7-Day Crete Tour Packages
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Insider tips: Recommended 7-day Crete tour itineraries
Compiled by
MelissaCrete travel expert at TourRadar
7 Day Crete Itinerary, incl. Heraklion and Chania
A 7-day deep dive into Crete's heritage takes you from Heraklion's Archaeological Museum to the 2000-year-old plane tree in Krassi village. Off-road adventures lead to Zeus's cave, while visits to Spinalonga reveal its moving history. The tour winds through Chania's leather market and Venetian harbor with expert local guides.
- Day 1
Heraklion Arrival & Orientation
Arrive at Heraklion International Airport and get to your hotel in the city center, about 30 minutes away. Try to book a morning flight to avoid afternoon traffic in Heraklion. In the evening walk around the Korai Street area, where you can see locals enjoying their time at traditional kafeneia coffee houses.
- Day 2
Heraklion Beaches & Old Town
Start your day at Ammoudara Beach just 15 minutes west of Heraklion by bus. In the afternoon explore the old town's Venetian walls and visit the Central Market to try local specialties like graviera cheese and Cretan honey. Visit the market before 2 PM when vendors start closing their stalls.
- Day 3
Spinalonga Island & Elounda
Drive to Spinalonga (2 hours from Heraklion) and take the 15-minute boat ride from Elounda port to this former leper colony. Bring sturdy shoes since the island's paths are uneven and can be slippery. After exploring the fortress have lunch in Elounda which is known for excellent fresh seafood.
- Day 4
Palace of Knossos & Archaeological Museum
Get to Knossos Palace early around 8:30 AM to avoid crowds and heat. It's only 15 minutes from Heraklion. Plan 2-3 hours to see Europe's oldest city then visit the Archaeological Museum in Heraklion. Book a guided tour at Knossos since there's a lot of complex history and mythology you might miss on your own.
- Day 5
Chania & Rethymnon Day Trip
Plan for a full day exploring western Crete. The round trip is 326km. Start early for Chania's Venetian harbor and Old Town about 2.5 hours each way. Stop in Rethymnon on your way back and catch the sunset from its fortress. Look for deals at Chania's leather market but be ready to negotiate prices.
- Day 6
Zeus Cave & Mountain Villages
Join a Land Rover tour into the mountains (7-8 hours). Bring hiking shoes for Zeus Cave's rough terrain and pack a light jacket since it's cooler in the mountains. You'll get great photos on the Lassithi Plateau drive especially when spring brings wildflowers.
- Day 7
Departure Day
Leave at least 30 minutes to get to Heraklion airport from the city center. Add 15 extra minutes in July-August for peak season traffic. If you have a late flight leave your bags at the hotel and visit Koules Fortress by the harbor.
7 Day Crete Itinerary, incl. Heraklion and Chania
Crete's essential sites across 5 cities unfold over one week. The route connects Heraklion to UNESCO-listed Knossos Palace, includes a boat trip to Spinalonga island, and visits the Venetian harbors of Chania and Rethymnon. Land Rover tours navigate Lassithi Plateau and Zeus's legendary birthplace cave.
- Day 1
Heraklion Arrival
After landing at Heraklion Airport, take a 30-minute transfer to your hotel in Gouves or Hersonissos. These coastal resort towns provide easy beach access. Some hotels sit on steep roads that can make tour bus pickups tricky. If mobility is a concern, ask for accommodation on level ground.
- Day 2
Free Day in Hersonissos
Take time to explore the seaside promenade and settle into Cretan life. Skip the tourist spots for dinner and head to the old harbor where locals eat. Go for a morning swim before the afternoon winds pick up.
- Day 3
Spinalonga Island (8-hour trip)
Head out early to visit the intriguing former leper colony of Spinalonga. Take the 20-minute boat ride from Elounda and sit on the right side for the best views. Your guided walk around the island takes about 90 minutes. Pack water and sun protection since shade is limited. Stop for lunch in Elounda, where waterfront tavernas serve fresh fish.
- Day 4
Knossos Palace & Heraklion (7-8 hours)
Start at Knossos when it opens at 8:00 AM to avoid crowds and heat. Wear good shoes for the uneven stones and steps at this ancient Minoan palace. Spend the afternoon at the Archaeological Museum in Heraklion. Buy a combined ticket for both sites to save money. The city center is walkable but steep.
- Day 5
Chania & Rethymno (10-11 hours)
This long day takes you to Crete's most beautiful cities. Visit Rethymno's old town early when the narrow streets are quiet. In Chania, the Venetian harbor is beautiful but crowded. Find a more local feel in the Splantzia quarter. Be ready for a 326km round trip.
- Day 6
Land Rover Mountain Adventure (7-8 hours)
Take an exciting off-road trip to Zeus's Cave and the Lassithi Plateau. Skip this if you have back problems as the terrain is rough. Bring a jacket since mountain temperatures run about 10°C cooler than the coast. Enjoy the BBQ lunch with unlimited wine but remember there's more driving ahead.
- Day 7
Departure
Transfer back to Heraklion Airport (20-30 minutes). Try to book afternoon flights since morning traffic near Heraklion can be heavy in peak season.
7 Days in Crete, incl. Chania and Samaria Gorge
Seven days of Cretan adventure lead from bustling Chania through the White Mountains to secluded Loutro village. The route winds through Samaria and Agia Irini gorges, along coastal paths to Marmara and Sfakia, featuring traditional Cretan feasts with local wine.
- Day 1
Chania
Begin your Crete hiking adventure in the port city of Chania. The old town's Venetian harbor sets the perfect scene for your first taste of Cretan culture. Walk along the lighthouse path in the evening and find dinner at one of the tavernas on Akti Tompazi. Get there around 7 PM to see the sunset over the Mediterranean. "Chania's old town feels incredibly authentic - skip the tourist traps and head to the local spots behind the main harbor for the best souvlaki."
- Day 2
Chania to Omalós
Travel inland to the White Mountains (Lefka Ori) for your first hike through Agia Irini Gorge. The trail takes you through ancient cypress trees and local plants. You'll need sturdy hiking boots since the terrain is rocky and can get slippery after rain. The drive to the trailhead takes about an hour. Spend the night at the Omalós plateau at over 1,000m elevation where you'll notice the cooler mountain air.
- Day 3
Samaria Gorge
Take on Europe's longest gorge - the 16km Samaria. Start by 7:30 AM to beat the heat and crowds. You'll face a steep descent with switchbacks for the first hour before entering an ancient cypress forest. "The terrain in Samaria is more challenging than expected - bring proper hiking poles and plenty of water. The narrow passages between towering cliffs are absolutely worth the effort."
- Day 4
Agia Roumeli to Loutro
Walk the beautiful coastal path to Loutro village. The trail offers great sea views but provides little shade. Bring sun protection and start early. Stop for fresh fish at one of the simple tavernas in Marmara overlooking the Libyan Sea. Loutro is special because you can only reach it by boat or foot - no cars allowed.
- Day 5
Loutro
Spend a day in this small fishing village. You can hike the dramatic Aradena Gorge (4-5 hours round trip) or relax on the pebbly beach. In the evening join a local family for traditional Cretan dishes. "The home-cooked meal in Loutro was a highlight. The host taught us traditional dances and shared stories about village life."
- Day 6
Loutro to Chania
Take the coastal path to Sfakia and stop at Glyka Nera (Sweetwater Beach) for a swim. Fresh water springs bubble up through the beach pebbles giving the beach its name. The drive back to Chania takes about 90 minutes with beautiful mountain views. Look for a traditional kafenion in Chania's Splantzia neighborhood for a late lunch away from tourist areas.
- Day 7
Departure from Chania
Use your final morning to walk the Venetian walls or visit the covered market for local olive oil and honey. Try to book an afternoon flight since morning traffic near the airport gets heavy in peak season.
Crete 7 Day Tour Packages You'll Love
Treasures of Crete, Private Tour
Treasures of Crete
Hiking Crete: Gorges & Coastal Walks
7 Days all inclusive private tours in Crete
Crete: Island of Gods & Natural Beauty
Explore Crete & Local Experience Stay
Crete Through the Minoan, Byzantine & Venetian Ages, Private Tour
The Labyrinth of Crete
The Labyrinth of Crete, Private Tour
Venetian Crete
What people love about 7-day Crete tours
- Treasures of Crete
All my expectations were met. The hotel was good, the food however was not and bad mosquito problem. I enjoyed being in Hersonissos and a nice walk to the seaside restaurants of which there are many. All the day trips were interesting although long hours on the bus having to pick up people at their beach resorts. Crete is a big island so there was much ground to cover.
- Explore Crete & Local Experience Stay
Hello, George was our travel agent and he was wonderful!!! When I had any ?'s he answered them thoroughly and promptly. Our trip to Athens/Mykonos/Santorini was organized, well scheduled,d, and fun!! I was a bit apprehensive at first, never have traveled to Greece and my first time using Tourradar. The tours, (we went on 3) were informative, the tour guides were excellent. Especially Anastasia in Athens. She was a fountain of historical information. Stephenous, Danny and Areta? in Mykonos were also great. They explained all the sites and made us feel at ease. We had the same driver, (John) for a few ferry trips and back and forth to the airport. He was friendly and prompt. We got on the wrong tour bus in Santorini, (whoops!) but it all worked out, and Geroge was immediately corresponding with us. The hotels were also clean, has great breakfasts and the staff was very friendly and helpful. The B4 Boutique Hotel in Athens was a great location. Easy to walk around the city and the rooftop lounge was perfect. All the staff was friendly and knowledgable. Hotel Olia in Mykonos was charming, great location, lovely service, and the staff were very accommodating. I think the manager's name was Geroge? Both he and the evening manager (a woman whose name I forgot??) were very kind and helpful. Yummy dinner as well. The hotel Ayoba in Santorini was a great location and all the staff was extremely helpful and kind. They even brought us made-to-order breakfast every morning. I wish I could remember the manager's name, ?? --he was wonderful. :) My only critique would be that the ferry time of 5 am from Athens to Mykonos was too early. We arrived at the port approx 5:25 am and the kiosk didn't open until 6- and the ferry left at @730. However, better to be early than late. Overall, it was a once-in-a-lifetime trip for us and I highly recommend TourRadar to anyone who needs to book a vacation. I will definitely use them again. Thanks again George Efcharistó!!! Tommy and Karen Brawley NJ-USA
- The Labyrinth of Crete
Definitely, would recommend this tour.