Lissos gorge — Attraction in Municipality of Kantanos-Selinon

A very nice walk goes from Sougia to Lissos. This also takes you through the short Lissos gorge. It takes a while to get to Sougia from the north coast. We came by car from our hotel in Stalos near Chania and the drive took almost 2 hours there and 2 hours back. The walk itself takes at least 3 hours there and back. But with a bit of luck you can be back faster if you happen to catch a boat back to Sougia in Lissos. Sougia is a very pleasant little village where I think you can also spend a whole holiday. There are a few tavernas, hotels and holiday apartments here and a few shops. In addition, there is a beautiful pebble beach and delightful nature. The walk goes from the village in a westerly direction along the beach to the small harbour. Here you follow the signs through the Lissos gorge. But you have to pay attention immediately at the first rocks: they are very slippery! You soon reach the gorge with an enormous overhanging rock. If you want to continue walking to the excavations in Lissos, you have to look out and take a path up the mountain on the left. It is an easy climb to the plateau. You have a beautiful view of the coast here. When the bay of Lissos comes into view, a slightly steeper descent begins. It is not very difficult, but you have to pay attention with every step. When you are in Lissos, you can see a very beautiful Greek Orthodox chapel with wall paintings. Next to it you will find the "Temple of Asclepius" (Aesculapium), which dates from the 3rd century BC. Only the mosaic floor with images of animals and geometric patterns was only laid by the Romans 200 years later. Further on you will see a theatre and a little further you will come to a second Greek Orthodox chapel from the 14th century. Lissos was only excavated in 1957-58. A remarkable number of statues were discovered here, which you can now admire in the Archaeological Museum in Chania. As mentioned, you can be lucky and a boat will arrive to take passengers to Sougia. The cost is only €6 per person excluding any tips and the transfer takes about 20 minutes. Otherwise you can walk back the same...

A wonderful, very enjoyable E4 hike from Sougia to the Lisos archaeological site. As the other reviewers indicate, it combines history, geology and nature! The first part of the walk is into the gorge. Not very long, well-signed, beautiful views of the rocks, as in all Cretan gorges. Be careful on your way back, as some of the rocks are slippery. From the gorge you walk up to a plateau, which has a steppe-like feeling with magnificent views to the White Mountains and the Livikon Sea... simply amazing! The third part is a walk down the cliff to Lisos. Requires some attention, but not something dramatic. Once you reach Lisos you can admire Asklipieion, the Churches of Agios Kirikos and Panagia, the necropolis, and the crystal clear waters of the beach! You can take a boat back to Sougia, but you'll be missing the point 😉. It's a quite unique hike, you won't get bored! Check my photo stream below, for the...

Nice walk over the hills and in a gorge ending to a small natural beach of Lissos.

Mostly quite easy, some moderate ascends in the middle and decend at the end.

As said in other reviews, takes about 1-1,5h (one way).

If you don't want to walk back, you can take a boat from Lissos beach (at 13.30 and 15.30, journey time 10 min and the price 5 e / person.). Or you can take a boat from Sougia to Lissos and then do the walk from Lissos to Sougia. I would say that doing the hike starting from Sougia is easier as you get to ascend in the shadow and it the ascend is less steep this way.

This is a nice walk also when it is hot, as there is a lot of shadow on the route.

Note that there are no services at Lissos beach, just a small fountain in a resting area close to the beach. Sougia has several restaurants and cafes as well as some...