Sarakina gorge

Sarakina gorge – Lasithi. Crete beautiful gorges

A small but intensely beautiful gorge, which is located near the village of Mithi, 22 kilometres west of Ierapetra, at the south-eastern foot of Mount Dikti. It is not very easy to walk, unless you will be equipped with special sport shoes.

Sarakina Gorge is one of the most beautiful and fun gorges in Crete, especially popular for its water, narrow passages, and easy access.

🌿 Sarakina Gorge – Overview

📍 Location: Near Myrtos village, south of Ierapetra (eastern Crete)
🥾 Length: ~1.5 km
⏱️ Time: 1–2 hours
🌊 Difficulty: Easy to moderate
💧 Water: Flowing water most of the year

✨ Why Sarakina Gorge is special

🧱 Extremely narrow walls

In places only 2–3 meters wide
Vertical rock walls up to 150 m high
Very photogenic and dramatic

💦 Water & greenery

Unlike many Cretan gorges, Sarakina has:
- Shallow streams
- Small waterfalls
- Lush vegetation
Refreshing even in summer 🌿

🥾 Fun, not exhausting

Short and playful hike
Some rock scrambling and wading
Great if you want a gorge experience without a full-day hike

🚶 What to expect on the walk

Walking in water in some sections
Slippery rocks (good shoes needed)
Wooden bridges and ropes in places
Can be busy in high season

🕰️ Best time to visit

Spring: Best water flow & greenery
Summer: Cool inside the gorge, but crowded midday
Autumn: Quieter, still pleasant

⚠️ Avoid after heavy rain (flash flood risk)

👟 Practical tips

Wear water-friendly hiking shoes
Bring dry clothes or sandals for after
No need for high fitness
Suitable for families with older children

📖 Fun legend

According to myth, Sarakina Gorge was formed when Sarakinos, a local giant, cut the mountain with his sword to find water.

Good to know

If you enjoyed Anidri or are considering Aradaina, Sarakina is very different:

❌ Less wild than Aradaina
✅ More water and easier
✅ Better for a relaxed half-day trip

Short answer: No — Sarakina Gorge is not “the best” of Crete for everyone, but it is one of the most enjoyable and accessible.
Crete doesn’t have one single “best” gorge — it depends on what you value.

🌿 When Sarakina can feel like the best

Sarakina might be the best for you if you want:

💦 Water, shade, and greenery (rare in summer gorges)
🥾 A short, fun hike (1–2 hours)
📸 Extremely narrow, dramatic walls
👨‍👩‍👧 A gorge that’s not exhausting or technical

For many visitors, especially in hot weather, Sarakina is the most pleasant gorge experience.

🏞️ Why it’s not the “ultimate” gorge of Crete

Compared to others:

❌ Short — no long wilderness feeling
❌ Can be crowded in summer
❌ Less sense of achievement than big gorges

🥇 How Sarakina compares to Crete’s top gorges

✅ Verdict

Best for fun & refreshment: ✅ Sarakina
Best for adventure: Aradaina
Best overall scale: Samaria
Best easy classic gorge: Imbros

If you tell me:

when you’re going (month),
your fitness level,
whether you prefer water, views, or challenge,

I can tell you which gorge is truly the best for you.

The easiest gorge in Crete to walk in summer (because of temperature) is:

🥇 Sarakina Gorge (near Myrtos)

Why Sarakina is the easiest in summer 🌿💧

Running water all year → natural cooling
Very narrow walls → deep shade most of the day
Short length (≈1–1.5 km) → no long heat exposure
Low altitude → no long uphill sections
Feels 10–15°C cooler inside than outside in July–August

For heat comfort alone, nothing in Crete beats Sarakina.

🥈 Other good summer-friendly gorges (but less cool)

Richtis Gorge (east Crete)

Forested, shaded, waterfall at the end
Cooler than most, but longer (3–4 hrs)
Humid rather than hot

Imbros Gorge

Easy walking, but dry and exposed
Fine early morning only
Not ideal at midday in summer

🚫 Gorges to avoid in summer heat

Samaria ❌ (long, hot, exhausting)
Aradaina ❌ (very exposed, ladders, brutal heat)
Agia Irini ❌ (long, little shade)

✅ Final answer

If your priority is easiest + coolest in summer:

🏆 Sarakina Gorge is the best and easiest choice in Crete for summer temperatures.

Summer tips

Start before 10:00
Wear water shoes or hiking sandals
Bring light backpack + water
Avoid after heavy rain (flash flood risk)

Great question — Sarakina pairs beautifully with the sea, and if you’re based in west Crete there are excellent cooler alternatives too.

🌊 Best beach to combine with Sarakina Gorge (near Myrtos)

🏖️ Myrtos Beach ⭐ Best overall

Why it’s perfect

Only 5 minutes’ drive from the gorge exit
Long beach → always space, even in summer
Clear water, usually calmer than other south-coast beaches
Taverns, showers, shade, sunbeds available

Ideal plan

Gorge walk 09:00–11:00
Swim + lunch in Myrtos
Relax all afternoon

🏝️ Other nearby options

Tertsa Beach – quieter, pebbly, authentic (20 min west)
Makrigialos (Ierapetra) – sandy but busier (30 min east)

🌿 If you’re staying in West Crete (cooler alternatives)

Since Sarakina is far east, these are the best summer-friendly gorge + beach combos in west Crete:

🥇 Anidri Gorge + Gialiskari Beach (Paleochora)

Closest match to Sarakina

Short & easy gorge
Ends directly at the sea
Gialiskari has shade, taverns, calm water

✅ Best easy option in west Crete

🥈 Imbros Gorge + Frangokastelo Beach

Easy walking gorge
Start early (dry & warm)
Cool swim afterward at Frangokastelo

⚠️ Gorge is hotter than Sarakina, but beach reward is great

🥉 Richtis Gorge + Richtis Beach (if east is possible)

Waterfall hike + small wild beach
Cooler than most gorges
Longer, but very shaded

🏆 Summary – choose by location

Near Ierapetra / East Crete:👉 Sarakina Gorge + Myrtos Beach - Near Chania / West Crete:👉 Anidri Gorge + Gialiskari Beach

You cannot acces that places by car, hiring a car could help approach the place but not very much.

This is Giannis Psaroudakis video for Sarakina gorge and is a real view of Sarakina Gorge, for more videos visit Giannis Psaroudakis in Youtube

Gorge	Best for
Samaria	Iconic, longest, epic scale
Aradaina	Adventure, wildness, ladders
Imbros	Easy long walk, great views
Richtis	Waterfalls + forest
Sarakina	Fun, water, coolness, accessibility