Top Crete Full-day Tours - page 7

This private day trip stands out because it respects both the landscape and your time. You travel at your own pace through Crete’s dramatic south, reaching Kourtaliotiko Gorge, where we escort you to the waterfalls and provide waterproof phone cases so you can enjoy the experience without worry. No rushing, no crowds—just raw nature handled properly. After the gorge, you choose how the day continues: the river and palm forest of Preveli Beach, or the deep, crystal-clear waters of Kalypso Beach, ideal for swimming and snorkeling. We can then stop for lunch at a local seaside or mountain taverna, enjoying simple, honest Cretan flavors. Cruise-friendly, fully private, and seamlessly planned—this is a full-day experience designed to feel effortless and genuinely memorable.

Explore Santorini in just one day on this full-day tour from Crete. Travel by high-speed ferry from Heraklion to the famous volcanic island, then continue by bus to the towns of Oia and Fira, with commentary from your guide about Santorini and its history. Enjoy free time to explore on your own before returning to Crete.

Explore Crete by sail with a scenic day cruise to Gramvousa and Balos. Get picked up at your hotel in an air-conditioned vehicle and admire views during the drive to the west edge of Crete. Climb aboard a boat and sail to Gramvousa, or Pirates Island. Cool off with a swim in the turquoise waters of Balos Lagoon and get to know Crete from a fresh perspective.

Samaria Gorge is one of Crete’s top attractions and the longest gorge in Europe. Embark on a full-day excursion to the western part of Crete and enjoy a walking tour of the great gorge. Spend your day ascending steep inclines, visiting the old village of Samaria, seeing the church that the gorge is named after, and ending at the refreshing sea in Agia Roumeli.

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.

Relax on the paradise-like island of Elafonisi on this family-friendly day trip. Admire western Crete’s hills and traditional villages on a drive to the southwest coast, and stop for coffee at the Cave of Agia Sofia. Then, spend the afternoon on the idyllic protected islet of Elafonisi, enjoying its pink sands and clear seas. Includes round-trip transport plus select hotel pickup and drop-off.

Immerse yourself in Crete’s culture and cuisine on this full-day 4WD safari from Chania. Sample fine Cretan wines at a local vineyard, watch a demonstration of traditional knife making, then peek into an olive mill and learn about the island’s famous extra-virgin olive oil. Finally, indulge in a delicious lunch at a local tavern and taste typical Cretan specialties like seafood, feta cheese and savory pies.

Many Crete travelers have heard of Matala village with its hand-carved sea caves, but it’s a tricky place to visit without transport. This full-day trip however offers air-conditioned transportation, making Matala reachable even without a rental car. After a hotel pickup, pass through the Messara Plain to enjoy free time in Matala. Relax on the beach, see caves that were used as Roman burial sites, and soak up the bohemian vibe.

Reach places on Crete that most day tours can’t with this full-day sightseeing excursion in a 4WD vehicle. After pickup, spend the day exploring the island’s culture and history: visit the sunken village in Aposelemis Dam, the Cave of Zeus, the Windmills of Lasithi Plateau, traditional villages, and other secluded places. Enjoy a traditional lunch with wine and water included.

Head away from the tourist trail to catch the sun slipping into the Cretan sea. This private evening tour starts with visits to Agios Nikolaos and Plaka, and passes the village of Vrouchas as the route climbs high in to the mountains. You’ll then catch the sunset at a high-altitude spot where sweeping views await. A traditional dinner is also included.

Discover the best of southern Crete, without having to navigate unfamiliar roads, on this full-day small-group tour. After pickup from designated locations around Crete, travel by air-conditioned bus to the Monastery Panagia Kaliviani and walk through the Gorge of the Hermits. Afterwards, explore Matala Beach and enjoy a sunset dinner at a traditional Cretan restaurant.

Explore Crete on an all-day off-road tour with a personal driver. After a convenient pickup from select hotels, hop in a 4x4 and get off the beaten path with an informative private guide. Visit otherwise inaccessible parts of the island, take a refreshing swim at the famed Preveli Beach, and enjoy a delicious lunch included in the tour price.

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 !

See parts of Crete that tour buses can't reach on this 4WD off-road safari with hotel pickup and drop-off within 20 kilometers of Hersonissos. Visit the eerie abandoned village of Sfendili, drowned by the Aposelemis Dam, enjoy lunch with a view in a mountain village, drive across a river, and explore a sacred cave. Choose between private or small-group options to suit your interests.

Embark on a full-day 4x4 adventure through Crete’s stunning landscapes, charming villages, and hidden gems, complete with lunch and swimming. Visit highlights like the Venetian Lion Fountains in Spili, the breathtaking Kourtaliotiko Gorge, and the exotic Preveli Beach, where a palm-lined lagoon meets crystal-clear waters. Enjoy a traditional Cretan lunch with unlimited wine, all while exploring off-the-beaten-path locations with a guide.

Perfect for adventurous travelers, this full day 4x4 Jeep Safari tour puts you behind the wheel of an all-terrain vehicle. Led by two expert guides, your group convoys from downtown Crete into the more rugged parts of the island, passing olive groves, traditional villages, and dramatic scenery. Have lunch in Kastelli, then go for an exhilarating off-road ride to Gournes Beach on the north coast before driving back to town.

If you like to explore independently but would prefer not to risk self-driving Cretan roads or doing battle for parking in Chania, this trip with hotel transfers is perfect for you. As you travel from Rethymno to Chania, your tour leader will clue you in on the city’s history and explain everything there is to see. You have half a day to explore independently before returning to your hotel.

The hike down Samaria Gorge—a national park and biosphere reserve—is a challenging 10-mile (16 kilometers) journey to the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, making the return journey difficult. This tour descends the gorge with a guide in roughly five to six hours and makes the return journey to the tour bus on a public ferry. Breakfast and admission to the national park are included, with convenient hotel pickup provided.

Explore the great outdoors in Greece with an exciting hiking excursion to Samaria National Park. Embark on a scenic and strenuous 16-kilometer hike starting at the top of the gorge and winding your way down towards the sea. Along the way, you can take in stunning views of the surrounding mountains and sea, and you might even be able to spot rare kri-kri goats and other wildlife within the park. After the tour, enjoy a boat ride from the village of Agia Roumeli to Chora Sfakia, where you'll meet your bus to return.

Travel south through Crete’s scenic mountains on a full-day tour that combines scenic and historical highlights. Stops include St. Anthony Gorge (Gorge of Patsos), Kourtaliotiko Gorge, the Spili botanical garden, and beautiful Plakias Beach, where you’ll have time to swim and relax. Enjoy convenient hotel pickup and travel in a climate-controlled vehicle for comfort while exploring a quieter, less-visited region of Crete.

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.

Combine the highlights of the Lassithi Plateau with Knossos Palace on this full-day sightseeing tour. See the windmills of Lassithi, admire traditional pottery making at Psychro, explore Dictean Cave (said to be the birthplace of Zeus), view the traditional architecture at Tzermiado, and visit the Monastery of Kera Kardiotissa, before finishing the tour at Knossos Palace.

Familiarize yourself with the traditional lifestyle and history that makes up the real Crete. Your tour will start at the Melidoni Cave. Dating back to the Neolithic Period, this area is full of clues into ancient lifestyles. Finally, visit the village of Apostoli. Home to a functioning olive oil factory, you'll learn about the production of olive oil before enjoying lunch at a tavern.

This full-day private tour of Rethymno focuses on the history and traditional crafts of the area. Start your day by visiting the Monastery of Arkadi, one of the most important monasteries in Greece. Continue with a guided tour of a working pottery workshop. After free time and lunch in Margarites, explore Melidoni cave with its stalactites and stalagmites.