Mike Omalos Houses features lake views, free WiFi and free private parking, located in Omalós, 5.1 km from Samaria Gorge.
The holiday home provides guests with a terrace, mountain views, a seating area, cable flat-screen TV, a fully equipped kitchen with an oven and a microwave, and a private bathroom with shower and a hair dryer. A toaster, a fridge and stovetop are also featured, as well as a coffee machine and a kettle.
Mike Omalos Houses offers a picnic area.
Guests at the accommodation can enjoy hiking and bike tours nearby, or make the most of the garden.
Botanical Park & Gardens of Crete is 22 km from Mike Omalos Houses, while Limnoupolis is 36 km away. The nearest airport is Chania International Airport, 52 km from the holiday home.
Omalos
Find below list of things to do near Mike Omalos Houses:
Embark on a full-day guided trip to the Samaria Gorge from Chania. Arrive in Omalos in the heart of the White Mountains, and enjoy breakfast before trekking along the longest gorge in Europe, 4,000 feet above sea level.
After breakfast, enter the Samaria Gorge. Walk at your own pace with your English-speaking guide at the end of the group to help out if you need them.
Hike over rocks and stones, through a forest of thousand-year-old trees and along a river, passing by fresh-water springs along the way. Enjoy views of Crete’s most beautiful mountain range and see mountain goats roaming in the wild. Feel the exhilaration of challenging yourself with a long hike.
At the end of the trek, visit the village of Agia Roumeli, where you’ll find a number of taverns, bars, and shops. Enjoy some free time to take a swim or have some lunch. A meeting point will be arranged so you can collect your ferry tickets from your guide.
Late in the afternoon, you’ll board a boat that will take you from Agia Roumeli to Sougia, where the bus will be waiting to transfer you back to the starting point about 7.30 PM.
Embark on a guided hike in the Samariá Gorge on a day trip from Rethymno or Chania. Get your daily dose of exercise, enjoy the panoramic views and take a swim.
Discover the longest gorge in Europe, an area of stunning natural beauty. See its many flowers and herbs and the crystal-clear spring waters that flow from the mountains.
Following an early morning pickup from the nearest point to your accommodation in Rethymno or Chania, travel through the mountains passing the plateau of Omalos.
Arrive at some wooden stairs at the start of Samariá Gorge. You can opt to start the walk straight away or get some breakfast at the taverna before you begin. Hike for approximately 6-7 hours and experience the magnificent landscape on a 16-kilometer walk.
Once you have finished the hike, there will be ample time for a swim and lunch at a taverna in Agia Roumeli.
Take a day trip from Rethymno to set out on an outdoor adventure into Samaria Gorge National Park. Hike at your own pace with a guide over rocks and stones, through a forest of thousand-year-old trees, along a river, and by fresh-water springs. Keep an eye out for mountain goats roaming in the wild.
Begin your full-day excursion to Samaria Gorge with pickup and a drive to Omalos, in the heart of the White Mountains, where you can enjoy breakfast before you start the hike. Challenge yourself with 18 kilometers of walking over rocky terrain.
Be accompanied by a mountain escort who speaks English, German, and French. Get briefed about your hike and get your tickets for the entrance and ferry boat from your escort. These fees have to be paid to the guide upon arrival.
After breakfast, enter the Samaria Gorge. Walk at your own pace as your guide will be at the end of the group to help out if you need them. At the end of the trek, visit the village of Agia Roumeli, where you’ll find a number of taverns, bars, and shops.
Enjoy some free time to take a swim or have some lunch. A meeting point will be arranged so you can collect your ferry tickets from your guide. Late in the afternoon, board a boat to go from Agia Roumeli to Sfakia, where the bus will be waiting to transfer you back to the pickup point.
Our amazing off-road adventure begins by crossing a valley full of orange and avocado trees, and many vegetables gardens. Climbing up the foothills of the White Mountains where we make our coffee stop at Deres to enjoy our morning break. Continuing we drive through the Cretan villages of Vatolakos, Alikianos, Fournes, Meskla, Zourva and Therisso getting a taste of the mountainous Crete in the foot of the White Mountains, following an off road route up to the shepherd’s hut called “Mitato” far away from tourist areas. We are traveling on uncharted routes where only a four wheel drive can approach and we enjoy the magnificent panoramic views of northern Crete and, if lucky … to marvel some wild eagles and goats from up close giving us a good reason to stop and capture the moment. A small rocky road will lead us up to our trip’s highest point of 1350 meters altitude in the heart of the White Mountains of Crete, where you will find out all about the lifestyle of a shepherd. We will learn where the famous Cretan “Graviera” cheese was produced and explore an original Shepherd’s hut called “Mitato”.
On our way back we will enjoy the best panoramic view of Chania from above, until we arrive at Therisso village for a short walk in the historic village and a visit in a small Cretan family tavern for our lunch. After our lunch we will follow the road through the amazing gorge of Therisso that will lead us back to the city of Chania.
Through this route we will discover the wild side of southern Crete and end up at one of the best beaches of Crete with crystal clear waters
Our first stop is the Minoan Farm where we will have the opportunity to learn how Cretan honey and Cretan olive oil are produced as well as to get to know Cretan herbs up close. Our stop really fills us with Crete.
Then we arrive at traditional village of Archanes where we will have about 40 minutes of free time to be enchanted by the architecture of the houses, the narrow streets of the village and to relax under the plane trees
Then through a beautiful route we reach the foot of the constellations and climb to an altitude of 850 meters
This is where the wild side of Southern Crete begins to appear and the landscapes are truly beautiful and dreamlike
Crossing the beautiful gorge we find ourselves at one of the best beaches of Crete with crystal clear waters
Here we enjoy a wonderful meal and take a bath
On our way back through a beautiful route we end up at the Monastery of Epanosifi with the Byzantine churches and we will get to know the life of the Cretan priests
With what better images we end up at the hotel
This route will imprint deep in your mind the best memories from Wild Unknown Crete !!!!
Premium Sunset Safari Tour in the Northwest side of the inland of Crete… Allow yourself to indulge in a romantic off-road route experience with the best panoramic view followed by a wine tasting with delicacies platter in a semi private tour with up to 6 or 8 persons per vehicle.
Our evening tour begins from Chania city centre and tourist areas, heading towards the White Mountains through uncharted mountain routes. Our premium off-road vehicles driven by well trained escorts will help you enjoy the best panoramic sunset view of Northwest Crete from above.
Unpaved off-road routes, with wild and dense vegetation, non tourist places, unique panoramic views, ideal for sunset capture stops, combined with a five wines tasting accompanied by Cretan delicacies platters (meze), are only some of the experiences that you will have in this 4-5 hour premium sunset safari tour.
After our off-road exploration through orange and lemon tree valleys in villages of Patelari, Varipetro, Alikianos and Vatolakkos, we reach an amazing point in the hill of Vatolakkos at 700m altitude where we will have the best panoramic view of the sunset and the possibility to admire the entire city below. After experiencing the sunset, we continue our road-trip to Cretan Villages, full of amazing sights and stories until we reach Manousakis Winery where we will taste their wine accompanied by a cretan delicacies pllater (Meze).
After the winety visit, we begin to reach the end of our Sunset Safari tour, driving back to our hotels full of memories, premium service and experiences, adventures and best panoramic views of Chania from above.
Find below list of beaches near Mike Omalos Houses:
The rocky beach of Tripiti is located 5km east of Sougia and 68km south of Chania city, at the ending point of the wild gorge of Trypiti. It is absolutely secluded, like all the beaches of the wider Sfakia area. Access to Tripiti is possible either by boat or by walking on a difficult path from Sougia (three hours). The vertical cliffs near the beach provide natural shade. If you walk 500m east to the beach, you’ll meet the much nicer pebbly beach of Sendoni, used by beekeepers.
Tripiti is believed to be the site of the ancient town Pikilasos with the protected natural harbour. The port has been converted to a reef with incredible formations after some geological changes during the 4th AD century. Inscriptions have been discovered in the area, revealing the existence of a temple dedicated to Serapis (Greco-Egyptian god of antiquity). Moreover, archaeologists have discovered several tombs, carved in the rocks.
On the beach, there is a cistern with water, a goat pen and the picturesque church of Agios Nikolaos. If you are in the area on July 19, you can take part in the celebration of the Prophet Elijah, which celebrates on July 20. The pilgrims arrive by boat in the afternoon on the beach of Trypiti and then walk on the path leading to the chapel of Prophet Elijah, 400 meters above sea level. They spend the night there with food and traditional Cretan songs and leave the next day. On the peak of the same hill, there are the ruins of Fort Voukelasi.
Sougia is a charming village situated at the entrance of the beautiful Agia Irini Gorge, 75km west of Chania city. Once a 70’s hippie haven, it now serves as a peaceful getaway offering relaxing vacations amidst scenic landscapes, equipped with necessary amenities. The village features a variety of restaurants, taverns, accommodation choices, cafes, bars, and mini markets, though larger facilities like gas stations, hospitals, pharmacies or banks are not available in this secluded paradise.
The village is home to a beautiful, long beach adorned with pebbly sand and crystal-clear deep water. The beach stretches an impressive 1.5km from the quaint harbour of Sougia at the Lissos Gorge exit to the east, concluding in a private cove surrounded by rocks. This part of the beach, largely undeveloped, is a favourite among naturists. The beach section facing the village, however, is well-equipped with facilities including umbrellas, showers, sports facilities, and a lifeguard tower. Tamarisk trees dotted along the beach provide ample shade.
In the summer, daily ferries carry tourists from Sougia to various destinations such as Chora Sfakion, Paleochora, Agia Roumeli, Gavdos Island, and Loutro.
Historical Importance and Nearby Attractions to Sougia
Known as Syia (“place of hogs” in Greek) in ancient times, Sougia was once a hub for pig herding due to the region’s abundant oak trees. Today, you can still see the oak trees while trekking through the majestic Agia Irini Gorge, a popular tourist spot in West Crete.
Consider exploring the remains of the Doric town of Elyros, with Syia acting as its port in the past. The ruins are located on Kefala hill, near Rodovani village. Elyros flourished from 500 to 350 BC, being one of the main cities of southwest Crete with approximately 16,000 inhabitants. Known for its weapons manufacturing, Elyros even had its own currency.
Other points of interest include the Church of Saint Panteleimon, built on the site of Syia’s early Christian Basilica, which houses ancient mosaics depicting natural scenes from the 6th century AD. Although the church is usually closed, keys can be obtained at the local kiosk.
Near Sougia, the archaeological site of Lissos, Elyros’ secondary seaport, contains remnants of an ancient theatre, thermal baths, and the Asclepeion, fed by the Lissos spring. Accessible by a boat or a hike through the Lissos Gorge, the ruined city is a two-hour walk away.
Lastly, a two-hour hike east on the E4 trail towards Agia Roumeli will take you to the picturesque St. Anthony Chapel, situated in a scenic cove, and further on, the legendary cave of Polyphemus.
The picturesque Domata beach, positioned 7km east of Sougia and 58km south of Chania city, resides at Tseses. This beach marks the end of the Klados gorge, a wild and rugged landscape. Its unique natural beauty is a result of the erosive power of water. The name Domata, translating to “roofs”, is derived from the layered structure of the surrounding conglomerate rocks, reminiscent of enormous walls. The beach owes its creation to the large amounts of pebbles and dirt deposited by the gorge, and the continuous oscillation of the sea and air.
The beach is striking, with its fine pebbles and transparent blue waters. By digging in the sand, you can discover fresh water from subterranean springs. As anticipated, the area is devoid of roads and infrastructure. However, the abundant pine trees near the beach provide natural shade and ideal camping spots. The southernmost section of the beach, separated from the main beach of Domata by rocks, is known as Kolotrividis, named after the adjacent cape.
You can reach Domata via the E4 European trail, which heads east and guides you to Agia Roumeli (a 3 -4 hour walk). Be cautious though, as the trail ascends to an altitude of 700m, with some sections being steep and potentially hazardous.
Fournoti is a stunning beach situated 57km to the south of Chania city, 10km to the east of Sougia, and 1.5km to the west of Agia Roumeli. It’s an attractive spot with deep azure waters, fine pebbles, and is flanked by pine trees. Nestled within one of Greece’s most picturesque locations, the rugged Mountains of Sfakia, this beach is secluded and can only be accessed by boat. It’s devoid of any organization, adding to its charm. Although some brave swimmers opt to navigate the waters from or to Agia Roumeli (a 1-2 hour journey), it’s generally not recommended. Fournoti is an ideal spot for those seeking solitude, even during peak season. A cave located on the beach serves as a perfect camping spot and provides shade.
Interestingly, Fournoti is the sole habitat of the plant Hypericum aciferum, which has piqued the interest of biologists. Yellow signs dot the rocky cliffs surrounding the beach, marking the spots where this plant grows. Therefore, visitors are urged to respect and avoid disturbing this native species.
Find below list of gorges near Mike Omalos Houses:
Fygou Gorge, a small yet stunning sub-gorge of the renowned Agia Irini Gorge, is situated near Sougia. This narrow canyon played a significant role in history, serving as an escape route for local rebels to the Sfakia mountains during various revolutions, hence its name ‘Fygou’, meaning escape.
In present times, many trekkers embarking on the Agia Irini Gorge trail, the second most popular gorge in Crete after Samaria, choose to commence their journey from Fygou Gorge. After approximately an hour of walking, they meet the Agia Irini Gorge.
A beautiful path winds through Fygou, weaving between a picturesque cypress and pine grove. An abandoned settlement and a Forest Service outpost can be found at the location known as Polla Spitakia. Near the point where Fygou Gorge meets the Agia Irini Gorge, the historic Hirotrypa cave is located. This site marks a tragic event from 1822 when two local hermits were murdered by the Ottomans.
The gorge of Samaria is the most famous trekking gorge in Europe and a part of the European E4 hiking trail. Thousands of tourists flock here daily in the summer season to walk from the top to the bottom. For many visitors, it is the sole purpose of their visit to Crete. The length of the gorge reaches 13km and takes almost 5-7 hours to hike from Xyloskalo at Omalos plateau to Agia Roumeli beach, depending on the trekking pace.
The gorge is located in the south of Chania Prefecture in the larger uninhabited area of Europe, where no roads even exist. It was created by the river flowing between the main massif of the White Mountains (Lefka Ori) and the range of Volakias. There are many smaller gorges vertical to Samaria Gorge, some of which have never been crossed by humans and require canyoning equipment. One of these, Perdika, has the highest waterfall in Crete (220m).
While the gorge is officially 15km long, this distance actually refers to the hiking distance between the settlement of Omalos on the northern side of the plateau Omalos and the village of Agia Roumeli. In fact, the gorge is 13 km long, starting at an altitude of 1,250m at the northern entrance, and ending at the shores of the South Cretan Sea in Agia Roumeli. The walk through Samaria Natural Park is 13 km long, i.e. from the ticket kiosk at Xyloskalo to the kiosk at Agia Roumeli old village, but you have to walk 1.5 more kilometres to reach the beach of Agia Roumeli, making the hike totally 14.5km.
The most famous part of the gorge is the stretch known as the Iron Gates (Sideroportes), where the sides of the gorge close into a width of only four meters and soar up to a height of 500 m. The gorge became a national park in 1962, particularly as a refuge for the rare Cretan ibex, which is today restricted to the Lefka Ori National Park, the island Thodorou and several more islets. There are several endemic species of fauna and flora in the gorge and surrounding area.
The desert village of Samaria lies just inside the gorge. It was finally abandoned by the last remaining inhabitants in 1962 to make way for the park. The village and the gorge are believed to take their names from the village’s old church of Mary of Egypt (Osia Maria).
A “must” for visitors to Crete is to complete the walk down the gorge from the Omalos plateau to Agia Roumeli on the South Cretan Sea. From there most visitors get the ferry to the port of Chora Sfakion and catch a coach back to Chania. The walk takes 4-7 hours and can be strenuous, especially at the peak of summer.
The problem with the gorge of Samaria is crowds. It has become one of the most popular attractions in Crete and there are up to 3000 visitors a day on very busy days. If you have the bad luck to pick one of those days, the atmosphere will be really spoilt. Starting at dawn (before the tourist coaches arrive) will give you a bit of a head start. It is possible to find good and cheap accommodation in Omalos or get the first bus from Chania. You can also start walking after 12:00, there won’t be many people and you will have shade at all times, but you will most probably need to spend the night in Agia Roumeli because the last ferry will have left. However, we encourage you to do that, since staying in Agia Roumeli is quite cheap and the beach is majestic. The first tourist buses arrive at around 7:30 am and from then on it is an uninterrupted stream of buses until about 11:00 am.
As far as the times of the year are concerned, the best time is spring: the weather is still cool and the vegetation is at its best. The worst time is in the middle of the summer during a heat wave. Please give it a miss and come again at a better time.
All local tour operators in Crete provide organized tours to the gorge. These include bus transportation from your hotel to the entrance (near Omalos village), and the bus will be waiting for you to disembark the ferry in Chora Sfakion to take you back. If you are on your own, you can make a one-day round trip from Chania, Sougia or Paleochora. Note that the morning buses from Sougia and Paleochora do not operate on Sunday, but still make sure that you know the timetables. The ferries leave Agia Roumeli to Chora Sfakion (eastbound) and to Sougia/Paleochora (westbound) in the afternoon.
Descent in the canyon starts from the position of Xyloskalo at Omalos Plateau, at an altitude of 1200m, where you have to pay a small entrance fee for the protection of the reserve. The trail is wooded with cypress and pine trees, wide and very well discernible, while at the beginning descends abruptly. We meet drinking water and toilets very often. In about three hours we reach the old village of Samaria, at an altitude of about 300 meters, after crossing by the church of Saint George.
In Samaria there are old houses, trees offering shade, water springs and if you are lucky you will meet the endangered Cretan wild goat. From here onwards the landscape changes, becomes drier and the slope gets smooth. One hour later we walk along the riverbed for some time. There are several small wooden bridges in several places, above the river.
After one more hour, we meet the imposing Sideroportes (Iron Gates) which is a very narrow passage between two tall vertical 500m high cliffs. We soon reach the old village of Agia Roumeli which was abandoned in the mid-1900s due to a devastating flood and was moved to the seaside settlement of Agia Roumeli, about 30 minutes away.
To learn more about this beutiful gorge and what should you know before starting your hike, check out Samaria Gorge: One of the Best Walking Trails in Crete.
Situated on the western flank of the White Mountains in the Selino province, the Agia Irini gorge owes its name to the nearby village of Agia Irini (Saint Irene), a mere 46 km from Chania.
The trail of Agia Irini Gorge commences just below the Agia Irini village and concludes at the Oasis Taverna. The track, which descends approximately 500 meters, extends for 7.5 km and requires nearly three hours to navigate. It is a well-preserved and predominantly shaded path, embellished with pine trees, plane trees, and oleander bushes.
The journey from the exit of the gorge to the village of Sougia covers about 5 km along a lightly used road with scarce shade. On sweltering days, arranging transportation to Sougia is recommended. The gorge, which is open all year round, is graced with a small river, but certain sections may become inaccessible or dangerous after heavy rain. From April to October, during the tourist season, a nominal fee is collected at the entrance (or exit for those hiking uphill) of the gorge. This fee aids in maintaining the path, collecting trash, and general upkeep to ensure a pleasant experience for all visitors.
The gorge forms part of the European footpath E4. Its southern entrance is positioned 5 kilometers north of Sougia. It is included in the NATURA 2000 protected areas and has been declared a wildlife reserve by the Ministry of Agriculture. The gorge is home to the endangered Cretan ibex, agrimi, and boasts a variety of microenvironments and habitats for an array of wildlife species. The diverse flora, including trees (cypress, pine, maple, plane, oak, holm oak), shrubs, brushwoods, and fine herbs such as dittany, is of significant importance.
The gorge holds immense significance, not only for its rich biodiversity and aesthetic appeal but also for its historical and cultural significance. At the “Polla Spitakia” area within the gorge, rebels found refuge from the Ottomans. This is where the “Fygou” path begins, which served as an escape route from the gorge to the Omalos plateau. The area houses the Byzantine Church of Christ (1358 AD) and the dilapidated church of Saint George (1460 AD). The gorge, second in popularity to Samaria in the Chania prefecture, remains open for a longer duration.
The Prasses or Askidia canyon is nestled within the forested area of the White Mountains. The exit of this canyon is situated close to the Askidia village (at an elevation of 480m), which is a section of the Prasses village, hence the dual names. To find the beginning of the canyon, you need to drive on the road from Chania to Sougia, then take a turn at Petras Seli intersection that leads to Omalos Plateau. After approximately 1.5km past the turnoff to Omalos, you will come across a dirt road and footpath that lead to the Platanos area. This region is captivating with its ferns, plane trees, and water springs. It is also the starting point of the lush Prasses canyon, a journey that takes roughly 2 hours.
The gorge boasts striking vertical walls and is surrounded by a thick pine forest (the northernmost in the Chania prefecture). This, combined with the river bed’s deciduous trees (such as maples and sycamores), creates a stunning landscape, particularly in the fall. The canyon is perfect for leisurely hikes along its riverbed, taking photos, and bird watching. Additionally, there are 2-3 small caves along the walls. Upon exiting the gorge, you will encounter the tiny hamlet of Askidia, concealed within a thick chestnut forest. If you don’t have a car, an additional half-hour walk will take you to the picturesque Prasses village.
© All rights reserved. Crete Locals
