Top Crete How to Get Around in 2026

See a side of Crete that many tourists miss with this private full-day tour to places off the tourist map. Head away from the island’s busy beaches to discover the real Crete, visiting an olive oil producer, traditional wind mills, and sleepy inland villages. The Cave of Zeus is open except on Tuesdays. You have the option to enjoy a local lunch.

Step back in time and learn about Crete’s Minoan history on this private tour of Heraklion city and Knossos. Visit the archaeological site of Knossos to see the ruins of the great palace, temples, villas, and sanctuaries. Then, explore Heraklion’s Venetian walls, fortress, St. Minas Cathedral, and more with a private guide for a personalized experience.

Visit two of Crete’s top historical sights—Knossos Palace (a Bronze Age archeological site) and the Heraklion Archaeological Museum—in one time-saving tour. See ancient ruins and artifacts along the way, all while your guide's expert commentary brings the stories behind the sights to life. Highlights include the original throne of Minos at Knossos Palace and rare examples of Minoan art at Heraklion Archaeological Museum.

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.

Experience Crete’s coastline from the captain’s seat on a self-drive boat adventure that requires no boating license. After a short training session, follow your guide along the Aegean coast to hidden coves and crystal-clear swimming spots that are difficult to reach by land. Hotel transfers make this an easy way to enjoy a unique day on the water.

The Greek islands boast a rich history dating back to the days of antiquity, but exploring independently means missing the hidden secrets they hold. On this private tour of Crete, delve into the island’s colorful past with your guide—with round-trip transport from your Crete hotel or the port included. Travel back 4,000 years at the Palace of Knossos, and learn of ancient civilizations at the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion.

Be your own captain on this half-day boat rental without a skipper. Depart from Agios Nikolaos and cruise along the coastline of Crete in complete freedom and privacy, with the flexibility to stop when and where you want, and make the most of your day with complimentary bottled water, soda, snorkeling equipment, and onboard shower.

The Palace of Knossos, mythical home of the Minotaur, is Crete's top ancient attraction. Pair it with the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, and the world's finest collection of Minoan art, on this full-day private tour from Heraklion with a stop at the Koules Fortress (Castello del Molo). Entrance fees are at your expense, and your driver is not licensed to accompany you around the sights.

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.

Crete rewards those willing to venture beyond the resorts, but navigating between palaces, mountain plateaus, and villages on your own takes planning. This small-group tour with a private option handles logistics with a luxury air-conditioned Mercedes Benz and a local guide. You'll cover Knossos Palace, the Lasithi Plateau's windmills, the Psychro Cave, and an olive oil factory where you can taste local products and snacks.

Get a taste of Cretan life in the island’s mountain villages with this private tour. You’ll travel alongside a guide who brings his ancestral homeland alive with island stories and guaranteed good food. A farm-to-fork lunch, wine from the barrels, and homemade honey (produced by your guide) are a few of the treats.

Visit two legendary areas of Crete on this full-day tour from Rethymnon. Spend 3-4 hours of free time exploring the picturesque alleys and Municipal Market in Chania, considered one of the most beautiful cities in Greece. Then, spend about 2 hours of free time exploring Lake Kournas, the only freshwater lake in Crete, located in Mabamba.

Experience the quiet side of Crete with this all-day Land Rover tour to some of the island’s most beautiful and hidden places. Those who are short on time and eager to get away from the crowds will appreciate this budget-friendly, all-inclusive outing that visits waterfalls, herb farms, and ancient olive groves and includes lunch at a local taverna, a nature hike, and swimming in a cool spring.

Imbros Gorge is located in province Sfakia and is the second largest gorge in Crete, following Samaria Gorge. The picturesque scenery and its wilderness in combination with the low difficulty make the descent of Imbros ideal for families with children. The walking length of the gorge is 9 km and the course lasts about 2.5 hours. You can walk to the gorge all year round and it is definitely worth seeing.

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.

Samaria gorge is the longest in Europe and one of the most impressive gorges in Greece. Follow the path through this famous gorge, marvel its natural landscape, from the White Mountains to thousand-year-old forests and the river across it. At the end of the path, you will find the village of Agia Roumeli, where people can swim, relax at the beach, or find a tavern to have lunch within full view of the Mediterranean Sea. This is a rewarding but physically demanding experience, ideal for travelers who enjoy long-distance hiking and want to experience Samaria Gorge in its entirety.

Fill half of your day with the sights of Chania, and get more out of your time with a private driver-guide. This personal sightseeing tour showcases the history of Chania old town, where traces of the city's intriguing Minoan past can be found around the monuments and streets. The Christian, Jewish, and Muslim quarters of the city are all on the route.

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.

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.

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.

Hit Heraklion’s highlights in just half a day direct from your accommodation (or cruise ship) when you book this private tour, with skip-the-line tickets to the iconic Palace of Knossos. Your licensed guide will showcase details from lighting to drainage that bring this lost civilization to life. Next, discover the Heraklion Archaeological Museum (own expense) and its Minoan collection; finally, explore Heraklion, including the fortress, cathedral, market and Venetian Walls.

Enjoy a relaxing day out on the water on this private sailing trip from Chania. You and your party will ride a yacht to beautiful places full of history, including Fortezza, the isle of Karga, Cape Drapano lighthouse, and more. Swim and snorkel in shallow, sheltered waters while your personal chef prepares a local lunch on board. Return to port while admiring the sunset.

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.

The Best Way to Discover Chania: Scavenger Hunt & Self-Guided Tour. Play, learn, and walk! Explore at your own pace with a 100% self-guided activity. Start anytime (24/7) with no guides or schedules. Pause for a photo at the Sabbionara Rampart or a stroll through the narrow alleys of the Old Town and resume whenever you're ready—even the next day. This unique team-building activity is perfect for couples, families, and groups. The "Complete City" Package - Everything you need in one app: Interactive Game: Solve puzzles and discover 11 major attractions, plus hidden gems revealed along the way. Learn the history/legends of each site. Insider Tips: Access hand-picked local restaurant and shop recommendations. What you will visit: Aviation Memorial, Sabbionara Rampart, Mosque Kucuk Hasan, Maritime Museum of Crete, Firka Castle, Talos Square, Synagogue Etz Hayyim, Archaeological Museum, Trimartiri Church, St. Nicholas, and Chania Old Town.