Top Crete Outdoor Activities

Explore the rugged and wild side of Crete on the off-road adventure tour. Travel comfortably in a Land Rover high up into the Dikti mountain range. By going on an organized tour, you won’t have to worry about getting lost in unmarked rural areas and an experienced driver drives with confidence on the mountain roads. Highlights include reaching Lassithi Plateau and exploring Zeus Cave. When you’ve worked up an appetite, a delicious local Cretan lunch in a taverna is provided.

Snorkeling is very relaxing and at the same time a very exciting activity which is suitable for all ages. Join us in a daily (morning or afternoon) guided “snorkeling” trip, take the mask, fins, snorkel and shorty wet suit from us, board on our 10 meters shady rib boat and take the chance to relax watching the marine life of our island. We visit always two different spots with a lot of marine life, such as caves and an open water area always depends on the weather conditions

Go to hidden-away corners of Crete few travelers get to see with this guided all-terrain vehicle tour. Follow your guide off-road to quiet tracks far from the traffic and crowded resorts. Explore the near-abandoned ghost village of Achlada, where only a few locals still live, and Fodele, the birthplace of El Greco.

Although Heraklion is the perfect base to see Crete’s cultural and architectural heritage, it’s not the only part of Crete that is worthy of a visit. On this full-day tour, discover two of the prettiest cities in Western Crete, Chania and Rethymno. Learn all about the diversity of Heraklion’s heritage, including its Venetian, Ottoman, Byzantine and ancient Greek influences.

Go off-roading in the rugged landscapes of Crete's northern coast on a ATV adventure from Rethymno. Splash through streams, wind along ancient gorges, and look for island wildlife from behind the wheel of a personal quad vehicle that can access tucked-away reaches surrounding Maroulas Mountain. Get a taste of Cretan history and culture during several stops along the way, including a traditional Greek coffeehouse and medieval villages that date to the 11th century.

Walk one of Europe’s longest canyons on this full-day hiking experience through the Samaria Gorge from Chania. With an experienced guide, hike the 10 miles (16 kilometers) through this breathtaking gorge, part of the Samaria national park in Crete’s White Mountains. Walk between towering cliffs, pass abandoned villages and absorb the awe-inspiring natural scenery and tranquility. Keep a steady pace during the 6-hour hike, sometimes over rocky terrain, and finish with time for a swim and lunch at Aghia Roumeli village. Numbers are limited for a more personalized, small-group experience.

Discover ancient Minoan history, Cretan farming culture, and magnificent island views on this full-day off-roading adventure from Heraklion. Travel in a rugged Land Rover along historic mountain trails, stopping along the way to visit the mythological Diction Cave, shepherds’ villages, the scenic Lassithi Plateau, and an eco park where traditional ways of life are still practiced. Replenish your energy with an included lunch and taste of ‘raki’ liqueur at a local tavern.

Explore Crete’s rugged interior on a full-day off-road buggy trip from Hersonissos. Drive or ride a 4-wheeler and travel through picturesque villages and countryside up to the Lasithi Plateau, framed by the Dikti Mountains. Follow black-topped roads and off-road trails, traverse olive groves and mountain slopes, and stop for photos and to visit the Kera Kardiotissa monastery (own expense). Traditional taverna lunch, driving instructions, and port and hotel drop-off in the Hersonissos area included.

Visit the family mountain home of a local Cretan for a completely authentic evening of cooking, eating, and cultural exchange. Begin your visit with a walk through the vegetable gardens, where you harvest ingredients to use in your recipes. Learn traditional dishes from your hosts, and hear the stories behind each dish. Enjoy a walk through the mountain paths with views of the Aegean Sea. Sit down to a meal you helped prepare, including local wine and a sweet dessert.

Our bus will pick you up early in the morning! We will drive you directly at Elafonisi beach (4 hours) where you will have the chance to swim! On the way back we will have an 1 hour stop at Elos village for lunch! We will be back around 18:00.

Travelers to Crete tend to stick to the well-worn paths between major towns and attractions, like Knossos and Rethymnon. This tour, operated using a four-wheeled all-terrain-vehicle, unlocks the Cretan backroads and off-road trails. See parts of Crete that most visitors to the island miss, steal a glimpse into local life away from the main tourist routes and learn how the storied past of the Melidoni Cave stretches back through time.

With traditional villages and plenty of warm Mediterranean sunshine, the Samaria Gorge is the longest of its kind in Europe—but it’s also a challenging and rewarding hike, considered by many to be among the toughest in Crete. This adventurous full-day combination bus and hiking tour from Chania takes you deep into the gorge itself, where large boulders lie beneath soaring limestone cliffs. Follow a 10-mile (16-km) route though the Samaria Gorge and experience the best of the Crete countryside with a guide.

Boat trip to Dia Island. Sailing ⛵ on catamaran Lagoon 380. Departure from Hersonissos port. All inclusive yachting tour: Mediterranean meal with grilled fish, local and import beverages, entertainment (SUP, snorkeling masks and fins, floating flamingo and unicorn, four-meters water carpet, fishing rods). 7 hours of sailing fun. Great option for everyone, even for families with small children.

Explore the diverse palm forests, gorges, and beaches of Crete on a full-day Land Rover safari. Rumble along remote roads in the gorgeous Rethymno region, passing landmarks like Prasses Gorge and Potamon Dam and stopping to swim in the Libyan Sea. Get a taste of Cretan country life when you visit traditional villages like Spili, and try local cuisine with included lunch at a tavern. Skip the hassle of a rental car and let a sturdy 4x4 and guide show you the best of the island’s scenery and culture.

Chania’s Old Town is being inhabited since the ancient ages of the Minoan Civilization from 5000BC. Since then it has always been a vivid place of prosperity and growth, influenced through the ages by the various cultures, Romans, Arabs, Jews, due to its geopolitical place in the Mediterranean Sea and those who invaded it particularly in the late years, such us the Venetians and the Ottoman Turks. We will stroll through the historic alleys and pinpoint the Byzantine and the Venetian/Ottoman Walls and Fortifications, then walk through the main streets and see the emergence of history from the Ancient Ages from the archeological excavations inside the Old Town to the Medieval and Recent Ages through the old buildings, the churches, the synagogues and the mosques. Also we will visit the Orthodox, the Muslim and the Jewish Quarter and how people lived together through times with peace or turbulence.

Spend a full day exploring Crete with a local guide. Visit Psychro Cave, the birthplace of Zeus, and a platanus tree that is according to local legend, the oldest tree on the island. You’ll also tour the villages of Mochos and Krasi and enjoy a traditional Cretan lunch in a local restaurant.

Participate in a guided tour to the Palace of Knossos, the political and ceremonial center of Minoan civilization. The tour continues to the town center of Heraklion, completing in a day the historical path of 4000 years.

Immerse yourself in the Aegean Sea with this 3-hour guided snorkeling trip from Chania. All equipment is provided. Swim in the crystal blue waters in Almyrida Chania and explore reefs, caves and see the Elephant Cave of Crete.

The Heraklion Archaeological Museum houses the world’s largest collection of Minoan artifacts, making it one of Europe’s greatest and a must-see for history buffs. This skip-the-line entrance ticket is worth prebooking to save you time and hassle in Crete’s capital, and enable you to avoid long ticket-purchase lines. Once inside, you’re free to view the 15,000-plus exhibits from Knossos, Neolithic, and Roman times, as you wish, at your own pace.

The best way to explore Crete is by boat and this half-day cruise from Hersonissos visits St. George's Bay and the small towns of Sissi, Malia, and Stalis. Set sail aboard a traditional pirate ship; stop to swim and snorkel at the island’s beaches and bays; spot dolphins and sea turtles along the coast; and tuck into a delicious BBQ lunch on-board.

Relax on the waters of Mirabello Bay on this full-day sailing trip from Agios Nikolaos. Settle aboard a classic wooden sailboat and cruise across the scenic bay to Pseira Island. After a swim stop here, drop anchor off remote Agriomantra beach to admire and swim in the cliff-framed bay. Then, enjoy a final swim stop before sailing back to dock. Ideal for families, couples, and anyone keen to enjoy Crete’s coastal waters and scenery.

Escape the hum of bustling Crete and get into nature on this full-day tour of pristine Elafonisi, a small island famed for its beautiful pink sands. Soak up the Grecian sun as you explore this protected wildlife sanctuary, enjoying a walk on the sand, or swim in the clear, azure waters of Elafonisi's paradise-like beach just a stone’s throw from the southwest corner of Crete.

Explore with a guided group, the monastery of Kera Kardiotissa and the Dikteon Cave followed by a visit to Psychro village to meet a potter in action. Enjoy the panoramic views from Seli Ambelou Lasithi Plateau and complete your tour to the Minoan Palace of Knossos where civilization history began 4000 years ago.

Taste the bounty of ancient Cretan vineyards and olive groves on a delicious, full-day wine tour from Heraklion. Travel with an oenophile and chef guide through the island’s fertile heartland, visit a winery for a vineyard tour and tastings of different varietals. Sample some of the Mediterranean's finest olive oil at a family domain, and indulge in a gourmet chef’s lunch at a local restaurant, complete with plenty of wine! Tour size is limited to 8 for a more personalized, small-group experience.