Agia Roumeli
Agia Roumeli is a coastal village in southwestern Crete near the southern end of the Samaria Gorge.
Typically hikers travel from Chania to Omalos via coach and then hike the gorge. From Agia Roumeli typically they leave by ferry, usually to Hora Sfakia and then get a coach back to Chania.
Get in
=== By foot ===
Walking along the coast from Sfakia or down through the Samariá Gorge from Omalos. Get in Sfakia or Omalos by bus from Chania.
=== By boat ===
Ferries to Agia Roumeli leave from Sfakia, Sougia and Paleochora. Boat timetable can be found here.
Get around
The village is not big, so everything is within walking distance.
See
Samariá Gorge (National Park)A 14 km gorge that descends 1,250 m to sea level through some of Europe's most spectacular natural scenery. The walk up the gorge from south to north is pleasant for the main part, but the last 3km, up the Xyloskala ('wooden staircase'), is extremely tiring. Sensible shoes are essential. Most people take an organised tour or approach the top of the gorge by public bus from Chania and begin their walk from there, but there are also buses from nearer towns and ferries from the mouth of the gorge. Some people walk from the southern entrance just as far as the narrowest part of the gorge - the Iron Gates - then return to the sea.
Castle Agia RoumeliCastle ruins on top of a hill.
Mashali BeachA public beach with very clear waters, and usually nearly empty in the morning hours. There are public showers and foot baths on the beach. Note that the beach chairs are owned by COCKTAIL BEACH BAR and cost money to rent, or come complementary with an overpriced drink.
Zeromouri BeachA public pebble beach that also features a natural cave. Usually empty.
Do
Eat
FaragiA Greek Taverna serving traditional Greek dishes, freshly caught fish and ice-cold beer. Excellent service by friendly staff who will recommend menu items to you, which are served almost immediately. Bread and several shots of Rakia (served with apricot) are complementary with every meal. Cheap rooms are also available for rent.
Sleep
There is a small 'wild camping' area (no facilities) by the riverside on the coast of Agia Roumeli village. Every public building in the town (all restaurants and even the supermarkets) also rents rooms.