Gorges & hikes · Sfakia
Samaria Gorge
Europe-famous 16 km gorge hike through a national park, from the White Mountains to the Libyan Sea.
Nature & Gorges
Gorges, caves, plateaus and palm forests
Behind the beaches, Crete is a mountain island: three ranges above 2,000 m, hundreds of gorges, caves linked to the myths of Zeus, high plateaus and rare palm forests. Spring and autumn are the best seasons for walking; in summer, start early and carry plenty of water.
Sandy beaches · Phaistos
Matala Beach & Caves
Sandy bay overlooked by cliffs honeycombed with ancient caves.
Sandy beaches · Sitia
Vai Palm Beach
Sandy beach backed by Europe’s largest natural forest of Cretan date palms.
Caves · Lasithi Plateau
Dikteon Cave
Cave above the Lasithi plateau, mythological birthplace of Zeus.
Hidden gem
Gorges & hikes · Phaistos
Agiofarago Gorge & Beach
Short gorge walk ending at a pebble beach, a chapel and a natural rock arch.
Plateaus, forests & parks · Lasithi Plateau
Lasithi Plateau
A green high plain ringed by mountains.
Lakes, rivers & waterfalls · Apokoronas
Lake Kournas
The only natural freshwater lake in Crete.
Mountains & peaks · Sfakia
White Mountains (Lefka Ori)
The great mountains of western Crete.
Lakes, rivers & waterfalls · Agios Nikolaos
Lake Voulismeni
The lake in the heart of Agios Nikolaos.
Mountains & peaks · Phaistos
Mount Psiloritis (Ida)
Crete's highest mountain at 2,456 m.
Gorges & hikes · Sfakia
Imbros Gorge
An easier alternative to Samaria.
Plateaus, forests & parks · Platanias
Botanical Park of Crete
Fruit trees and gardens on a burnt hillside.
Gorges & hikes · Agios Vasileios
Kourtaliotiko Gorge
A short dramatic gorge with a waterfall.
Caves · Anogeia
Ideon Cave
The cave where Zeus grew up.
Gorges & hikes · Sitia
Gorge of the Dead (Zakros)
A walk from Zakros to the Minoan palace.
Gorges & hikes · Kantanos-Selino
Agia Irini Gorge
A green 7.5 km gorge ending near Sougia.
Caves · Anogeia
Sfendoni Cave
Crete's most beautiful show cave.
Gorges & hikes · Ierapetra
Sarakina Gorge
A gorge with pools you wade through.
Gorges & hikes · Sfakia
Aradena Gorge and Bridge
A deep gorge crossed by a famous iron bridge.
Plateaus, forests & parks · Sfakia
Omalos Plateau
High plateau at the top of Samaria gorge.
Mountains & peaks · Archanes-Asterousia
Asterousia Mountains
Wild mountains between Messara and the Libyan Sea.
Caves · Hersonissos
Skotino Cave
A huge cave and ancient Minoan sanctuary.
Villages & Towns · Gortyna
Zaros
Mountain village famous for spring water and trout.
Gorges & hikes · Chania
Therisso Gorge
A gorge you can drive through, close to Chania.