Agia Roumeli is a coastal village in southwestern Crete near the southern end of the Samaria Gorge.

Typically hikers travel from Chania to Omalos via coach and then hike the gorge. From Agia Roumeli typically they leave by ferry, usually to Hora Sfakia and then get a coach back to Chania.

Get in

There only two or three realistic ways to get here. The village is not accessible by road.

By foot

Walking along the coast from Sfakia or down through the Samariá Gorge from Omalos. Get in Sfakia or Omalos by bus from Chania.

By sea

By ferry from Sfakia.

Get around

The village is not big, so everything is within walking distance.

See

• 1 Samariá Gorge (National Park). A 14 km gorge that descends 1,250 m to sea level through some of Europe's most spectacular natural scenery. The walk up the gorge from south to north is pleasant for the main part, but the last 3km, up the Xyloskala ('wooden staircase'), is extremely tiring. Sensible shoes are essential. Most people take an organised tour or approach the top of the gorge by public bus from Chania and begin their walk from there, but there are also buses from nearer towns and ferries from the mouth of the gorge. Some people walk from the southern entrance just as far as the narrowest part of the gorge - the Iron Gates - then return to the sea. There is an entrance fee, payable at either end of the gorge, with tickets checked on on exit to ensure that no one remains in the park overnight.. (updated May 2015)

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  Map of Samaria Gorge
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  TNarrowest point
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  South side
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  Tree on the rocks

Sleep

There is a small 'wild camping' area (no facilities) by the riverside on the coast of Agia Roumeli village. There are also a few hotels.