
Walk through Samaria Gorge
Traveler rating
4.4/5
Based on 15 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Walk through Samaria Gorge worth booking?
Walk through Samaria Gorge is a 15-hour experience in Heraklion, Greece, from $55 per person. It scores 63 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.4/5 rating across 15 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 63 / 100
- Rating
- 4.4/5 (15)
- Duration
- 15 hours
- From
- $55 per person
Join an escorted tour, enjoying a morning bus trip towards the west Crete, followed by a stop to Omalos plateau. Begin your walk with the group into Samaria gorge and enjoy its unique morphology on your way to the longest gorge hike in Europe. Reach Agia Roumeli south coast, where your sailing trip will bring you to Sfakia.
What you get
About this experience
Join an escorted tour, enjoying a morning bus trip towards the west Crete, followed by a stop to Omalos plateau. Begin your walk with the group into Samaria gorge and enjoy its unique morphology on your way to the longest gorge hike in Europe. Reach Agia Roumeli south coast, where your sailing trip will bring you to Sfakia.
What's included
Included
- Transport by air-conditioned coach or minivan
- Pickup and Drop off from hotels and designated meeting points.
- Guide
Not included
- Boat ticket Agia Roumeli - Sfakia 13.00 Euros per adult . Children 4-12 years 6.5 euro
- Entrance ticket to Samaria 5.00 Euro per person.
- Food & Drinks
- Entrance fees
What you'll see and do
Summit of Gingilos
The plateau of Omalos is an area of 15km, found 38 Km on the south of Chania, in the center of the Cretan mountains named Lefka Ori (White Mountains). The highest mountain of this mountain range, is Pachnes at an altitude of 2452m.
20 minutes here
Samaria Gorge National Park
Samaria gorge at an altitude of 1230m is 16 Km long but an extra 2 Km walk is needed until we reach Agia Roumeli. The width of the gorge is 150m at its widest point and 3m at its narrowest and up to 700 meters deep. The first 4 kilometers of the walk, are the most difficult ones due to the steep descend. Halfway through our walk, is the actual village of Samaria, an old village whose inhabitants were relocated in 1962, when the gorge was declared a national park. A little further down is the church of Osia Maria, from which the name Samaria comes from. At the rest point of Christos, a shaded clearing, you will find the last spring in the gorge. A few minutes later we will reach the “Gates”, the narrowest and highest part of the gorge. After 2 km further, we will reach the guard post, marking our initials out of the National Park by entering the old village of Agia Roumeli. Soon will see the sea ahead, minutes later will enter the new village of Agia Roumeli and the cooling sea.
360 minutes here · Admission not included
Agia Roumeli
The tour is completed by our return sailing trip from Agia Roumeli to Sfakia, followed by the bus tour heading to our way back.
Pass by without stopping
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers.
Options you can book
From Malia,Stalida,Hersonissos
Duration: 18 hours Pickup included
From Agios Nikolaos, Elounda
Duration: 19 hours Pickup included
From Analipsi, Gouves, Gournes
Duration: 17 hours Pickup included
From Heraklion, Ammoudara
Duration: 16 hours Pickup included
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- de, en, it, fr
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Mon
- Group size
- Up to 30 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Altino Travel Services
Know before you go
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 15 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Physical effort
5 mentionsExpect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.
The guide
4 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
2 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Photo opportunities
2 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Food and drink
2 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Pace and timing
2 mentionsSeveral reviewers comment on how the schedule is paced.
Traveler reviews
15 verified traveler reviews for Walk through Samaria Gorge. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Visit canceled twice...
Very disapointed. We wanted to visit the Samaria gorges but Altino travel canceled twice less than 24 hours before the service. the first time the gorges were closed (Ok we understand), the second time no explanation. As this excursion is only offered on Mondays, we were unable to rebook...
via Tripadvisor (translated)
Bof!!
I totally agree with Elizabethg189 The descent into the forest, nothing exceptional, we have the same in Switzerland. To be done from below. You lose less time and you can do something else the rest of the day. That said, the cliffs are beautiful.
via Tripadvisor (translated)
Superb
Hiking 19km in the beautiful gorges! Be careful to be well put on , sunscreen and sunglasses mandatory as well as a cap! There are fountains all the way, don't charge yourself with water! Beautiful place, very clean.. it's to do! You must have the habit of walking .. and swimming appreciated when you arrive! Too good
via Tripadvisor (translated)
Must-do in Crete
Unfortunately, Samaria was closed the day of our trip due to a recent landslide. The company quickly pivoted and took us to a smaller, but very close nearby, gorge and we got to have our hiking experience just the same. What I would add for anyone booking this trip (and I recommend you do) is to know that this trip is very comparable to many of the other Samaria excursions on TripAdvisor, despite there not being very many details in the listing. There are two stops for coffee/food, one on the way out to the gorge and one on the way in, so you don't have to be worry about opportunities to eat. We also visited a beach after our hike. Also, it is a very long day. We were picked up at our resort in Hersonissos at 5:25 am, so be mentally prepared for that.
via Viator
A must do for hikers visiting Crete!
Helen was an excellent knowledgeable and friendly guide who made us feel welcomed on our trip to Samaria Gorge. The experience itself was breathtaking with beautiful views all around the gorge. We would highly recommend it for anyone visiting Crete but be warned the walk is not easy and a good pair of walking shoes are essential. We were very happy with the price compared to other providers and would not hesitate to book with Altino Travel again.
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 15 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Mon
- Price range
- $55 to $58
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 5
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Who runs this experience
Operated by Altino Travel Services, who run 6 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 62.1.
See everything Altino Travel Services runsWhy this scores 63
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Walk through Samaria Gorge: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Heraklion.
How much does Walk through Samaria Gorge cost?
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Prices start at $55 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Heraklion usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Walk through Samaria Gorge take?
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Plan for about 15 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Heraklion is not rushed.
Is Walk through Samaria Gorge worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 63 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.4/5 across 15 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Heraklion, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Walk through Samaria Gorge?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Walk through Samaria Gorge suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 15-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Walk through Samaria Gorge?
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Around 5 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Heraklion can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Heraklion and add a light layer if any part of the 15-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Walk through Samaria Gorge start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Heraklion within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Heraklion?
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On Outty we rank every Heraklion experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Knossos - Zeus Cave - Old Traditional Villages-Olive Oil Factory, Knossos & Lasithi Plateau: Zeus Cave, Villages, Olive Oil Tour, Quad Safari: Off-Road Day Tour with Dinner & Transfers. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Heraklion?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Heraklion?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Walk through Samaria Gorge?
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Included: Transport by air-conditioned coach or minivan; Pickup and Drop off from hotels and designated meeting points; and Guide. Not included: Boat ticket Agia Roumeli - Sfakia 13.00 Euros per adult . Children 4-12 years 6.5 euro; Entrance ticket to Samaria 5.00 Euro per person; Food & Drinks; and Entrance fees. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Walk through Samaria Gorge include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 530 listed pickup locations in and around Heraklion. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.
What languages is Walk through Samaria Gorge offered in?
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It is offered in German, English, Italian and French. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Walk through Samaria Gorge?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Walk through Samaria Gorge wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Not recommended for pregnant travelers. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Walk through Samaria Gorge if the weather is bad?
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This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
What do travelers say about Walk through Samaria Gorge?
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Across 15 reviews averaging 4.4 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling, photo opportunities. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works. One thing to know: Expect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.
What booking options are available for Walk through Samaria Gorge?
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There are 4 options to choose from, including From Malia,Stalida,Hersonissos, From Agios Nikolaos, Elounda, From Analipsi, Gouves, Gournes, From Heraklion, Ammoudara. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.
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