Archanes Tours and Tickets

Discover Crete’s timeless beauty and history with our self-guided tour, designed so you can explore at your own pace. Start in Heraklion at Lions Square, the city’s center, then visit the Heraklion Archaeological Museum to see Minoan treasures. Step into myth at Knossos Palace, where frescoes and ruins evoke Crete’s ancient civilization, before sampling local wines in the colorful village of Archanes. Take a boat to Dia Island for swimming and snorkeling, then head to the Lasithi Plateau, a landscape of windmills and mountain villages. Descend into the legendary Cave of Zeus and sail from Elounda to Spinalonga Island to explore its fortress and unique history. Relax on Matala Beach, famed for its golden sand and caves, and stroll through peaceful Pitsidia. Discover the ancient sites of Phaistos and Gortyna, then head to Chania’s old town, Venetian harbor, and the Egyptian Lighthouse. Finish your journey at Elafonissi’s pink sands, Balos Lagoon, and the tranquil village of Loutro.

Begin your journey at the Palace of Knossos, where Minoan myths and legends come to life. Explore the vibrant frescoes, the Throne Room, and the grand Central Court. Continue to a local winery nestled in the Cretan countryside, tasting exquisite wines from indigenous grapes like Vilana and Kotsifali. Learn about Crete’s olive oil production and sample premium extra virgin olive oil. End your day with a hearty meal at a traditional tavern, savoring local dishes, wine, and the warm Cretan hospitality.

Taste your way through some of Crete's top wines on this full-day, small-group tasting tour. Led by your guide, and with round-trip hotel transfers included, this tour makes it easy to head off the tourist trail and explore beyond Heraklion’s usual landmarks. Visit two top wineries, enjoy tastings with nibbles, and indulge in a 3-course meal at a gourmet restaurant.

Explore the heart of Crete on this tour that immerses you in local culture and traditions. Begin your journey at a traditional Minoan farm, where you’ll discover Cretan beekeeping and savor pure honey. Next, visit a family-owned winery nestled near the Asterousia Mountains, featuring a guided tasting of four distinct Cretan wines. The tour also includes a visit to the serene Monastery of Saint George Epanosifis, allowing time to appreciate its tranquil surroundings and rich history. Finish in a charming mountain village, where you can stroll, shop, or relax at a café. Optional lunch featuring homemade dishes is available for those who wish to indulge. Bus tour focusing on Cretan culture and local traditions Visit a Minoan farm and taste authentic Cretan honey Explore a family-owned winery with a guided wine tasting experience Free time in a traditional mountain village to shop or relax at a café

Although Crete is full of olive wood trees there are only a few olive wood working workshops in the whole area. In our workshop you will experience how a piece of firewood is turned into a toy, a utilitarian object or a piece of art.

The Heraklion region is the heart of Crete’s winemaking tradition, boasting some of the island’s most celebrated estates. Join your private guide—a certified wine expert—for an exclusive visit to two exceptional wineries: Titakis Winery and Lyrarakis Winery. At Titakis Winery, explore the vineyards and cellars before savoring a tasting of 5 native Cretan varieties. Then, continue to Lyrarakis Winery, a pioneer in reviving rare indigenous grapes, where you’ll sample 5 premium wines showcasing the island’s unique terroir. To complete this culinary journey, enjoy a gourmet lunch at a hillside restaurant with panoramic valley views. Savor authentic Cretan dishes prepared by a local chef, paired with fine local wines. Along the way, stop at scenic gems of northern Crete, including breathtaking coastal views as you travel from Elounda to Heraklion. This private tour ensures an intimate experience, with ample time for questions, personalized attention, and unforgettable memories.

Experience the epitome of personalized luxury as our expert local drivers guide you through the captivating landscapes of Central Crete. Begin your journey with an exclusive visit to the Palace of Knossos. Immerse yourself in the labyrinthine wonder of the palace ruins, appreciating the intersection of myth and history. Let our service arrange for a Private Archeologist, for an extra charge, to transport you to a bygone era, where every moment is a seamless blend of culture, history, and the unparalleled beauty of Crete. The adventure continues in the enchanting valley of Peza, where a renowned winery awaits to tantalize your taste buds with divine aromas and flavors of Cretan indigenous varieties. Next, explore the magical village of Ano Archanes, a place touched by royalty and known for its charming streets and local culinary treasures. Delight in a meal cooked with love and care, savoring the authenticity of Cretan cuisine.

Indulge in personalized service from our top local drivers with specialist knowledge in the comfort of a chauffeured luxury vehicle. Take in the stellar ruins and sumptuous frescoes of the Palace of Knossos, appreciating it in a way that few will have the opportunity to do. Immerse yourself in labyrinthine wonder as we transport you back to a time when myth and history were indistinguishable. Where there is culture, there is wine. Let us take you to the heart of Central Crete and specifically to the enchanting valley of Peza, a rich Minoan land with olive groves and red soils. Here you will discover a winery to taste Cretan indigenous varieties with divine aromas and flavors. Enchanted by the Cretan land, its history, and its products, it is impossible not to visit the magical village of Ano Archanes with its beautiful streets and old houses. One of the few places visited by the current King of England Charles. A magical place to enjoy a local meal cooked with much love and care.

Choose Star Sleep for an eco-luxury getaway with small to zero carbon emissions per experience, making your stay both unforgettable and planet-friendly

Discover the Wines of Crete: Lyrarakis & Titakis Wineries with Lunch in Archanes Join a small-group half-day tour through Crete’s celebrated Peza Valley and visit two of its most iconic family-run wineries—Lyrarakis and Titakis. Taste 10 premium wines made from rare indigenous grape varieties, explore vineyards and cellars, and learn about the island’s winemaking traditions. Finish your experience with a full-course Cretan lunch in the charming village of Archanes. Ideal for wine lovers, foodies, and curious travelers looking for an authentic taste of Crete beyond the beaches. ✅ Small group (max 7) ✅ Guided wine tastings at both wineries ✅ Traditional Cretan lunch included ✅ Round-trip transfers from Heraklion Prefecture

Self-driving on a wine tour is never the best idea. An expert is your designated driver on this intimate door-to-door tour of the Heraklion Valley, so you can relax and enjoy the tastings to the fullest. You'll explore two wineries (Lyrarakis and Paterianakis), meet the winemakers, and taste their wines, then enjoy an authentic Cretan lunch with wine and raki at a taverna in pretty Archanes village.

Pedal through picturesque vineyards and olive groves on this e-bike tour from Heraklion to the charming village of Archanes. Along the way, take in stunning views of the northern coast before enjoying a traditional Cretan lunch at a local taverna. Afterward, visit a family-owned winery for a tour of the vineyards and cellar, followed by a tasting of exquisite Cretan wines. The return journey features a mostly downhill route, ensuring a relaxing ride back. - Duration: 6 hours with a distance of approximately 38 km (600m altitude gain & loss) - Perfect for foodies and wine lovers seeking authentic experiences - Includes lunch at a local taverna and a winery tour with tastings - Scheduled for Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, with pick-up available on request Please bring sunscreen and appropriate clothes & shoes for cycling. Load limit 105 kg / 230 lbs per e-bike. Rider's minimum height 150 cm / 5 feet.

Through this route you will discover the wild side of South Crete and will arrive at one of the best beaches of Crete with clear water Οur first stop is the village of Patsides where we will have the opportunity to know the way produced cretan honey will try traditional raki and local delicacies also we will admire the cretan Herbs and taste traditional flavors in jams and local delicacies! In the follow-through of a beautiful route We arrive at Archanes Traditional village where will have free time to know to admire the traditional architecture up close and to feel the hospitality After we will drive a amazing off road in asterousia and climb to an altitude of 850 meters Here begins to seem the wild side of South Crete and real landscapes are gorgeous and dreamy Crossing the beautiful gorge we find ourselves in one of the best beaches of Crete with clear waters Here enjoying an amazing meal and we get our swim

We offer our clients exclusive and unparalleled adventures in Crete. Our routes are unique and are 70-80% off-road. Whether you are driving or on the passenger seat of our UTVs and ATVs you will feel like a bobcat in the steppes, an alligator in the mud, a mountain goat in the mountains and a fish in the water. You'll ride through olive groves, farmland, and vineyards. You will experience the beauty of Crete's wildlife, enjoy magnificent views from the mountains, see breathtaking heights and cliffs. Adrenaline, drive, adventure and unforgettable emotions await you on our trails.

This experience blends history, mythology, nature, and gastronomy in a single unforgettable day. You'll walk in the footsteps of the Minoans, stand beneath the sacred Mount Giouhtas where Zeus is said to rest, and taste Crete's rich agricultural heritage through private wine tastings and traditional cuisine. Led by a local expert, this tour offers exclusive access, authentic encounters, and deep cultural insight — far beyond the typical tourist path.

A Certified Guide for Knossos Palace is NOT INCLUDED What sets this tour apart is its **soul**—not just the stops, but the *why* behind them. In just one carefully crafted day, you get a full bite of Crete: its sacred flavors, its living crafts, its wine-soaked hospitality, and its ancient myths. We don’t rush. We don’t overpack. We do it the old Cretan way—slow, generous, and real. You’ll taste olive oil from groves where the trees are older than some civilizations. You’ll meet a potter whose hands remember secrets passed down for generations. You’ll drink wines born from volcanic soil and eat a village lunch the way locals do on a Sunday. And finally, you’ll walk in the footsteps of kings and legends at Knossos. No staged folklore, no touristy fluff—just the Crete we love, shared with you the way it was always meant to be: with heart, time, and good company.

This private day trip stands out by visiting Knossos, a local winery, and the village of Archanes—a rare combination. Tour the Knossos Archeological Site with a guide, gaining insight into the history of the former heart of the Minoan Civilization, taste local wines at a family-owned winery, and have lunch of Cretan dishes in a traditional tavern before returning to your accommodations.

Immerse yourself in the rich flavors of Cretan wine on this exclusive 4-hour private tour. Visit the esteemed Lyrarakis and Paterianakis Wineries, each renowned for their unique wine varietals and processes. Indulge in wine tastings, learning the intricate notes and rich histories of each glass. Journey to the charming Archanes village, a living testament to Crete's vibrant culture and tradition. This tour blends the allure of fine wine with the warmth of local heritage, offering a memorable exploration unlike any other.

Embark on a private tour that takes you deep into the heart of Crete's rich traditions and flavors. Begin your journey with a visit to an olive farm, where you'll tour the groves and learn about the production process before indulging in a tasting of their exquisite olive oils. Next, head to a family-owned winery for an intimate tour of their vineyards and cellars, followed by a tasting of five indigenous wine varieties that showcase the unique terroir of the island. Round off your day with a traditional lunch in Archanes Village, renowned for its picturesque beauty and authentic Cretan charm. Enjoy a leisurely meal featuring local dishes, surrounded by the stunning landscapes and vibrant culture that make this village the jewel of Crete.

We offer our clients exclusive and unparalleled adventures in Crete. Our routes are unique and are 70-80% off-road. Whether you are driving or on the passenger seat of our UTVs and ATVs you will feel like a bobcat in the steppes, an alligator in the mud, a mountain goat in the mountains and a fish in the water. You'll ride through olive groves, farmland, and vineyards. You will experience the beauty of Crete's wildlife, enjoy magnificent views from the mountains, see breathtaking heights and cliffs. Adrenaline, drive, adventure and unforgettable emotions await you on our trails.

This is going to be a very busy day but very interesting. This tour is suitable for visitors from the cruise ships also. It is a private tour and you can decide, where to stop and how much time to spend on each place. With the help of the Experienced Licensed Professional Tourist Guide, who will be with you in the whole tour, you get in touch with the Cretan History, the famous Cretan Hospitality, the Cretan Culture and the Cretan Cuisine. First stop is at the Palace of Knossos. Then you will visit an olive mill where you can have the experience of tasting the Cretan olive oil. Driving through the vineyards and the olive groves we will go to a pottery shop. Next stop is at a winery, where you can taste some of the best organic wines on Crete. Finally in the picturesque village of Archanes, you can enjoy a Greek coffee at a traditional kafeneion or a traditional Cretan meal at a very nice taverna. In this tour you experience many aspects of Crete , so you will look forward to come back

This tour was created for nature and wine lovers. Would you like to learn all about locally produced products such as Wine, Olive oil, and Famous Raki? This tour has been created just for you. Be open to tasting local wines, and exploring rural Crete this tour it's for you. We visit one family winery in the Heraklion area where we take a tour of the cellar of the winery, learn how different wines are made, and then taste up to 5 different indigenous varieties. We will visit a family-run olive mill, having an olive grove tour, olive mill tour, and olive oil tasting. Finally, we will drive to a small village and to an undisclosed location, not open to the public, and learn all about Raki Distillation. At the end of the tour, we will get on our 4WD SUV and head to the mountain top at 850 meters to observe the Cretan fields from the top and the beautiful colors created on Mother Earth.

Day 1: Heraklion to Archanes and Kyparissos Hop on your e-bike and set off towards the enchanting village of Archanes, nestled amidst olive groves and vineyards. Explore the cobblestone streets of Archanes, known for its traditional architecture and lively atmosphere. Continue our journey towards the picturesque village of Kyparissos Day 2: Choudetsi, Kounavoi, and Knossos Palace On the second day of our e-bike tour, venture into the heart of Crete's countryside, where hidden treasures await. Start our day with a visit to the village of Choudetsi, known for its vibrant music scene and cultural heritage. Continue our journey to Kounavoi, a village steeped in history and tradition. Discover the stories of ancient civilizations as we pedal through the scenic countryside, surrounded by olive groves and vineyards. Conclude our tour with a visit to the legendary Knossos Palace, the crown jewel of Minoan civilization.