Samaria Gorge Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience the Samaria Gorge. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Full-Day Samaria Gorge Chania Guided Tour

• Samaria Gorge Hiking from Chania with Professional Hiking Guide

• Full Day Samaria Gorge 10-Mile Walking Tour

• Private - Jeep Safari Tour with Lunch and Tastings

• Samaria Gorge Hike

Standard tickets for the Samaria Gorge cost €10. Children under 18 and adults over 65 from EU member states go free, as do students in EU states. Other international visitors pay the full rate for ages 5 and up, unless you arrange the family rate of €6 per person (adult and child).

Yes, the Samaria Gorge is well worth visiting and it regularly tops the lists of the best hikes in Greece. Europe's longest gorge, it tapers to just 10 feet (3 meters) wide at its narrowest point—framed by cliffs that tower hundreds of feet high. The classic route is a 1-way trip from the mountains to the water, followed by a ferry ride; joining a tour that includes transportation vastly simplifies logistics, while guides can help out less experienced hikers attempting the 10-mile (16-kilometer) trek.

Per one customer who booked the Samaria Gorge Hiking from Chania with Professional Hiking Guide, "Another item off our bucket list. The challenging trail is winding and full of large rocks and gravel. Ingrid, our guide, was exceptional and very attentive. Together with her ranger-partner, they gave a struggling member of our group constant attention and encouragement. 16 km later, we all reached the finish line."

Most people will hike Crete’s Samaria Gorge in roughly 6–7 hours, though you may need more or less time. Technically, you’ll also need to make the 1.2-mile (2-kilometer) walk to Agia Roumeli at the hike’s end—the distance between the end of the gorge and the return ferry departure point

Yes, you can hike the Samaria Gorge without taking a tour. Buses from Chania will take you to the head of the Gorge, aka Xyloskalo (be sure to arrive as early as possible). At the hike’s end, you’ll need to hop on a ferry to Chora Sfakia and—depending on your lodging—take another bus back to Chania.

The Samaria Gorge, located in Crete’s White Mountains, is known for being one of Europe’s longest gorges—and for its wealth of natural beauty. One of the most popular activities locally is trekking down its full length, from the top of the Omalos plateau to Agia Roumeli on the Libyan Sea.

If you’re hiking the Samaria Gorge, dress in layers. Not only are you starting early in the morning—and not wrapping up for another 6–8 hours—you’re descending some 4,101 feet (1,250 meters). You’ll also want sturdy hiking shoes, though hiking boots tend to be cumbersome.

The Samaria Gorge trek—including the walk to Agia Roumeli—is 10 miles (16 kilometers), and it’s all downhill until you hit sea level; the first 2 miles (3 kilometers) are the steepest. While it’s not an easy trek, hikers of all ages, from small children to older adults, can be found on the trail. If you’re a confident hiker, you can handle it.

There are tons of fun things to do when you're done visiting the Samaria Gorge. According to travelers, these are some of the top attractions in and around Chania:

• Balos Beach and Lagoon

• Venetian Lighthouse

• Old Venetian Harbor

• Kournas Lake

• Rethymno

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions in Chania.