Crete Tours & Trips
Could you spend a week where Greek myths were born? Explore Athens' Acropolis when the light's perfect, wander Heraklion's archaeological museum, visit Knossos where the Minotaur supposedly lived, tour Spinalonga (the leper island with quite a story), taste Cretan wine that's nothing like what you get at home, eat in family tavernas, and swim in waters that are genuinely that blue. Crete's magic.
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Hock • traveled in July, 2025
The bus pick up was very inconvenient as we had to walk 12 minutes to and from the pick up point. Would have loved to stay at Creta Maris. The good side is the breakfast and dinner at the Hersonisos Maris. It wascvery helpful!!!
Treasures of Crete - J
Jessica • traveled in July, 2025
Fantastic tour. Amazing guides especially Gary who led the mountain land rover tour.
The Labyrinth of Crete - K
Kathleen • traveled in July
We did a private tour. There was 14 of us This was an incredible tour of Greece. Taylor from tour radar and George from DOT were fabulous. We had the time of our lives. Hotels were so accommodating and staff were very kind. The travel guides and bus pick ups were perfectly timed. No waiting. The walking tours of Athens and myconos were very informative. It was full of wonderful stops. I could go on and on.
Explore Crete & Local Experience (4 days Self-guided)
Table of contents
The best Crete tour packages
Compiled by
MelissaCrete travel expert at TourRadar
Treasures of Crete
18 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Good hotel, good location. Good tours.”
Giuseppe, traveled in September
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 $804
15% Off- US$684You save $121
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 All Ages Welcome Operator Destination Services Greece From $610
15% Off- US$518You save $91
Explore Crete & Local Experience (4 days Self-guided)
3 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Our trip to Athens/Mykonos/Santorini was organized, well scheduled, and fun!! The tours were informative, the tour guides were excellent.”
Karen, traveled in April
Heraklion's Venetian harbor, the fortified Koules Fortress, and the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion house significant Minoan artifacts from Knossos. City Breeze Suites provides room-only accommodation while exploring at your own pace. Walk along 25th August Street to see historic architecture, browse Dedalou Street boutiques, and check out the Natural History Museum of Crete. This 4-day private tour includes all airport transfers from the Arrivals Hall to Heraklion Airport, giving independent flexibility with comfortable amenities and authentic Greek experiences.
Duration 4 days Destinations Heraklion Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, German, French, Spanish, Dutch Operator Dot Travel From $200
30% Off- US$140You save $60
Incredible Crete!
7 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Great variety of sites and hotels. And they made sure we had a feast of Cretan food delights every day.”
Alice, traveled in May
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- US$3,886
Walking in Crete
43 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The walks - through stunning gorges and coastline. The hospitality was excellent everywhere we went.”
Rob, 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- US$1,780
8 days Experience Athens & Crete (Self-guided)
6 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Team was always available to answer my questions or concerns. All was done within 2 hours and they paid to secure booking.”
mark, traveled in October
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 $695
30% Off- US$486You save $208
Highlights of Crete
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“I don't see myself traveling any other way! I cherished each experience I had -- many of which would not have happened if I had traveled a different way.”
Sonya, traveled in September
Ancient ruins of Knossos stand in contrast to the lively port of Chania. Traditional guesthouses in Agios Ioannis welcome visitors exploring Sougia's pristine beaches. Local culture comes alive through wine tastings, kalitsounia workshops, and treks through the dramatic Agia Irini Gorge.
Duration 7 days Destinations Heraklion, Knossos, Sougia, Agía Iríni, Chania Age Range Ages 15+ Operator Intrepid Travel From
30% Off- US$1,760
Amazing Aegean | Semi-Private 8-Day Guided Tour
11 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Truly a spectacular tour in every respect—hotels, restaurants, sites, and authentic experiences were exceptional!”
Linda, traveled in May
A 4000-year-old olive tree, the Botanical Park of Chania, and Palace of Knossos showcase Crete's living history. Premium 4-5 star hotels complement cooking classes, honey tastings, and guided archaeological tours. Traditional Cretan cuisine served at historic venues.
Duration 8 days Destinations Athens, Chania, Rethymnon, Knossos, Santorini Age Range Ages 16+ Operator Pictours of Greece From
30% Off- US$6,358
Hiking Crete: Gorges & Coastal Walks
20 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The scenery was spectacular. Overall fantastic experience.”
Kristine, traveled in April
Stunning trails wind from the Omalos plateau through Samaria Gorge to the southern coast. Charming hotels in Chania and car-free Loutro provide comfort between guided hikes to Sweetwater Beach and authentic Cretan dinners paired with local wine.
Duration 7 days Destinations Chania, Loutro Age Range Ages 12+ Operator G Adventures From $1,349
10% Off- US$1,214You save $135
Travel Crete your way
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Top Crete travel itineraries to fit your plans
Demographics
Solo Travelers53 tours- Couples46 tours
- Seniors (50+)27 tours
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 18 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 23 tours
- 37 tours
- popular 52 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 47 tours
- 41 tours
- 42 tours
- Fall / Autumn 2026
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 51 tours
- 50 tours
- 18 tours
Contact our Crete travel experts
Joachim
Expert in Crete at TourRadar
Joachim is one of our seasoned Crete Travel Experts. Reach out to us to get all your questions about Crete tours answered!
- Choose from 70+ Crete tours
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+1 844 311 8331What 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.