Located 47 km from the town of Chania.
Crete’s only freshwater lake, Lake Kournas, is relatively large, with a perimeter of 3.5 km. It is possible to walk around the lake. There is a nature preserve on the Southwest of the lake. But there is a rustic road from the North of the lake to the Hills on the West of the lake too. The lake used to be called ‘Korisia’ after ancient ‘Korion’, a city thought to be in the area with a temple to Athena. The lake reportedly used to be full of eels but now is better known for its terrapins and tourism. Tavernas and pedalo rental shops line part of the shore. Overall, however, the lake retains its beauty, the White Mountains reflected in the mirror-like waters. The width, at the point where the landing stage is built, is about 800 m and the water is of a quality to have caused no ill effects to the writer when he swam across. Kournas village is perched on a hill overlooking the lake. Kournas is known for its pottery and many popular taverns. The taverna’s seats are largely in the road – it is popular for its specialties of ‘kokoretsi’ (grilled offal) and ‘galaktoboureko’ (custard and orange tart).