The best prices for tours in Crete
Excursions, leisure activities and tours on Crete - an overview
One holiday will certainly not be enough for all the excursions, tours and activities on Crete. But it is a good start to fall in love with the island and then come back again. We present a selection of popular leisure activities on Crete that will give you unforgettable moments and special experiences during your holiday.
Boat trips and water sports on Crete will quickly give you that holiday feeling. This is due to the warm, soft waves and the magic of the colours: the combination of turquoise blue water and white sand. On Crete, you can cruise along the beautiful coastline on licence-free boats, sail halfway around the island on a catamaran or take an exclusive boat tour to the most secluded bays and beaches.
If you don't want to leave the water, enjoy the view while diving or snorkelling. Or you can combine your beach day with one of the many water sports activities on Crete: jet skiing, parasailing, stand-up paddling, surfing. And then there are the many beautiful beaches that stretch from one side of the island to the other, which you could make the destination of your excursions on Crete one after the other. From Elafonissi on the west coast to the lagoon of Bálos, Préveli Beach on the south coast or the quiet bay of Mátala to the beach of Vai in the east. Crete and the Caribbean are visually close together here.
In addition to natural beauty, the capital Iraklion/Heraklion and the enchanting harbour town of Chania, Crete's sights include the historic archaeological sites of Phaistos and Knossós. It is impressive to see what magnificent palaces people built in the Bronze Age. Crete's cultural heritage is omnipresent. Sacred and historical buildings can be found at every turn.
Active holidaymakers can hike through one of Crete's great gorges. The several-hour tour through the famous Samaria Gorge with its walls up to 500 metres high starts in the middle of the White Mountains in Xyloskalo. At the end of the 16-kilometre trail, you will certainly have a lot in your legs, but above all you will have wonderful impressions in your mind and the Libyan Sea in front of you.
The range of sporting tours and excursions on Crete is rounded off by kayaking and canoeing as well as exciting climbing routes and trail rides in the mountains. Those seeking adventure can let off steam on an off-road safari in an off-road vehicle or on a buggy and explore some of the most beautiful corners of the island along the way.
Equipped with a map and compass, you can start your tour on Crete with a hired boat without a driving licence. On the beach of Ammoudara off Heraklion, you can hire one of our partners' well-maintained boats for up to 6 people and steer it as captain along the coastal waters of Crete. You decide which beach you want to stop at and take time for a swim, a picnic or to enjoy the marvellous panorama between sea and land. If you want to sit back and leave the navigation to others, you can also book an exclusive Crete boat tour with a skipper.
If you are on holiday in Crete with children and are looking for a fun family excursion, we recommend a boat tour on the pirate ship "Black Pearl". The ship regularly sets sail from the bay of Souda near Chania. The boat tour is sightseeing and adventure in one. While the fortress of Inzedin or the archaeological site of Aptera pass by on the way, the children on board have fun with a treasure hunt or a water fight with the pirate crew. The ship anchors off Marathi and Loutraki and you have the opportunity for a city tour or a swimming break.
There are many ways to explore Crete by water: private excursions by boat, a romantic sailing trip around the beautiful island or a catamaran tour of several hours in the Mediterranean. Sometimes dolphins or whales show up off the coast of Crete and accompany you for a while. The volcanic island of Santorini and the island of Chrysi with its white dream beaches are among the top destinations for boat trips on Crete. Those who want to see more of the underwater world of the Mediterranean have the opportunity to dive with a glass-bottom boat in Agios Nikolaos in the east of the island or in Chania.
Category: Sports and active holidays on Crete
Experience unforgettable moments parasailing on Crete. Hover over the Mediterranean Sea from Heraklion and fulfil your dream of flying. At a height of up to 100 metres, enjoy the indescribable feeling in the air and the wonderful view over the beautiful Ammoudara beach to the mountains on our parasailing tour on Crete. An experience for the senses.
Pure adrenaline while jet skiing on Crete: speed over the waves of the Mediterranean and experience action on the water! Hire a jet ski in Heraklion and, after a professional briefing, set off on a 15- or 30-minute tour on the sea. You will quickly get a feel for the speed and handling of the manoeuvrable watercraft. But be careful! Jet skiing on Crete is addictive and you probably won't want to get off again afterwards.
If you want more, you can go for a long spin and discover more of Crete and its breathtaking coastline on a jet ski. On our special jet ski tour near Heraklion , you set off from Ammoudara beach on an expedition towards Limnoperamata and Pantanassa. Experienced tour guides will steer you along the coast and take you to some of the most beautiful beaches on Crete. In addition to extensive driving fun, this tour also includes a swimming and snorkelling stop off Panagia, Thiseas and Tripiti.
Water sports on Crete are crazy and above all fun. Off Heraklion, you can simply have fun with friends or family on one of the various tubes: Choose between Crazy Sofa, Crazy Ufo, Stingray, Sea Doo and Banana Boat or do one at a time! Experienced skippers will take you on an adventure and you can enjoy the lively fun on the Mediterranean.
Category: Sightseeing and culture on Crete
It's certainly not easy to tear yourself away from the beautiful beaches of Crete for a moment. But it's worth discovering some of the island's many sights for a change. After all, Crete was the first advanced civilisation in Europe and important sites still bear witness to this today. More than 100 years ago, archaeologists uncovered the legendary palace of Knossós, south of Heraklion, a cultural heritage of great importance. This magnificent testimony to Bronze Age civilisation is now one of the most visited attractions on Crete.
Combine a sightseeing and pleasure holiday with a trip to the former capital Chania, which is one of Crete's most popular destinations with its Venetian harbour, palaces and mosques, the waterfront promenade and the old town. On a Segway tour through Chania, you can get to know this island beauty in a comfortable way.
The vibrant life in Iraklio/Heraklion is also worth a trip. A hop-on hop-off bus operates in the capital, connecting ten of the most important stations and giving you the opportunity to explore the sights on a day trip.
Category: Adventure holidays on Crete
A day trip to pure Crete: with this jeep safari from Chania, a great adventure lies ahead of you. In an off-road vehicle, you will tour through the famous "White Mountains" in western Crete, explore small villages and experience hikes through legendary gorges. On this route, you will also discover the original Crete with its traditions and crafts. You will visit a shepherd's hut where you can learn more about cheese making or choose a jeep safari with oil and wine tasting in Anoskeli.
Crete's wild side is also revealed on a safari by quad bike or buggy through the remote hinterland. Hundreds of kilometres of off-road terrain lie hidden in the fabulous landscapes of this island, far away from the busy holiday resorts. Fantastic paths along the cliffs and the dusty tracks between the mountains are all yours. You will make some marvellous discoveries on these tours.
There are even more adventures and thrills on Crete: bungee jumping from the second highest jumping platform in Europe, for example. A 138 metre high metal bridge connects the two sides of the impressive Aradena Gorge. And from up there, you can let yourself fall into a rush of adrenaline and speed, well secured on a rope. For almost 20 years, people have been experiencing the jump of their lives in this unique setting.
Category: Excursions with children on Crete
Whether water fun or time travel: Crete's amusement parks offer variety and fun for your family holiday. Turn back time and take your children back to the era of the giant lizards at the Dinosaur Park in Gournes. 50 different species of the extinct reptiles are on display in life-size, there is an infirmary for dinosaurs and a number of interactive activities.
Anopolis Water City is also an adventure playground for the whole family. Kamikaze slides, a Tarzan liana over the water, children's paddling pools and an extensive pool area offer plenty of variety for a day of swimming. In Chania, there is another family-friendly water amusement park, Limnoupolis. The well-known Acqua Plus Water Park is also located five kilometres from Hersonissos. Nearby is the Labyrinth Theme Park, which, with its historical background and small games, is primarily a destination for families with small children.
Sharks and turtles, jellyfish and sea urchins are among the inhabitants of the Thalassocosmos in Gournes. Translated, this means the marine world and this is exactly what is depicted in the modern underwater zoo. Visitors can marvel at more than 200 different species of fish, reptiles and other creatures. The aquarium is located right next to a small sandy beach.
Category: Excursions on Crete by car / hire car
Crete measures 260 kilometres from the west coast to the east coast and another 60 kilometres between the northern and southern tips. In between, you can plan great day trips by car. If you hire a car, it's best to compile a list of the sights and excursion destinations of your choice and feed it into your navigation device. You can get free route information from Google/Maps, for example.
So why not simply hire a car and set off on a journey of discovery.