Top Crete Tours by Duration

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.

Instead of tying yourself to a large group tour with a rigid itinerary, take your time exploring the ancient Minoan capital of Knossos with this private audio tour. Visit the remarkable Palace of Knossos and many other highlights of this archeological site, including South Propylaeum and the West Magazines. Leave the guidebooks behind and learn about the culture and lifestyles of people living in Minoan Crete from your audio guide.

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.

Relax on the paradise-like island of Elafonisi on this family-friendly day trip. Admire western Crete’s hills and traditional villages on a drive to the southwest coast, and stop for coffee at the Cave of Agia Sofia. Then, spend the afternoon on the idyllic protected islet of Elafonisi, enjoying its pink sands and clear seas. Includes round-trip transport plus select hotel pickup and drop-off.

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.

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.

Spend a day at Acqua Plus, the most popular water park on Crete. The park is divided into two sides, one for all ages and one for adults only. Facilities are clean, well-run, and safe, with multiple lifeguards on duty at all times. In addition to the many games, slides, and water rides inside the park, there is a beautiful garden in the center with Cretan flowers and trees, exotic flowers, weeping willows, palm trees, bougainvilleas,  French marigolds and more greenery, making for a nice escape form the heat and sun.

Exploring the locations of the Battle of Crete—an important World War II battle—without a guide could leave you with only a patchy take on this pivotal event. With this tour from Chania, learn about the battle at its key sites, hearing how Nazi forces took Crete from the Allies in 1941. Visit the Maleme airfield, monuments, and cemeteries, and discover secret shelters and sites you might miss alone.

Discover Heraklion from a local’s perspective on a guided eco e-bike tour through the city’s historic streets and hidden corners. Ride alongside a native Cretan as you explore lesser-known neighborhoods, hear the stories behind the people who shaped the city, and stop at favorite local spots to sample regional snacks and drinks. It's an engaging way to experience Heraklion beyond the usual tourist route.

Rethymno’s many artisan food producers present the perfect opportunity to explore the fresh and seasonal cuisine of Crete—but knowing where to go can be tricky. Instead, leave all the logistics to your guide, and enjoy an immersive and delicious introduction to Cretan cuisine. Visit a local phyllo pastry maker, taste products such as olive oil and honey, and indulge in a traditional small-plates lunch featuring multiple dishes and flavors.

Visit three places in one day on this private tour which explores Knossos Palace, the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, and Rethymno city. This is a private tour for you and your group, so no need to stick to a rigid schedule. You’ll have lunch and cold drinks provided, so you don’t need to bring these yourself. Just enjoy your day out with return transfers to Chania.

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.

Get to know Chania without crowded tour buses or rowdy groups on this private half-day sightseeing tour, direct from your Chania area address. Walk through the historic buildings and charming streets of the city’s Old Town and immerse yourself in the hustle and bustle of the Municipal Market. Out of the city, take advantage of some hilltop photo opportunities then explore the Holy Trinity Monastery (Agia Triada Monastery).

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.

Rethymno is full of beachside roads, small streets, and parkland perfect for bike trips. This guided bike tour covers the best of the area roughly three to five hours of sightseeing. Highlights include visiting the Arkadi Monastery, Chromonastiri’s churches, Roussospiti’s Venetian buildings, Rethymno’s Old Town, and more. The price of this tour includes a bike, helmet, lock, and refreshments.

Keen foodies, and anyone who enjoys a good craft beer, will love this evening tasting tour of Chania. Timed to coincide with the beautiful sunset, this small-group walking tour will guide you through Chania’s Old Venetian Port. Learn about the local culture and cuisine with a food and Greek craft beer pairing session and plenty of samples. Ideal as the start of an evening out in Chania, or as a standalone activity.

Discover some of the highlights of eastern Crete with this multi-attraction tour. Stops include the beautiful Toplou Monastery, Vai Palm Beach, and the charming town of Sitia. Learn about each site from a local guide and enjoy free time to explore at your leisure. Transfers provides from specific areas of Crete by air-conditioned vehicle.

The epicenter of Minoan civilization, the Palace of Knossos is Crete’s most important archaeological site—but at around a 3-hour drive from Chania, it’s a real schlep to self-drive. Skip the hassles of parking and Cretan traffic and relax on this convenient guided bus trip, with pickup and drop-off at many Chania area hotels. You’ll also visit Rethymno and the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, though all entrance fees are at your expense.

Spend a day sailing on the glimmering waters around Crete on this leisurely cruise to Spinalonga Island. Climb aboard your boat and sail across Mirabello Bay as you make your way to “the island of tears” known as Spinalonga where you take a guided tour and then enjoy free time to explore. Then, head to Kolokytha where you enjoy a fresh lunch and plenty of time to swim and sunbathe.

Forget the tourist tavernas and eat the way locals do on this small-group foodie walking tour through Heraklion. Choose your vibe—tapas-style snacks to share, or a full 3-course meal with beer or wine—and head to authentic local spots to work your way through some of the island's most beloved flavors.

Getting to know a new city can be difficult if you try to do it all yourself. This Heraklion Small-Group Segway Tour lets you get acquainted with the city’s main highlights and hidden gems in just a few hours. Follow a guide around on a Segway to Liberty Square, the Historical Museum of Crete, Loggia, and more, and learn about the history and culture of the area.

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.

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.

Immerse yourself in Crete’s culture and cuisine on this full-day 4WD safari from Chania. Sample fine Cretan wines at a local vineyard, watch a demonstration of traditional knife making, then peek into an olive mill and learn about the island’s famous extra-virgin olive oil. Finally, indulge in a delicious lunch at a local tavern and taste typical Cretan specialties like seafood, feta cheese and savory pies.