Crete tourist guide

Kourtaliotiko Gorge Opens Saturday, Samaria Still Closed

2026-05-15 19:56:30

Starting next Saturday, May 16th, entry to the Kourtaliotiko Gorge will be by ticket only. A five-euro fee will be required for the pleasure of descending to the bottom of this impressive gorge and viewing its waterfalls.
Unfortunately, there's still no good news regarding the opening of the Samaria Gorge trail. A report on the technical condition of the trail and the gorge walls is expected to be published early next week. Based on this report, a schedule for necessary renovations will be developed.

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Tourism management in Kourtaliotiko

The development and pilot implementation of controlled access to the Kourtaliotiko Gorge began in part last year. This is a direct response to the events that have occurred there in recent years. The increased, completely unregulated influx of visitors has been destructive to the local ecosystem. Tourists left behind mountains of garbage, and bathing in the river and under the waterfalls has become increasingly resistant to the local residents, for whom the river flowing through the gorge is primarily a source of drinking water.

Data from last year shows that the gorge will have recorded over 140,000 visits in 2025. This number, on the one hand, confirms the immense popularity of this place, but on the other, it mercilessly exposes the need for constant surveillance if Kourtaliotiko is to remain for future generations. Starting this season, in addition to the introduction of a paid entrance fee, security personnel and cleaning crews will be stationed in the gorge daily.

What will the ticket money go towards?

The local authorities of the municipality of Agios Vasilios and the Organisation for the Protection of the Natural Environment and Climate Change (OFYPEKA) declare that the profits from ticket sales will be allocated to:

• ongoing maintenance of the cleanliness of the area,
• modernization of infrastructure, including the improvement of quite demanding tourist trails,
• financing scientific research and nature conservation activities covering the area up to the famous palm grove in Preveli.

Kourtaliotiko is part of the European ecological network Natura 2000. Let's hope that this new system, called " a model for sustainable management of natural areas in Greece ," translates into a real improvement in the safety and condition of the ecosystem in this place, and does not stop at the efficient collection of cash.

Who gets in for free?

As usual, there is a long list of exceptions. Children and young people under 18 and seniors over 65 are exempt from entry fees (upon presentation of a valid ID). Free admission is also available to disabled people accompanied by guardians, certified guides, and permanent residents of neighboring municipalities.

Additionally, three days a year have been announced when the gorge will be available for visits completely free of charge:

• March 21 (International Day of Forests),
• May 21 (European Natura 2000 Day),
• June 5 (World Environment Day).

And Samaria is still closed…

Unfortunately, there's still no good news regarding the opening of the Samaria Gorge. This most popular trail in Crete traditionally opens annually in early May. However, this year, due to severe damage to the trail and infrastructure following heavy spring rainfall, the opening of the gorge was postponed once again, and the trail remains inaccessible to visitors.

Teams of experts and geologists are still working in the canyon. Their task is to conduct essential technical inspections and assess the stability of the slopes, which have been subjected to massive landslides following heavy rains. However, work is progressing slowly. Gorges are extremely unpredictable, and under unfavorable conditions, even specialists are reluctant to venture deeper into the canyon.

Although pressure from travel agencies and residents of the village of Agia Roumeli to reopen Samaria grows with each day of the closure, an official on-site report will be submitted to the ministry, regional authorities, and OFYPEKA no earlier than early next week. Only then will we know the extent of the damage to the trail and how long it will take to repair it.
The authorities' caution in making the decision to open Samaria to the public is, of course, justified. In recent years, tragic accidents have occurred in the gorge due to sudden rock slides. Since then, Samaria, a destination for countless tourists, has been frequently closed, with authorities even playing it safe.

Gosia i Piotrek,  2026-05-15 19:56:30

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Komentarze

2026-05-16 10:48:17

komentarz z

Super

1

2026-05-16 11:21:48

komentarz z

Ja bym podwyższył opłatę do 10- 15 Euro za osobę. Aby ograniczyć ilość osób po prostu.

1

CRETE - Kreta

2026-05-16 14:25:41

komentarz z

Dariusz Żebrowski Był plan aby wpuszczać nie więcej niż 1000 osób dziennie. Ale chyba to ograniczenie ostatecznie nie przeszło. Myślę że w przyszłości można spodziewać się podwyższenia opłaty. 5 € przy obecnych cenach to bardzo mało.

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