- The Samaria Gorge welcomed over 64,000 visitors during its first 100 days of the 2026 season.
- Out of the first 100 days, the gorge remained fully open for 90 days. Closure days were triggered by high fire risk alerts and extreme weather.
- For the first time, OFYPEKA secured certified medical and nursing staff on-site from day one of operations.
- A team of 59 employees, including rangers, maintenance crews, and medical staff, is managing operations through the 2026 season.
More than 64,000 people have visited Samaria Gorge during the first 100 days of its 2026 operating season, according to new figures from Greece’s Natural Environment and Climate Change Agency (OFYPEKA).
The gorge was open to visitors on 90 of those 100 days, or 90% of the period, with closures linked to weather conditions, high temperatures, fire danger and other safety considerations.
For the authorities responsible for the national park, managing visitor access remains closely tied to both environmental protection and safety.
Medical Staff on Site from the First Day
One notable change this year is the presence of medical and nursing staff from the first day of operation.
OFYPEKA says the additional medical support is intended to strengthen first-aid services and improve safety for both visitors and employees working inside the gorge.
A total of 59 employees are currently involved in the operation of the national park.
The additional medical presence is particularly relevant in a landscape where visitors can spend hours walking through rugged terrain, often in high summer temperatures and far from conventional road access.
How 2026 Compares With Last Year
The first 100 days of this year’s season provide an early indication of continued strong demand for the gorge.
In 2025, Samaria was open for 155 of 179 operating days, or approximately 87% of the season, and received 119,138 visitors.
The park was closed on various occasions because of adverse weather, high temperatures, very high fire risk, and seismic activity in the wider area.
The 2026 figures cannot yet be directly compared with the full 2025 season, since this year’s operating period is still underway. But more than 64,000 visitors in the first 100 days confirm that Samaria remains one of western Crete’s major attractions.
The decision to close the gorge when conditions become unsafe is an increasingly important part of managing one of Crete’s most popular natural attractions.
Access can be restricted because of extreme heat, severe weather, wildfire risk, or seismic activity. Such decisions can be frustrating for visitors who have planned their trip around a hike through the gorge, but the landscape itself does not become less hazardous because thousands of people have arrived expecting to walk it.
For 2026, OFYPEKA says the operation of Samaria continues to focus on protecting the gorge’s natural environment while improving safety for the people who work and visit there.
With the season still underway, the final visitor total will show just how close Samaria comes to last year’s 119,138 visitors.
