Top Crete Culture - page 4

Getting to know the real Chania isn't always easy—but on this private, half-day tour, your guide will help you discover its local charms. Enjoy a cafe visit with a view; next, head to a winery for a sommelier-led indigenous wine tasting. Then it's on to Old Town Chania, where you'll go for a walking tour, visit a local restaurant, and enjoy a range of Cretan delicacies, from breads and cheeses to pastries and beyond.

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.

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.

Book this full-day group tour for a chance to tour the best of Santorini, that also includes round-trip transport from your hotel in Chania. Your guide will take care of all the logistics, so you just need to be ready for a full day out. Your boat tickets will be provided, plus all transport in Santorini. Explore Oia, Fira, and much more before being returned to your hotel in Crete.

Pair the freedom of independent travel with the ease of your own private driver when you book this door-to-door car service to the Palace of Knossos and the Heraklion Archaeological Museum. Explore the legendary lair of the Minotaur—and the center of Minoan civilization—independently, then see the sights of historic Heraklion. Onboard Wi-Fi saves on roaming charges, but entrance fees are at your own expense.

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.

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.

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.

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).

Step aboard the 'Mikros Naftilos' for a private cruise to the islands of Gramvousa and the Balos Lagoon. With a well-established local operator as your skipper, you'll relax on a carefully planned route that showcases the area's coastal highlights. Enjoy a lunch of regional dishes and unlimited drinks as you cruise, and stop for cool-down dips in the sea along the way.

Follow the lead of this excursion on the way to Ierapetra by bus, accompanied by the morning sun. Soon after embarking in the boat, enjoy the trip in the Libyan sea on your way to Chrissi island where you will taste the natural beauty of a unique and protected by “Natura 2000” golden beach.

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.

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.

Balos Lagoon and Gramvousa Island are considered among Crete’s top attractions, but organizing transportation independently cuts into valuable sightseeing and sunbathing time. On this tour, reach both sites with ease by boat and discover their natural beauty. Follow winding walking routes at your leisure, soak up the rays by the lagoon, and enjoy hotel pickup and drop-off at your Chania accommodation.

Skip-the-line at Knossos Palace in Crete with this premium access tour. Meet your guide and set out with a small group to learn about the myths and legends surrounding this archaeological site. Hear stories about Greek mythology as you explore the labyrinth of Knossos Palace. This history-focused tour is available in multiple languages.

Explore a side of Crete's mountainous, dramatic countryside that many other visitors overlook—and make your sightseeing seamless—on this full-day tour. After pickup from your area hotel, head off the tourist trail when you take a motorboat to unspoiled Spinalonga Island. Next, discover the Milatos Cave, visit a local producer to sample premium olive oil, and admire spectacular views of the region's valleys, villages, and coastline in between.

Spend the day exploring southern Crete with this full-day guided tour of Gortys (Gortyn) and Matala. After pickup from designated locations around Crete, travel by air-conditioned bus to the Gortys archeological park, the former Roman capital of Crete. Afterwards, head to the coast and Matala, where you will have four hours of free time to spend how want.

Explore the ancient land of the Lasithi Plateau and discover historic old towns and villages, Orthodox monasteries, and the grand stalactites and geological formations of the Cave of Zeus. See the Monastery of Vidiani and wander the small streets of Krasi. Then visit an olive mill and farm, where you can see how everything from olive oil to olive soap.

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.

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.

Discover the ancient Palace of Knossos and city of Heraklion while on this full-day tour. Accompanied by a professional guide, learn about the temple and Minoan palace of Knosses. Enjoy free time in Heraklion to explore the streets and tour the local museum before returning to your Rethimno accommodations.

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.

Book your private air-conditioned van, share your interests, and we’ll create a bespoke tour—a perfect mix of sights, tastes, and experiences. Your local driver-guide will be with you throughout the day, sharing insider knowledge about Crete’s hidden gems. Explore charming villages, ancient ruins, and the beautiful countryside. Visit family-owned olive oil mills, wineries, and cheese factories, or unwind on stunning beaches. If you wish, we can include a stop at the Old Venetian Harbor, a stroll through the city center, or time for shopping. Crete is a large island, so we’ll carefully plan your itinerary to fit the time available, considering driving between stops to make the most of your day. Our fully adapted wheelchair-accessible vehicle ensures a comfortable experience for everyone. We believe that travel is for all, and we’ll make sure you can enjoy the beauty of Crete without limits. Please note: This tour is available only for cruise passengers whose ship docks in Chania.

Take this trip to find out and enjoy a breathtaking view. Begin with a guided tour to the traditional olive mill and learn all about the process of olive oil production. Grab the opportunity to taste one of the healthiest olive oils, straight from the source of production. Continue with a visit at the theme park of Greek mythology and the Minoan civilization! It is an approach with the utmost respect for the Minoan civilization, Greek mythology, and rural life in Crete 100 years ago. After your exploration, optionally make a stop to Lasithi plateau to find the ideal place to relax. The orthodox Panagias monastery, is worth a visit. Admire the mesmerizing architecture in the stone-built Byzantine church. Lastly, we are taking you to the picturesque and charming village of Krasi. This traditional village is famous for its old plane tree, 2000 years old! Relax and recharge with a view; we are finally having lunch at a picturesque traditional tavern, with some wine and local dishes.