Top Crete Cultural Tours - page 2

Explore the two most beautiful cities on the island in a day on a must-see tour for tourists in Crete. The tour starts at Skaleta market for coffee at a coffee shop; then, you proceed to Chania town, where you explore civilization in different shades. Have lunch at the harbor or tour the famous Agora market. Stop for a relaxing swim in Lake Kournas before lunch, and take an early afternoon walk before strolling through the narrow streets and alleys of Rethymnon Old Town.

Save time by visiting Santorini from Heraklion on a speedy sea jet vessel, a journey of just over two hours each way. Tour the beautiful island by bus, enjoying free time to explore at each stop. Visit the towns of Oia and Fira, where you’ll find some of Santorini’s most iconic vistas, and opt to take a boat trip out to the volcano in the bay if you like.

Although Heraklion is the perfect base to see Crete’s cultural and architectural heritage, it’s not the only part of Crete that is worthy of a visit. On this full-day tour, discover two of the prettiest cities in Western Crete—Chania and Rethymno—and immerse yourself in some of the island's loveliest scenery. Admire the White Mountains, visit Lake Kournas, and learn all about local history and culture as you explore.

The Battle of Crete in 1941 was the first mainly airborne invasion in military history and Crete’s landscape still bears its scars. Retrace it with an expert guide on this private door-to-door tour, which can be adapted to focus on specific units, individual nationalities, or other interests. A typical day includes the German and Commonwealth war cemeteries, the battlefields at Maleme and Galatas, Tavronitis Bridge, and the Alikanios Memorial.

Visit the most popular attraction of the island of Crete, the famous archeological site of Knossos, the capital of King Minos! During this guided tour you will have the opportunity to learn about the Cretan history, as well as to explore the new town!

Immerse yourself in one of Crete's ancient wonders on this private guided tour of the Palace of Knossos. Associated with the myth of the Minotaur and the labyrinth, the palace has thousands of years of history. Explore the archaeological site at your own pace with a private guide to learn about its rich lore and legacy.

Spinalonga, an island once used to isolate people suffering from leprosy, has become more popular since Victoria Hislop's novel The Island reimagined it. Visit this historic island, plus the Agios Nikolaos resort town with Lake Voulismeni, and Elounda, known for luxury hotels and beaches, on this guided day trip. Admission to Spinalonga is not included.

Follow our Professional Historian Tour Guide, Apostolis Panigirakis, on a tour of World War 2, the Battle of Crete, and the exploration of rare abandoned German Bunkers and Battlefields! In this tour, our licensed historian tour guide explains to you the story of the Second World War in Greece and Crete: When it happened, why the Axis forces attacked, what was the outcome, and what remains still to be discovered today! Learn about hidden aspects of WW2 and Operation Mercury/ Battle of Crete: Visit the major Battlefields of World War Two, the airfield of Maleme, the German War Cemetery, the Allied War Cemetery in Souda and explore hidden and rare abandoned military installations of World War Two that only military history experts now! As the highlight of the tour, we explore a German bunker system in an undisclosed location with History essence, astonishing views, live relics and an open-air museum thrill-truly a one of a one-of-a-kind experience!

This day trip from Crete packs a lot into one tour. Visit the suburbs of the Chania area and taste products from a bakery and a cheese factory shortly after they are produced. Learn about and taste raki, an aperitif flavored with anise. Have lunch in a kafeneio (traditional Greek coffeehouse) where you can hang with the locals and experience the real Crete.

A great excuse to explore the outdoors, this tour takes you on a full-day walking adventure through the Samaria Gorge from the Heraklion area. This 11-mile (18-kilometer) adventure starts at Xylo kalo and takes you to the Samaria Gorge, showcasing Cretan flora and fauna. Traverse through rocky terrain, visit the deserted village of Samaria, and see majestic Iron Gates before enjoying a meal at a tavern in Ayia Roumelis.

Explore Chania Old Town with scenic stops Enjoy a relaxed private day as your local Driver-Host shares stories of Crete’s history, culture and landscapes while taking care of every detail. Along the westbound route you may include 1-2 stops: • Rethymno Old Town – Venetian harbor and colorful alleys • Melidoni Cave – a cavern tied to Crete’s dramatic past • Lake Kournas – the island’s only freshwater lake • Holy Trinity Monastery – 17th-century monastery & local tasting • Olive Mill Visit – local production and tasting of Cretan olive oil • Chania Archaeological Museum – highlights of western Crete • Aptera Ancient City – panoramic views over Souda Bay • Seitan Limania - A unique beach • Argyroupoli Springs -A lush village setting with flowing springs In Chania: •Guided easy-pace walk through the Old Venetian Harbor & Old Town with local insight •Panoramic view from the Venizelos Tombs viewpoint •Optional seaside restaurant reservation Heraklion to Chania Day Trip • Private Tour

Exploring the locations of the Battle of Crete—an important World War II battle—without a guide could leave you with only a patchy take on this pivotal event. With this tour from Chania, learn about the battle at its key sites, hearing how Nazi forces took Crete from the Allies in 1941. Visit the Maleme airfield, monuments, and cemeteries, and discover secret shelters and sites you might miss alone.

Get to know Chania without crowded tour buses or rowdy groups on this private half-day sightseeing tour, direct from your Chania area address. Walk through the historic buildings and charming streets of the city’s Old Town and immerse yourself in the hustle and bustle of the Municipal Market. Out of the city, take advantage of some hilltop photo opportunities then explore the Holy Trinity Monastery (Agia Triada Monastery).

The volcanic island of Santorini lies north of Crete. And this daytrip by fast cat is a great chance to take a close-up look at it. Curved around a colossal, sea-filled caldera that was formed by a massive volcanic eruption 3,500 years ago, it's all black cliffs, whitewashed villages and blue-domed churches. It's picture-postcard Greece. Once you're on dry land, you'll take off on a scenic tour, exploring many of the island's attractions and learning about its history. Explore a town where whitewashed houses, cobbled streets and tavernas cascade down the cliff-face in steep terraces. You'll spend about 90 minutes in Oia – the village with the most magnificent views on Santorini. From its lofty clifftop perch, the panorama over the volcanic caldera is pure wow-factor. Then it's on to Fira, the island's capital. You'll have an hour or so to snap up treats in the quaint shops and boutiques.

Discover the rugged landscapes of Crete's northern coast on an all-terrain vehicle (ATV or quad bike) adventure with transfers from Rethymno hotels. Splash through streams, wind along ancient gorges, and look for island wildlife from behind the wheel of a personal solo or tandem quad that can access tucked-away mountain reaches. You’ll need to be at least 18 and have held a license for one year to drive the quad.

Explore Greek history at the ancient palace of Knossos on this guided excursion. This tour offers you the freedom to select only the aspects you want. Choose convenient hotel pickup, opt for skip-the-line tickets, and marvel at the legendary palace of King Minos, Princess Ariadne, Minotaur, and Labyrinth. Marvel at one of the oldest thrones and theaters in Europe, visit the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion, and learn about the Minoan civilization.

Elafonisi sits at the far southwest tip of Crete, a long drive on winding roads that puts many self-drivers off. Get driven there and back instead, with the route handled so you can spend the day on the beach rather than behind the wheel. Walk the pink-tinged sands and swim in the shallow, clear water of this protected reserve.

The whole family will enjoy this fun snorkeling activity, which is both relaxing and adventurous. With a small group of no more than ten travelers you'll be taken on a boat ride to two different snorkeling spots. Experience the difference at the open ocean and sheltered spots, both with an abundance of sea life. Snorkeling gear will be provided so you don't need to bring your own.

Cover more sights in less time on a private Segway tour of Rethymno—the ideal introduction for first-time visitors wanting an overview of the culture and history of the city. Taking a private tour means that you'll be able to customize your itinerary, so you'll be able to spend more time at the attractions that interest you.

Travelers to Crete tend to stick to the well-worn paths between major towns and attractions, like Knossos and Rethymnon. This tour, operated using a four-wheeled all-terrain-vehicle, unlocks the Cretan backroads and off-road trails. See parts of Crete that most visitors to the island miss, steal a glimpse into local life away from the main tourist routes and learn how the storied past of the Melidoni Cave stretches back through time.

Explore Crete’s mountains and countryside by Polaris ATV (all-terrain vehicle) on a 4-hour buggy expedition from Rethymno. Traveling on- and off-road, rumble up mountains and through gorges and shallow rivers to experience the island’s wild side. Pause for photos, visit medieval villages, look for wildlife, and stop for snacks, including coffee at a lakeside coffee house. Choose a morning or afternoon departure, with equipment, instructions, and central Rethymno or Rethymno hotel pickup included.

Spend a day at Acqua Plus, the most popular water park on Crete. The park is divided into two sides, one for all ages and one for adults only. Facilities are clean, well-run, and safe, with multiple lifeguards on duty at all times. In addition to the many games, slides, and water rides inside the park, there is a beautiful garden in the center with Cretan flowers and trees, exotic flowers, weeping willows, palm trees, bougainvilleas,  French marigolds and more greenery, making for a nice escape form the heat and sun.

Learn the flavors of authentic Cretan cuisine during a private cooking class in a traditional village outside Heraklion. Prepare local specialties including dolmadakia and lamb with artichokes before sitting down to enjoy a homemade multi-course meal paired with local wine. The peaceful countryside setting adds an authentic backdrop to this hands-on culinary experience.

Get more out of your time in Crete, and discover the history of the Minoan civilization on a tour of Knossos Palace and the cultural center of Heraklion. You’ll get the lowdown on the exhibits of the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, and discover one of the locals’ favorite spots for coffee in a cozy city café. Note that entry fees are payable on the day.