Photo by Moritz Feldmann via PexelsLake Kournas
Between Rethymno and Chania, a few kilometres inland, sits the only natural freshwater lake on Crete. It is held in a bowl of hills, fed by springs, and it changes character completely between spring and late summer.
- Access
- Flat access at the shore; no walking required
- Also note
- Confirmed when you enquire
- Also note
- Confirmed when you enquire
When to go
Spring for the full lake and the green hills; July and August for the beach that appears as the level drops, plus pedal boats and warmer shallows.
Two lakes, depending when you come
In spring the lake is full, the water reaches the trees, and the surrounding hills are green. It is the more beautiful version and the less practical one for swimming.
By August the level has dropped and a broad shoreline opens up along one side, with sunbeds, pedal boats and shallow warm water. It is busier and less pristine, and it is when most families would rather be there.
Swimming in fresh water
The lake is fed by springs, and the temperature is not uniform. Near the shore in summer it is warm and shallow; a few metres out you can swim into a cold patch where a spring comes up. It is startling rather than dangerous, but worth knowing.
There are no lifeguards. For small children the gentle shelving at the edge is the appeal, and it is calmer than any sea on the island.
Good to know
- Fresh water, not salt — noticeably different to swim in
- Cold spring patches away from the shore
- Pedal boats share the water in season
- Tavernas along the shore, busiest at lunch
Questions people actually ask
Can you swim in Lake Kournas?
Yes. It is clear fresh water, shallow and calm at the edges. Cold springs feed it, so the temperature can change sharply a short way out. There are no lifeguards.
Is Lake Kournas good for children?
It is one of the better options in the region — no waves, gentle shelving and warm shallow water in summer. Keep an eye out for the cold spring patches further out.
When is the best time to visit?
For looks, spring, when the lake is full and the hills are green. For swimming and facilities, July and August, when the level drops and the beach opens up. They are genuinely different experiences.
Days that go here
Read before you go
Nearby
Page facts last reviewed 18 September 2026. Opening hours and entrance fees at third-party sites are confirmed at the time of enquiry. Tell us if something here is out of date.