Kourtaliótiko Gorge Reopens With €5 Entry Fee for Conservation

Friday, 15 May 2026/Source: Flashnews/1 min read

The Kourtaliótiko Gorge near Rethymno is reopening with a new management model and a 5 euro entrance fee. The gorge, one of the most scenic natural sites in western Crete, will now charge visitors for the first time, with all revenue directed toward site maintenance, nature conservation efforts, and studies to better develop and promote the wider area. The fee applies starting tomorrow. For tourists, this means access to the gorge continues as before, with the added assurance that the site will receive dedicated funding for upkeep and environmental protection. The Kourtaliótiko Gorge is known for its dramatic landscape, rare griffin vultures, and the chapel of Agios Nikolaos nestled inside the canyon. It is located between Rethymno and Plakias, easily reachable by car via the inland route through Koxare.