10-Day Crete Tour Packages
Picture ten days on Greece's largest island, moving beyond beach resorts. Crete has Knossos' Minoan palace, Samaria Gorge hiking, Chania's Venetian harbor, and Rethymno's old town. You'll eat better food than most Greek islands, explore mountain villages, and see different landscapes from beaches to mountains. Don’t miss Elafonisi's pink sand beach, Balos lagoon, and Spinalonga island.
Insider tips: Recommended 10-day Crete tour itineraries
Compiled by
MelissaCrete travel expert at TourRadar
8 Days in Greece, incl. Crete and Santorini
Crete's diverse landscape unfolds over 8 days from Chania to Heraklion. The 16km Samariá Gorge trek, Knossos Palace tour, and peaceful Loutro await. Stays in traditional villages and visits to secluded Marmara Beach included.
- Day 1
Chania, Crete
Start in Chania's Old Town. Visit the 14th-century Venetian Harbor before 9 AM to avoid crowds and get great photos. Stop by the Maritime Museum of Crete (€3 entry) to learn about the island's rich seafaring past. When the afternoon cools down head to Koum Kapi Beach.
- Days 2-3
Samaria Gorge & Agia Roumeli
Take a 90-minute private transfer and ferry to the Samaria Gorge trailhead. You'll need good hiking boots for the 16km trail which gets rocky and slippery near "The Gates" the gorge's narrowest point. Bring at least 2 liters of water per person. After hiking take a refreshing swim in the Libyan Sea at Agia Roumeli before catching a 30-minute ferry to Loutro.
- Day 4
Loutro
This quiet car-free village is ideal for resting after your gorge hike. Rent kayaks (€10) in the morning when the water is calm to find hidden coves. If you're still feeling active the Aradena Gorge hike offers great views but make sure to wear solid shoes as some paths are unstable.
- Day 5
Heraklion
Take an early ferry and 3-hour drive to Heraklion. Visit the Palace of Knossos first since it gets very hot by midday with little shade. Book tickets ahead during peak season (May-October). Follow up with the Archaeological Museum in town to see artifacts from the palace.
- Days 6-8
Santorini
The 2-hour ferry from Heraklion gives great views of Santorini's caldera if you sit on the right side. Stay in Fira to easily reach both ends of the island. Walk from Fira to Oia along the caldera rim takes 2-3 hours. Start around 4 PM to catch sunset in Oia but bring water and a hat. Spend your free day on a sunset cruise (around $140) or explore Akrotiri's ruins (€12 entry). One visitor shared: "Akrotiri was fascinating but go early. By 11 AM it gets crowded and hot inside the covered archaeological site." Skip the sunset crowds in the main towns by visiting quieter Imerovigli or booking a caldera-view restaurant ahead of time. Santo Winery offers wine tasting with similar views if restaurants are full. Book late afternoon flights from Santorini airport to avoid morning crowds. Reserve airport transfers since taxis are limited.
8 Days in Crete, incl. Heraklion and Chania
A remarkable 8-day tour takes you through Crete's highlights from Heraklion to Rethymnon. The ancient Knossos Palace ruins, Spinalonga Island boat excursion, and Lassithi Plateau Land Rover adventure await. Accommodations at Hotel Hersonissos with meals and guided tours runs approx. $130 per day.
- Day 1
Heraklion Arrival & Gouves/Hersonissos
After landing at Heraklion Airport take a 30-minute transfer to Gouves/Hersonissos. "The tours were great. I really felt like I explored Crete and got my money's worth." Spend your first evening exploring local tavernas and trying authentic Cretan dishes like dakos and fresh seafood.
- Day 2
Spinalonga Island & Elounda
Board a morning boat to Spinalonga the former leper colony. Walk through preserved streets and buildings on this historic island. Stop for a traditional Cretan lunch in Elounda afterward. Pack good walking shoes since Spinalonga's paths can be uneven and slippery.
- Day 3
Knossos Palace & Heraklion
Get to the Palace of Knossos right when it opens at 8:30 AM to avoid crowds. You'll need comfortable shoes for exploring this massive 4,000-year-old Minoan complex. In the afternoon visit Heraklion's Venetian lion fountain and Archaeological Museum. Plan your museum visit before it closes at 5 PM.
- Day 4
Chania & Rethymnon Day Trip
This 10-11 hour day takes you to Crete's most beautiful cities. Start in Chania's Old Town with its Venetian harbor and leather market. Next see Rethymnon's blend of Turkish and Venetian architecture. A recent visitor shared: "The trip to Chania was long - we didn't get back until after 9 PM but the sights were worth it."
- Day 5
Zeus Cave & Mountain Villages
Join a Land Rover tour through Crete's mountainous interior. You'll see the Potamies Reservoir Roman aqueduct ruins and traditional villages. The highlight is Zeus Cave which offers amazing views of Lassithi Plateau. Enjoy a BBQ lunch with unlimited wine but wear sturdy shoes for walking rough terrain.
- Day 6
Water Park Day
Relax at Aqua Plus Water Park. It offers exciting slides for adventure seekers and calm pools for those who want to take it easy. Remember to bring sunscreen water shoes and your own towel.
- Day 7
Free Day in Gouves/Hersonissos
Take time to explore local beaches or learn traditional cooking in an optional class. Ask your hotel about quiet beach spots away from crowds. In the evening watch the sunset from a hillside taverna in Hersonissos.
- Day 8
Departure
Your transfer back to Heraklion Airport takes 20-30 minutes. Book an afternoon flight to avoid morning traffic and enjoy a relaxed breakfast.
8 Day Crete Itinerary, incl. Chania and Heraklion
Mountain paths and coastal trails define this 8-day route from Chania through Samaria Gorge and White Mountains. Traditional Zaros village provides authentic accommodation, while Preveli monastery offers historic insights. Features challenging 15km gorge descent.
- Day 1
Chania
Begin your adventure in Chania's historic Venetian port. Stay in the old town near the harbor for easy access to waterfront restaurants. "The narrow streets and harbor walks are perfect for getting your legs ready for the upcoming hikes." Plan for an afternoon arrival to skip the morning airport traffic.
- Day 2
Chania & Omalos Plateau
Take a morning walk through Chania's cobbled streets and traditional leather workshops. Head to Omalos Plateau (1,082m) in the White Mountains for afternoon acclimatization on a gentle 2km walk. Pack warm clothing since evening temperatures can be quite cool at this elevation.
- Day 3
Samaria Gorge
The highlight of your trip awaits with Europe's longest gorge. "The Samaria Gorge was a great challenge but very rewarding when you've done it!" Start before 7:30 AM to avoid the heat. The 16km descent typically takes 6-8 hours and includes stream crossings on stepping stones. Bring walking poles for the steep beginning section. Your hike ends in Agia Roumeli village.
- Days 4-5
Coastal Villages & Loutro
Stay in Loutro, a peaceful village only reachable by boat. Explore the coastline's hidden coves and beaches on foot. "The coastal walk was tougher than expected - pack plenty of water and sun protection." You can hike to ancient Anopolis or explore Aradena Gorge. Local boats offer easy beach access.
- Day 6
Chora Sfakion to Zaros
Take a morning boat to Chora Sfakion before driving inland to Zaros village. Visit historic Preveli Monastery on the way, notable for protecting Allied soldiers during WWII. The route shows off Crete's diverse landscapes from seaside to mountains. Spend the evening in Zaros, known for its natural springs.
- Day 7
Zaros Gorge
Experience the stunning 5.5km Rouvas (Zaros) Gorge. "Walking through Zaros Gorge offered more scenic variation than Samaria." The route takes about 4.5 hours and needs careful footing. Spend your afternoon exploring the quiet Koutsoulidi valley.
- Day 8
Departure from Heraklion
Transfer to Heraklion airport takes about an hour. Late flights? Leave your bags at storage and visit Heraklion's archaeological museum.
Crete 10 Day Tour Packages You'll Love
What people love about 10-day Crete tours
- Exploring Crete
The tours were great. I really felt like I explored Crete and got my money’s worth. I did not appreciate the quality of the hotel. I upgraded to a “superior” category of hotel and the room they put me in was trash. Felt like I was sleeping on a table and the room itself was in disrepair. I talked to the tour radar rep and instead of helping me improve the situation he told me that I was told about this weeks ago and left it at that. I didn’t appreciate that at all. I ended up talking with the hotel front desk and upgraded to a better room and I was happy.
- 8 days Experience Athens & Crete (Self-guided)
Athens was great. The hotel wasn't the quality promised but good location. In Crete I was placed in some kind of apartment. Was never explained that was what it was. The directions how I get in were sent After. I was left in a hallway in back alley by a driver with no idea where to go. It took several failed numbers to get company. The ground floor room ended up being up three floors. And in place I wasn't comfortable. Not walkable at all even for food which needed when no breakfast. They did move to the next day to a central hotel which for a single female traveler was much safer. The suite did not even have a working shower which since I only spent one night didn't complain. All I'm all great trip. The driver chosen on Athens for both my trips big compliments. He gave me great tips and was a welcoming person to deal with
- Simply Crete: An 8-Day Island Immersion
I absolutely loved this 8-day adventure. If you want more than just a beach holiday, this tour delivers! Hiking through gorges, tasting local food in tavernas, discovering archaeological sites, and relaxing by turquoise bays made every day feel different and exciting. The logistics were smooth and all transport was handled without stress. Crete has so much to offer, and this tour showed it off beautifull