The village of Agia Roumeli in Crete

Agia Roumeli is a coastal town in the southwest of Crete and mainly known because it is the end of the trip through the Samaria Gorge. In high season it can suddenly get very busy in the village (350,000 people per year visit the village because the walk through the Samaria Gorge is just about the most popular excursion on Crete). Most people see Agia Roumeli only as a transit station after a tiring hike. The village is also accessible by one of the ferries that daily visit the village connecting Agia Roumeli with Loutro, Paleochora, Chora Sfakion and sometimes with Sougia. In these villages the tour buses depart homewards again (or: hotelwards). The village of Agia Roumeli is not accessible by car and so it is car-free. The port of the village is not very good or safe and big ferries do not visit the village. If the weather is really bad no ferry at all will come and it is possible that you get stuck. In Agia Roumeli are enough tavernas and accommodations available. There is also a pebble beach where you can rent sun beds and umbrellas. Many people take the opportunity to to jump into the sea after their long walk.

The antique Agia Roumeli

Agia Roumeli is also the site of the ancient Doric city and religious center of Tarra whose remnants lie east of the village. Above the village on a hill after a tough climb you can see the remains of a Turkish castle. Formerly the village of Agia Roumeli was further inland at the entrance of the Samaria Gorge but after heavy rains and problems with the Samaria River, the village was moved to the coast. East of Agia Roumeli after a long walk you can reach the beach of Agios Pavlos (there are several beaches with this name). Here is a ver special church from the 10th/11th century with frescoes dating from the 13th century.