Top Heraklion How to Get Around - page 3

With a minibus your Eye Travel guide shows you the Spinalonga island and other interesting places. Our first stop is in Agios Nikolaos where we have a fantastic view over the "Bottomless lake". You have some free time for a coffee, shopping and a stroll along the most eastern main city of Crete. After passing Elounda it is time for SPINALONGA, the last leper colony of Europe. A typical Cretan fishing boat brings you to the island, this takes no more than 10 minutes. On the island you make a tour. After finishing the trip on Spinalonga, a fishing boat brings you back to the small village of Plaka. Plaka is a tiny harbor, so the unique opportunity to eat fresh fish. After our lunch we are heading to an olive oil factory. You get a guided tour through the factory. All facts about olive oil, the pressing methods and grades of olive oil are explained. At the end of the tour you can taste different olive oils and other local products.

Half a day on land is still plenty of time to pack in the best of Heraklion and its surroundings. Skip taxi lines and public transport for time-efficient transfers to Knossos Palace—once the home of the ancient Minoan civilization—complete with a guided tour. Next, explore the Old Town of Heraklion, before convenient drop-off back in port.

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.

Check out Crete’s western sites on this day trip from Heraklion with your own private guide. You’ll explore with your own private guide, visiting picturesque villages such as Spili and Plakias, checking out sites like the Kourtaliotiko Gorge and the Holy Monastery of Preveli, and admiring Ottoman and Venetian architecture of Rethymno and Chania. Extra perks include coffee, and a hotel and raki liqueur tasting.

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.

Discover in one day, Balos, the most beautiful beach and Chania, the most beautiful town of Greece. Enjoy a magical boat trip through the westernmost point of Crete and admire the crystal-clear waters of Balos. Walk across the white sand shore and find yourself enjoying the sun in one of the most beautiful beaches of the world. Experience the charming town of Chania, walk around its picturesque streets and admire the unique Venetian old harbor of this town

From the Knossos Palace to the 2,400-year-old plane tree in Krasi Village, the Lasithi Plateau is home to some of Greece’s most historic sights. Combine a walk through history with a cultural adventure on this full-day private tour. Visit olive groves, pottery studios, traditional villages, and the legendary Cave of Zeus with a 1-hour stop while sampling traditional Cretan foods, olive oil, and wine before exploring archaeological marvels at Knossos Palace.

This private tour is built around understanding Spinalonga within its mainland setting, connecting Agios Nikolaos and an authentic olive mill into one well-paced day designed for travelers who value understanding over rushing between sights. Choose whether to visit Spinalonga Island itself or enjoy time in Plaka while learning its history and setting. Continue to Agios Nikolaos for a relaxed walk around the lake and harbor, with free time to enjoy the local atmosphere or lunch by the water. Between main locations, travel through traditional villages and landscapes connected to the region’s daily life. When timing and interest allow, the day may also include a quiet monastery visit or a traditional Greek coffee stop. Hosted by a knowledgeable local driver, the experience remains fully private, flexible, and adapted to your interests — ideal for couples, families, and first-time visitors to Crete. Heraklion to Spinalonga Tour, Day trip from Heraklion to Spinalonga, East Crete

Celebrate all things olive oil with this Olive Oil Festival experience in Sisi, Crete. Enjoy pickup from many areas of the island and transfer to Sisi Village by air-conditioned vehicle. At the village, enjoy workshops on different topics, such as olive oil production, honey making, raki, and soap making. Sample wine and a variety of dishes based on olive oil and enjoy a live show with music and dancing.

Lace up your hiking boots for a guided walk through the Samaria Gorge National Park. With a guide, discover the trails that might be difficult to find alone, taking in the landscapes around the Tara River en route. It’s a long hike, with roughly six hours of walking time, but the route provides some of the most beautiful nature on Crete. Round-trip transport from Heraklion is included.

Maximize time in Crete with a full-day combination guided tour. Get picked up at your hotel and set out on a coach sightseeing tour focused on archaeology and culture. See popular landmarks including the Kera Kardiotissa Monastery, Dikteon Cave, and the Palace of Knossos. Admire panoramic views from Seli Ambelou Lasithi Plateau, visit an olive oil factory, and go inside a ceramic workshop to see a potter at work.

Start your day with a comfortable pickup with our fully equipped SUV vehicles. After meeting our professional drivers, your adventure begins! Our first stop is a traditional olive oil factory, where you will enjoy a guided tour and learn about the process of olive oil production and its importance to the Cretan lifestyle. Continuing our journey, we visit a preserved section of an ancient Roman aqueduct, a reminder of the island’s rich history. Shortly afterwards, the adventure begins as we leave the main road and start our off-road experience, driving through mountain landscapes towards the Lasithi Plateau. Upon arrival, we visit the legendary Cave of Zeus (Dikteon Cave), believed to be the birthplace of Zeus! Next, we stop at a traditional pottery workshop before enjoying a delicious lunch at a local taverna with authentic Cretan flavors. After lunch, we begin our relaxing return journey back to your accommodation, ending a memorable day of culture, nature, and adventure.

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.

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.

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.

Swap predictable sightseeing cruises for something a lot more adventurous and exhilarating—a fast-paced stunt boat tour that spins, splashes, rides waves, and completes 360° maneuvers. As well as being an adrenaline-fueled ride, the activity also allows you to save time and see the beaches, gulf, and sights of Hersonissos at a super-fast speed.

Crete is an island full of treasures you need a lifetime to discover. It is also one of the safest places in the world. With this tour you get in touch with the rich Cretan History, the famous Cretan Hospitality, the local Culture, the Cretan Cuisine, which is the base of the Mediterranean Diet. This tour is suitable for visitors with the cruise ships also. It is a private tour and you can decide, where to stop and how much time to spend on each place. With the help of our Experienced Professional Licensed Tourist Guide, who will be with you during the whole tour, you will travel back in time, as far as the 7th Millennium BC, visiting the Palace of Knossos and the Archaeological Museum. Then you will explore the Old Town of Heraklion and admire the signs of all the different civilizations that stopped by the island through the ages. With this tour you take home nice feelings, beautiful impressions and you look forward to come back.

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.

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.

Visit Elounda and ride a boat to Spinalonga Island on this day trip.  Travel to Elounda and cruise to Spinalonga in Mirabello Bay, where a Venetian fortress and old village once housed a leper colony. Explore the ruins where lepers were confined, and enjoy a swim and barbecue lunch. After docking back at Elounda, drive to Agios Nikolaos’ to see its harbor and reputedly bottomless lake. Pickup and drop-off from selected hotels included.

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.

This is a private tour. Experience Crete from a unique perspective on this all-day Land Rover safari, combining mythology, culture, and authentic local flavors. Begin with a hotel pick-up in Heraklion and enjoy a scenic off-road drive through the eastern slopes of Psiloritis, Livadi Plateau, and Nida Plateau, with stunning mountain views along the way. Visit the legendary Idaion Andron cave, where Zeus was rased, and explore the resilient mountain village of Anogia with a traditional Greek coffee. The highlight is a hands-on cheese-making class at Psiloritis Shalet, tasting fresh local dairy and regional delicacies. The day concludes with a comfortable return, leaving you with lasting memories of Crete’s landscapes, traditions, and myths.

Discover ancient Minoan history, Cretan farming culture, and magnificent island views on this full-day off-roading adventure from Heraklion. Travel in a rugged Land Rover along historic mountain trails, stopping along the way to visit the mythological Diction Cave, shepherds’ villages, the scenic Lassithi Plateau, and an eco park where traditional ways of life are still practiced. Replenish your energy with an included lunch and taste of ‘raki’ liqueur at a local tavern.

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.