The Samaria Gorge
One of Europe's great walks — and it ends at our front door.
From the mountains to the sea
Every summer's morning, thousands of walkers set off from the Omalos plateau, high in the White Mountains, and begin the long descent through the Samaria Gorge. Sixteen kilometres later — past sheer rock walls, pine forest, the old village of Samaria and the famous narrow "Iron Gates" — the path spills out onto the black-pebble beach of Agia Roumeli. There is no other way out: you finish here, by the sea, and the only way onward is by boat.
Arriving at Agia Roumeli
The walk takes most people five to seven hours, so arrivals are spread across the afternoon. Whenever you reach the village, a cold drink, a swim in the Libyan Sea and a room at Zorbas are waiting.
- From ~1:00 pm — the fastest walkers reach the village, ready for the sea.
- Through the afternoon — a steady stream arrives, hot, happy and hungry.
- Around 5:30 pm — the last and slowest walkers make it down.
- Evening — most catch the boat onward… the lucky ones stay the night.
Why stay the night?
Almost everyone rushes for the afternoon ferry. Stay, and you get the real Agia Roumeli: the beach empties, the light turns gold on the mountains, and the village settles into a long, easy evening of tavernas and cold drinks. Then comes the night — no streetlights, the full moon over Gavdos, and the sea the only sound. It's the part of the gorge that most walkers never see.
Stay at ZorbasDown through the gorge
Sheer walls, the famous Iron Gates, pine forest and old Samaria village — a few steps of the long walk down. Click any photo to view it larger.
Good to know before you walk
Come prepared
Good shoes, water and sun protection. It's long, rocky and hot — but worth every step.
Onward by boat
Ferries link Agia Roumeli with Loutro, Chora Sfakion and Sougia along the coast.
Book ahead in summer
Rooms are limited and the village is small. Let Sifis Viglis know your gorge day.