CHANIA PREFECTURE
The Prefecture of Chania is located at the western end of Crete and is particularly rich in natural beauties, historical and cultural memories from ancient times until today. The father of epic poetry reports to Kydones and to Kydonia, as one of the most ancient populations of Crete. The archaeological hoe in the past few years exposes important work of the Minoan Culture in Kasteli, Maleme and in three small villages of Apokoronas: Stilos, Samona and Filaki.
The White Mountains or Madares which extend over an area 60 kilometers long and 35 kilometers wide with the Pachnes peak at 2,453 meters. It is noteworthy that in the White Mountains there are a total of 58 peaks above 2,000m.
A lot of places in Crete are connected with the tradition of Mythology such as: the island of Calypsos, Gaudos which is found at the middlemost point of the lyvian sea, a place of adoration of the local Goddess Diktinas at Menies, the oracle of Apollo at Agia Roumeli, as well as the fortified islets of Souda.
Christianity spread quite early in the Prefecture of Chania as can be seen from important monuments in Chania, the Diocese of Kissamos, Almyrida, Kantano, Lisso, Sougia, Agia Roumeli, Meskla and elsewhere. In the Byzantine years, or in the years of the Venetian rule, most of the settlements in the area have their beginnings and many monuments have been preserved since then, such as the approximately 350 frescoed churches from the 11th to the 16th century.
In strategic positions of the islands you can also admire impressive fortresses, witnesses of the islands rich history. These are: Gramvousas, Thodorou, Soudas islets, Fragokastelo and Aptera. Peculiar interest also present the monasteries of Chania, such as Gouverneto, Saint Trinity, Xrisopigi, Gonia, Korakies, Karidi and many more.
The visitors can also enjoy places with historical memory like Theriso where Eleftherios Venizelos declared the revolution for the union of Crete with Greece in 1905. Vamos, Maleme, Sfakia and Kantanos.
For nature lovers, the plateau of Omalos and many gorges will remain unforgettable, with the most important of them, the famous Samaria Gorge which is without exaggeration one of the most beautiful natural beauties of Europe.
https://greece.terrabook.com/el/chania/chapter/fisi/faraggia/
Finally, the visitor should not miss visiting Sfakia, Fragokastelo, Balo, Elafonissi, Kedrodasos, Falasarna, Sougia and Paleochora.
FRAGKOKASTELLO
The beach of Orthi Ammos with its blue-green waters and clay will give you a special experience..
SFAKIA
ILIGGAS
LOUTRO
Aradaina - Seloydia- Ai Giannis
Glyka Nera
Marmara
Agia Roumeli - Agios Pavlos
Balos
Sougia
Paleochora
Elafonisi
kedrodasos
Falasarna
Sfinari
Seitan Limania
SAMARIA GORGE
https://www.samaria.gr/?lang=el
Hiking is allowed only along the main path, which has a length of approximately 13 km. The distance from the southern entrance until the village of Agia Roumeli is another 2 km. An average walk takes ~ 6 – 7 hours, since you will need to make several stops. Inside the gorge there are recreational spots with running drinking water where you can stop for a while, rest and enjoy the magnificent view as well as the aromas of the rare herbs that the gorge hosts!
The visiting hours of the National Park are as follows:
- 07:00-13:00
for visitors who will cross the entire route (Xyloskalo-Agia Roumeli or Agia Roumeli-Xyloscalo) or a part of it.
- 13:00 – 15:00
only for visitors who will move exclusively in the first two (2) kilometers from the northern entrance and specifically in the route “Xyloskalo – rest area Neroutsiko”
- 13:00 – 16:00
only for visitors who will move exclusively in the first two (2) kilometers from the southern entrance and specifically in the route “Agia Roumeli – rest area “Christos”.
- in any case the visitors must exit the National Park by 18:00 at the latest.
Useful advice
- It is recommended that your hike in the Gorge should set up early in the morning.
- The hiking must be done slowly, with some stops at the rest stations.
- The visitors must have appropriate clothing, footwear and sun protection (hat, sunscreen).
- You must have with you something to eat, since there are no shops inside the Gorge of Samaria.
- You must have water with you, but since there are several springs inside the Gorge you can refill your container.
- There are toilets along the path.
- You should either keep your litter with you until the exit (eg , in your backpack) or alternatively dispose it only in the waste bins that you will find along your way.
How to access
You can enter the gorge of Samaria through two entrances – one to the north (called “Xyloskalo”), which is located at the plateau of Omalos and one to the south – near the seaside settlement of Agia Roumeli. Xyloskalo (Omalos) is accessible by car, but Agia Roumeli is only accessible by boat. Find all relevant information here: https://www.samaria.gr/?lang=el
ATTENTION: You should also keep in mind that the gorge of Samaria may be open, but some days due to strong winds, there might be a relevant ban and the boats might not be allowed to depart from / travel to Agia Roumeli. Please check the shipping company’s timetables in advance. https://anendyk.gr/
Starting point at Xyloskalo Omalou
Using the public transfer services
“Xyloskalo-Omalos“ is accessed by the public bus which starts from the central bus station in Chania (KTEL) and ends to “Omalos“. The route lasts ~ 60 minutes. https://www.e-ktel.com/en/
Visiting the Gorge with a tour organized by a tourist agency.
If you do not wish to use the public bus, you can look for a professional who organizes trips to the gorge of Samaria. There are many tourist agencies that organize tours to Samaria. There are many tourist agencies that organize tours to the Samaria Gorge. You can either search the web or find one while walking in the city of Chania (or at the place, you stay in Crete). In Almyrida near Elena Apartments, you can ask for relevant information at a kiosk that operates in this field.
Reaching the Gorge of Samaria by your own car
You can reach Xyloskalo (Omalos) by your car. In order to return the same day to Omalos to take it back, you must take the boat from Agia Roumeli to Sougia. From Sougia, there is a public bus (KTEL bus) that returns to Omalos. In the case you choose to leave your car at Xyloskalo, you should also be aware that there might be an additional charge of 5€ per day, from the local company that manages the parking lot.
Starting point at Agia Roumeli
If you choose to enter the gorge of Samaria from “Agia Roumeli”, you must have reached the village by boat You can take the boat to Agia Roumeli either from “Chora Sfakion”, or from “Sougia”, or from “Paleochora”. These villages are accessible by road, so you can get there either by your own car, or using public transport (KTEL), or through a tourist agency or by taxi.
Tickets
Individual : 5€
Family (for each aduly and child) : 3€
Useful links/phone numbers
https://www.samaria.gr/?lang=el
https://www.e-ktel.com/en/
https://anendyk.gr/
Forest Outpost at Xiloskalo: +30 28237 70046
Forest Outpost at Agia Roumeli: +30 28250 91254
