Samaria Gorge

The gorge of Samaria is the second most visited tourist attraction in Crete (following the Minoan palace of Knossos) and by far the most popular walk.

It is the longest gorge in Europe and an area of unprecedented natural beauty. It is known for its rare flora and fauna, the mountains forming it are wild, high and steep and ancient cypresses and pines surround the stiff cliffs. The path starts from Xyloskalo (near Omalos) in the White Mountains at an altitude of 1230 meters and ends at the village of Agia Roumeli at the Libyan Sea. Walking through the gorge usually takes anything from 3 to 5 hours (with no breaks). If you would like to avoid it being crowded, you could choose to start your walk towards the middle of the day. This way you could reach Agia Roumeli in the evening, having enjoyed the gorge all to yourself. You could spend the night in Agia Roumeli and visit the wonderful beach before you leave. Nevertheless beware: the Samaria gorge is not an easy stroll. The path is 16km long and although it is maintained in good condition, it is quite rocky and steep at times. If you are not used to this type of exercise, you may find it challenging.