Top Crete How to Get Around in 2026

Sample Crete's best bites—without being tied to resort restaurants and tourist haunts—on this food tour of Chania. Go off the beaten path to taste local delicacies, including raki and tsikoudia (types of spirits), bougatsa (a sweet Greek pastry), plus plenty of cheese and olives. Along the way, visit a classic herb store and see traditional knives crafted on-site.

Get your Crete vacation off to the perfect start as you discover the town of Chania and Cretans’ favorite activity, eating, with a private guide. Sample signatures including Greek coffee, local cheese, raki, Crete’s answer to grappa, and bougatsa, a custard pie with phyllo pastry, then enjoy lunch. You’ll also tour the city highlights, including the lighthouse, the mosque and the Old Venetian Harbor.

Discover Crete’s history, mountain landscapes, and local traditions on a private tour of Knossos Palace and the Lassithi Plateau. Travel comfortably between highlights including the Kera Kardiotissa Monastery while exploring ancient Minoan history, traditional villages, and regional gastronomy with the flexibility of private transportation. The varied itinerary offers a rewarding mix of archaeology, culture, and scenic countryside.

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.

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.

Explore the rugged and wild side of Crete on the off-road adventure tour. Travel comfortably in a Land Rover high up into the Dikti mountain range. By going on an organized tour, you won’t have to worry about getting lost in unmarked rural areas and an experienced driver drives with confidence on the mountain roads. When you’ve worked up an appetite, a delicious local Cretan lunch in a taverna is provided.

Experience Crete away from the crowds with this guided off-road safari adventure. Visit Crete’s mountainous interior, with its plateaus and forests, in an air-conditioned Land Rover Discovery. Travel ancient Minoan paths through wild nature. Stop at spectacular vistas, including a peak where you can see both the Aegean and Libyan Seas. A traditional Cretan lunch and refreshments are provided on this all-inclusive, full-day outing.

With its turquoise waters and pale sands, Balos Beach and Lagoon is one of Crete’s most-photographed locations. Beat the crowds and discover it and Gramvousa Island from the water on this lively catamaran cruise with an onboard entertainer, snacks, brunch, and lunch included—as well as hot drinks, soft drinks, and water. Upgrade for a VIP package, featuring a reserved sunbed and complimentary towel on the sunny upper deck, plus priority boarding.

Sample the flavors of Heraklion while exploring the city by electric bike on this private half-day food tour. Cycle along the waterfront and through the Old Venetian Harbor, stopping to enjoy traditional pastries, Greek coffee, and classic taverna dishes while discovering local shops and neighborhoods. The relaxed pace makes it easy to combine sightseeing with Crete’s celebrated culinary traditions.

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.

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.

Join a small-group sailing adventure from Heraklion to the beautiful, unspoiled Dia Island. With a maximum of 10 guests on board, you’ll enjoy a relaxed, semi-private atmosphere as you cruise along Crete’s stunning northern coast. Swim in crystal-clear waters, snorkel, try paddleboarding, or simply relax and sunbathe on deck. Enjoy a freshly prepared Cretan lunch including seafood or vegetarian pasta, Greek salad, and fruit salad, paired with unlimited local white wine, beer, soft drinks, and water. The friendly local crew will make you feel at home, sharing stories, laughs, and even singing to dolphins if they appear! Choose to meet at Heraklion Port or add optional transfers from nearby areas like Malia, Hersonissos, Analipsi, Gouves, and more. Whether you're traveling solo, with a partner, or in a group, this is a truly authentic and unforgettable way to experience the sea, nature, and heart of Crete.

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.

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.

Get your fill of sun, sea, and sand on this full-day tour of some of Crete's most beautiful beaches—without the hassle of organizing a thing yourself. Head out from Chania to visit Elafonisi, swim in warm, shallow waters, and explore lagoons. Then head to Falasarna, a local gem that boasts fine white sand and crystal clear waters. In the village of Vouves, visit the world's oldest olive tree and sample extra virgin Cretan olive oil.

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.

Combine hiking, sightseeing, and more during this excursion into Samaria Gorge from Chania. Get picked up at your hotel and travel by bus to the starting point for the hike. Set out on an outdoor adventure into Samaria Gorge National Park for a hike at your own pace. Go swimming, explore traditional villages, and hike in the shadow of the White Mountains during this full-day tour.

Private & Personalized: Choose Your 6- or 4-Hour Itinerary Perfect for Cruise Stops & Island Stays Guaranteed on-time return to your ship More than just stops — a Hosted Cultural Journey! 6-Hour Option: Choose Three (3) Authentic Experiences from the list below. 4-Hour Option: Choose Two (2) Authentic Experiences Knossos Palace | Olive Mill Tour & Tasting | Winery Tour & Tasting | Pottery Workshop & Monastery | Traditional Village | Archaeological Museum & City Stroll | Or a place on your wish list. Message us your picks in advance or choose on the day. Enjoy narrated drives through Heraklion, charming villages, and scenic landscapes between experiences. Discover authentic Cretan traditions, from pottery, wine, and olive oil to history and local culture — traditions that continue to shape life on the island today. Exclusively for cruise guests arriving at Heraklion Port (there are 3 cruise ports on Crete) Private Tour · Shore Excursion · Day Trip · Afternoon

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.