Top Crete Sightseeing Tours

Explore Crete’s mountains and countryside by Polaris ATV (all-terrain vehicle) on a 4-hour buggy expedition from Rethymno. Traveling on- and off-road, rumble up mountains and through gorges and shallow rivers to experience the island’s wild side. Pause for photos, visit medieval villages, look for wildlife, and stop for snacks, including coffee at a lakeside coffee house. Choose a morning or afternoon departure, with equipment, instructions, and central Rethymno or Rethymno hotel pickup included.

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.

Elafonisi sits at the far southwest tip of Crete, a long drive on winding roads that puts many self-drivers off. Get driven there and back instead, with the route handled so you can spend the day on the beach rather than behind the wheel. Walk the pink-tinged sands and swim in the shallow, clear water of this protected reserve. Enjoy local product tasting included in the tour.

Enjoy some of Crete’s most beautiful beaches without the self-drive hassles on this guided small-group tour. Travel direct from your door to Kissamos, where you board a boat for Balos Beach and Lagoon, then savor the soft white sands. Next, ride a boat to Gramvousa Island (own expense), swim in the clear waters, and opt to hike to the 16th-century fortress. Your guide will drop you directly to your door.

Get more out of your time in Crete, and discover the history of the Minoan civilization on a tour of Knossos Palace and the cultural center of Heraklion. You’ll get the lowdown on the exhibits of the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, and discover one of the locals’ favorite spots for coffee in a cozy city café. Note that entry fees are payable on the day.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 !

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.

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 authentic Crete on a semi-private 4×4 safari from Rethymno, with winery tours, olive oil and cheese tastings, hidden villages, scenic monasteries and breathtaking mountain views. * Enjoy Cretan Villages and the best panoramic view of Psiloritis Mountain * Visit a winery for tour and tasting * Visit an olive mill for tour and tasting * Visit an original shepherd’s hut “Mitato”, experience a live cheese-making process and taste local cheese * Lunch with traditional Cretan platters * Embark on semi-private safari tour for up to 6 or 8 persons per vehicle

Discover Crete by water with this private boat trip to Balos Lagoon. Climb aboard a boat for a scenic excursion in the Mediterranean Sea to Gramvousa Beach. Go snorkeling off the boat with provided equipment or swim and sunbathe. The itinerary and tour length can be customized according to your individual interests.

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.

Experience traditional Greek vineyards alongside a certified sommelier on this private excursion by SUV. Venture into the countryside and learn about the winemaking traditions of Crete, including a visit to a 500-year-old wine press. Your tour includes a wine tasting of 12 premium wines paired with local snacks and culminates with a delicious 3-course Cretan meal in the middle of the vineyards.

Early in the morning, you will be picked up from designated areas around Chania via a luxurious bus and reach the starting point of your tour in Omalos Plateau around 7am. The panoramic view of the gorge from the plateau is a photophile's delight, so after short stop for pictures, you will begin descending the 600 wooden steps that will take you inside the Samaria gorge. There will always be a hiking escort to ensure everyone's safety and provide assistance if needed. The hike will conclude at Agia Roumeli, a beach at the end of the gorge, At around 17:00 you will board a boat to the picturesque village of Sougia, where you will start your trip back to the place where you were picked up from. Time-Table 05:20‐06:10 Pick up 07:15 First stop Omalos Plateau 07:45 Begin hike Xyloskalo 14:00 End hike at Agia Roumeli Village 16:30 Meet your guide at Agia Roumeli 17:00-17:30 Departure from Agia Roumeli to Sougia 20:00‐20:30 Arrival at your Hotel

Learn all about olive oil on this private tour in the charming village of Epanos Archanes in Crete. Explore an olive grove and olive mill and learn about olive farming and different methods for producing olive oil. Afterwards, sample three different olive oils, a flavored oil, table olives, grape syrup, and a sweet vinegar.

Experience an off-road safari in Crete on this guided excursion. After crafting an itinerary that suits your preferences and interests and enjoying pickup from your hotel, villa, or apartment, hit the trails in a Land Rover Discovery with room for six. Visit magnificent waterfalls, isolated coves, picturesque villages, and anywhere else you’d like to visit and get to know the authentic Crete. Any entrance fees are at your own expense.

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.

The rugged landscapes of Crete are spectacular—but many of the island’s most dramatic views are hard to fully appreciate from the ground. This small-group hot-air balloon experience lifts you above the Lassithi Plateau for sweeping aerial views of mountains, villages, and farmland. After helping prepare the balloon and completing a safety briefing, float peacefully above the plateau before celebrating with a glass of Champagne and breakfast at a local tavern once you land.

Enjoy the great outdoors of Crete with this SUV tour and hike to the Richtis Gorge. After leaving Agios Nikolaos in a 7-seater Land Rover Discovery, you’ll travel past traditional villages and sweeping coastal vistas to the start of the gorge trail. You’ll then enjoy an easy hike that’s suitable even for kids, down to a pebble beach and back. Lunch and a knowledgeable local guide complete the experience.