It seems everyone was quite interested in my mention of Europe’s most westerly point – all four or five of them!  It seems that Europe’s boundaries are a very antiquated way of defining the continent.  Do you count the sovereign islands that dot the Atlantic, Arctic and Mediterranean?  What about Russia – is it in Europe?

For your sun birds looking to head south, this problem causes grief no matter what direction we had.  But, if you’re looking for the most southerly point on the European continent, the winner is Gavdos, Greece.

Gavdos is a tiny piece of land floating south of the much larger island of Crete.  Cape Trypiti is at the southern end of the island, where a huge slab of rock juts out into the sea, pointing due south.

The island itself is more popular as a bird migration stop than a tourist haven.  Facilities such as bed & breakfasts or restaurants are few and far between, but the lack of tacky souvenir shops might be a secret blessing.  The hot spot is a faux lighthouse (it is a reproduction of one that was formerly there) that is now a cafe.

Otherwise spend some time here relaxing – it’s fairly good for walking and hiking given the lack of obstructions, and the lack of many tall trees means your views are rarely blocked.

Have you been to Gavdos?  What did you think?

Photos by Wolfgang Staudt