Top Crete Full-day Tours

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.

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.

Head out from Kissamos to explore some of Crete’s most popular natural sights on this full-day catamaran sailing cruise. Sunbathe on the vessel’s deck as you’re transported to the sandy shores of Balos Lagoon, where you can stop for a swim in the warm Mediterranean waters. Then, head to Gramvousa Island, taking in the coastal scenery as you dine on a fresh Mediterranean-style lunch featuring salads, seafood, and meats.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Who has never seen the world famous pictures from a turquoise sea, dazzling white houses/churches with Aegean blue roofs on the top of the steep cliffs? A beautiful trip to one in the top most romantic islands in the world, SANTORINI. The perfect idea when you stay on Crete. A high speed boat (700 pers) brings you in only around 1h 45min to Santorini and after the excursion back. You experience the Greek atmosphere in the old capital Oia and the new capital Fira. OIA: The oldest village in Santorini. Stroll around its small alleys and stone built streets, filled with culture and tradition. The harmony of the colors of the sea and the sun, the wonderful view, bear the spirit of Hellenism and make Oia incomparable. FIRA: The capital of Santorini where you have free time to explore the picturesque traditional little alleys. Optional: visit the Volcano. They explain this option on the bus.

Join this group tour to see the best sights of Santorini Island, which you wouldn’t get to on your own. Your tour operator will organize your entire day, including hotel transfers, the boat to Santorini, and a tour of Fira. You’ll keep costs down by booking this group tour, but you will have free time to explore at your own pace.

Explore the Cretan coastline from a standup paddleboard on this guided tour around beautiful Marathi Bay. After a short instruction and safety lesson, head out into the bay, exploring smaller islets, diving spots, and a small cave system along the way. Stop from time to time to swim with the marine life or catch your breath on the beach. This tour is good for all ages and experience levels, a great way to enjoy time with friends and family on the water.

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.

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.

Driving on winding mountain roads can be a daunting experience—so eliminate the stress and let someone else take care of the driving with this Elafonisi bus tour from Chania. Spend a full day exploring the island's highlights in a comfortable air-conditioned bus. Stops include Elafonissi Beach—with free time to relax and explore it independently and Elos village—known for its stone houses and olive groves.

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.

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.

There's no better way to experience Crete's stunning coastline than by gliding through crystal clear waters on a yacht. Take a cruise to the uninhabited island of Dia, where you can explore and make the most of the beautiful sea with equipment provided for paddleboarding, snorkeling, and fishing. There's also the option to sunbathe as your comfortable yacht gently bobs in the turquoise waters. Plus, you'll feel pampered with a delicious lunch of Greek food, fresh fruit, and drinks.

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).

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 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.

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.

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.