Backed by rugged mountains, Agia Roumeli is a traditional village at the southern entrance to Samaria Gorge. It overlooks the Libyan Sea on Crete’s south-west coast and boasts a tranquil and isolated setting to relax after a long day’s hike.
Explore one of the longest gorges in Europe, the Samaria Gorge, which stretches 18 kilometres north to the settlement of Omalos. A hiking trail leads from the plateau down to the pebbly shores of Agia Roumeli, where you can soak your feet in the crystal-clear waters or take a refreshing dip.
Agia Roumeli has retained a strong Cretan heritage and there are a handful of traditional tavernas where you can grab a bite to eat. If you want to explore further, follow the coastal walking trail east to the ancient Byzantine chapel of Agios Pavlos where St. Paul is said to have landed during his voyage to Greece.
Getting there
There is no road access to Agia Roumeli, so you need to ride a ferry from Hora Sfakion or walk through the Samaria Gorge. From Hora Sfakion, it’s around 1.5 hours’ drive to Chania International Airport, and there are also bus connections to destinations across Crete.