Top Crete Tours, Sightseeing & Cruises

Discover the smells, tastes, and sights of Crete on a personalized, small-group tasting tour via 4WD vehicle. Explore with a driver and visit the Olive Tree Museum of Vouves; sample wines and olive oils at Anoskeli Winery Olive Mill while learning more about the wine- and oil-making processes; savor lunch with dessert at the Milia Mountain Retreat; and view the Topolia Gorge.

Sail away from Heraklion’s touristy center on this all-inclusive day cruise to Dia Island. Only reachable by boat, Dia Island is one of the few uncrowded destinations left near the city. Board the catamaran to reach the island's secluded bays, where you can swim, paddleboard, or simply relax on deck. A Mediterranean seafood lunch is prepared on board, and an open bar with soft drinks, wine, and beer runs throughout the day.

Combine sightseeing and local flavors with this half-day guided tour around Chania. Sample a variety of local dishes at the Municipal Market, then walk around the hidden streets and alleyways of the Old Town to discover secret gardens and historic monuments, and see local artisans at work, before ending the tour with tapas along the Old Venetian Harbor. Opt for a private tour to include hotel or port pickup as well.

Make the most of your time on Crete and venture off the beaten path on this half-day off-road vineyard and winery shore excursion. Enjoy convenient port pickup and go off-road through the Vatolakos Hills. Enjoy views of the northern Crete landscape and visit Manousakis Vineyards and Winery for a tour and wine tasting.

Treat your senses to the ancient flavors of Crete on a wine tour from Chania. Travel through the mountains of the Kissamos region and traditional Cretan villages to reach two family-run wineries, where you’ll taste regional wines and olive oils. You'll also stand before one of the world’s oldest olive trees on this relaxed wine tour of northwestern Crete.

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.

The whole family will enjoy this fun snorkeling activity, which is both relaxing and adventurous. With a small group of no more than ten travelers you'll be taken on a boat ride to two different snorkeling spots. Experience the difference at the open ocean and sheltered spots, both with an abundance of sea life. Snorkeling gear will be provided so you don't need to bring your own.

Feel the sun on your face and the breeze in your hair on this leisurely sailing catamaran cruise from Heraklion to Dia Island. Enjoy activities from snorkeling, stand-up paddle boarding (SUP), fishing, and sunbathing in a group no larger than 20. Onboard Wi-Fi and a Mediterranean lunch with drinks are included, with online booking to simplify your experience.

Discover the wonders of Heraklion city at your own leisure with this hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus tour, available in eight languages. With two bus routes and a 48-hour ticket, you'll have an abundance of time to soak in the city's famous landmarks and even visit Ammoudara Beach. Immerse yourself in the captivating history and architecture of the Cretan civilization as you delve into the old and modern city of Heraklion.

Skip the self-drive stress and indulge as much as you want on this full-day trip to Elafonisi Beach, a 90-minute drive from Chania. Stop at Agia Sofia Cave (subject to conditions), a dramatic cave that contains a historic church, then head to the white sands and turquoise waters of Elafonisi Beach. Enjoy the dunes, the lagoon and facilities such as umbrellas, showers and snack bars (own expense), before heading home.

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.

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.

Near Chania—on the Greek island of Crete—lies Balos Lagoon, home to crystal-clear waters and pristine sandy beaches. Swim, snorkel, and relax under the warm Mediterranean sun away from the crowds on this full-day small-group catamaran cruise stopping at the lagoon and Gramvousa Island, where you’ll find an old pirate fortress. Hotel pickup is available, and departures are offered on two catamarans with different group sizes.

Farms are at the heart of the Cretan way of life and food alike. Enjoy an up-close encounter with a local family on their organic farm when you book this small-group cooking class. Get hands-on with activities such as goat milking and cheese making and tour an olive grove and a vineyard. Then prepare a typical Cretan lunch and enjoy it with wine, raki liquor, traditional music—and great conversation.

A great way to get familiarized with Elafonissi, this full-day tour from Chania includes hotel pickup and a scenic drive through villages and lush mountains. Arrive in Elafonissi, known for its pink coral sand beaches and clear waters. Wade through the lagoon to reach the island's beaches where you can relax and unwind before your return transfer.

From the Knossos Palace to the 2,400-year-old plane tree in Krasi Village, the Lasithi Plateau is home to some of Greece’s most historic sights. Combine a walk through history with a cultural adventure on this full-day private tour. Visit olive groves, pottery studios, traditional villages, and the legendary Cave of Zeus with a 1-hour stop while sampling traditional Cretan foods, olive oil, and wine before exploring archaeological marvels at Knossos Palace.

Experience authentic Crete in a way larger tours simply can’t, as you explore the island in a small, intimate group. Visit highlights like the Windmills of Lasithi Plateau and the Cave of Zeus. Ride in a 4WD vehicle to explore hidden gems that lie off the beaten path, such as the sunken village at Aposelemis Dam.

Travelers with a range of interests will enjoy this private full-day tour of Crete, including Knossos, the Lasithi Plateau Windmills, and the Cave of Zeus. History enthusiasts will love learning about the island’s ancient history, while nature lovers will enjoy the beautiful views. As this private tour, you can relax knowing that everything is taken care of by your English-speaking driver-guide.

Getting to know the real Chania isn't always easy—but on this private, half-day tour, your guide will help you discover its local charms. Enjoy a cafe visit with a view; next, head to a winery for a sommelier-led indigenous wine tasting. Then it's on to Old Town Chania, where you'll go for a walking tour, visit a local restaurant, and enjoy a range of Cretan delicacies, from breads and cheeses to pastries and beyond.

Avoid the noise and stress of impersonal large-group tours with an personalized small-group tour to Elafonisi Beach and Milia Mountain Retreat. This isn’t just a transfer service as you'll take a guided tour around some beautiful Cretan villages before relaxing on Elafonisi Beach. Exclusive beach loungers and umbrellas are reserved for you so you won’t miss out. Refuel with a tasty Cretan lunch at Milia Mountain Retreat.

See the UNESCO World Heritage–listed Palace of Knossos more intimately on a small-group walking tour, and learn more than you would wandering around alone. Explore the palace without the rush and bustle of larger sightseeing tours, and catch all the commentary about ancient Knossos and Minoan Crete. The tour includes a skip-the-line ticket for quicker entry, plus an optional guided visit to the Heraklion Archaeological Museum to complete the Minoan experience.

Get off the beaten track into Crete's rugged heartlands in small, personalized groups with a driver. See the Sebronas Gorge and hear the village's dramatic history; see an authentic Cretan Samaria Gorge National Park—and maybe even meet the shepherds; taste different Cretan wines; and savor a restaurant lunch. For ease, your day includes round-trip transfers direct from many Chania area hotels.

Enjoy an authentic high quality Cretan experience fully guided by a local certified Wine Sommelier. Venture into the countryside and visit an Olive Oil farm and one of the most beautiful Wineries of the island. Your tour includes tasting of extra virgin olive oil paired with local delicacies, tasting of 6 selected premium wines and a delicious Cretan lunch in the middle of the vineyards.

This day trip from Crete packs a lot into one tour. Visit the suburbs of the Chania area and taste local products such as olive oil on freshly baked bread and Cretan biscuits. Plus, have lunch in a kafeneio (traditional Greek coffeehouse) where you can hang with the locals and experience the real Crete.