Greece · CRETE TOURS

The 15 Best Crete Tours & Day Trips

127 tours  ·  from $9

Crete is long and every good day out starts with a drive. These 15 sort the Balos boats, the gorge walks, Knossos and the olive country by price, distance and how early the minibus leaves.

From Kissamos Port: Boat Cruise to Balos Lagoon & Gramvousa - Leaving Kissamos Port for the Gramvousa Peninsula
Boat Tours in Crete, Crete Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours, Tour Reviews

From Kissamos Port: Boat Cruise to Balos Lagoon & Gramvousa

1.From Kissamos Port: Boat Cruise to Balos Lagoon & Gramvousa

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 6,755 reviews · 7 hours · from $47Our pick

Set sail from Kissamos on a large, comfortable ferry to Gramvousa and Balos Lagoon. Swim from rocky beaches, hike to Gramvousa’s Venetian castle, and enjoy about two hours at each stop. Food, drinks, toilets, and an audio guide are available onboard, but expect a busy shared boat.

“visited 2 amazing g spots, Balos Lagoon and Gramvousa Island, some of the most beautiful scenery and crystal clear blue water I have ever seen. our package included lunch which consisted of a main meal (pasta or chicken), salad and a bottle of water, meal was ok but I'd suggest bringing your own lunch. Weather was perfect and the 1 hour trip out from Kissamos was calm, staff at the Kissamos Port were so friendly. The only down side to the whole trip was the amount of time it took to get off the boat, at Balos we waited for 20 minutes, not a big issue for us as we're…”

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Crete: Day Trip to Agios Nikolaos and Spinalonga Island - Agios Nikolaos and the lake in the middle of town
1-Day Tours, Crete Tours, Tour Reviews

Crete: Day Trip to Agios Nikolaos and Spinalonga Island

2.Day Trip to Agios Nikolaos and Spinalonga Island

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 4,416 reviews · 8 - 11 hours · from $44

Spend a full day exploring Agios Nikolaos, Elounda, and Spinalonga Island with an English, German, or French-speaking guide. The trip includes hotel pickup, coach transport, boat tickets, free time in the towns, a 90-minute island visit, and a swim stop on the return.

“Very well organised. Pick up on time. Guides very friendly and knowledgeable. Itinerary excellent. Would highly recommend this day trip.”

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From Chania: Full-Day Samaria Gorge Trek Excursion & Guide - The early ride from Chania to Omalos
Crete Tours, Full-Day, Guided, Hiking & Trekking, Hiking Tours in Crete, Samaria Gorge Hikes, Tour Reviews, Tours

From Chania: Full-Day Samaria Gorge Trek Excursion & Guide

3.Full-Day Samaria Gorge Trek Excursion & Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 3,191 reviews · 9 - 12 hours · from $41

Join Platanos Tours for a full-day Samaria Gorge trek from Chania. Guides such as Sara and Christina give clear safety advice while you walk 17 kilometers through forest, riverbeds, and narrow rock walls. Finish with free time in Agia Roumeli, then take the ferry to Sougia and a bus back.

“Everything was great. The transport was on time and Sara is a great guide taking care of everyone’s wellbeing. I do recommend the trip.”

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Agios Nikolaos: Boat Trip to Spinalonga with Swim Stop - Mirabello Bay and the stories along the coast
Boat Tours in Crete, Crete Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours, Tour Reviews

Agios Nikolaos: Boat Trip to Spinalonga with Swim Stop

4.Boat Trip to Spinalonga with Swim Stop

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 3,031 reviews · 4h 30m · from $29

Sail from Agios Nikolaos through Mirabello Bay to Spinalonga, with a 30-minute swim from the boat at Kolokitha Bay. A live English or Dutch guide leads the island visit, while French and German audio guides are available. Expect a bar, restaurant, toilets, and about an hour to explore alone.

“The swim stop, the boat itself, the food and drinks were all good. We didn’t stay at the destination as long it has listed in the guide and is a little tough to hear the description through the intercom, but overall we recommend. People were polite and we enjoyed the trip.”

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Heraklion: Dia Island Sailboat Cruise with Swimming and Meal - Why 14 passengers changes the day
Boat Tours in Crete, Crete Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours, Dia Island Cruises, Sailing, Tour Reviews

Heraklion: Dia Island Sailboat Cruise with Swimming and Meal

5.Dia Island Sailboat Cruise with Swimming and Meal

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 2,579 reviews · 5.5 hours · from $95

Sail from Heraklion’s Old Venetian Harbour to Dia Island aboard a yacht limited to 14 people. Swim, snorkel, paddleboard, and enjoy shrimp linguini, Greek salad, Cretan appetizers, and unlimited drinks. English-speaking crew members may include Mariana, Manos, Sofia, Giannis, or Captain Petros.

“Superb day out on the boat! The views are breathtaking A must do whilst in Crete and will do it again”

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Crete: Knossos Palace Entry Ticket with Optional Audio Guide - Walking through the palace complex
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Crete: Knossos Palace Entry Ticket with Optional Audio Guide

6.Knossos Palace Entry Ticket with Optional Audio Guide

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 2,251 reviews · 1 day · from $30

Visit Knossos Palace with a timed entry ticket sent to your phone. Walk through 3,500-year-old workrooms, living areas, storerooms, the throne room, and restored Minoan architecture at your own pace. Add a self-guided audio tour in English, Italian, French, or Spanish.

“The Audio Experience Tour was very well, however we doubled and circled back a few times. It was difficult to find the next stops. If places were actually properly number or if we were given a map at the start that would’ve helped big time. Overall fantastic experience to hear and see the culture before”

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Heraklion Area: CRETAquarium Admission Ticket - Why the Research Connection Adds Value
Crete Tours, Tickets, Tour Reviews

Heraklion Area: CRETAquarium Admission Ticket

7.Heraklion Area: CRETAquarium Admission Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 2,055 reviews · 1 day · from $9Best value

Spend a flexible day at CRETAquarium near Heraklion, where 60 habitats hold more than 1,200 marine organisms and 150 species. Follow a clear route through Mediterranean caves, shark tanks, jellyfish displays, and tropical fish exhibits. Plan about one hour, or longer with children and the €3 audio guide.

“been a few times took my sister this time always a nice place to go!”

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From Chania: Day Trip to Elafonisi Island Pink Sand Beach - The long ride from Chania to southwest Crete
1-Day Tours, Crete Tours, Tour Reviews

From Chania: Day Trip to Elafonisi Island Pink Sand Beach

8.Day Trip to Elafonisi Island Pink Sand Beach

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,014 reviews · 450 minutes - 12 hours · from $38

Travel from Chania to Elafonisi with hotel pickup, an English, German, or Danish-speaking guide, and a modern air-conditioned coach. See Topolia Gorge, stop for local food, and enjoy almost four hours to swim and stroll on the protected beach and island.

“it was a great experience but would have loved another hour at elefonisi beach..it was amazing.”

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Crete: Rethimno, Chania, and Kournas Lake Day Trip - Chania: the main event for many people
1-Day Tours, Crete Tours, Tour Reviews

Crete: Rethimno, Chania, and Kournas Lake Day Trip

9.Rethimno, Chania, and Kournas Lake Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 1,694 reviews · 10 - 14 hours · from $45

Travel west from Crete’s eastern resorts with a multilingual guide such as Michael or Elena. Wander Rethymno and Chania, then relax at freshwater Lake Kournas. The air-conditioned coach, hotel pickup, and clear meeting times make this a practical choice if you do not plan to rent a car.

“Really good fun - enough time to explore without being left with time to kill. The guide Michael was great - fluent in at least 4 languages and presented the info in all of them! A long day but excellent value for money. Highly recommend.”

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From Rethymno: Samaria Gorge Full-Day Trek, Pickup & Guide - The early coach ride from Rethymno to Omalos
Crete Tours, Full-Day, Guided, Hiking & Trekking, Hiking Tours in Crete, Samaria Gorge Hikes, Tour Reviews

From Rethymno: Samaria Gorge Full-Day Trek, Pickup & Guide

10.Samaria Gorge Full-Day Trek, Pickup & Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,610 reviews · 9 - 12 hours · from $37

Join guides such as Pia, George, or Alexandra for a self-paced trek through Samaria Gorge. Expect a long, rocky downhill walk, fresh mountain water, wild goats, a swim at Agia Roumeli, and a ferry ride back to the coach. Good shoes and solid fitness are essential.

“The pick up was on-time and the drive was very smooth and safe. The guide was very informative and clear with his instructions and how the day would proceed.”

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Crete: Palace of Knossos E-Ticket and Audio Guide - Getting through the entrance without wasting time
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Crete: Palace of Knossos E-Ticket and Audio Guide

11.Palace of Knossos E-Ticket and Audio Guide

★★★★★★★★★★3.8 · 1,540 reviews · 1 - 5 hours · from $34

Explore Knossos Palace independently with a pre-booked entry ticket, site map, and downloadable audio guide in English, German, French, Spanish, or Italian. Follow the story through frescoes, storage rooms, the Queen’s Megaron, and Minoan daily life. Optional audio tours cover Heraklion and Phaistos.

“Getting there was easy. Getting through the tour groups was not easy. Lines over 30m long to see the throne. I could not download tour guide but I got the idea. Half in ruins, partially restored in places. I tried to work out what was real and what had been restored. I thought 18 euros was a bit high.”

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From Rethymno: Half-Day Quad Bike Safari - Leaving Rethymno for the Maroulas mountains
Bike Tours in Crete, Crete Tours, Cycling Tours, Half-Day, Quad Bikes, Quad Safaris, Safari, Tour Reviews

From Rethymno: Half-Day Quad Bike Safari

12.Half-Day Quad Bike Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,444 reviews · 4 hours · from $70

Ride an automatic quad from Rethymno into the Maroulas mountains, across dusty tracks and shallow water, with guides such as Nikolas and Jorgos. Stop at Café Gidospito above Lake Potami, visit Prassies, and enjoy water and a sandwich. Shared quads are standard, so book separately for solo riding.

“This was super fun! A ride up into the high mountains around Rethymno. Our guide was nice and kept a good eye to make sure everyone was OK. Biggest tip is to buy the buffs they sell for 2 bucks. There is a lot of dirt along the way and the people that didn't have them were having a hard time.”

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Agia Pelagia Crete Quad Bike authentic backland Tour - Starting near Agia Pelagia
Bike Tours in Crete, Crete Tours, Cycling Tours, Quad Bikes, Tour Reviews, Tours

Agia Pelagia Crete Quad Bike authentic backland Tour

13.Agia Pelagia Crete Quad Bike authentic backland Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 1,430 reviews · 3.5 hours · from $50

Join Stan and the Quad Safari Peninsula team for a 3.5-hour ride through Crete’s hills, villages, and coastal tracks. You’ll visit Achlada’s abandoned village, taste olive oil and honey, pause in Fodele, and enjoy wide views toward Agia Pelagia and Heraklion.

“all very good. a great mix of terrain and views. might have been nice to go to a beach on way back for a seim??”

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Hersonissos: Jet Boat Tour with Snorkeling - What the 360-degree turns feel like
Boat Tours in Crete, Crete Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours, Snorkeling, Snorkeling Trips in Crete, Tour Reviews, Tours

Hersonissos: Jet Boat Tour with Snorkeling

14.Hersonissos: Jet Boat Tour with Snorkeling

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 1,385 reviews · 1 hour · from $53

Join Jet Boat Hersonissos Crete for a one-hour coastal ride from Hersonissos Port. Expect speeds up to 90 km/h, optional 360-degree turns, a 30-minute swim and snorkel stop at Saint George’s Bay, and friendly guides such as Kostas or Lucas, depending on your departure.

“Everything was excellent !!! I would definitely recommend. We absolutely loved it !!! Thank you xx”

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Knossos: Knossos Palace Skip-the-Line Guided Walking Tour - Meeting at the ticket booth
Crete Tours, Guided, Knossos Palace Tours, Skip the Line, Tour Reviews, Tours, Walking Tours, Walking Tours in Crete

Knossos: Knossos Palace Skip-the-Line Guided Walking Tour

15.Knossos: Knossos Palace Skip-the-Line Guided Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,380 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $104

Enter Knossos Palace with a licensed English-speaking guide and spend 90 minutes tracing Minoan palaces, myths, frescoes, water systems, and royal rooms. Small groups may be available, and guides such as Akrivi, Katerina, and Georgios bring archaeology and legend to life. Add hotel transport or the 1:30 PM museum tour.

“AMAZING! This tour by Katerina is an absolute must. Never before have we been so interested in the history of Greece, it was absolutely enthralling to hear and see pictures of what Knossos was like. We were in excellent hands with Katerina, an archeologist herself!! Thank you so much Katerina, we truly LOVED this.”

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New in Crete Tours

★ 4.8Arkadi, Melidoni, Margarites Half dayFrom $2938 reviews
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★ 4.6South Crete: Sarakinas Gorge Hike, Swim & Jeep SafariFrom $10839 reviews
★ 4.8Olive Oil Tasting with Cretan Food PairingFrom $10752 reviews
★ 5.0Motorboat or Speedboat Rental48 reviews
★ 4.9Golden Hour Sailboat Tour with Wine & SnacksFrom $11235 reviews
★ 4.9Spinalonga AM Catamaran Cruise with LunchFrom $13483 reviews
★ 4.8Spinalonga PM Catamaran Cruise with DinnerFrom $13488 reviews
★ 4.9Jeep Driving Tour to Thripti Mountains and typical villagesFrom $10684 reviews
★ 4.9Agia Pelagia: Sunset or Morning Quad Tour & Ghost Town Visit221 reviews
★ 4.6Agia Galini: South Crete Sailing Trip with Optional LunchFrom $10692 reviews
★ 3.7Elounda, Kolokitha, and Spinalonga Boat TripFrom $2856 reviews
★ 5.0“YAMAS” – Winery tour &wine tastingFrom $3666 reviews
★ 4.5Chania Area: Food Tasting Tour with Winery Visit & Swim Stop58 reviews
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