Samaria Gorge
Agia Roumeli, Greece
Samaria Gorge is a canyon in Greece that serves as a national park and biosphere reserve. It is a Tentative World Heritage Site located in the Sfakia Municipality.
Planning a visit
The best time to visit is during the summer months, from June to August, when daily highs reach about 24 °C and rainfall is minimal at about 2 to 3 mm. In the winter and early spring, temperatures are cooler with highs between 8 °C and 10 °C and more frequent rain.
To reach the gorge, you can fly into Chania International Airport, which is 34 km away. The site is about 302 km from Athens. While visiting, you can also go to Kydonia, located about 28 km away, or see the Olive tree of Vouves about 29 km from the canyon.
Weather by month
The warmest month is August, with an average high of 25 °C. The wettest is December, with about 224 mm of rain.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average high, °C | 8 | 8 | 10 | 14 | 18 | 22 | 24 | 25 | 22 | 18 | 13 | 9 |
| Average low, °C | 4 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 16 | 13 | 9 | 6 |
| Rainfall, mm | 222 | 182 | 122 | 58 | 25 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 27 | 88 | 187 | 224 |
| Rainy days | 14 | 9 | 9 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 8 | 10 | 12 |
Temperatures and rainfall: 1981–2010 averages for this spot (4 km grid), from CHELSA. Rainy days: 2015–2024, NASA POWER.
