The gorge of Samaria is the second most visited tourist attraction on Crete (following the Minoan palace of Knossos) and by far the most popular walk. More than a quarter million people walk through the gorge every year from May to October. In winter the gorge is closed to visitors due to danger posed by water and falling stones.

The Samaria gorge is the longest one in Europe. It is an area of stunning natural beauty. Rare flora and fauna have survived in this area and are protected. The mountains that have formed it are wild, high and steep. One will pass through forests of ancient cypresses and pines and descend between vertical cliffs. The path starts from Xyloskalo (near Omalos) in the White Mountains at an altitude of 1230 meters and comes to an end at the village of Agia Roumeli at the Libyan sea. Walking through the gorge usually takes anything from 3 to 5 hours (excluding the breaks).

The Minoan palace of Phaistos was an economic, administrative and religious centre and supervised the fertile plain of Messara. The ancient ports of Matala and Kommos where under the control of Phaistos. Nowadays it is an important archeological site.

A beautiful beach, right next to Agia Galini can be reached by car or by boat from the port of Agia Galini or even on foot in about 1 hour.

On the south of Crete, just a little further from Agia Galini, there is the beach of Agios Georgios. It is a place away from the hustle and bustle of city life, with crystal clear blue waters and a pristine beach. The perfect spot for a relaxing vacation.

While getting to Agios Georgios, you will find many paths that will take you to small chapels or tiny, quiet pebble beaches.

The beach of Agios Georgios is quite stunning due to its geographical location. It is protected by a huge rock and has splendid crystal clear waters and fine pebbles.

Agios Georgios is an ideal starting point for excursions to the beaches and the villages of Agia Galini and Agios Pavlos, 8 and 10 km. respectively away.

The holly grove of Rouvas is located 55km south of Heraklion and 16km north of Gergeri village, in one of the most rugged and secluded parts of Crete. This isolation is the main reason for its existence, since humans have fortunately not destroyed that like all the other lost forests of Crete.

Rouvas forest develops in a small - depression - plateau at the southern part of Psiloritis mountain. One can approach the forest either from Gergeri village through the forest road, or from Nida Plateau again through a forest road or even by walking in the European hiking trail E4, starting from the Zaros lake, crossing the amazing Gorge of Agios Nikolaos and reaching the forest after 2 hours.

The monastery was founded in the 16th or 17th century and has a long history. It is located in a lush and verdant landscape.

Today the monastery is deserted, but there is a museum of ecclesiastical documents, vestments, etc.

After leaving the monastery, the visitor can reach on foot the beautiful beach of Preveli.