Assi Gonia has become a centre for traditional Cretan folklore and culture. This may be due in part because it was the home of Georgios Psychoundakis, the author of The Cretan Runner, a book that recounts stories of the resistance movement during World War II and the local participation in it. On Agios Georgios' Day, 23 April, the local people bring their animals (mostly sheep and goats) from the mountains to be blessed by the priest. They are milked, the milk is boiled and then served to those in attendance.

You can also reach the higher plateaus of Kalikratis and Asfedou from here by a rough road.