Top Crete How to Get Around

Go to hidden-away corners of Crete few travelers get to see with this guided all-terrain vehicle tour. Follow your guide off-road to quiet tracks far from the traffic and crowded resorts. Explore the near-abandoned ghost village of Achlada, where only a few locals still live, and Fodele, the birthplace of El Greco.

Skip crowded beaches and sail to uninhabited Dia Island or St. George Bay (dependent on tour option selected) on this intimate, small-group cruise, limited to just 10 guests. As you journey across Cretan waters, listen as your captain shares history and local secrets about the area. Upon arrival, enjoy free time to swim, snorkel, fish, sunbathe, or stroll to a charming church, before savoring a freshly prepared Cretan meal and included drinks. Choose between a 5-hour daytime trip with two island stops or a shorter 3-hour sunset cruise to St. George Bay.

Although Heraklion is the perfect base to see Crete’s cultural and architectural heritage, it’s not the only part of Crete that is worthy of a visit. On this full-day tour, discover two of the prettiest cities in Western Crete—Chania and Rethymno—and immerse yourself in some of the island's loveliest scenery. Admire the White Mountains, visit Lake Kournas, and learn all about local history and culture as you explore.

Maximize time in Crete with a half-day private tour of Chania and its surroundings. Get picked up at your hotel or chosen location in Chania and set out on a sightseeing tour focused on local history and heritage. See top landmarks including the Old Venetian Harbor, Lighthouse of Chania, Firkas Fortress, and Hassan Pascha Mosque. Get to know Chania's Old Town and the many cultures that influenced its character.

Combine a visit to the only freshwater lake on Crete with tastings of local olive oil on this private tour. Travel by private vehicle to Lake Kournas, where you can swim or enjoy a pedalo ride. Then visit a family-owned olive oil factory to sample products and learn about their production. This tour lasts about 6 to 7 hours, offering a relaxed pace and personalized experience.

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.

Visit the family home of a local Cretan for an evening of cooking, eating, and cultural exchange. Begin your visit in the vegetable gardens, where you harvest ingredients to use in your recipes. Learn traditional dishes from your hosts, hear the stories behind each, and taste local cheeses. Enjoy views of the Aegean Sea and the mountains, then sit down to a meal you helped prepare, paired with local wine.

Explore Crete’s diverse palm forests, gorges, and beaches on a full-day Land Rover safari with a guide to reveal the best of the island’s scenery and culture. Rumble along remote roads, passing landmarks like Prassano Gorge and Potamon Dam, and stopping to swim in the Libyan Sea. Get a taste of Cretan country life when you visit traditional villages like Spili, and enjoy a local tavern lunch with ambience to spare.

Step aboard the 'Mikros Naftilos' for a private cruise to the islands of Gramvousa and the Balos Lagoon. With a well-established local operator as your skipper, you'll relax on a carefully planned route that showcases the area's coastal highlights. Enjoy a lunch of regional dishes and unlimited drinks as you cruise, and stop for cool-down dips in the sea along the way.

Travelers to Crete tend to stick to the well-worn paths between major towns and attractions, like Knossos and Rethymnon. This tour, operated using a four-wheeled all-terrain-vehicle, unlocks the Cretan backroads and off-road trails. See parts of Crete that most visitors to the island miss, steal a glimpse into local life away from the main tourist routes and learn how the storied past of the Melidoni Cave stretches back through time.

The Samaria Gorge is one of Europe’s longest canyons and a must-see attraction when visiting Crete. This full-day tour takes you on a hike through the gorge to admire its soaring cliffs and narrow passageways. At the end of the gorge, you are rewarded with a refreshing dip in the cool waters of Agia Roumeli Beach. Then, take the ferry to the port before returning to Chania by bus.

Visit some of Crete’s best beaches without having to drive yourself on a guided day tour from Rethymno. You’ll head to Preveli Beach on the island’s south coast, where you can swim and relax on the sand. On the way, stop at Kourtaliotis Gorge to admire waterfalls and springs, noting an entrance fee applies. Refuel with a traditional lunch in Plakias (at your own 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.

Taste your way through some of Crete's top wines on this full-day, small-group tasting tour. Led by your guide, and with round-trip hotel transfers included, this tour makes it easy to head off the tourist trail and explore beyond Heraklion’s usual landmarks. Visit two top wineries, enjoy tastings with nibbles, and indulge in a 3-course meal at a gourmet restaurant.

Discover the finest sands of Crete with the help of a local private guide. Ideal if you don't have your own transport, this private day trip helps you get to the must-visit beaches without any fuss. Book for a group of up to 12 people, then travel to Falassarna and Elafonissi beaches where shallow waters and pink sands await. You'll also visit Vouves, home to one of the world's oldest olive trees.

This full-day private tour takes you on a journey through Crete’s flavors, landscapes, and authentic traditions. Begin with a visit to a local honey farm for a sweet start, followed by a scenic stop at the Cave of Agia Sofia for a walk and olive oil tasting. Spend a few hours relaxing at Elafonissi, Crete’s famous pink sand beach, where you can swim, explore, and enjoy nature with umbrellas provided for your comfort. On the way back, you can stop for lunch at a traditional tavern in the mountain village of Elos (optional), before ending the day with a wine tasting at a local family-run winery. With a private vehicle, a friendly English-speaking driver, and flexible timing, this experience offers a perfect mix of nature, gastronomy, and culture.

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.

By our sailing boats "Izabela" and "Poseidon" we organise day cruises to Gramvousa and Balos. Our journey starts from Kissamos Port. After about 90 minutes of cruising, we will reach our first destination, the lagoon of Balos, one of the most beautiful beaches over the Europe. The turquoise water invites you to swimming and snorkeling. We will spend next two hours there, while you can enjoy the beach and relax. We will have a pleasure to offer you traditional and light Cretan lunch on board. Our next stop is the island of Imeri Gramvousa. There you can enjoy the beautiful beach and take a bath in the crystal clear water. On top of the island, you will find an old Venetian Castle. The views from there are really breath taking. Then we will head back. Anytime that the wind will be enough we will be experience sailing. On board you have for your disposal a cabin to rest or sleep, bathroom with shower. We provide snorkeling equipment. Ofered drinks are water, soft drinks, beer and wine.

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.

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.

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.

Explore the ancient land of the Lasithi Plateau and discover historic old towns and villages, Orthodox monasteries, and the grand stalactites and geological formations of the Cave of Zeus. See the Monastery of Vidiani and wander the small streets of Krasi. Then visit an olive mill and farm, where you can see how everything from olive oil to olive soap.

Explore the unique culinary paths of the Cretan culture. This excursion is a must for a closer look at the secrets of the traditional Cretan way of living where you will explore the traditional tastes of Cretan nutrition. Visit a local bakery where we will have the chance to get a closer look at how Cretan traditional savories (rusks, bread, etc) are made. Visit an Olive grove where we will examine the olive trees and learn how Cretan honey is made. Visit a traditional multi-awarded cheese factory. If it is not the cheese-making period, we will be able to enter, otherwise, our guide will tell you everything about the cheese-making procedure before our superior tasting experience. Get ready for a superb gastronomical experience as you will have the chance to taste a traditional platted with olive oil, tomatoes, olives, cheese, honey, and more that are going to provide you with a first-class experience of the Cretan nature.

Skip the expense of car hire and relax with this convenient transfer service for scenic Gramvousa island. Your bus will collect you at one of a range of Chania locations, and drive you to the port of Kissamos. Here, pay for your prebooked tickets and a small municipality fee, board the boat, and explore the island. Catch the boat to Balos Lagoon before returning to Chania by bus.