The coastal settlment of Agia Roumeli is 58 kilometers in the south of the Chania prefecture, close to Sfakia. Agia Roumeli is the natural end of the Samaria gorge. The ruins of the Temple of Taraios Apollo are in the exit of the gorge, near Agia Roumeli.

You can visit the picturesque settlement either by hiking or by boat from Chora Sfakion, Loutro, Sougia or Paliochora. A large beach and a small pier, where the ships moor, are in the settlement.

Agia Roumeli is a tourist destination that over 350.000 people visit every year. The visitor can enjoy local food, the beautiful view to the Libyan Sea and the entrance of the Gorge.

The ruins of two Turkish castles are in the north-western side of the exit of the Samaria gorge, near the coastal Agia Roumeli settlement.

The castles prove the Turks’ existence in the area and the exploit of the port of Agia Roumeli.

In order to visit the first castle, you should walk 20 minutes to the east of the settlement. Reaching the second one takes more time and very few parts of that castle are preserved.

BEACHES

The central beach of Agia Roumeli is divided into two parts from the pier where boats are moored. The western part is sandy with some rocks in its end. The eastern part is pebbly and interrupted, at some point, by the breakwaters of the heliport. After that, it is pebbly till the end of the rocks.

Pefka

The beach with the pine trees (i.e. “pefka”, in Greek) and the Byzantine country church of Agios Pavlos are in the east of the settlement, after about 3.5 kilometers of hiking. The beach is not organized so you have to be prepared.

Marmara

The amazing Marmara beach is about 3 kilometers in the east of the Agios Pavlos church following the coastal path.

Various, not-organized beaches are in the west following the coastal line and ideal for the hikers.

CHURCHES

The Byzantine church of Agios Pavlos (i.e. Saint Paul) is about 3 kilometers in the east of Agia Roumeli. According to the tradition, the church was built in the memory of Saint Paul’s passing through the area. It is also said that, in that place, he baptized the locals that wanted to be Christians. The Panagia church from the 15^th century is close to Agia Roumeli. It is in the east of the settlement and there are parts of mosaic in it. The church is built on the ruins of the temple of Apollo and Artemis.