Kournas Lake is the only freshwater lake in Crete, and it was known as Lake Koressia in antiquity but later took its current name from the Arabic word for lake.
Lake Kournas is an important part of the Greek ecosystem, as it is one of the few areas in Crete where there is abundant fresh water throughout the year. This is one of the reasons that the Lake Kournas is a protected area by the Natura 2000 Network. The lake is surrounded by a greenery environment with rare plants and trees.
The dark color of the lake is caused from the seaweeds coming from the depth of the lake.
Kournas Lake is the ideal place for an afternoon walk, a daytrip, or an afternoon picnic there. This natural lake was created by the holdback of the underwater that comes from the White Mountains, the resistant rocks and the lie of the natural cavity.
The landscape is lovely and relaxing with the White Mountains reflected in the mirror-like waters.