Lavrakas beach

Situated only 2km west of the beach of Agios Ioannis, on the northern tip of Gavdos Island, lies the picturesque beach of Lavrakas. It is accessible on foot from Agiannis, which can be reached by bus from Karave. Lavrakas’ sandy shores and rocky outcrops make it an attractive spot for beachgoers, and its remoteness ensures a tranquil atmosphere. The name of this beach is believed to stem from the Minoan word lavrys, which is the symbol of the Minoan civilization – the double ax. Supporting this theory, archaeologists have discovered 20 looted Minoan graves-caves in the area north of the juniperwood, near Lavrakas. Additionally, the cave of Calypso, a place associated with the Homeric island of Calypso, where Ulysses was stranded for seven years, is linked to Lavrakas. Ancient remains have been found near the church of Saint Nicholas and in the dried torrent of Kedres. Not far from Lavrakas is the tiny beach of Stavrolimni, which can be reached from either direction. It is composed of both sand and rock, and is surrounded by pine and cedar forest. After the rainfall, the clay in this area becomes wet, transforming Stavrolimni into an ideal spot for a natural spa.