tourism

Samaria Gorge Towns Offer Free Entry to Protest Closures

Friday, 19 June 2026/Source: Flashnews/1 min read

Residents and business owners from Agia Roumeli and Omalos, the two entry and exit points of Samaria Gorge, staged a protest against OFYPEKA, the Greek government agency responsible for natural environment management. Demonstrators gathered at the gorge entrances early in the morning and allowed visitors to enter free of charge as part of their action. The protest was directed at what locals describe as unjustified closures of the gorge by the agency, which they say cause significant economic harm to their communities. Samaria Gorge, one of Europe's longest gorges at 16 km, is a major hiking destination in southwest Crete accessible from the Omalos plateau, with exit at Agia Roumeli on the Libyan Sea. Visitors planning to hike the gorge should check current opening status with OFYPEKA or local tourism offices before travel, as closures can occur without prior notice.

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