The Samaria Gorge in Crete is one of the island’s most popular destinations. The spectacular scenery and largely untouched landscape attract hikers and nature lovers alike. In midsummer, up to 4,000 people are on this unique hike.
“From the White Mountains to the Libyan Sea, you can make your way through one of the longest gorges in Europe in Samaria National Park.”
In this article, we will tell you whether a guided tour to the Samaria Gorge is worthwhile for you. Furthermore, you will receive the most important tips and all information from us for an individual hike through the Cretan gorge.
#1 Getting to the Samaria Gorge
If you want to complete the entire hike, you can take a rental car or the public bus to Xyloskalo, the main entrance to the gorge on the Omalos plateau, and start your descent there.
Do you just want to see a section of the Samaria Gorge, we recommend starting in Agia Roumeli at the end of the gorge (south entrance). You can only get here by ferry from Chora Sfakion, Sougia or Paleochora. More information can be found in chapter #2.
Best time to visit the Samaria Gorge
If you don’t want to master the hiking trail through the gorge with a thousand other people, especially in midsummer, you should leave early in good time. At the opening at 7 a.m. it is still pleasantly quiet and you have the gorge almost to yourself.
Samaria Gorge by Rental Car
From the expressway of Chania take the exit at Vamvakopoulo, from here it is about 50 minutes to the entrance of the Samaria Gorge, called Xyloskalo. In the first section, the road leads along numerous orange plantations and past Limni Agias (excursion tip!).
Shortly after the village of Fournes, the route climbs up the mountains in a few serpentines, with great views of Chania and the coast opening up again and again. After about 30 minutes you will pass the quaint mountain village of Lakkoi, the last larger settlement on the way to the Omalos plateau.
A short time later, you will reach the Omalos Plateau at an altitude of 1,100 m, including the tiny settlement of the same name. There are a few supermarkets, taverns and guesthouses here. The road runs along the plateau and after 5 minutes you will reach the entrance of the Samaria Gorge. A cheap Crete rental car is available at Discover Cars*:
Distances to Samaria (Xyloskalo)
› Chania – Samaria: 40 km (1 h)
› Rethymno – Samaria: 100 km (2 h)
› Heraklion – Samaria: 180 km (3 h)
› Ag. Nikolaos – Samaria: 230 km (3.5 h)
› Ierapetra – Samaria: 270 km (4 h)
› Sitia – Samaria: 305 km (5 h)
By bus to the Samaria Gorge
From Chania, it takes an hour to reach the settlement of Omalos by public bus, and there are also buses to Xyloskalo, which is located at the main entrance. Morning departure times at 5:00 AM or 7:45 AM. A one-way ticket costs around €7. The bus stop is located directly at the starting point of the gorge.
You can get back to Chania after walking through the gorge from both Sougia (6:15 pm) and Chora Sfakion (6:30 pm). Both places are served by ferry from the destination of the gorge in Agia Roumeli. From Sougia the bus takes about 1.5 hours to Chania, from Chora Sfakion it takes just under two hours.
→ Current bus connections can be viewed at: KTEL Chania
By boat to the Samaria Gorge
You can reach the end of the Samaria Gorge by taking a ferry from the coastal towns of Chora Sfakion, Sougia or Paleochora. The latter two places are located west of the Samaria Gorge, so it is worth getting here if you are staying near Kissamos and Chania. Chora Sfakion is recommended for a journey from Rethymno and Heraklion.
Arriving by boat at the Samaria Gorge is an ideal way to start a short hike up to the famous rock gates (see Chapter 2: Easy Hike).
In season, many small ferries and taxi boats run to Agia Roumeli. The largest ferry company ANENDYK even transports cars. The departure times of the ferries to the Samaria Gorge in the period from May to October are as follows:
- Chora Sfakion to Samaria Gorge (Ag. Roumeli): Mon.-Sun. at 10:30, 13:00, one-way ticket = approx. 15 € (with return ticket approx. 25 €)
- Sougia to Samaria Gorge (Ag. Roumeli): Mon., Tue. at 9:15 a.m., Wed. 4:10 p.m., as well as Thu.-Sun. at 7:40 a.m., one-way ticket = approx. 15 €
- Paleochora to Samaria Gorge (Ag. Roumeli): Mon., Tue. at 8:30 a.m., Wed. 3:20 p.m., Thu.-Sun. at 7:00 a.m., one-way ticket = approx. 20 €
→ Ferry connections to the Samaria Gorge and ferry tickets can be found here: ANENDYK
#2 Samaria Gorge on your own
If you walk the entire Samaria Gorge with a length of about 13 km (+ 3 km to the port) from the main entrance in Xyloskalo (Omalos), you have to plan at least 5-6 hours for the pure hike.
The descent into the Samaria Gorge begins at an altitude of 1,200 m and requires a lot of attention and surefootedness, especially at the beginning, as it is very steep downhill.
When you arrive at the end of the gorge, in the remote coastal village of Agia Roumeli, you should plan enough time for the return journey. You will need at least two hours for the ferry and then a bus or taxi ride.
Samaria Gorge Profile
› Length of the hike: approx. 16 km
› Hiking time: 5-6 hours depending on speed
› Level of difficulty: medium (4 km descent: difficult)
› Starting point: Xyloskalo (Omalos Plateau)
› Destination: Coastal town of Agia Roumeli
› Opening hours: daily 7 a.m. – 4 p.m. (01.05.-31.10.)
› Entrance fee: 10 € per hiker, families from 6 € p.p.
› Free admission: May 21 (EU Natura 2000 day)
› Highest number of visitors: August and September
The Samaria National Park is open from May to October. Depending on the weather, the start of the new season may be delayed by heavy rain in spring.
Even in summer, when the weather conditions are extremely bad or there is a risk of landslides, the Samaria Gorge is closed. Please inform yourself about the prevailing weather and possible closures before your excursion.
Complete Samaria Trek (Xyloskalo to Agia Roumeli)
Individualists can drive by rental car to just before the main entrance of the Samaria Gorge. The parking lot of the Samaria National Park in Crete costs €5 per day. We recommend arriving early to get a free parking space.
From here, the hike starts down into the gorge. If you have a long journey, we recommend an overnight stay in Omalos. A national park fee of 10 € p.p. will be charged at the entrance. The admission ticket must be shown again at the exit.
The first four kilometers are quite steep along a stone zigzag path. In this section of the route, great views of individual peaks of the White Mountains of Crete open up, including Psilafi (1,984 m) and Gingilos (2,080 m). At the stone church of Agios Nikolaos (14th century) you can take a first break.
From now on, the hike is more pleasant. About an hour after the St. Nikolaos Church you will reach the old settlement of Samaria. The former residents were forcibly resettled in 1962 in the course of the founding of the national park.
Today there are administrative buildings of the national park, a first aid station as well as drinking water sources and toilets. Then you follow the riverbed, cross it again and again and gradually pass the three large rock gates.
Shortly after the Christos rest area, you will reach the last rock gate, which marks the narrowest point of the Samaria Gorge (3 m). This section is known as the ‘Sideroporta’ (Iron Gates), and features steep walls rising to a height of 100 metres. From here it takes about an hour (2.5 km) to reach the sea to Agia Roumeli.
→ Current information and opening hours for Samaria Gorge are available on the official National Park Website and on the Info page about the gorge
How do I get back to the rental car?
To get back to the starting point in Xyloskalo, you have to take the ferry from Agia Roumeli to Sougia. From the tranquil coastal settlement you can take a taxi service (price from €50 per taxi, travel time approx. 50 minutes) or hop on one of the KTEL buses (price approx. €6, travel time approx. 1.5 hours, departure 6:18 p.m. and 8:16 p.m.).
→ Samaria Taxi Service recommendations are: Sougiataxi-Meletis or Sougiataxi-Vittorakis
If you’re planning to take the five-hour descent from Xylokastro after 12 o’clock, be aware that the last ferry from Agia Roumeli at 5:30 p.m. will likely leave by the time you arrive, meaning you’ll need to stay overnight in the coastal town. More information can be found here: Samaria Hotels
Below you will find the departure times of the ANENDYK ferry from Agia Roumeli (Samaria Gorge):
- Samaria Gorge (Ag. Roumeli) to Chora Sfakion: Mon.-Sun. at 11:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., one-way ticket approx. 15 €
- Samaria Gorge (Ag. Roumeli) to Sougia: Mon.-Sun. at 5:30 p.m., one-way ticket approx. 15 €
- Samaria Gorge (Ag. Roumeli) to Paleochora: Mon.-Sun. at 5:30 p.m., one-way ticket approx. 20 €
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In our Crete Travel Guide 10 eventful day tours full of highlights await you: beautiful beaches, exciting sights, charming villages and authentic taverns. Included: routes, maps for navigation and many personal tips: ➜ To the Crete travel guide
Easy hike through the Samaria Gorge
Even those who do not dare to hike through the entire Samaria Gorge can take in the atmosphere of the national park. It is recommended that families with young children and people with knee problems only walk partially through the Samaria Gorge, starting from the southern entrance.
Due to its proximity to Agia Roumeli, Sougia to the west or Chora Sfakion to the east of the gorge are ideal starting points.
Once you arrive in Agia Roumeli, you walk against the main hiking direction in about 1.5 hours (approx. 2 km) to the striking Iron Gates, probably the most famous section of the gorge. Even the first kilometre can be covered by shuttle bus (€2 per trip, every 10 minutes).
The short hike is largely flat and includes only a few complicated passages (including wooden footbridges over the spring stream). In order to optimize the flow of visitors, however, the National Park Administration has limited the time of hiking in the opposite direction. More information can be found on the homepage of the national park: Visitor regulation
If you are interested in a short hike through the Samaria Gorge, you should arrive in Agia Roumeli by ferry at 2 p.m. at the latest and start hiking. Ideally, you should start the hike in the morning, then you can expect the least oncoming traffic.
The last ferries leave Ag. Roumeli at 5:30 p.m. and are usually jam-packed. If you arrive late at the port, you have to plan an overnight stay. If you book the ferry tickets in advance for the round trip, you will receive a discount compared to the individual price.
💡 Samaria Hiking Equipment: Sturdy shoes with good tread, headgear, sun protection, water bottle (can be filled at springs), provisions, compact towel and swimwear (for a visit to the beach afterwards). Useful equipment for your hike can be found here: View on Amazon*
#3 Guided tours & hikes
Remember: A hike through the Samaria Gorge is one of the most popular Crete Excursions. From Chania to Heraklion, numerous tour operators advertise guided day trips. In fact, a whole day of vacation must be planned for visiting the gorge.
The organized Samaria day trips start at 6 o’clock in the morning. This is because the distance to the gorge is usually long and the participants are picked up at various hotels. The return often takes place after 8 p.m., sometimes even later.
You have the opportunity to book a guided day tour to Samaria Gorge. Excursions include hotel pickup and drop-off at the entrance of the national park and back. Click on the links of GetYourGuide* to learn more about the tours and book directly if necessary:
➲ To the guided hike from Chania*
➲ To the guided hike from Rehtymno*
➲ To the guided hike from Heraklion*
It is advisable to find out about the respective provider in advance of the excursion so as not to be surprised by hidden costs. Portals such as TripAdvisor, Expedia and GetYourGuide, as well as Google Reviews can be helpful.
💡 Samaria Gorge Weather: In May and September, the weather situation in the White Mountains is quite dynamic. For example, the gorge from the main entrance in Xyloskalo can be closed to hikers at short notice in bad weather. For guided tours, the supplier will inform you about any postponements of the excursion. You can find the current weather in the gorge here: Greek Meteorological Service
Samaria Bus Tour from Chania or Rethymnon
Most bus tours start in the early morning hours with the pick-up of all participants. Then it goes by bus along the Lefka Ori Mountains up to the Omalos plateau, a fertile plateau at an altitude of 1,100 m. Usually a short stop is planned to purchase snacks and water.
At around 8 a.m., the tour bus arrives at Samaria’s main entrance, Xyloskalo. Here is the last opportunity for a gastronomic stop for the next 14 km. Depending on your pace, you will reach the end of the gorge in Agia Roumeli between 1:00 PM and 2:30 PM.
In Agia Roumeli you can have lunch and then relax on the village beach, so a small towel should be in your hiking luggage. At 5:30 p.m., the ferry leaves for Chora Sfakion. On site, the buses for the returnees are waiting a little above the harbor.
The guided tours include hotel pick-up, drop-off and a guide (English or German), who does not always walk the hike with you.
For the national park, an additional €8 per person will be charged (group prices). The ferry ticket from Agia Roumeli to Chora Sfakion must also be paid extra.
→ About our partner GetYourGuide* you have the opportunity to book the Samaria Tour: Guided day tour*
#4 Interesting facts about Samaria National Park
The Samaria National Park is located west of the Lefka Ori (White Mountains) mountain range and about 30 km south of the city of Chania. It is considered a top hiking destination in Crete due to its wildly romantic beauty. The eponymous abyss with a length of almost 16 km is one of the longest gorges in Europe, along with the Verdon Gorge in France (20 km) and the Tara Gorge in Montenegro (78 km).
As early as two million years ago, the area began to form through tectonic movements. Bit by bit, spring rivers and rainwater eroded into the landscape and shaped the appearance of the gorge.
Particularly striking are the narrow, almost vertically sloping rock gates, especially the famous Iron Gate of the Samaria Gorge in the last section of the hike.
The only national park in Crete is strikingly green for the southern part of the island. Many conifer giants, including pines and cypresses, grow here, and magnificent plane and maple trees thrive on the riverbank.
It is especially worthwhile to visit Samaria National Park in May and June, when the river is full of water and there are wonderful blooms everywhere along the way. Fourteen endemic plant species can be found in the gorge.
It is not uncommon for griffon vultures and sometimes bearded vultures to circle above the Samaria Gorge, which are among the largest birds of prey in Europe with a wingspan of over 2.5 metres.
The so-called Kri-Kri, the Cretan wild goat has its last natural retreat in the Samaria Gorge. This is a major reason why the region was declared a national park by law in 1962 and has been a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve since 1981.
The Samaria Gorge then and now
For the Cretans, the region has a high historical value. In the liberation struggles in the 19th century against the Ottoman occupiers, the remote abyss was an impregnable base for the Greek partisans.
Even in the Second World War, the German Wehrmacht did not manage to track down the Greek resistance fighters here. Even the then Prime Minister and King George II fled to Egypt via the Samaria Gorge.
Today, the national park is a real attraction for hiking enthusiasts from all over the world. The tourist infrastructure is very well developed despite the isolated location. At the entrance and exit of the gorge there are gastronomic offers and accommodation.
Several sources of drinking water are provided along the route. The ferries to Agia Roumeli (gorge exit) as well as to the other coastal towns run all year round. Depending on the weather, however, the gorge is only accessible from 1 May to 31 October.
Restaurant recommendations near the Samaria Gorge
In the meantime, some restaurants in Agia Roumeli settled at the end of the gorge. Due to the isolated location, a lot of food has to be delivered by ferry at high cost. It is advisable to look at the reviews on GoogleMaps and TripAdvisor beforehand.
💡 Insider tips for Crete: Get our Crete travel guide now and benefit from our experience on site: More info
Calypso in Agia Roumeli
Family tavern with a nice ambience in the outdoor area. You sit comfortably under mulberry trees on wooden benches overlooking the sea. Traditional home cooking is served. Friendly owner family, the young landlord even speaks German.
Anchorage in Sougia
Tavern with idyllic outdoor area and generous portions. Greek bites and many other Mediterranean dishes are served. The hosts also rent rooms (Pension Santa Irene).
Akrogiali Cafe in Chora Sfakion
Hip café on the harbour promenade. In addition to delicious coffee and sweet snacks, hearty daily specials are also served. Friendly staff, cocktails from €6.
✓ Full coverage & unlimited mileage included
✓ Free cancellation until 24h before pickup
✓ Best price guarantee via Discover Cars
#5 Hotels near the Samaria Gorge
Depending on how you want to organize your Samaria excursion, there are several places to spend the night. If you have a long journey (e.g. from eastern Crete) to the gorge, it is worth spending the night in the Omalos plateau (Xyloskalo) and hiking the next morning.
If you want to experience the atmosphere of remote coastal hamlets after trekking and share stories with fellow hikers about the beautiful gorges of Crete, spend a night or more in Sougia, Chora Sfakion or Agia Roumeli. Loutro, which can only be reached by boat or hike, is also worth a stay.
Click on the links for more information from our partner Booking.com*:
Spend the night at the main entrance of Xyloskalo (Omalos Plateau)
Omalos Village (formerly Samaria Village)
Spacious stone houses (up to 4 people) including washing machine for self-catering at the end of the Omalos plateau. About 15 minutes walk to the starting point of the Samaria hike and thus the closest accommodation.
Neos Omalos Hotel
2-star hotel with simple rooms in the settlement of Omalos. Fair prices, delicious breakfast (from 6:30 am) and friendly staff. Ideal for mountaineers and hikers to explore the Sfakia region. Free transfer to Samaria entrance.
Overnight stay in Agia Roumeli (end of the gorge)
Calypso Hotel
Family-run hotel in a quiet location on the western outskirts of the village near the village beach. The compact rooms were modernized in 2021. Good value for money and friendly owners. On the ground floor there is the family tavern Calypso.
Paralia Guest House
Guesthouse with simple and clean rooms at fair prices right by the sea. Good breakfast and warm hosts. The in-house sea kayaks can be used by guests. On the ground floor is the solid Paralia Café.
Where to stay in Sougia
Syia Hotel
Good 3-star hotel with spacious studios and functional apartments on the northern edge of the village. Host Markos has many tips for the region around Sougia.
Idomeneas Apartments
Compact apartment complex with large rooms including balcony or terrace in a quiet location in Sougia. Helpful and attentive hosts.
Where to stay in Chora Sfakion
The Authentic Village
Modern and tastefully decorated rooms with sea views and comfortable beds, ideal for relaxing after a long day of hiking through the Samaria Gorge. A delicious breakfast is available in the bakery next door.
Eleana Nature & Art
New aparthotel with stylish rooms and apartments in a quiet location above the village with a wonderful view of the sea. The warm owner Eleana has many tips for the Sfakia region.
Where to stay in Loutro
Villa Niki
Small guesthouse with functional studios and traditional apartments in the car-free coastal town of Loutro. Helpful hosts and beautiful sea view due to the hillside location above the place.
#6 Places of interest around the Samaria Gorge
Hiking enthusiasts and outdoor fans in particular will get their money’s worth in the Sfakia region and in the surrounding area of Lefka Ori. Many of the mountain villages, some of which are remote, even have a rustic kafeneion or a traditional tavern that invite you to take a long break. Here you can still encounter the unique Cretan hospitality.
Imbros & Aradena: Alternatives to the Samaria Gorge
There are many interesting alternatives to the Samaria Gorge throughout Crete, including the 8 km long Imbros Gorge. Especially in summer, a hike is a good idea if you want to avoid the crowds in the Samaria Gorge. The trail leads from the village of Imbros (650 m altitude) to the Libyan Sea.
The Imbros Gorge is much easier to walk on than the Samaria Gorge, rarely carries water and also has magnificent rock structures and gates. 2-3 hours should be planned for the complete hike. In the season, an entrance fee is due.
Another very spectacular gorge not far from the Samaria National Park is the Aradena Gorge. The exit is only a few kilometers from Loutro and a hike can be wonderfully combined with a visit to the picturesque coastal town. From Loutro there are also small taxi boats to the exit of the gorge.
The start of the trekking is the almost uninhabited mountain village of Aradena with its magnificent Archangel Michael church on a rocky outcrop. From here you need about 3 hours to the sea. At the Aradena Bridge, friends of bungee jumping can prove their courage.
Site of Lissos
To get in the mood for the Samaria National Park, it is worth taking a hike through the Lissos Gorge, followed by a visit to the ancient site of the same name. The 2 km hiking trail (2.5 hours round trip) starts at the port of Sougia and runs along the lush green gorge.
After about 15 minutes you will reach an overhanging impressive rock face called Lissos Rainbow Wall, which could well be in Australia. Shortly afterwards, the hiking trail leaves the gorge and goes quite steeply up to a plateau.
From up here, you can enjoy a magnificent panorama of Lissos Beach. In the green valley you can already make out individual buildings of the ancient city of Lissos. The descent to Lissos is short (15 min), but requires a bit of climbing skills.
Once at the bottom, a rest area with a mountain spring under mighty carob trees awaits you, as well as the remains of a temple of Asclepius and a Roman theater (both fenced).
Nearby are still ancient tombs, as well as the Byzantine churches of Naos Panagias and Agios Kirikos. The way back to Sougia is again along the same path or alternatively via a circular route of about 5 km. If you want, you can also go by taxi boat directly to Sougia. Info: Tel. +306934078684, around 25 € for 2 pers.
💡 Crete tips for explorers: In our Crete travel guide you will find even more excursion tips for the region: More info
Coastal village of Loutro
The picturesque coastal village of Loutro is located at the foot of the White Mountains. No road leads to the former fishing village, you can only reach Loutro by foot or boat. On other islands, such a place would have been abandoned long ago, but on Crete, hiking tourism in the Samaria Gorge has been causing a real boom since the 1960s.
The white houses in the barren landscape of southern Crete look like a splash of colour. In winter, Loutro is almost uninhabited, from May onwards life returns and in summer it is busy for days on end in the village of 80 inhabitants. The taverns and accommodations are then well filled with hiking tourists and lovers of the secluded flair.
On the beach with crystal clear water you can relax and unwind. Only when the ferries from Chora Sfakion dock, the paradisiacal peace is completely disturbed. Above the village are the remains of Venetian and Ottoman fortifications, from which you can enjoy a magnificent view of the Libyan Sea.
The European Hiking Trail E4 leads through the village, so hiking enthusiasts can choose Loutro as the starting point of various hiking tours. In addition to the beautiful beaches of Glyka Nera or Sweet Water Beach (1 hour one way) and Marmara Beach (30 minutes easy), the secluded mountain village of Anopoli at an altitude of 700 m (2 hours one way) can also be climbed.
→ More articles and numerous Crete travel tipscan be found at:
- Island of Crete – Guidebook
- Crete Resorts
- Crete Highlights
- Crete Excursions
- Best Crete Hotels
- Crete Holidays
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