The 10 Best Historical & Heritage Tours in Crete, Greece

April 21, 2022 Major Galusha

Crete (Greek: Κρήτη, Kríti ['kriti]; Ancient Greek: Κρήτη, Krḗtē) is the largest and most populous of the Greek islands, the 88th largest island in the world and the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, after Sicily, Sardinia, Cyprus, and Corsica. Crete and a number of surrounding islands and islets constitute the region of Crete (Greek: Περιφέρεια Κρήτης), one of the 13 top-level administrative units of Greece. The capital and the largest city is Heraklion. As of 2011, the region had a population of 623,065.
Restaurants in Crete

1. Private Tour: Exploring Chania and its Villages

Santorini Wine Tour
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5.0 based on 2 reviews

Sightsee around the scenic villages of Crete in the company of a local guide in a private luxury vehicle Choose an itinerary tailored to your interests and specifications Zero hassle! Your personal guide will arrange everything Visit the top wineries of the region to discover unique and hard-to-find wines Relax on some of the most beautiful beaches of Greece Visit archaeological sites that give an insight to a civilization lost since the remote antiquity. Sample Itinerary : The tour will start at the seaside traditional village of Armeni, and continue to the region of Alikambos, where we’ll walk in olive & citrus groves of unparalleled beauty, where the rows of fruit-bearing trees point toward the sea. Last, we’ll visit Limni Kourna, a gorgeous, untouched lake of great geological and ecological significance. After a walk by the the azure waters of the lake, you can visit the village of Kournas, the seat of the Cretan Revolution of 1866.

Inclusions: Pick up & return luxury transfer, Half day private tour with an experienced, local english speaking guide, Private Chauffeured luxury service

Exclusions: Admission fees and guided tours to museums or archaeological sites, Wine tasting fees, Personal expenses, Food and drink expenses, unless specified, All Gratuities

Reviewed By Francis M

Our guide was great as we scheduled easy pick up and drop off locations. Each winery had a different feel as they were located in different parts of southern Santorini. Tour was finished off with Venetsanos winery which was located in the cliffs overlooking the caldera. We would recommend.

2. Chania-Kournas-Rethymnon Tour TR

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5.0 based on 1 reviews

Come with us and discover the West of Crete!This excursion brings us to West Crete and our first stop in Chania, the most ravishing city of Crete. It was an important Minoan city and the “mother of the Cretan cities”, according to ancient writers. The city is divided in the Old City, with the gorgeous harbor and the New City, beyond its Venetian fortifications. The Old City is one of the most beautiful cities in the Mediterranean and is called “Venice of the East”. We can admire samples of all the civilizations that have passed from here: archaeological Minoan sites, Turkish minarets and mosques, Muslim neighborhoods, Venetian fortresses, dockyards, fountains, squares, arches, mansions, Loggia and the Lighthouse. We can enjoy our lunch at the picturesque harbor or visit the famous Agora (Market), which houses traditional little shops and taverns. Here we can buy souvenirs or leather goods in very good prices.

Inclusions: Professional and Multilingual speaking guide., Transfers with air-conditioned luxurious buses., Free pick up service from any place in Crete.

Exclusions: Tips and Individual expenses.

Reviewed By sandrahL4515GG

we went in this trip through our tui rep paid €40 each for 12 of us 1 there was no singing dancing from crew ...they played pirate music .... 2 the food was a con ..chop salad ... & melon we stopped at cove for 1 1/2 Swam in sea which was lovely then in too malia well all I can say is we pulled into a harbour ..more like run down docks .... for hour ... 10 min walk to a little bar took about half to be served by time drank it time walk back...very very disappointing .. the crew were all very friendly but I defo wouldn't recommend this trip I've been on a few these trips in portugal ..rhodes zante tenerife ..they would all knock spots of this trip

3. Knossos Museum and Heraklion tour from Rethymno

MTM DMC Ltd - Greece
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5.0 based on 1 reviews

On this excursion you have the opportunity to visit the excavation sites of the Palace of Knossos, built in 2000 BC. Knossos was the prosperous Minoan Capital and the residence of King Minos. Some believe, that the intricate Palace with its many rooms was the mythical labyrinth. By discovering the site not too long ago, archaeologists found the first of all advanced civilizations in Europe. The tour is followed by a visit to the Museum of Heraklion, where you can see the largest collection of Minoan findings from Crete.

Inclusions: Hotel pickup and drop-off , Local Guide , All taxes, Air-conditioned vehicle

Exclusions: Knossos entrance – 16 euro, children under 18 – free , Museum – 10 € , Food and drinks , Tips

Reviewed By 706kristinaf

We were 4 but the guide only had two on her paper so first they drive off and later they came back and realiser it was us they were waiting for. Everything else was super.

4. Margarites Arkadi Patsos

Ελεϋθερίου Βενιζέλου 39, Rethymno 741 00, Greece Eco Events
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5.0 based on 5 reviews

We will start our tour by visiting a beautiful well-hidden village, Margarites. The tradition of pottery goes back many generations in this village and you will be able to have a small demonstration of pottery.After a 20' drive, we will continue to the religious part of our tour. Our goal is to make you familiar with our culture and religious customs. Arkadi Monastery is perhaps the best known monastery on Crete due to the Holocaust of 1866.Let’s explore together the nature of Crete. The gorge of Patsos is a small yet magnificent gorge, which begins at Ano Assites. The whole area around the gorge is of particular natural beauty. If the weather does not permit our entrance to the gorge, we may visit a very interesting museum and archeological site in the nearby ancient village of Eleftherna. Enjoy a traditional lunch in the local taverna.

Inclusions: Bottled water, Lunch, Coffee and/or Tea

Exclusions: The guide will not enter with you in the Monastery of Arkadi

Reviewed By Dave536

Not a bad tour but 3 main issues... 1. Far too much focus on history and architecture for a food tour 2. Too few tastings for a food tour 3. During a pandemic, it might not be prudent for the guide to eat from the same plates as the guests

5. Spinalonga Island - Ag Nikolaus - Elounda Bay - Private Tour.

Explore Real Crete
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5.0 based on 9 reviews

This Tour gives you the opportunity to visit on your own way so many places in one day that if not with a local guide it would be impossible to visit and find.We visit Monasteries, Churches, Agios Nikolaus City, Spinalonga Island, Krasi village where the oldest Platanus tree in Crete it's found, we have a traditional Cretan Lunch in the traditional village of Mochos where we visit a few beautiful churches, and in the end if we have time we can visit the fishing village of Sisi where we go for a walk on the Palm Bay. ACACIA TOURS MHTE1039e60000115201

Inclusions: Private transportation, Bottled water, Soda/Pop, Liability insurance.

Exclusions: Boat ticket to Spinalonga. 10 Euro , Entrance fee at the Spinalonga (8 euro ) , Lunch

Reviewed By Cellabelle-27

This tour was highly recommended by a friend, and wow, totally exceeded all expectations! Eddie is a lovely, friendly, funny and knowledgeable guy... I seen and learned more about Crete in one day than I have in all the years going there! The tour included a visit to olive oil factory, cave of Zeus, lovely lunch with wine in the beautiful village of Mochlos, Lassithi plateau (stunning views) and finally wine tasting at the winery which was the perfect end to a perfect day ???? So if you want to see the real Crete and have a fantastic day out with a wonderful guide, book with Eddie... You will not regret it

6. Full-Day Knossos And Heraklion Tour From Chania

PLATANOS TOURS
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5.0 based on 2 reviews

Enjoy a 1-day bus excursion from Chania to Knossos. Visit the Palace of Knossos, the Archaeological Museum, the city of Heraklion and more.

Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle, English guided tour in Knossos Palace, Roundtrip bus transfer to all locations, Free time in Heraklion city

Exclusions: Lunch, Entry ticket for the Knossos Palace €15 and if you want the Archaeological Museum €5 , Personal expenses

Reviewed By _U6147NF

Perfect services! Friendly staff ... Good prices! Totally recommend it Good after sales support when I had a problem

7. Matala - Agia Galini - Spili ( Small Group Tour)

Markidis Travel
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5.0 based on 12 reviews

For this excursion, you will be picked up from your hotel area by our airconditioned mini bus. The first stop is at the Spili village. You will have a chance to see a 100% traditional village with its well know lion-head fountains in the middle of the village. Walking along its cobbled streets you can explore the tourist shops which are full of traditional Cretan products. The next stop is at the amphitheatrically built village of AgiaGalini. Here will have 2,5 hrs to explore the village. The next stop is at Matala where you will have 3 hr of free time to enjoy the golden sandy beach. Matala is not only known for its beautiful beaches but also for its artificially carved caves that date all the way back to the Minoan period. These same caves were later occupied by a hippy commune in the late 60’s and 70’s. Many musicians have composed song about the beauty of Matala including Bob Dylan and Cat Stevens. The bus will then take you back to your hotel ending this amazing excursion.

Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle

Exclusions: Lunch

Reviewed By anchi100

One wished all travel agents were like Markidis. I did two trips with them: to Matala and the Real Crete and both were absolutely amazing. -very good communication both by email and in the office; -small groups which allows for more personalized service, flexibility, questions; -excellent crew; both the guide Barbara and the driver Kostas were very professional, fun and went extra mile to make these special days for us; -I can highly recommend both trips. You see a lot, you learn a lot and it’s a lot of fun! -the Real Crete tour is indeed very special; there are many great sites to explore and there is also time for food, music and dance in a local village taverna! Really amazing time. Thank you :)

8. The Real Crete (Small Group Tour)

Markidis Travel
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5.0 based on 11 reviews

The Real Crete: On this excursion you will have the opportunity to see many places that represent the traditional lifestyle and some historical facts of Crete. The first stop is at Melidoni Cave which is a cave full of history and dates back to Neolithic Period based on tools and items found it the cave. The second stop is at the village of Margarites. Margarites is famous for its pottery that goes back many generations. The third stop is at the Museum of Eleftherna before you get to the Arkadi Monastery. The Arkadi Monastery is the oldest monastery in Crete. You then continue on the village of Apostoli. Here you will visit an old olive oil factory and see how the production of our olive oil is made. In this village you will also eat in a traditional tavern whilst enjoying the beautiful sound of live Creta music. The second last stop is at Saint Antonios Gorge for photos and finally the last stop which is the Dam known as "Fragma Potamon" which is the home of many animals and flowers.

Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle, WiFi on board

Exclusions: Lunch, All Fees and Taxes

Reviewed By zeetje91

I got injured the day before our trip to Damnoni & Preveli Palm Beach so we had to cancel very last minute. Cancellation policy was 24 hours before the trip, so we knew that there was just a little chance for a refund (the booking was trough a partnership). I contacted Katerina and she tried to find other customers, so they could take our place and we would get a refund anyway. I wasn’t expecting a refund lastminute actually, but it worked! We are very grateful! Its a shame that we can’t go to this trip, but when we’re back in Rethymno, we’ll definitly book at Markidis Travel again. Thank you so much Katerina for solving this probably last minute!

9. From Heraklion: Spinalonga Island ,Elounda Barbeque and Agios Nikolaos Tour

PLATANOS TOURS
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5.0 based on 1 reviews

Discover the seaside village of Elounda and walk amongst history on the island of Spinalonga. Finishing our touring on this much afflicted place, we head for the small bay of Kolokitha. It’s one of the most beautiful beaches on Crete. It is a remote beach with white sand and deep blue serene water, side by side with old olive groves. There we can swim and taste the delicious BBQ served on the boat. After our short respite, we go back to Elounda. Then we move to the picturesque town of Agios Nikolaos, where we have our last stop. We have the chance to enjoy our coffee getting a perfect view of the magnificent lake, do our shopping in the traditional local shops and relax for a while before we hit the road for our going back.

Inclusions: Professional guide, Air-conditioned vehicle, ▪︎ Hotel pick-up in Malia,Stalis,Hersonisos,Anisaras,Gouves,Heraklion,Ammoudara,Ag Pelagia,Fodele

Exclusions: Entrance to Spinalonga (8 Euros or less for children/EU citizens over 65), Personal expenses

Reviewed By _U6147NF

Perfect services! Friendly staff ... Good prices! Totally recommend it Good after sales support when I had a problem

10. Chania Old Town and Countryside Private Tour

Niriis Tours
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5.0 based on 1 reviews

This unique tour combines exploring the Cretan nature, the most spectacular gorge close to Chania and the villages surrounding it, followed by lunch in perhaps one of the best bio restaurants in Crete! We will drive through spectacular natural scenery, inside the gorge leading to the foot of the White Mountains, where the restaurant is located. All food in the small family restaurant is produced, handmade and cooked in wood oven, from bread to the local Cretan and Greek recipes! If you wish, we could walk around the farm and area, depending on the season and weather. It's not only a nature experience through a gorge but also a cultural one, as we will visit two small Byzantine churches and the lunch at the end is an experience by itself. On the way back we drive by the side of mountain over Chania with panoramic view of the town and Souda port!

Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle, Private transportation, Guiding Services

Exclusions: 20 euro for lunch in the mountain restaurant

Reviewed By C3515JWdanielv

I enjoyed my talk very much. My guide was easy to talk to and happy to answer any questions I had about Greece. he even went to the trouble of getting me some grapes from the vine and figs from the trees, and they proved to be delicious!

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