Imbros Gorge hiking tour with Frangokastello and sea swim

Walk a 5-mile limestone gorge, then cool off in the sea at a medieval castle.

This full-day hiking tour on Crete takes you through Imbros Gorge, an easy 5-mile walk through a rocky ravine with views of the White Mountains and three villages. After lunch in the village of Komitades, you drive to Frangokastello, a 14th-century Venetian castle where your guide explains its history, then swim in the Libyan Sea before returning to your hotel. Hotel pickup, an air-conditioned van and a local guide are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each2 stops

1. Imbros Gorge4h
2. Frangokastello4h

Hike Imbros Gorge and visit Frangokastello

• Hotel pickup by shuttle van
• Travel to Imbros Gorge
• Hike 5-mile Imbros Gorge trail
• Pass villages Vrisses, Askifou, Imbros
• Explore Komitades village and lunch
• Drive to Frangokastello castle
• Learn history and explore castle
• Swim in Libyan Sea
• Return to hotel

The experience

The hike itself is the centerpiece: a 5-mile walk through limestone terrain that stays cool and manageable even in summer heat. You start from your hotel in an air-conditioned shuttle van and travel to the gorge with your guide, then walk at an easy pace through Imbros, passing the villages of Vrisses, Askifou and Imbros on the way down. The route ends in Komitades, where you have free time to explore the village and eat lunch on your own (not included in the tour price).

After lunch, the tour shifts to the coast. You drive to Frangokastello, a fortress built by the Venetians in the 14th century to control the local population, and your guide walks you through its history before you explore it at your own pace. Then you swim in the Libyan Sea to rinse off the dust from the hike. The drive back to your hotel gives you time to rest after a full day outdoors.

The tour runs 11 hours total and suits anyone with moderate fitness who can walk for several hours at an easy pace. Bring sun protection, a towel, a bathing suit and comfortable hiking shoes. The itinerary may shift if weather turns. A live guide leads the tour in English or German depending on which pickup zone you choose.

What’s included

• Your tour includes a local guide who speaks English or German.
• hotel pickup and drop-off in an air-conditioned vehicle from your selected zone.
• and the full-day itinerary from the gorge hike through the castle visit and sea swim.

Options for this experience

8 options

English Kalyves/Chania07:00Imbros tour led by an English-speaking guide, with hotel pickup from the Chania area, Kalyves. Pickup is included.

English-Georg/Reth/BaliAvailable from 6 Apr 2027Imbros tour with an English-speaking guide and hotel pickup from Georgioupolis, Rethymnon, Bali. Pickup is included.

German-Georg/Reth/BaliAvailable from 6 Apr 2027Imbros tour led by a German-speaking guide, with hotel pickup from Georgioupolis, Rethymnon, Bali. Pickup is included.

See 5 more options

German KalyvesAvailable from 6 Apr 2027Imbros tour in German, Zone 4: led by a German-speaking guide, with hotel pickup from Kalyves (zone 4). Pickup is included.

English Amoudara-FodeleAvailable from 6 Apr 2027Imbros tour, Zone 3: led by an English-speaking guide, with hotel pickup from Amoudara, Ag. Pelagia - Fodele (zone 3). Pickup is included.

German Fodele -AmoudaraAvailable from 6 Apr 2027Imbros tour in German, Zone 6: led by a German-speaking guide, with hotel pickup from Amoudara, Agia Pelagia, Fodele (zone 6). Pickup is included.

German - Karteros/MaliaAvailable from 13 Apr 2027Imbros tour led by a German-speaking guide, with hotel pickup from Kokkini Hani - Malia. Pickup is included.

English Karteros MaliaAvailable from 6 Apr 2027Imbros tour led by an English-speaking guide, with hotel pickup from Karteros - Malia. Pickup is included.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Lasts 11h, runs Tuesday and Sunday at 07:00, from € 40 per person, with a live guide in English and German and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesTuesday and SundayDeparts at 07:00Last departure this season: 15 Nov

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 50 · max 9 per booking

Live guideEnglish and German

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on site€ 5

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Cretan Holidays

Is this one for you?Choose this tour if you want a full day on foot and in the water without arranging your own transport or hiring a private guide. The 11-hour commitment and easy-to-moderate hiking pace suit anyone who can walk for several hours and wants to see the gorge, the castle and the coast in one outing.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

In English, at 07:00. In German.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How difficult is the hike through Imbros Gorge?

Imbros Gorge is an easy 5-mile walk through a rocky ravine, designed for hikers of all levels. Unlike the more strenuous Samaria Gorge elsewhere on Crete, this route stays cool and manageable, though you should have at least moderate fitness to walk for several hours.

What happens at Frangokastello after the hike?

Frangokastello is a 14th-century Venetian castle built as a garrison to control the local population. Your guide explains its history, then you have free time to explore the fortress before swimming in the Libyan Sea to cool off.

Is lunch included in the tour price?

Lunch is not included. You have free time in the village of Komitades at the end of the hike to eat a leisurely Cretan meal at your own cost.

What should I bring on this tour?

Bring sunscreen, a towel, a bathing suit and your camera. Wear comfortable hiking shoes and clothes suitable for a full day outdoors. The tour includes an air-conditioned van for transport, so you can store extra layers or supplies during the hike and swim.

Which villages do you pass through on the hike?

The hike takes you through three mountain villages: Vrisses, Askifou and Imbros, each offering views of the White Mountains. The walk ends in Komitades, where the gorge opens to the valley floor.