Crete Tours & Trips
4.6 stars on(9,397 reviews)- Choose from 50+ Crete tours
- 150+ verified reviews from TourRadar travelers
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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
Treasures of Crete
18 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“All 4 excursions were very intensive, informative, well planned. My two room apartment at the Bells Vista hotel was nice.”
Irina, traveled in June
From Knossos Palace to the Venetian towns of Chania and Rethymnon, Crete's treasures unfold at approx. $130 per day. Hotel Hersonissos Central serves as home base while visiting Spinalonga island, savoring Cretan feasts in Elounda, and reaching Zeus's legendary birthplace cave by Land Rover.
Duration 7 days Destinations Heraklion, Spinalonga, Knossos, Chania, Rethymnon Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Destination Services Greece From $1,397
15% Off- NZ$1,188You save $210
Exploring Crete
4 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Well organized tour and much sightseeing and activities!”
Andrea, traveled in May
Hotel Hersonissos guests uncover Knossos Palace's Minoan ruins and Spinalonga's compelling history. Land Rover adventures through Lassithi Plateau, Chania's Little Venice, and Aqua Plus waterpark create varied experiences. Daily breakfasts, dinners, and expert guides included.
Duration 8 days Destinations Heraklion, Spinalonga, Knossos, Chania, Rethymnon Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Destination Services Greece From $1,579
15% Off- NZ$1,343You save $237
Walking in Crete
43 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The Samaria Gorge was a great challenge but very rewarding when you've done it! Loutro was a wonderful place to stay 2 nights.”
Tony, traveled in September
Samaria Gorge, Europe's longest, leads to the remote village of Loutro and through the White Mountains. Traditional accommodations in Chania's Venetian quarter and mountain villages offer authentic stays. Taverna dining and coastal walks round out the adventure.
Duration 8 days Destinations Chania, Crete, Samaria Gorge, Loutro, Hora Sfakion, Zaros, Heraklion Age Range Ages 16+ Operator Explore! From
30% Off- NZ$2,950
Incredible Crete!
7 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“This was an excellent tour, giving us a wonderful experience of Crete. Would thoroughly recommend this company and tour.”
Ros, traveled in September
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
30% Off- NZ$6,752
What people love about Crete Tours
- Treasures of Crete
All 4 excursions were very intensive, informative, well planned. My two room apartment at the Bells Vista hotel was nice. Besides me, a young couple participated in the same tour. Three of us had to
- 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.
- Explore Crete & Local Experience (4 days Self-guided)
Dot travel has an excellent customer service particularly to George. He immediately reply to my messages and answered all my questions. The tour price is very affordable and the itinerary is the best so far. Originally it's only 4 people going on this tour which was supposed to be last year, October 2020 but due to the pandemic it is now moved to October 2021. I invited more friends to join us, and today a couple just paid their deposit. I highly recommend Dot travel.
Travel Crete your way
Crete's landscape really comes alive when you're walking it. The island's famous Samaria Gorge stretches 16km - the longest in Europe - and takes you through pine forests and river beds until you reach the Libyan Sea. Our 8-day routes pair this with easier walks like the Agia Irini Gorge, where ancient trees and local plants line your path. Our travelers tell us they love how these tours mix proper hiking with village visits and quick dips in hidden coves. The coastal paths near Loutro and Sweetwater Beach work perfectly - you can finish your day's walk with a swim in clear waters and dinner at a family taverna where the owners treat you like one of their own.
See all Hiking & Trekking toursOur 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.
Select from our extensive range of 24 fully guided tours to enjoy a worry-free experience through Crete with our expert guides leading the way.
Explore a wide diversity of self-guided tours through Crete. We have 23 adventures that vary from 4 days to 15 days. With the greatest number of departures in May, this is also the most popular time of the year.
More travel styles:
Best tour companies for Crete tours
Crete tours for every type of group
Who are you traveling with?
Group
39 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
20 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
29 tours in CreteEnjoy the exclusivity of our Private Crete tours, tailored to your own group, preferences and pace with over 29 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.
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.
Demographics
Discover unforgettable adventures designed for all ages! Whether you're young or young at heart, our adventures offer excitement and wonder for everyone.
Solo Travelers51 tours All tours for Solo Travelers- Couples43 tours
- Seniors (50+)26 tours All tours for Seniors
Best time to visit Crete
- Winter 2025 / 2026
Winter in Crete shows a different side of the island. Our guides adapt the routes to focus on indoor treasures like the Palace of Knossos and Heraklion's Archaeological Museum when it's cooler outside. From November through April, we swap summer spots like Agia Galini for places such as Matala, where the ancient cliff caves offer shelter from winter winds. The ferry link between Heraklion and Santorini switches to flights, which our travelers actually prefer in winter. Many tell us they love this quieter season - they get more one-on-one time at archaeological sites without summer crowds getting in the way.
- February 2026 popular 17 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.
- March 2026 21 tours
- 34 tours
- popular 47 tours
- Summer 2026
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 42 tours
- 36 tours
- 38 tours
Contact our Crete travel experts
Esteban
Expert in Crete at TourRadar
Esteban is one of our seasoned Crete Travel Experts. Reach out to us to get all your questions about Crete tours answered!
- Choose from 69+ Crete tours
- 152 verified reviews by TourRadar customers
- 24/7 customer support
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.