Agia Roumeli beach is the happy reward at the end of the Samaria Gorges National Park in the province of Chania on the southwestern side of the island.

A unique and magical place, reachable only on foot or by sea, where the wild and uncontaminated nature is the background and extreme simplicity is a normal lifestyle that will make you disconnect your brain from all thoughts and worries, a real own care at no cost (all after the hikers have left on the last ferry).

The village that hosts it is almost a small spot on the large island of Crete but has everything you need for a peaceful and different holiday. There are not many accommodation facilities so it is better to book well in advance, several restaurants given the hungry hikers who arrive every day where you can eat dishes based on fresh products and local tradition and finally a couple of mini markets where you can find the necessary.

Despite its small size, the Agia Roumeli village is still pleasant to visit, among its narrow streets where you can find the Church of Panagia with a beautiful mosaic floor from the 16th century AD built over an ancient temple dedicated to Apollo and Diana. and the remains of two castles one from the Venetian era and one from the Ottoman era right on the highest part of the village which offer a panoramic view of the whole area.

There are actually four beaches in Agia Roumeli. That of the town with a shoreline of fine gravel bathed by a sea of crystalline and intense blue waters. Equipped with sunbeds and umbrellas, it is located on the right side of the village and nearby some taverns where you can enjoy a typical Cretan lunch.

The second is the beach called Domata, instead we find it on the coastal path E4 called “the Cretan Way” a path that for five hundred kilometers crosses fantastic landscapes from east to west on the island of Crete (from Agia Roumeli it is about three hours on foot but is worth). Seven kilometers from Sougia and the arrival point of the Klados gorge, it has a particular scenery given by the rock formations formed by earth and pebbles carried by the gorge which, almost like protective walls, embrace the beach and hence its name which means “roofs “. The beach is presented with small clear stones and clear and transparent blue waters. Digging under the sand it is possible to find water as the subsoil is rich in natural springs. It can only be reached on foot and let’s say that the path is not exactly that simple, better to be an expert walker because it climbs up to 700 meters and in some places it is steep and slippery. A long walk from Agia Roumeli but it will pay off amply. The simpler alternative, the taxi boats that depart from the port of the village.

Another beach that the area offers is Zeromouri beach which is located in the east part of Agia Roumeli across the river near the ruins of the ancient city of Tarra. Rock formations, caves and a shoreline of small pebbles with a transparent blue sea. Being very stony it is mostly not very busy but perfect for lovers of naturalism and snorkeling. It can be reached on foot.

And finally, but not because less beautiful than the others, Agios Pavlos beach (St. Paul) located in the Selouda bay about three kilometers from Agia Roumeli. Completely isolated, from the coast of gray sand and hidden by a lush pine forest, the beach of Agios Pavlos is equipped with a picturesque Kantina (a simple kiosk) where you can find something to drink and eat. Natural shade is not lacking but not directly on the water’s edge so if you decide to spend the day there, bring something to shelter from the sun. The sea has beautiful colors ranging from light blue to turquoise to deep blue. It can also be reached here either on foot from the E4 path or by boat. Agios Pavlos beach can also be reached from the Loutro village. Its name derives from the ancient Byzantine stone church dedicated to St. Paul from the 10th century that stopped in the area during his pilgrimage.Inside there are frescoes from the 13th century.

Ultimately even in a small place there are many things to discover and to mark among the things to see in Crete.