I am looking at visiting the Samaria Gorge and wondering how cruise passengers could impact the trip. I will be staying in Chania for 3 full days. I know that 2 of those dates will have a lot of ships in port. Should I leave Chania during those busy days and visit the Samaria Gorge, to avoid the crowds OR do you think they could also be visiting the Gorge?
Posted by
California
207 posts
I hiked the Samaria Gorge two years ago in May. It was approximately 9.5 miles (16 KM) with over 40 stream crossings and it took 6 hours since we took an hour break for lunch. May is always crowded because it hasn't gotten too hot yet. I doubt the cruise ship passengers will be doing the whole hike but might visit part of it. The hiking trail was crowded with chartered buses carrying hikers from Germany, France, and Italy and even Sweden. I would do it again though as it's absolutely beautiful. From the end we walked another 3 miles to the lovely village of Agia Roumeli which is only accessible on foot or by ferry boat. We stayed over night there spending the next day on the beach of the Libyan Sea. The ferry comes once a day to Agia Roumeli and then returns to Chania in the late afternoon aat 5:30 PM.