Crete Tours & Trips
4.6 stars on(8,807 reviews)- Choose from 50+ Crete tours
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Table of contents
- The best Crete tour packages
- What people love about Crete Tours
- Travel Crete your way
- Best tour companies for Crete tours
- Crete tours for every type of group
- Top Crete travel itineraries to fit your plans
- Demographics
- Best time to visit Crete
- Contact our Crete travel experts
- What our customers ask about Crete Tours & Trips
The best Crete tour packages
Compiled by
MelissaCrete travel expert at TourRadar
8 days Experience Athens & Crete (Self-guided)
5 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Our hotel in Crete was outstanding and right on the sea. I highly recommend DOT travel and TourRadar.”
Sherry, traveled in May
Eastern Crete's treasures unfold from the Sea Breeze Hotel, featuring rooftop dining with ocean views. The ancient Spinalonga fortress, Elounda's coastline, and exclusive local vineyards showcase the region's diversity. Guided tours of Heraklion's Archaeological Museum reveal Minoan artifacts.
Duration 8 days Destinations Athens, Crete Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, German, French, Dutch Operator Dot Travel From $1,956
20% Off- NZ$1,565You save $391
Discovering Crete, Self-drive
3 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The car was ideal to suit our needs, and the hotels were lovely. There is excellent value for money, and I would use this operator again.”
Renee, traveled in April
Hotel Olympic in Heraklion launches visits to the Palace of Knossos before heading to Chania's Venetian harbor. Hotel Arkadi guests explore Elafonissi's pink beaches and Rethymnon's medieval streets. The journey concludes at Hotel Apollon in Agios Nikolaos, near Spinalonga island and Vai's palm forest.
Duration 8 days Destinations Heraklion, Chania, Elafonisi, Rethymnon, Agios Nikolaos, Elounda, Spinalonga, Sitia Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Destination Services Greece From $1,051
10% Off- NZ$946You save $105
The Labyrinth of Crete
15 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Fantastic tour. Amazing guides especially Gary who led the mountain land rover tour.”
Jessica, traveled in July
The ancient Minoan mysteries of Knossos Palace, haunting history of Spinalonga Island, and rustic mountain villages of Lassithi Plateau showcase authentic Cretan culture. Guests stay at Hotel Hersonissos Central or Maris, with included dinners and traditional BBQ lunches. A Land Rover safari leads to Zeus' cave and ancient Roman aqueducts.
Duration 5 days Destinations Heraklion, Spinalonga, Knossos Age Range Ages 18+ Operator Destination Services Greece From $974
10% Off- NZ$877You save $97
Minoan ruins of Knossos Palace and the turquoise waters of Balos and Elafonisi beaches highlight this 11-day tour. Three-star hotels provide comfort while exploring vibrant cities like Chania and Heraklion. Wine tasting and visits to traditional villages like Archanes complete the experience.
Duration 11 days Destinations Agia Galini, Matala, Chania, Rethymnon, Heraklion, Archanes, Elounda, Spinalonga Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Dot Travel From $1,758
20% Off- NZ$1,407You save $352
Incredible Crete!
7 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“It does a great deal over a short period, balancing historical sites and beaches.”
Frank, traveled in October
Knossos Palace, Spinalonga island, and Elafonisi beach represent the best of Crete. Three to four-star hotels across Chania, Rethymnon, and Heraklion welcome travelers. Traditional taverna dining and expert guides enhance the historical experience.
Duration 8 days Destinations Athens, Chania, Souda, Aptera, Elafonisi, Rethymnon, Agia Roumeli, Hora Sfakion, Plakias, MatalaSee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, Spanish Operator Epos Travel & Tours From
20% Off- NZ$6,520
What people love about Crete Tours
- 8 days Experience Athens & Crete (Self-guided)
Best 8 day tour ever experienced.
- Discovering Crete, Self-drive
It would have been excellent if not for a major problem with the car rental. You advertise the tour good for 18 to 99 years but in fine print you have to be 69 or younger? I was not advised until days before I was too old to tent(71). In the end I found a car on my own and was refunded the car portion but needless hassle and frustration sorting it out. Otherwise trip great!
- The Labyrinth of Crete
Overall, great experience. Was surprised to find out that museum was included after the Knossos tour. Was also more impressed by jeep tour than I expected. Overall, great 3 days. Hotel was nice just surprises my room didn't have a TV. But good food and comfy accommodations made up for it.
Travel Crete your way
Our Crete exploration tours hit all the right notes with travelers seeking something beyond typical sightseeing. The top pick combines Knossos Palace visits with real hands-on moments like making cheese alongside village families in the mountains. Customers tell us they love going off-road into the Cretan peaks to see Zeus' birthplace cave, especially when it's paired with outdoor BBQ lunches where the local wine flows freely. The trips to Spinalonga island let you walk through what was first a Venetian fort and later became home to a leper colony - our guides share moving stories about the people who lived there. What makes these routes work so well is how they mix major archaeological sites with quiet spots like underwater villages and mountain communities where daily life hasn't really changed.
Explore a wide diversity of partially guided tours through Crete. We have 18 adventures that vary from 4 days to 15 days. With the greatest number of departures in September, this is also the most popular time of the year.
Explore a wide diversity of self-guided tours through Crete. We have 16 adventures that vary from 4 days to 15 days. With the greatest number of departures in September, this is also the most popular time of the year.
Select from our extensive range of 15 fully guided tours to enjoy a worry-free experience through Crete with our expert guides leading the way.
Best tour companies for Crete tours
View operators
Crete tours for every type of group
Who are you traveling with?
Group
27 tours in CreteSmall group tours in Crete mix active exploration with real cultural experiences. The 7-day Hiking Crete route is a favorite, taking 8-12 people through dramatic gorges and coastal paths. Our customers love how these tours balance challenging walks like the full Samaria Gorge trek with easier days exploring boat-access-only places like Loutro. Another popular choice focuses on Cretan food and wine, visiting family wineries, trying local olive oils and cooking in mountain villages. The magic happens in the group dynamics - our guides are great at creating a friendly atmosphere while giving everyone personal attention and also letting people walk at their own speed.
Small Group
13 tours in CreteThese intimate Cretan tours bring together 8-12 travelers, creating the perfect mix of social connection and individual care. The most sought-after routes blend challenging walks through Samaria Gorge with time spent among locals in mountain hamlets and coastal villages. Our travelers tell us how these small groups open doors to genuine connections, from learning age-old pastry techniques to sharing conversation over dinner in family tavernas. The week-long hiking programs have earned praise for balancing active days with cultural discoveries - one morning you're conquering a 15km gorge descent, and by afternoon, you're uncovering Minoan secrets at Knossos Palace. Along the coast near Loutro and Agia Roumeli, the compact group size lets us book nights in family guesthouses that larger tours simply can't access. Travelers often mention how their guides skillfully adapt the pace for everyone while keeping the group together, whether walking ancient cypress paths or discovering hidden coves along the southern shores.
Private / Personalized
22 tours in CreteEnjoy the exclusivity of our Private Crete tours, tailored to your own group, preferences and pace with over 22 itineraries to choose from.
Top Crete travel itineraries to fit your plans
The 7-day Crete tours give you a proper feel for the island's character. Starting in Heraklion, you'll join an expert guide through Europe's oldest city at Knossos before heading west into the traditional villages. Our customers tell us they love how these week-long trips mix it up - you might tackle the challenging 5-15km daily walks through Samaria Gorge (Europe's longest) one day, then enjoy easy coastal strolls and swimming spots the next. Some routes lean more into the active side while others focus on local life, like cooking in family homes and tasting wines at small vineyards. The highlight for many is staying in Loutro, a fishing village you can only reach by boat or on foot, where you'll get real Cretan life away from the busy resorts.
See all tours
With 10 days to play with, you can really get into Crete's less-visited spots. These full-island routes kick off in Heraklion's bustling markets before winding through mountain villages where local families share their pottery crafts and cooking secrets. You'll have time to explore both sides of Crete properly - from Chania's pretty Venetian harbor right across to the ancient sites near Heraklion. Our travelers particularly like having free days built in, so they can choose between guided hikes in places like Aradena Gorge or spending time on quiet beaches like Elafonisi with its unique pink sand.
See all toursDemographics
Discover unforgettable adventures designed for all ages! Whether you're young or young at heart, our adventures offer excitement and wonder for everyone.
Solo Travelers44 tours All tours for Solo Travelers- Couples22 tours
- Seniors (50+)25 tours All tours for Seniors
Best time to visit Crete
- Summer 2025
Summer tours need smart planning to beat the heat. Most of our customers opt for early starts at sites like Knossos, then head up to cooler mountain villages for lunch with locals. The coastal routes through Chania and Rethymnon become really popular - our guides know just where to duck into traditional tavernas to escape the midday sun. We adjust several tour schedules to hit Spinalonga and the mountain plateaus in the morning hours. The jeep safaris run shorter routes but add extra stops at spring-fed villages and shaded gorges. Our travelers tell us they really appreciate guides who know when to slow the pace and find those hidden beaches for cooling swims.
- popular 25 tours
- Fall / Autumn 2025
Fall brings perfect weather for active touring in Crete. The Hiking Crete routes work brilliantly in September and October - you can do the full Samaria Gorge walk without summer's intense heat. Our customers often end up joining local harvests, helping collect olives or pick grapes at small wineries. Cyclists love this season too, with comfortable temperatures for riding between historical sites and mountain villages. The cultural tours take advantage of the pleasant weather by spending more time exploring outdoor archaeological sites and walking through the old quarters of Chania and Rethymnon. Looking at the feedback from our travelers, Destination Services really stands out for how well they handle their tours. Their off-road experiences get particularly good comments - the guides know the terrain and keep things running smoothly. TUI's situation is a bit more complex. While they offer good value tours and the Jeep Safari gets solid reviews for being informative, we've had some concerns from customers about transfer timing, getting clear updates and the occasional canceled tour. Still, when tours do run, people generally find the guides knowledgeable and engaging. What's interesting is how the safari experiences differ between operators. The guides on these tours really seem to make or break the experience - when they're good, they bring the whole journey to life with local insights and well-planned routes. The key seems to be booking with operators who maintain consistent service levels and good communication throughout. We've found that travelers who choose Destination Services tend to have fewer logistical hiccups and more predictable experiences. Their attention to detail shows up in little things like on-time pickups, clear meeting points and backup plans when needed.
- popular 39 tours
- 36 tours
- Spring 2026
Spring's mild weather makes Crete perfect for outdoor exploration. The Walking in Crete tour really comes into its own during April and May - you'll see wildflowers dotting the trails as you tackle Europe's longest gorge descent in Samaria. Our cycling groups love riding the eastern coast this time of year, following routes from Knossos to Agios Nikolaos with plenty of beach stops along the way. The cultural tours mix things up nicely by combining visits to Spinalonga island with walks through mountain villages. The off-road trips into the White Mountains are especially good now, offering clear views across to snow-topped peaks and lush valleys below.
- 22 tours
- popular 32 tours
Contact our Crete travel experts
Isabeau
Expert in Crete at TourRadar
Isabeau is one of our seasoned Crete Travel Experts. Reach out to us to get all your questions about Crete tours answered!
- Choose from 51+ Crete tours
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Call us
+64 4888 0182What our customers ask about Crete Tours & Trips
What Kind of Local Cultural Experiences Can You Actually Try?
There's so many ways to dive into Cretan culture hands-on. Over in Chania you can learn traditional pottery making right in the heart of the artisan community. If you're into food our Crete Family Holiday tour includes this amazing pastry-making class where you'll learn to make Kalitsounia from scratch - everything from working the dough to getting the filling just right. One of the really special experiences is visiting olive oil producers like Vassilakis Estate in Neapoli where you'll see the whole process and taste some incredible local olive oil.
Where Can You Go to Avoid the Crowds but Still See Amazing Places?
If you're looking to escape the busy spots Crete has some incredible hidden gems. The Idi Mountains are fantastic especially around Rouvas Gorge - it stretches for five kilometres with some of the most spectacular views you'll find. Then there's Loutro this charming little village you can only reach by boat or on foot which keeps it really peaceful. For history buffs Lissos is this fascinating ancient site with a beautifully preserved temple and a lovely quiet cove perfect for getting away from it all.
What's the Best Way to Get Around Crete Using Public or Private Transport?
The bus network here is really solid and budget-friendly running regular routes between major spots like Heraklion and Chania. If you want complete freedom renting a car is your best bet especially for reaching those out-of-the-way places and mountain areas just keep in mind there's usually age restrictions if you're over 69 and some mountain roads need careful handling. The ferry services are great too particularly for reaching places like Spinalonga from Elounda but remember the schedules change with the seasons so it's worth checking ahead.