Agia Roumeli (or Aghia Roumeli) is a small and quiet seaside village located in Sfakia regional unit, on the south coast of the prefecture of Chania, Crete.
Part isolated and not easily accessible, on the north is surrounded by the White Mountains and the Samaria Gorge, and on the south extends the Libyan Sea.
Road network does not exist in Aghia Roumeli. The village is only accessible by ferry from the neighboring coastal areas.
Nevertheless, thousands of visitors pass by Aghia Roumeli each year.
Undoubtedly, this small village has become known to too many people because it is located in the exit of the enormously popular, beautiful and imposing Samaria Gorge.
During the period that Samaria's gorge is open, from early
May to mid October, walkers who crossing it, finally reach the
south shore, seeing it like an oasis for a dip in the crystal
clear waters of the sea, for cold drinks, ice cream and launch at the
taverns of the village.
...Until they catch the
ANENDYK
ferry to
Loutro and
Chora Sfakion, to the east, or
to
Sougia and
Paleochora, to the west.
Then, the village regains their normal and familiar
rhythms, the absolute stillness, tranquility and serenity of
the environment.
If you love hiking in nature, do not hurry to leave after having cross the gorge of Samaria. Spend a night at the village and continue your hike next day.
The European E4 trail passes by, so if you look for more options for hiking, you have the chance to walk towards east to reach Loutro and then to continue from Loutro to Chora Sfakion.
Avoid the western part of the E4 towards
Sougia. It is 20 kilometers long and is dangerous in some
places.
If you choose to stay here (click here to see what to expect) after crossing the gorge of Samaria, or if you come here by ferry, you will have the time to explore the surrounding area.
Your choices...
Following the path that leads to the gorge of Samaria and
shortly after the village, on your left you will see a tiny stone chapel
dedicated to Virgin Mary. It is built inside the
walls of an early Christian Basilica, which was built at the
same spot where stood the temple of Apollo Tarraiou of
ancient Tarra,
which was built up on the hill.
See what else was found in the site of the ancient Tarra.
There are two ruined Turkish forts on the slope of the hill
above the village.
The view from
up there is amazing. The trail begins next to the tiny chapel of the Virgin Mary
,
mentioned above.
Walk the opposite direction through the Samaria Gorge, known as "The Lazy Way to Samaria Gorge" or "The Easy Way to Samaria Gorge".
See the old abandoned village of Agia Roumeli and then reach out to the renowned "Gates" (3.5km), so named the narrowest point of the gorge. That's the place where gorge's vertical walls close each other to 3.5 meters.
This site is considered one of the most impressive sights in the gorge
and therefore, one of the most photographed.
The Chapel of St. Paul is located on
the beach east of the village,
which got its name from the chapel.
In the video below, view footage of Agia Roumeli
and admire the pristine beauty of its nature.
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