*By Kostas Chalkiadakis
The tourism potential of the Samaria Gorge, one of the most important natural attractions of Crete and the country as a whole, remains strong in 2026, with more than 64,000 visitors having passed through the gates of the National Park within the first 100 days of this year’s operating period.
Specifically, with the completion of 100 days since the opening of the Samaria National Park for 2026, the Park has remained accessible to the public for 90 of them, a percentage corresponding to 90% of the total period. This element is of particular importance, as the operation of the gorge is directly linked to weather conditions, the risk of fire and overall the requirements of safe passage for thousands of visitors.
One of the strongest poles of nature tourism
The number of visitors confirms Samaria’s place on the map of nature and hiking tourism in Crete. The operation of the National Park is carried out with priority given to the protection of both the natural environment and human life, based on the approved safety limit values of the Regional Unit of Chania and the decisions of the Civil Protection of the Region of Crete.
The 2025 figures, meanwhile, provide a measure of the touristic importance of the destination. Last year’s operating period lasted a total of 179 days, with the gorge being accessible on 155, or 87% of the days. A total of 119,138 visitors were recorded.
The outages were linked to adverse weather conditions, high temperatures and periods of alert due to very high fire risk, while the Park had also remained closed during seismic activity in the wider area.
Enhanced security measures
This year, particular emphasis is being placed on the operational security of Samaria. A total of 59 employees are employed for the smooth operation of the National Park, while for the first time, the presence of medical and nursing personnel has been ensured from the first day of operation.
This support raises the level of first aid and safety in a destination with special geomorphological conditions and a large daily flow of visitors.
With more than 64,000 crossings already, Samaria continues to be one of the strongest “cards” of western Crete in experience tourism, with the big challenge remaining the balance between increasing visitor numbers, safety and the protection of a unique and particularly sensitive natural ecosystem.
Source: tornosnews.gr