Top Crete Sightseeing Tours

Crete rewards those willing to venture beyond the resorts, but navigating between palaces, mountain plateaus, and villages on your own takes planning. This small-group tour with a private option handles logistics with a luxury air-conditioned Mercedes Benz and a local guide. You'll cover Knossos Palace, the Lasithi Plateau's windmills, the Psychro Cave, and an olive oil factory where you can taste local products and snacks.

Discover the rugged landscapes of Crete's northern coast on an all-terrain vehicle (ATV or quad bike) adventure with transfers from Rethymno hotels. Splash through streams, wind along ancient gorges, and look for island wildlife from behind the wheel of a personal solo or tandem quad that can access tucked-away mountain reaches. You’ll need to be at least 18 and have held a license for one year to drive the quad.

Explore the ancient and historic places of Crete on this tour, and discover some of the most iconic Greek locations in the whole country. See the cave where Zeus was born, and stand underneath the 2,400-year-old Writer's Plane Tree. Visit Mochos and wander its winding alleyways, and dive into the colorful city of Agios Nikolaos. Swim in the sea off the coast of Plaka, or take a boat to Spinaloga.

Learn about Chania's history, good and bad, with a self-paced app tour. You'll learn about local history, culture, and architecture as you explore at your leisure, and the app will guide you to a mix of major attractions and off-the-beaten-path sights. The whole experience should last anywhere from 90 minutes to two hours.

Ideal for travelers short on time, this private full-day tour covers the best of seductive southern Crete in a single day of sightseeing. Highlights include morning coffee in Spili, exploring Kourtaliotiko Gorge with its chapel, a traditional lunch over views of the Libyan Sea, and swimming near a remote beach. Round-trip transportation from Chania is included.

Crete’s 5-mile (8-kilometer) Imbros Gorge offers a scenic, easy hike ideal for older travelers and families (under-14s go free). This affordable tour includes hotel pickup and a hiking escort to ensure safety. Enjoy seamless transfers to picturesque Sfakia for swimming and optional taverna meals. Entrance fee to Imbros Gorge is not included; pay as you go for other expenses except guiding and transfers.

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.

Exotic Excursion in the south! A special excursion to the South of the island, starting our exploration with a visit to the emblematic lake of incomparable beauty in Zaros in a highly impressive landscape in central Crete! Then driving among the biggest valley of Crete surrounded by the olive forests we will visit a small village for a walk or coffee. We continue to the unique gorge of Tripiti where our descent will begin and we will continue with the passage between the huge narrow vertical rocks ending at the exotic beach of Tripiti. Landscape of incomparable natural beauty rich in flora and fauna. Arrival at the beach and time to swim in its crystal clear waters. Quiet beach for moments of relaxation just before our lunch with authentic Cretan food. Satisfying experiences and good traditional food, we return to your hotel.

On this personalized, small-group up to 6 people per vehicle. Travel in a comfortable 4WD drive vehicle to off-road locations that you wouldn’t be able to access by bus or minibus. Venture from Kaliviani village to a viewpoint above the spectacular Balos Lagoon and then on to Falassarna Beach. As an extra perk, a sunbed is reserved for you on the beach, and lunch is provided at a local restaurant.

This private day tour makes it easy to visit Elafonisi from Chania. You’ll travel by comfortable van so don't worry about catching public transport. Snorkeling and stand-up paddle-boarding gear will be provided so you can get active on the water, or simply, relax on the beach, swim, and explore the sand dunes and lagoon. As this is a private tour, the starting time can be customized to suit your needs.

Take in picturesque views of the Imbros Gorge and a trek on an easy trail, suitable for all hiking levels, without worrying about losing your way when you go with a guide. The 5.5-mile (9-kilometer) walk includes the chance to stop for a refreshing swim in the cool waters of Southern Cretan villages. Enjoy hiking assistance, hotel transfers, and travel in an air-conditioned vehicle for a comfortable experience throughout.

Spinalonga, an island once used to isolate people suffering from leprosy, has become more popular since Victoria Hislop's novel The Island reimagined it. Visit this historic island, plus the Agios Nikolaos resort town with Lake Voulismeni, and Elounda, known for luxury hotels and beaches, on this guided day trip. Admission to Spinalonga is not included.

Get an up-close look at the blue waters of the Mediterranean, without so much as getting your face wet, on this semisubmersible trip around Agios Nikolaos' Mirabello Bay. Watch out for fish and maybe even sea turtles as you listen to the audio guide commentary in your choice of five languages. For the second half of the tour, come up to the upper decks for glorious views of Agios Nikolaos and the Cretan coast.

Immerse yourself in Crete's history with this small-group guided tour of the Palace of Knossos and Heraklion Archaeological Museum. Save time with skip-the-line entrance to both sites, exploring the palace's myths and rituals with a licensed guide. Then, discover original frescoes and artifacts at the museum, gaining a complete understanding of Minoan civilization in a seamless, expertly guided experience.

Escape the tourist trail and spend a day exploring off the beaten track beauty near Georgioupolis. By traveling in a Land Rover, you’ll be able to access off-road sites that you wouldn’t discover otherwise. Visit incredible archaeological sites, traditional villages, and secluded beaches. If you work up an appetite, you won’t have to research where to eat as a delicious lunch in a family tavern is included. The tour will also take you to a winery, an olive oil factory, a castle, and multiple historical sites.

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.

Balos Lagoon and Gramvousa Island are considered among Crete’s top attractions, but organizing transportation independently cuts into valuable sightseeing and sunbathing time. On this tour, reach both sites with ease by boat and discover their natural beauty. Follow winding walking routes at your leisure, soak up the rays by the lagoon, and enjoy hotel pickup and drop-off at your Chania accommodation.

* Embark on this full day small group Tour or choose the Private Option so we can show you the real side of Crete . * Walk through the narrow streets of the old traditional villages , enjoy an iced coffee , mountain tea …… * Visit an olive oil factory , learn all about olive oil production and taste a few different ones . * Enjoy the ride with our comfortable air conditioned vehicles. * Taste a glass of Raki and some local wine while learning about local traditions, history, mythology and culture. * Visit The picturesque village of Krasi and the monumental Platanus tree . * Visit the Cave of Zeus , explore Lasithii Plateau, the Old Wind Mills and enjoy amazing views from the mountains. * Tasting a few local dishes is a must while in Crete .( OPTIONAL) * Experience the Greek Hospitality and create memories that will last a life time. * Pick up and drop off from your hotel or Heraklion cruise port .

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Don't waste time waiting around on vacation—this guided tour of the Palace of Knossos includes skip-the-line tickets for hassle-free entry. Listen as your guide tells you tales of the mythical Minotaur and other ancient legends, and see the ruins of one of Europe's oldest civilizations.