WWII – The Battle of Crete Day Tour
Recommended by 99% of travelers
Crete, Greece
- 6 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Explore our promoted experiences
Overview
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.
- Uncover World War II's Battle of Crete on a day trip from Chania by minivan
- Travel to the key sites with ease and hear tales and facts you’d miss alone
- Visit Maleme, Galatas, war cemeteries, and sites you may otherwise overlook
- Includes entrance fees and Chania region hotel pickup and drop-off
What's Included
- All entrance fees
- English speaking, local driver/escort
- Snacks and bottled water per person
- Pickup and drop-off from specific places of Chania Region
- Transport by air-conditioned minibus/minivan
- All taxes, fees and handling charges
- Gratuities
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting points
Select a meeting point
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Operating hours.9:00 am
Itinerary
1
Maleme
50 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
2
Tavronitis Bridge
40 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
3
German Military Cemetery
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
4
Souda Bay War Cemetery
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Near public transportation
- Most travelers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.9
based on 103 reviews
Paul_M, Sep 2025
A brilliant tour. Pick up instructions and time clear and he arrived on time. The tour was very interesting and informative visiting all the locations mentioned and more. Janos the tour guide was brilliant.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you for your fantastic review! We’re delighted to hear that the Battle of Crete tour was both interesting and informative. It’s wonderful that Janos and the seamless pick-up made your experience so enjoyable. Your kind words mean a lot, and we hope to welcome you back for more memorable tours soon!
GS Tours Team
George_D, Sep 2025
I did the tour because my regiment had a squadron of tanks in Crete during the battle. The tour lived up to all expectations, Yannis, our driver and guide was excellent and very knowledgeable. A very good value for money tour..
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you for your kind words! We’re thrilled the tour met your expectations and that Yannis could share detailed insights about the Battle of Crete. It’s an honor to connect visitors with the history and personal stories of WWII. We hope to welcome you again for another meaningful journey through Crete’s past.
GS Tours Team
Gary_W, Sep 2025
Babis was an excellent guide - very knowledgeable and entertaining. The sites we visited during the tour provided us with a greater insight of the history and trauma experienced by both Cretans and allied forces during World War II.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you for your kind words! We’re delighted you enjoyed the tour and Babis’ guidance. It’s important to us to share the history and stories of both Cretans and allied forces during WWII, and we’re glad the experience provided deeper insight. We hope to welcome you again on another journey through Crete’s history!
GS Tours Team
Charlotte_B, Sep 2025
Very interesting and our tour guide m, Ioannis, was spectacular. He knows what he’s talking about and is a really nice person!
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you so much for your kind words! We're thrilled you enjoyed the WWII – Battle of Crete Tour and that Ioannis made the experience so special with his knowledge and warm personality. Your feedback means a lot to us, and we hope to welcome you back for another memorable tour in Crete soon!
Kind regards,
GS Tours Team
Simon_M, Sep 2025
Very comprehensive . Great tour guide . Well organised from enquiry until drop off. Good interchange within group
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you for your wonderful review! We're thrilled you found the WWII – Battle of Crete Tour both educational and entertaining. It’s great to hear our guide and organization helped make history come alive while fostering a great group experience. We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you back soon!
Kind regards,
GS Tours Team
John_R, Jul 2025
Our guide was very friendly,extremely knowledgeable and spoke great English. A fascinating tour for a history novice like me and for my friend who knows all about WW1 & WW2.
Highly recommended
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Thank you for your kind words! We're so glad to hear the tour was both accessible and enriching for you and your friend. It’s always our goal to create meaningful experiences for all levels of interest and knowledge. We truly appreciate your recommendation!
Kathryn_A, May 2025
The guide brought us into the time period of the invasion and allowed us to see and understand the German invasion of Crete and the local resistance. Absolutely fascinating and terrific experience!
Response from Host, May 2025
Thank you so much Kathryn! We're honored to hear the tour gave you a deeper understanding of such a pivotal time in Crete’s history. It’s always our goal to make the past come alive—glad you found it fascinating and meaningful!
Rebecca_P, Feb 2025
This tour is amazing. Very informative and easy to understand. Giannis is so friendly and knowledgeable and answered all our random questions (about the battle and Crete in general).
Response from Host, Feb 2025
Thank you so much for your kind words! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the tour and found it both informative and easy to follow. Giannis truly loves sharing his knowledge, and it's great to know he could answer all your questions. We appreciate your support and hope to welcome you on another adventure in Crete someday!
Susan_G, Dec 2024
This was such a great excursion! Yannis was an excellent guide and really made history come alive! He has such a gift at telling the story and keeping you captivated! He is very passionate about his subject matter. We were thrilled with everything!!
Response from Host, Dec 2024
Thank you so much for your kind words Susan! We’re delighted you enjoyed the WWII – The Battle of Crete Day Tour. Yannis is truly passionate about sharing Crete’s history, and it’s wonderful to hear that his storytelling brought the past to life for you. We’re thrilled you had such a memorable experience and hope to welcome you back on another adventure soon!
Wayne_C, Oct 2024
Despite Babis (our guide) being a Liverpool supporter 😂 he gave us a memorable tour . He was very knowledgeable and engaging . My interest stemmed from Anthony Beevors book and the exploits of Patrick leigh Fermor. He brought it all to life. At Souda bay he even managed to arrange a fly past by Greek air force fighters. A fitting end to the tour .
Response from Host, Oct 2024
Thank you for sharing your experience! We're delighted to hear that Babis made your WWII – The Battle of Crete Day Tour so memorable, despite his football loyalties! It's fantastic that he brought the history to life for you and that you enjoyed the special flypast at Souda Bay. We’ll definitely pass on your kind words to him. We appreciate your feedback and hope to welcome you back for more adventures!
Steve_M, Oct 2024
I had previously read up on the battle but walking the ground made it all make much more sense. Yanis the guide and the collector were both very informative and passionate about the subject. An incredible story.
Response from Host, Oct 2024
Thank you for sharing your experience with our WWII Battle of Crete tour! We're glad to hear that walking the historic grounds brought the story to life for you. Yanis and our team are passionate about sharing this incredible chapter of history, and we're thrilled that their knowledge and enthusiasm enhanced your experience. We hope to see you again for more journeys through Crete’s fascinating past!
Karen_S, Sep 2024
Small group made it friendly and intimate and allowed plenty of time for questions and photos. The air conditioned private car with water and lunch was a real bonus on a very hot day. There was a lot of information about the battles and sites which really brought them to life. A really interesting tour and great guide.
Response from Host, Sep 2024
Thank you for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the small group atmosphere and the detailed insights into the Battle of Crete. It's great that the air-conditioned car and refreshments added to your comfort on such a hot day. Our goal is to make history come alive, so we're glad the tour brought the WWII sites to life for you. We'd love to have you join us again for more in-depth explorations of Crete's rich history!
Mark_S, Aug 2024
Excellent trip. Our guide Giannis was superb. Very knowledgable about the topic, delivering the information with empathy. He was able to answer our many many questions.
Passionate about this subject, all history and his island home in general. A great guy!!
Particularly enjoyed the visit to the collectors home.
Response from Host, Aug 2024
Thank you for your fantastic review! We're thrilled that you found the WWII – The Battle of Crete Day Tour to be thought-provoking and that Giannis made such a positive impression. His passion and knowledge truly shine through, and we're glad he could answer all your questions with empathy. We're also pleased to hear you enjoyed the visit to the collector's home. We hope to have the pleasure of hosting you again on another insightful journey!
MortenViebjerg_L, Aug 2024
Super interesting tour with visits to battlefields, museum and cemetaries. We had knowledgeable and friendly guides, that really seemed to care.
Highly recommended👍
Response from Host, Aug 2024
Thank you for the great review! We’re glad you found the WWII – The Battle of Crete Day Tour both interesting and informative. It’s fantastic to hear that the guides’ knowledge and care enhanced your experience. Your recommendation means a lot to us. If you’re ever back in Crete and looking for more historical adventures, we’d love to have you on another tour! 👍
Francis_T, Jun 2024
Great guide (Bobis?) with an in depth knowledge of the events in 1941.
Thoroughly enjoyable tour I can highly recommend.
Response from Host, Jul 2024
Dear guest,
Thank you for your great review! We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed the tour and found Babis in-depth knowledge of the 1941 events both informative and engaging.
Your high recommendation means a lot to us. Thank you for sharing your positive experience, and we hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you back for another tour in the future!
Best regards,
Bobbie_E, Jun 2024
We found the tour covered all the information on the battles - my father was in the allied forces and taken prisoner on Crete in world war 2 and Babis not sure of spelling) our guide helped piece together his movements and story during the war. He was extremely helpful and his knowledge was exceptional - articulated very well - he was a great guide - we enjoyed his company and great sense of humor. Bobbie Greg Melbourne Australia
Response from Host, Jul 2024
Thank you for sharing your experience on the WWII – The Battle of Crete Day Tour. We’re deeply honored that our guide, Babis, could help piece together your father's story and provide valuable insights into the battles.
It’s wonderful to hear that Babis’s exceptional knowledge, clear articulation, and great sense of humor made your tour both informative and enjoyable. Your feedback means a lot to us, and we’re glad you had such a meaningful experience.
Thank you again, Bobbie and Greg, for your kind words. We hope to welcome you back for more memorable tours in the future.
Ian_U, May 2024
Excellent trip with Babis.
He was very knowledgable and friendly . Would certainly recommend to anyone.
Response from Host, Jul 2024
Thank you for your excellent review of the WWII – The Battle of Crete Day Tour! We’re delighted to hear that you found Babis knowledgeable and friendly.
Your recommendation means a lot to us. Thank you for sharing your experience, and we hope to welcome you back for more insightful tours in the future!
megan_t, Apr 2024
Our tour guide ("Bobbis" - which I'm surely misspelling) was terrific. A scholar, knowledgeable about the war as experienced by the courageous, impressive people of Crete, as well as by the German and Allied forces. We gained both specific information about strategic and tactical elements, and very helpful insights into what is known of the thinking and personality traits of key players, and Cretan and Allied forces. Our guide was also able to help us draw connections past events; events resulting from and following the war; and the political and conflict zones we navigate today. In short, we finished our day with much to think about, and a desire to continue to learn about Crete and this Mediterranean region.
Response from Host, Jul 2024
Thank you for your detailed and thoughtful review of the WWII – The Battle of Crete Day Tour. We apologize for our late reply.
We’re thrilled to hear that your guide, Babis, provided such an engaging and informative experience. It’s wonderful to know that his deep knowledge and insights into both the strategic elements and personal stories of the war left you with much to ponder and a desire to learn more about Crete and the region.
Thank you for sharing your experience with us. We hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you back for more enriching tours in the future!
Howard_B, Nov 2023
Had a fantastic tour, From booking to pick up all was great, tour guide Yannis was brilliant. The private museum was awesome. good value for the money.
Response from Host, Jul 2024
Thank you for your review and for your patience regarding our late reply.
We’re thrilled to hear that you had a fantastic time on the WWII – The Battle of Crete Day Tour. It’s wonderful to know that Yannis provided a brilliant experience and that you enjoyed the private museum visit. We appreciate your feedback and are glad you found the tour to be great value for the money. We hope to welcome you back for another memorable tour in the future!
Janet_b, Sep 2023
All of it. Especially the area where the NZ forces were shipped off the island at Souda Bay as my Grandfather made it to the ship and was evacuated surving the trip. He later redeployed.
Response from Host, Jul 2024
Thank you for sharing this amazing feedback! We appreciate it very much and we hope to see you again in the future!
Please excuse our late reply!
Kindest regards
Fabulous Crete Team
Charlie_C, Aug 2023
Babis our tour guide was an absolute delight. His knowledge extensive and highly informative. His passion completely brought this tour alive. There was only one other on the tour, a kiwi like myself. The tour was tailored just for us but we still got a great perspective for the role of the British, Germany, Italy and of course Greece. Highly recommend
Response from Host, Aug 2023
Dear Charlie,
Thank you so much for joining our tour and reviewing us!!Babis is truly a very knowledgeable person and we are glad that he made your tour special!!We are looking forward to meet you again in he future!!
Till then,take care!!
Ruby_L, Jul 2023
Very informative. Tour guide was very knowledgeable and answered questions. Nice lunch. Learnt a lot
Response from Host, Aug 2023
Dear Ruby,
Thank you so much for joining our tour and your positive feedback!!We are pleased that you found our tour informative and you enjoyed it and we would be more that happy to meet you again in one of your future trips in Greece!!
Sincerely,
G.S.tours
Caroline_S, Jul 2023
The guide was fantastic ,
Very intrigued by all who were on the tour.
Great knowledge and stick to good time
Response from Host, Jul 2023
Dear Carolin,
Thank you so much for your review!!We are so happy that you are satisfied with our tour and we wish to meet again in the future!!!
Sincerely,
G.S.tours
KIM_F, Oct 2022
We had a great time on the WWII tour. Stelios our guide was very knowledgeable and gave us lots of information about the sites we visited.
Nicos our driver was also very interesting and he told us information about the island during the war plus explaining about the natural environment on Crete.
Thank you both.
Response from Host, Jun 2023
Dear Kim,
Thank you so much for reviewing us!!Stelios and Nikos are both very Knowledgeable persons and have the ability to easily transfer their informations to other people!!We would be delighted to meet again in the future!
Sincerely,
G.S.tours
William_G, Oct 2022
This was a highlight of our visit to Crete. Excellent service from picking us up at our hotel to dropping us off. Very helpful and knowledgeable guide who put so much into the day, and the visit to the collector of the battle memorabilia was a particular highlight.
Response from Host, Jun 2023
Dear William,
Thank you so much for reviewing us!!Our people try their best in order to provide you a remarkable experience!We hope to meet again in the future!!
Till then,take care!
John_M, Jul 2022
I went along on the trip as my brother in law had read a number of books on The Battle Of Crete. We were picked up by Yiannis in his car with one other couple , with such small numbers the trip was very informative and as many questions could be asked as you liked, not only about the battle but Cretan life in general. There are five stops on the tour all very relevant. The visit to a personal collectors museum and to be handed Lee Enfields with bayonets attached and Tommy guns was something you probably wouldn't get the chance to do anywhere else.
I would say that it helps if you have a rough idea beforehand of the battle via a book as this trip would then fill in all the key points.
Terence_Q, Apr 2022
A personal and poignant experience, the tour guide and drivers were informed, friendly and enthusiastic. The guide was very knowledgeable and his love and passion for this point in history and Crete in general was infectious. The driver and his companion added very personal and moving elements to the day and the story. We found it unforgettable and for those not particularly interested in WW2 it was nevertheless an insight into the history and character of Crete, and as such very highly recommended.
Response from Host, Jun 2023
Dear Guest,
Thank you so much for joining our tour and your positive feedback!!Knowing that you enjoyed our tour is the reward for our work!!We would be more than happy to meet again in the future and host you in one of your trips in Greece!!
Sincerely,
G.S.tours
Ian_F, Oct 2019
Battle of Crete tour. This was the best day tour l have ever done. Our guide Gianni had the intricate knowledge, enthusiasm and passion ensuring a memorable and informative day. Ian Fuller (Australia)
Hera_D, Oct 2019
I would highly recommend this tour. We were a small group (3) and Yianni's (our guide/driver) knowledge of this critical period in WWII was exemplary. It helped us understand the role of Crete and Greece in WWII and the effect this had on the rest of the war. We visited Stelios' private collection of WWII memorabilia and his knowledge of that time was also amazing! We were given enough time at each stop to appreciate the sites, including visiting the German cemetery and Commonwealth Forces Cemetery in Souda. Thank you so much for such a wonderful experience! I have really been educated in a significant time in world history.
Douglas_E, Jul 2019
Gianis our guide was very good. He briefed us on the history of Greece and Crete and set the stage for the WWII conflict. We visited a couple of the battle areas and two cemeteries (one allied and one German). We also got a very special visit with one of Gianis' friends who has collected military artifacts from the battlefields. My main disappointment was that it was very hard to grasp the actual flow of the three day battle. We did not get down onto the fields where the battles were fought. Instead we were high on a hill where the Allied HQ was located and we looked at maps to see how the battle flowed. I am a military / WWII buff and I had a very hard time following the action. The visits to the cemeteries was good and Gianis is a wealth of information. A very good tour but I thought with a few modifications it could be even better.
Response from Host, Jul 2019
Dear Mr Douge,
Thank you very much for your constructive feedback.
I would like to let you know, that all the locations we visited are the real battlegrounds, the areas that the battle of Crete took place. As you noticed and mentioned above, the information is a lot and we only have 6 hours to analyze everything and provide you specific details regarding the facts of the WWII. Everywhere we went, on every spot we were standing, the battle of Crete took place in different phases.
So we did go to the battlefields and we were trying to provide all the details in the best way we can.
Of course we do concern everything you mentioned above since we want to improve our tour and make it better!
Kind regards
Ioannis
From $113.60
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
Compare Similar Experiences
Current
WWII – The Battle of Crete Day Tour
103
6 hours
Free Cancellation
From
$113.60
Customers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought
Explore Similar Things to Do
Attractions in Crete, Greece
- Lions Square & Morosini Fountain Tours & Tickets
- Spili Tours & Tickets
- Maritime Museum of Crete (Nautical Museum of Crete) Tours & Tickets
- Lassithi Plateau Tours & Tickets
- Palace of Knossos Tours & Tickets
- Falassarna Beach Tours & Tickets
- Koules Fortress Tours & Tickets
- Agios Nikolaos Tours & Tickets
- Georgiadis Park Tours & Tickets
- Frangokastello Beach Tours & Tickets
- Archaeological Museum of Chania Tours & Tickets
- Kournas Lake Tours & Tickets
- Spinalonga Tours & Tickets
- Archanes Tours & Tickets
- Preveli Palm Beach Tours & Tickets
- Historical Museum of Crete Tours & Tickets
- Chrissi Island Tours & Tickets
- Katharo Plateau Tours & Tickets