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 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 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
An 8-day Cretan tour takes you from Hotel Olympic in Heraklion to Hotel Apollon in Agios Nikolaos. The itinerary features the Palace of Knossos, Chania's Venetian harbor, and Elafonissi's pink beaches. Drive a Nissan Pixo to Spinalonga island and Vai's palm forest.
- Day 1
Heraklion Arrival
Get your rental car at Heraklion Airport before 2 PM to avoid traffic. "The car rental process was smooth, but be sure to thoroughly document any existing scratches before leaving the lot," one traveler advises. Spend your evening walking through Heraklion's old town.
- Day 2
Heraklion & Knossos
Visit the Heraklion Archaeological Museum when it opens at 8 AM before the cruise crowds appear. Drive 15 minutes to see the Palace of Knossos after 3 PM when tour buses leave and temperatures cool down. You'll need water and a hat since the site offers little shade.
- Day 3
Heraklion to Chania (2-hour drive)
Take the northern coastal road to Chania for the quickest route. You can find public parking near the Venetian Harbor. Walk around the old town and stick around for sunset when the lighthouse looks incredible in the evening light.
- Day 4
Elafonisi Beach Day Trip
Start your drive to Elafonisi Beach by 8 AM. One visitor notes: "The drive involves mountain roads with hairpin turns - take it slow and fill up on gas before heading out as stations are sparse." You'll see the pink sand at its best in morning light.
- Day 5
Chania to Rethymnon (1-hour drive)
Visit Rethymnon's Venetian harbor and old town. Check out the Fortezza fortress for great views but avoid the hot midday hours. Look for local tavernas near Rimondi Fountain for authentic food.
- Day 6
Rethymnon to Agios Nikolaos via Spinalonga
Drive 2.5 hours to Agios Nikolaos early. Take a boat from Elounda to Spinalonga island in the morning. Boats run hourly and cost €12 round trip. Spend your afternoon at Voulisma Beach but use the official parking lot to avoid tickets.
- Day 7
Eastern Crete Exploration
Take a day trip to Sitia and Vai Beach to see its unique palm forest. Bring food since restaurants are limited. Remember modest clothing for the Toplou monastery. End your day with dinner in Agios Nikolaos by Lake Voulismeni.
- Day 8
Departure
Plan an hour to drive back to Heraklion Airport. Fill up your tank in Agios Nikolaos where gas is usually cheaper.
Crete 15 Day Tour Packages You'll Love
What people love about 10-day Crete tours
- Exploring Crete
it was enjoyed the room great guided tours with Maria, Poppy, Veda and Cristina we would definitely go with TUI again
- 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
- Incredible Crete!
Very enjoyable week experiencing Crete with a varied itinerary, good organisation and an excellent guide with Constantin. Shared meals were a brilliant way to experience a wide range of tastes, cooking methods and foods. Just the right balance of archeology, and never too much! I would recommend this as a very good, small group way to explore Crete.