Crete Tours & Trips
4.5 stars on(7,603 reviews)- Choose from 49 Crete tours
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The best Crete tour packages
Compiled by
MelissaCrete travel expert at TourRadar
The Labyrinth of Crete
14 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Was surprised to find out that museum was included after the Knossos tour. Overall, great 3 days.”
Evangelia, traveled in May 2019
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 18 to 99 year olds Operator Destination Services Greece From $498
15% Off- US$424You save $74
Treasures of Crete
16 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“All 4 excursions were very intensive, informative, well planned. My two room apartment at the Bells Vista hotel was nice.”
Irina, traveled in June 2022
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 up to 99 year olds Operator Destination Services Greece From $654
15% Off- US$556You save $98
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 2024
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 15 to 99 year olds Operator Intrepid Travel From $1,995
15% Off- US$1,696You save $299
Hiking Crete: Gorges & Coastal Walks
20 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The scenery was spectacular. Overall fantastic experience.”
Kristine, traveled in April 2022
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 up to 90 year olds Operator G Adventures From $1,299
10% Off- US$1,169You save $129
Natural wonders and ancient sites define this Cretan adventure. The mighty Samariá Gorge beckons hikers, while Knossos Palace reveals Europe's oldest city. The secluded village of Loutro offers peaceful stays in traditional accommodations near remote coastal settlements.
Duration 8 days Destinations Chania, Agia Roumeli, Loutro, Heraklion, Santorini Age Range 12 to 90 year olds Operator G Adventures From $1,999
17% Off- US$1,659You save $339
What people love about Crete Tours
- The Labyrinth of Crete
Overall, great experience. Was surprised to find out that museum was included after the Knossos tour. Was also more impressed by jeep tour than I expected. Overall, great 3 days. Hotel was nice just surprises my room didn't have a TV. But good food and comfy accommodations made up for it.
- Treasures of Crete
All 4 excursions were very intensive, informative, well planned. My two room apartment at the Bells Vista hotel was nice. Besides me, a young couple participated in the same tour. Three of us had to
- Hiking Crete: Gorges & Coastal Walks
This was a great tour!
Travel Crete your way
Our Crete exploration tours hit all the right notes with travelers seeking something beyond typical sightseeing. The top pick combines Knossos Palace visits with real hands-on moments like making cheese alongside village families in the mountains. Customers tell us they love going off-road into the Cretan peaks to see Zeus' birthplace cave, especially when it's paired with outdoor BBQ lunches where the local wine flows freely. The trips to Spinalonga island let you walk through what was first a Venetian fort and later became home to a leper colony - our guides share moving stories about the people who lived there. What makes these routes work so well is how they mix major archaeological sites with quiet spots like underwater villages and mountain communities where daily life hasn't really changed.
See all Explorer toursExplore a wide diversity of partially guided tours through Crete. We have 23 adventures that vary from 4 days to 19 days. With the greatest number of departures in May, this is also the most popular time of the year.
See all Partially Guided tours
Top operators in Crete
- 4.0 (170 reviews)
"2. We should have had contact with all independent tour operators in the event of issues that arose. 3. Finally, I think that the tours should be spread out over the period and not lumped together in the last four days. Perhaps an every other day would have been less taxing. By the way the Tui operated tours were excellent and the Safari tour was also very good.
- Tours
- 14 tours
- Age range
- 18 to 99 years old
- Adventure type
- Explorer
- Response time
- 41h
- Response rate
- 100%
- Average price
- $225
- 5.0 (22,800 reviews)
"We met some great people Had a great guide. DEMITIOS The hike was very good. Crete is different to the other islands Have never seen so many rocks b4. I would do this tour again The remote beaches were lovely Demitros introduced us to so many different foods and local wines DONT THINK ABOUT IT. JUST DO IT
- Tours
- 2 tours
- Age range
- 12 to 90 years old
- Adventure type
- Hiking & Trekking
- Response time
- 1h
- Response rate
- 100%
- Average price
- $310
- 4.5 (11,928 reviews)
"This was my first Intrepid tour and I don't see myself traveling any other way! Our team leader, Georgia was amazing, I met people from across the world, and we got to see so many areas of Crete. I cherished each experience I had -- many of which would not have happened if I had traveled a different way
- Tours
- 1 tours
- Age range
- 5 to 99 years old
- Adventure type
- In-depth Cultural
- Response time
- 6h
- Response rate
- 88%
- Average price
- $427
Crete tours for every type of group
Who are you traveling with?
Group
31 tours in CreteSmall group tours in Crete mix active exploration with real cultural experiences. The 7-day Hiking Crete route is a favorite, taking 8-12 people through dramatic gorges and coastal paths. Our customers love how these tours balance challenging walks like the full Samaria Gorge trek with easier days exploring boat-access-only places like Loutro. Another popular choice focuses on Cretan food and wine, visiting family wineries, trying local olive oils and cooking in mountain villages. The magic happens in the group dynamics - our guides are great at creating a friendly atmosphere while giving everyone personal attention and also letting people walk at their own speed.
Small Group
11 tours in CreteVisit Crete with fewer travelers, ensuring more immersive activities.
Private / Personalized
16 tours in CreteEnjoy the exclusivity of our Private Crete tours, tailored to your own group, preferences and pace with over 16 itineraries to choose from.
Top Crete travel itineraries to fit your plans
The 7-day Crete tours give you a proper feel for the island's character. Starting in Heraklion, you'll join an expert guide through Europe's oldest city at Knossos before heading west into the traditional villages. Our customers tell us they love how these week-long trips mix it up - you might tackle the challenging 5-15km daily walks through Samaria Gorge (Europe's longest) one day, then enjoy easy coastal strolls and swimming spots the next. Some routes lean more into the active side while others focus on local life, like cooking in family homes and tasting wines at small vineyards. The highlight for many is staying in Loutro, a fishing village you can only reach by boat or on foot, where you'll get real Cretan life away from the busy resorts.
Don't miss out on visiting:
Crete, Spinalonga, Heraklion, Rethymnon, Chania
See all tours
With 10 days to play with, you can really get into Crete's less-visited spots. These full-island routes kick off in Heraklion's bustling markets before winding through mountain villages where local families share their pottery crafts and cooking secrets. You'll have time to explore both sides of Crete properly - from Chania's pretty Venetian harbor right across to the ancient sites near Heraklion. Our travelers particularly like having free days built in, so they can choose between guided hikes in places like Aradena Gorge or spending time on quiet beaches like Elafonisi with its unique pink sand.
Don't miss out on visiting:
Heraklion, Spinalonga, Knossos, Chania, Rethymnon
See all toursDemographics
Discover unforgettable adventures designed for all ages! Whether you're young or young at heart, our adventures offer excitement and wonder for everyone.
Solo Travelers40 tours All tours for Solo Travelers- Couples25 tours
- Seniors (50+)25 tours All tours for Seniors
Best time to visit Crete
- Spring 2025
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.
- 20 tours
- popular 35 tours
- Summer 2025
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 27 tours
- 23 tours
- 23 tours
- Fall / Autumn 2025
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 34 tours
- 32 tours
Contact our Crete travel experts
George
Expert in Crete at TourRadar
George is one of our seasoned Crete Travel Experts. Reach out to us to get all your questions about Crete tours answered!
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