If it’s hiking you’re into, Samaria Gorge–south of Chania, starting point in Omalos is right up your street. At 10 miles in length, the Gorge is reputed to be the longest in Europe and was created by a river running from the White Mountains of Crete through Mount Volakias down to the village of Agia Roumeli by the Lybian Sea.

Depending on your capabilities, the whole trek can take between 4-7 hours, with looming mountain walls reaching a height of 500 m above sea level.

Start at Xyloskalo where, for the first 4 miles it’s a wide and spacious trek to the deserted village of Samaria (hence the name. The inhabitants abandoned the village in 1962, yet the shells of houses remain). After Samaria the Gorge narrows considerable until you reach ‘Iron Gates’ as the path is only 3.5m apart.