Top Crete Culture

The best way to explore Crete is by boat, and this half-day cruise from Hersonissos visits St. George's Bay and the small towns of Malia and Stalis. Set sail aboard a traditional pirate ship, ideal for younger travelers; stop to swim and snorkel at the island’s beaches and bays; spot dolphins and sea turtles along the coast; and tuck into a delicious BBQ lunch on board.

Even if you’re not normally a history buff, a visit to Heraklion is a must when in Rethymno. The area’s home to the Palace of Knossos, home of the legendary half-bull half-man Minotaur, and the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, one of Greece’s top museums. On this tour, which includes a guide but excludes entrance fees, you’ll visit both with time to explore Heraklion and enjoy hotel pickup and drop-off for convenience.

Starting early, heading west, we reach the port of Kissamos. Here we take our boat for approximately a 1 hour pleasant sail along the coastline. Arriving in the port of the ex­-pirate island of Gramvousa we hear how, during the Turkish occupation, the residents of the island started looting passing boats thus giving the island its pirate reputation. Don’t miss out on a visit to the Venetian castle on top of a steep rock as this is one of the most impressive castles in Greece. There is plenty of time for swimming or lunch on board. Our boat then departs for the Blue Lagoon of Balos, a shallow and warm water lagoon which brings to mind similar lagoons in the Caribbean. You will be disembarked at a distance of 50 meters from the shore according to the Law , as there will be no approach pier. Balos is one of the most beautiful beaches in the whole world. Enjoy a fantastic swim and relax for approximately 3 hours before boarding for the return sail. An experience to remember a lifetime !

Make the most of your limited time in Heraklion with this comprehensive day tour, designed to cover multiple dispersed attractions. Beginning with convenient hotel pickup, you'll journey to the scenic Lassithi Plateau, home to charming villages and historical landmarks like Kera Kardiotissa Monastery. Along the way, enjoy numerous photo-worthy stops, including the Palace of Knossos, Psychro with its handmade pottery, and a visit to the nearby Dikteon Cave (currently closed for maintenance).

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.

Explore Crete beyond Heraklion with a full-day sightseeing tour. Skip the hassle of driving and board an air-conditioned coach for a scenic tour. Visit several attractions including Knossos Palace and the Lassithi Plateau. Learn about Cretan traditions at Kera Kardiotissa Monastery or Panagia Vidiani Monastery, and complete the day with dining in an authentic Cretan tavern.

With its sheer walls and tight passageways, the Samaria Gorge is one of Crete’s most striking natural wonders. With this tour, all the logistics are taken care of so all you need do is complete the challenging 10-mile (18-kilometer) hike. Set off from Chania in early morning and arrive at the trailhead ahead of the crowds. After the guided hike, board a boat back to Chora Sfakion, then a bus back to Chania.

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.

With traditional villages and plenty of warm Mediterranean sunshine, the Samaria Gorge is the longest of its kind in Europe—but it’s also a challenging and rewarding hike, considered by many to be among the toughest in Crete. This adventurous full-day combination bus and hiking tour from Chania takes you deep into the gorge itself, where large boulders lie beneath soaring limestone cliffs. Follow a 10-mile (16-km) route though the Samaria Gorge and experience the best of the Crete countryside with a guide.

Rethymno’s many artisan food producers present the perfect opportunity to explore the fresh and seasonal cuisine of Crete—but knowing where to go can be tricky. Instead, leave all the logistics to your guide, and enjoy an immersive and delicious introduction to Cretan cuisine. Visit a local phyllo pastry maker, taste products such as olive oil and honey, and indulge in a traditional small-plates lunch featuring multiple dishes and flavors.

Visit the valley of the 1000 Windmills and get all the secret information’s of the Cretan people. Visit a traditional mountain village and a typical Cretan family on the way to the Lassithi Plateau, the birthplace of Zeus. On the road there, you learn about the history of the God father and his siblings. You"ll visit the birthplace of Zeus while enjoying the nature surround. We'll finalize the day with a delicious traditional meal with many dishes in one of the best Tavern. We’ll meet villagers and listen to their story's about their life.

Explore the ancient and historic places of Crete on this tour, and discover some of the most iconic Greek locations in the whole country. See the cave where Zeus was born, and stand underneath the 2,400-year-old Writer's Plane Tree. Visit Mochos and wander its winding alleyways, and dive into the colorful city of Agios Nikolaos. Swim in the sea off the coast of Plaka, or take a boat to Spinaloga.

Enjoy an evening to remember in Crete—and immerse yourself in the local culture, cuisine, and traditions—on this one-of-a-kind excursion. In the evening, travel via shuttle directly from your hotel to a local olive producer, where you’ll see how olive oil (and olive soap) are made, can taste local products (including Cretan wine), and more. Next, enjoy a generous buffet meal, accompanied by Cretan dance and music performances.

Immerse yourself in the culinary history and flavors of Chania on this half-day walking tour with a small group. Follow your food historian guide as they lead you to local eateries and shops where you’ll sample a wide variety of local dishes.  Learn about the influence that the Arabs, Ottomans, and more had on Greek food on an intimate walking tour. In between bites, you’ll hear about local food culture and politics.

Go off the beaten path and get a glimpse of Chania that most first-time visitors miss on a private tour of Crete’s countryside and Chania’s Old Town. You’ll enjoy the flexibility to tweak your itinerary as you travel between top attractions—including the Old Venetian Harbor, Firkas Fortress, and Chania Old Town—in air-conditioned comfort, without having to navigate.

Travelers interested in nature and ancient history and mythology will enjoy this small-group day tour of Crete’s Dikti mountain range. Enjoy sweeping views and discover hidden attractions. Look out for mountain wildlife, including eagles, on the Katharo and Lassithi Plateaus. Visit traditional villages with picturesque churches, and head underground to the Cave of Diktaion Andron, said to be Zeus’ birthplace.

If you want to make the most of your limited time on Crete, get a skip-the-line ticket for the Palace of Knossos. With over 1500 rooms to explore, you’ll want to maximize your visit to the well-preserved labyrinth. Avoid the long line of tourists and exposure to the elements. Instead, collect your ticket upon arrival from a conveniently located operator.

Enjoy your evening at a Cretan Village, experience how Cretan people entertain themselves and taste some traditional food and drinks during this lively excursion. Let the well-know Cretan hospitality, serve you, meet some great people, listen to their famous music and walk through the streets of the village to admire its local architecture and vibes.

Explore the delights of the Knossos Heraklion Museum and learn where European civilization began during an easy day tour. After hotel pickup in an air-conditioned coach, explore the museum at your own pace, learning about the importance of the Minoan collection and much more. Also take a guided walk of Heraklion, where you can stop for lunch (own expense) or souvenir shopping.

The Knossos archeological site is an impressive collection of ruins dating back to the Bronze Age; with its immersive storytelling, this audio tour opens a portal back to that time. Once you’ve bought your ticket to the site, load up the app you’ve downloaded and follow your guide, aristocratic Yishharu, around the city’s highlights and hotspots. Explore the site at your own pace on this self-guided tour and open a new window into ancient Minoan life and culture with each new destination.

Without a rental car, visiting Crete’s Palace of Knossos and capital of Heraklion in a day from Rethymnon means using cabs or local buses. This tour eliminates the hassles, with air-conditioned transport and an option to include a Knossos guide to ensure you cover the highlights and Minoan Crete’s history and legends. Plus, you get free time in Heraklion to visit its Archaeological Museum or shop and eat at leisure.

Getting to know a new city can be difficult if you try to do it all yourself. This Heraklion Small-Group Segway Tour lets you get acquainted with the city’s main highlights and hidden gems in just a few hours. Follow a guide around on a Segway to Liberty Square, the Historical Museum of Crete, Loggia, and more, and learn about the history and culture of the area.

Combine the best of a guided tour with independent travel on this full-day tour to Chania, Lake Kournas, and Rethymnon from the northeastern coast of Crete. Learn more about Chania and Rethymnon on a guided tour, then enjoy time to explore on your own. At Lake Kournas, enjoy included lunch items and a walk around the lake to take in the scenic views.

The epicenter of Minoan civilization, the Palace of Knossos is Crete’s most important archaeological site—but at around a 3-hour drive from Chania, it’s a real schlep to self-drive. Skip the hassles of parking and Cretan traffic and relax on this convenient guided bus trip, with pickup and drop-off at many Chania area hotels. You’ll also visit Rethymno and the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, though all entrance fees are at your expense.