised as a “chance to spot a turtle” is, in reality, a disruption of their habitat.

This place is not an amusement park but a fragile ecosystem that is severely suffering from mass tourism. Instead of focusing on sustainability and protecting wildlife, everything here is being exploited for quick profit. The animals and nature are paying the price while tourists destroy the serenity. If measures are not taken soon to regulate the number of visitors and protect the environment, this paradise will be irretrievably lost. What’s happening here is nothing less than an environmental crime in the...