Top Heraklion Outdoor Activities - page 3

Discover the Bronze Age city of Knossos and take a sightseeing tour of Heraklion. Knossos was once the capital of the Minoan civilization and is known to be Europe’s oldest city. Enjoy a guided tour of the labyrinthine palace and learn about its history. Then, visit Heraklion, the current capital of Crete, to discover its landmarks including the Lion’s Fountain.

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.

Spend a day seeing the inland sights around Rethymno with a private guide, and discover a side of Crete beyond its beloved beaches. You'll visit some of the smaller island villages and a monastery as well as natural landmarks like St. Anthony Gorge and Preveli Beach on a route that can be customized as you like.

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.

Visit the former leper colony and Venetian fortress on Spinalonga Island during this private tour. Sail to this rocky island, and explore the streets, houses, and ruined Venetian fortifications where lepers were confined from 1903 to 1957. Then, relax with a swim stop and barbecue lunch before cruising back to port. Return coach transport, the boat ride to Spinalonga, and select hotel pickup and drop-off in north-coast resorts included.

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.

Spend a day sailing on the glimmering waters around Crete on this leisurely cruise to Spinalonga Island. Climb aboard your boat and sail across Mirabello Bay as you make your way to “the island of tears” known as Spinalonga where you take a guided tour and then enjoy free time to explore. Then, head to Kolokytha where you enjoy a delicious barbecue lunch and plenty of time to swim and sunbathe.

Explore Dia Island and the gorgeous water of of St. George’s Bay with this private sailing charter. Your skipper will take care of the logistics, taking you through the bay and anchoring in crystal clear water. Snorkeling equipment is provided, so you don’t need to bring that yourself. Choose to add lunch, champagne, cake, and more for an additional charge.

Why choose this tour? Because we don't just show you Heraklion; we let you taste its soul! In a city of tourist traps, our Authentic Food & History Tour stands out by combining monumental landmarks with "hidden" culinary gems. A Complete Feast: Go beyond snacks! Enjoy Handmade Bougatsa at Lions Square, world-famous Gyros at Hovoli, and a sit-down Farm-to-Table feast at the prestigious Arismari & Varsamo. The Local Secret: Explore the 1866 Central Market as a local. Taste aged Graviera cheese, mountain herbs, and premium olive oil. Culture & Views: Balance your appetite with history at St. Minas Cathedral, St. Titus Church, and the majestic Venetian Walls for 360-degree Aegean views. Intimate Experience: Small groups ensure personalized stories about Cretan longevity and the secrets of Raki. All tastings included. Come hungry, leave as a local!

Discover the mountains of Crete and explore off-road trails on a quad safari with a visit to a Byzantine monastery. Head and marvel to the Minoa Palace in Maliaat and drive through olive groves. See an ancient oak tree and a 16th-century monastery. Savor a traditional Greek lunch in a cozy tavern and tour an olive mill. Bask in the sun and cool off with a swim in the sea at the end. Then, and continue to the village of Sissi. Cross a forest and pass through olive groves on your way up to the mountains to stop for a memorable photo at an 800-year-old oak tree. Afterward, visit Vrahasi village and navigate its narrow streets as you head up a steep road to the Monastery of Agios Georgios Vrahasiotis. This monastery dates back to the 16th century. Next, go to the village of Latsida and eat a traditional local lunch in a tavern. Enjoy a tour here and then continue to Sissi to relax on the beach and swim. Finally, return to the starting point and then transfer back to your accommodation.

Visit Spinalonga, the last leper colony in Europe, is located in Elounda from where we take the boat for Spinalonga island. Originally, Venetians fortified the islet in 1579, by building a fortress with 40 cannons and they are actually the best preserved walls in Europe. Visit Agios Nikolaos and walk around the famous Lake Voulismeni

• An exciting journey along the north-eastern coast of Crete with a boat trip along the picturesque Mirabello bay. • Accompanied by a professional guide, you will stroll through the streets of the Venetian castle and learn about the interesting history of the fortified island of Spinalonga. • Continuing your voyage, the ship will moor in Colokita Bay, where you will have free time for lunch and swimming in the crystal clear waters of Mirabello Bay. • A walk through the snow-white town of AGIOS NIKOLAOS, with many souvenir shops and boutiques around the bottomless lake Vouliazmeni.

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.

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.

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.

Discover some of Greece’s incredible natural landscapes on a hiking tour of the Rouvas Gorge from Heraklion. Go where traditional car vehicles can’t and discover secluded waterfalls, forests, and panoramic viewpoints, and explore at a relaxed pace in a group limited to only 16 other trekkers. The three-hour round-trip is ideal for travelers of a moderate fitness level, including a trek through Rouva's Forest near Gergeri.

Skip the tourist food, and get a real taste of Crete with a tour that's created and led by locals. In a small group capped at just eight people, you'll visit two locations to sample olive oil and wine, and learn how to create some Cretan specialities with help from a local cook. Enjoy included lunch with wine and hotel transfers for a seamless experience.

Escape the hustle and bustle of northern rete and discover the small villages of South Crete on this full-day excursion from Heraklion. With a private guide, drive away from the busy streets and towards olive orchards to Matala. Visit the caves, purchase lunch in the village, soak up the sun on the beach, and visit a local vineyard for a wine tasting.

Set off from Hersonissos for the ultimate private sunset safari adventure. Travel in an open-top Jeep and access remote scenery and mountain routes that sightseeing buses can’t reach. Along the way, see vineyards, olive groves, and traditional Cretan villages. A highlight is a stop to watch the sunset from a spectacular viewpoint, followed by a tour of the Lassithi Plateau, and a delicious dinner.

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.

Discover scenic villages and dramatic gorges on this fully customizable tour of the Rethymno region. A typical day might begin with Spili village, the Kortialotiko Gorge and the Church of St. Nicholas of Kortialoti. Next, head to the Holy Monastery of Preveli and Preveli Beach with its natural palm forest. Finally, explore Rethymno’s Venetian old town. Your package covers door-to-door private guided transfers: meals and tickets are at your expense.

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.

Through this route you will discover the wild side of South Crete and will arrive at one of the best beaches of Crete with clear water Οur first stop is the village of Patsides where we will have the opportunity to know the way produced cretan honey will try traditional raki and local delicacies also we will admire the cretan Herbs and taste traditional flavors in jams and local delicacies! In the follow-through of a beautiful route We arrive at Archanes Traditional village where will have free time to know to admire the traditional architecture up close and to feel the hospitality After we will drive a amazing off road in asterousia and climb to an altitude of 850 meters Here begins to seem the wild side of South Crete and real landscapes are gorgeous and dreamy Crossing the beautiful gorge we find ourselves in one of the best beaches of Crete with clear waters Here enjoying an amazing meal and we get our swim

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.