Top Crete Sightseeing Tours

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 the Bronze Age city of Knossos and take a sightseeing tour of Heraklion. Knossos was once the capital of the Minoan civilization and is known to be Europe’s oldest city. Enjoy a guided tour of the labyrinthine palace and learn about its history. Then, visit Heraklion, the current capital of Crete, to discover its landmarks including the Lion’s Fountain.

The Trojan War is one of the best-known stories in Greek mythology, and this family-friendly dinner show lets the audience decide who wins. Scan a QR code on your phone to join in and help steer the story as it unfolds. Watch Achilles and Hector face off through acrobatics, dance, and song while you enjoy dinner and drinks at your table.

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.

Combine a visit to the only freshwater lake on Crete with tastings of local olive oil on this private tour. Travel by private vehicle to Lake Kournas, where you can swim or enjoy a pedalo ride. Then visit a family-owned olive oil factory to sample products and learn about their production. This tour lasts about 6 to 7 hours, offering a relaxed pace and personalized experience.

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.

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.

Go to hidden-away corners of Crete few travelers get to see with this guided all-terrain vehicle tour. Follow your guide off-road to quiet tracks far from the traffic and crowded resorts. Explore the near-abandoned ghost village of Achlada, where only a few locals still live, and Fodele, the birthplace of El Greco.

Escape the crowds and explore western Crete on a private, customizable tour to the stunning Elafonisi Beach, famous for its pink sand and turquoise waters. Along the way, choose from optional stops like charming villages, hidden beaches, a honey-tasting experience, or the historic Chrisoskalitissa Monastery. With a flexible itinerary, private transportation, and a local guide, this tour offers a perfect blend of nature, culture, and relaxation tailored to your preferences.

Elafonisi sits at the far southwest tip of Crete, a long drive on winding roads that puts many self-drivers off. Get driven there and back instead, with the route handled so you can spend the day on the beach rather than behind the wheel. Walk the pink-tinged sands and swim in the shallow, clear water of this protected reserve. Enjoy local product tasting included in the tour.

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.

Private Transfer (vehicle and driver) Whether you are staying in Heraklion Prefecture, from Heraklion Port or Airport (Nik. Kazantzakis airport) we can pick you up and drive you with safety to the destination of your choice (Heraklion - Rethymnon - Chania or Elounda) in Crete. Explore secrets of Crete, get to know the real Crete off the touristic path. Please be aware that the drivers’ command of English varies and that drivers cannot act as tour guides. Vehicles are air-conditioned and are provided with a driver. Guests are not allowed to operate vehicle.

Enjoy some of Crete’s most beautiful beaches without the self-drive hassles on this guided small-group tour. Travel direct from your door to Kissamos, where you board a boat for Balos Beach and Lagoon, then savor the soft white sands. Next, ride a boat to Gramvousa Island (own expense), swim in the clear waters, and opt to hike to the 16th-century fortress. Your guide will drop you directly to your door.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Explore authentic Crete on a semi-private 4×4 safari from Rethymno, with winery tours, olive oil and cheese tastings, hidden villages, scenic monasteries and breathtaking mountain views. * Enjoy Cretan Villages and the best panoramic view of Psiloritis Mountain * Visit a winery for tour and tasting * Visit an olive mill for tour and tasting * Visit an original shepherd’s hut “Mitato”, experience a live cheese-making process and taste local cheese * Lunch with traditional Cretan platters * Embark on semi-private safari tour for up to 6 or 8 persons per vehicle

Step aboard the 'Mikros Naftilos' for a private cruise to the islands of Gramvousa and the Balos Lagoon. With a well-established local operator as your skipper, you'll relax on a carefully planned route that showcases the area's coastal highlights. Enjoy a lunch of regional dishes and unlimited drinks as you cruise, and stop for cool-down dips in the sea along the way.

Go off the beaten path and get a glimpse of Chania that most first-time visitors miss on a private tour of Crete’s countryside and Chania’s Old Town. You’ll enjoy the flexibility to tweak your itinerary as you travel between top attractions—including the Old Venetian Harbor, Firkas Fortress, and Chania Old Town—in air-conditioned comfort, without having to navigate.

A great excuse to explore the outdoors, this tour takes you on a full-day walking adventure through the Samaria Gorge from the Heraklion area. This 11-mile (18-kilometer) adventure starts at Xylo kalo and takes you to the Samaria Gorge, showcasing Cretan flora and fauna. Traverse through rocky terrain, visit the deserted village of Samaria, and see majestic Iron Gates before enjoying a meal at a tavern in Ayia Roumelis.

Immerse yourself in the Aegean Sea with this 3-hour guided snorkeling trip from Chania. All equipment is provided. Swim in the crystal blue waters in Almyrida Chania and explore reefs, caves and see the Elephant Cave of Crete.

Visit two of Crete’s top historical sights—Knossos Palace (a Bronze Age archeological site) and the Heraklion Archaeological Museum—in one time-saving tour. See ancient ruins and artifacts along the way, all while your guide's expert commentary brings the stories behind the sights to life. Highlights include the original throne of Minos at Knossos Palace and rare examples of Minoan art at Heraklion Archaeological Museum.