Day Trips from Heraklion to Chania

A private tour of Kourtaliotiko Gorge offers an unforgettable experience in one of Crete's most awe-inspiring natural settings. As you begin your journey, you'll pass through the narrow entrance of the gorge, where towering cliffs rise dramatically on either side, creating a majestic landscape that immediately captures the imagination. The guided tour typically starts at the village of Koxare, where you'll be introduced to the geological and historical significance of the gorge. As you walk along the well-maintained trails, your guide will point out the unique rock formations and the vibrant plant life that thrives in this diverse ecosystem, including wild herbs, aromatic bushes, and rare flowers. One of the highlights of the tour is a stop at the picturesque waterfalls and small pools formed by the Kourtaliotis River. Here, you can take in the refreshing atmosphere, and during the warmer months, you might even have the opportunity to dip your feet in the cool, clear water.

Gramvoussa and Balos are famous for their beauty but can be difficult to reach on your own. Join this action-packed day tour to visit some of the most beautiful beaches in Greece, watch birds on the uninhabited island of Gramvoussa, and cool off with a swim in the lagoon at Balos. Learn about the history of Gramvoussa and find out why it’s nicknamed Pirates’ Island.

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.

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.

Embark on this Private Full Day Tour to explore West Crete . We will start our day by enjoying an iced coffee in Agia Pelagia with amazing views. Enjoy the ride with our air conditioned comfortable vehicles. We will visit the old town of Chania and walk through the charming old narrow streets where we might get lost ….( we got google maps) The light house in Chania is must paparazzi point so we got to take a photo or 2 ……… Rethimno is the third biggest city in Crete and it’s known for its Venetian and Othoman architecture so we must explore it . Kournas Lake is the only natural lake in Crete and it’s located between Rethimno and Chania so we can enjoy lunch by the lake or we can skip it and enjoy lunch at an old traditional village . ( OPTIONAL)

See the crystal clear waters of Balos Bay on this memorable full-day trip. Travel to Crete's westernmost point before taking a boat over beautiful waters to Gramvousa Island. White sand beaches and turquoise seas await. Enjoy included hotel pickup and comfortable, air-conditioned transport with a local guide as you travel by bus to the lagoon, then relax and swim during an hour on the boat in Balos Bay and at Gramvousa Island.

Get more out of your trip to Heraklion with this tour to the best sights of western Crete. Following your multilingual guide, you’ll witness the Minoan city of Chania, still one of Crete’s finest gems, and its decisive blend of old and new. Then it’s off to Old Town Rethymnon, one of Crete’s most well-preserved ancient settlements, and Lake Kournas, wrapping up this day with some spectacular Cretan nature.

Join us in a unique tour through the ages and explore the other side of the city. We will visit neighbourhoods like Topanas, Splantzia, Kolombo, and Kasteli, high spots to admire the panoramic view of the harbour, traditional Cretan taverns, and magnificent buildings. Also, we will visit the ancient ruins of the greatest Minoan city, Kydonia, and the high walls of the Venetian moats, called “Tafros”. The most important thing that you will learn from our tour is that in two hours you will tour and learn about five old civilizations, see their architecture, know about their culture, and hear the ancient spirit's history and tales! • Get around the city with ease: private transport provided for the tour. • Convenient round-trip transfer from your hotel in Chania region. • Great for shore excursions: port pick-up is available in Chania. • Get your photos online fast: Wi-Fi is available onboard your private vehicle.

Uncover the rich history of Crete on this semi-private tour, designed for small groups of up to 6 guests. Begin at the ancient city of Aptera, where you can wander through fascinating ruins and admire the grand amphitheater while soaking in panoramic views of Souda Bay. Next, head to Chania's Old Town to explore its charming streets, vibrant markets, and the iconic Venetian Harbor. This intimate experience offers a blend of guided discovery and free time to relax and enjoy local taverns and shops. - Small-group tour (max 6 people) ensures a personalized experience. - Discover the ancient city of Aptera and its archaeological wonders. - Explore Chania’s picturesque Old Town and waterfront at your own pace. - Includes hotel pick-up/drop-off and comfortable air-conditioned transport.

Take a break from the busy cities and tourist hordes on a relaxing day trip to Gramvousa Island from Crete. Enjoy the scenic hour-long cruise from Castelli to the uninhabited islets of Gramvousa. Explore the beaches, lookout points, and 16th-century Venetian fortress on the beautiful island. Refuel with a tasty on-board lunch before returning to mainland Crete.

Delve deeper into the 5,000-year history of Crete on a private sightseeing tour that covers the highlights of the west coast. Taking a private tour allows you to explore the Holy Trinity Monastery (Agia Triada), the Archaeological Site of Ancient Aptera, and Chania Old Town at a pace set by you rather than a large group.

Take the opportunity and explore one of the best-known features on Crete. Enjoy a day filled with scenery of unparallel beauty and swim in turquoise waters. Discover the place where time has stopped.

Embark on a journey through Crete's past and present with our captivating tour. Begin with a poignant visit to the German Military Cemetery in Maleme, where rows of white crosses pay tribute to WWII soldiers. Then, immerse yourself in the tranquility of Lake Agias and the charm of Fournes village. Explore the rustic beauty of Meskla before indulging in a wine tasting at the esteemed Manousakis Winery. Book your experience now and uncover the heart of Crete.

Explore the old town of Rethymno along with traditional villages and a visit to Lake Kournas.By this trip you will feel like a local and you will avoid the tourist traps.Rethymno old town is one of the highlights, shop through the narrow traditional streets with the small shops, accept the locals treating you with "raki".Next, relax at Lake Kourna a hidden gem of Crete which will lead us to Argiroupoli village for a traditional meal.Last but not least, take a step back and admire the beautiful scenery at Agreco Farms along with activities.

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.

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 !

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.

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.

Discover the rich flavors of Crete on this culinary tour that begins with a convenient hotel pickup. Visit the traditional village of Astrikas to explore the award-winning Biolea Olive Oil Mill and experience the artisanal stone-mill process of organic olive oil production with guided tastings. Continue your journey to Kissamos, where you'll learn about Cretan beekeeping and enjoy a variety of local honeys at a honey factory café lunch. Finally, venture to Pnevmatikakis Winery for an insider’s look at their facilities, followed by a tasting of exquisite Cretan wines, raki, and racomelo. - Convenient hotel pickup for a seamless experience - Explore the Biolea Olive Oil Mill and enjoy guided tastings - Learn about traditional beekeeping and taste local honeys - Visit Pnevmatikakis Winery for a tour and wine tasting

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.

Combine two scenic attractions on Crete with one easy day tour. After hotel pickup in Heraklion and nearby towns, board the boat in Kissamos Port and set sail for Gramvousa Island, where you can relax onboard, swim in the bay, or hike up to Gramvousa Fortress for panoramic views. Afterwards, swim in the clear waters of Balos Lagoon.

The mountainous, provincial road climbs the eastern slopes of Psiloritis and offers incredible views of Heraklion and the Cretan Sea. Soon we reach Krousonas and through a dirt road, which runs parallel to the homonymous gorge, to the plateau. The place is beautiful with thousands of pear and apple trees scattered all over. The dirt road will lead us tothe plateau of Nida, where we will visit IdaionAndron, the cave where Zeus was raised. From there, we will head to Anogia for a stop in a traditional kafenion. Our trip continues to Livadia and Psiloritis Chalet Retreat where we will have our cooking lesson – preparing traditional cheese and local specialties. Note: This is not a private tour. Other travellers may also participate.

This tour offers a rare and authentic glimpse into the untouched heart of Crete — far from tourist crowds. Embark on an off-road adventure through the scenic landscapes of southern Crete in specially equipped Jeeps/SUVs with professional driver-guides. Begin with a relaxing stop at the sunny seaside village of Myrtos, where guests can enjoy coffee by the crystal-clear waters, swim, or simply unwind. The journey continues to the Omalos Plateau in Viannos, traveling through pine forests and fresh mountain air, offering gentle off-road exploration amid untouched natural beauty. The adventure concludes in the authentic mountain village of Viannos, where panoramic views, traditional kafeneia, and warm local hospitality provide a perfect end to the day.