What to do and see in Crete, Greece: The Best Private Tours

December 24, 2021 Jasper Kershner

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. 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

3. Crete from 3.000 BC.: Knossos Palace & Museum with Wine Routes of Heraklion

Istro 721 00, Greece Crete Private & Luxury Tours by Snami Travel
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5.0 based on 5 reviews

Succumb to a bespoke service of our top local guides with expert knowledge by the comfort of a luxury chauffeured vehicle at your disposal. Luxuriate along the stellar ruins & lavish frescoes of Knossos Palace appreciating it in a way few will ever get the chance to. Immerse into the labyrinthian marvel as we draw you back to a time when myth & history were indistinguishable. Where there’s culture, there’s wine. Let us chauffeur you to the heart of Central Crete, a rich Minoan land backed by olive groves & wine-red earth. Here you will discover boutique award-winning domains to sample Cretan vintages with divine flavors. With personal touch impressions soak up the entire collection of unique artworks & history of the archaeological museum of Heraklion by savoring each hall at your own pace. In the evening, stroll the aesthetically fortified city of Heraklion. Dazzle your senses with delicious aromas of garlic & basil pouring from superb restaurants with local-exclusive cuisine.

Inclusions: Personal pick-up & drop-off with a flexibly adjusted pick-up time, Chauffeured premium vehicle at your disposal, Vehicle comforts: mineral water, fresh fruit & snacks, Wi-Fi, USB sockets & hygiene amenities, Private knowledgeable local insider guide, Private history-archaeology specialized guide, Exclusive insider-access opportunities & tailored details of your personal interest, Dine as locals do: restaurant & bar recommendations, VIP skip-the-line accesses, Full support from your travel planner before & during your day trip

Exclusions: Drinks and meals, Admission fees , Wine Tasting (if requested)

Reviewed By DCO90

An incredible day with Alexander. We did a private tour and he took a genuine interest in our personalties to make our experience bespoke and perfect! Was truly a 5 star experience.

4. VIP Zeus Cave & Knossos Palace Full-Day Chauffeured Private Tour

Voulisma beach, Agios Nikolaos 721 00, Greece Crete Private & Luxury Tours by Snami Travel
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5.0 based on 11 reviews

Come with us on a journey along East Crete reveling in the endless luxuries of Lassithi Plateau that is basked in allure forests & fertile land dotted with iconic windmills. From the comfort of a luxury chauffeured vehicle at your disposal, our knowledgeable local insider will ensure you experience the best of the whole itinerary. Discover quaint villages, local lifestyle, storied monuments, Byzantine Monasteries & Cretan art. Tuck into a culinary odyssey & savor genuine tastes loved by our legendary forefathers. It’s our job to hook you up with only the most authentic eateries. Amble in the footsteps of gods to the Cave of Zeus. Plunge into the mythical birthplace & sense the sanctity of this ancient site. When in Knossos Palace, luxuriate in the eternal magnificence of the Minoan ruins & frescoes. Succumb to the personalized service of a top history-archaeology guide & let us stimulate you with eclectic information by ensuring a stress-free pace in all archaeological areas.

Inclusions: Personal pick-up & drop-off with flexibly adjusted pick-up time, Chauffeured premium vehicle at your disposal, Vehicle comforts: mineral water, fresh fruit & snacks, Wi-Fi, USB sockets & hygiene amenities, Private knowledgeable local insider guide , Private history-archaeology specialized guide, Exclusive insider-access opportunities & tailored details of your personal interest, Dine as locals do: restaurant & bar recommendations, VIP skip-the-line accesses, Full support from your travel planner before & during your daytrip

Exclusions: Drinks and meals, Admission fees

Reviewed By DCO90

An incredible day with Alexander. We did a private tour and he took a genuine interest in our personalties to make our experience bespoke and perfect! Was truly a 5 star experience.

5. Private Full-Day Knosos-Lasithi Plateau-Cave of Zeus from Heraklion

Stagakis Grand Prestige
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5.0 based on 18 reviews

Experience this private tour that combines world-famous landmarks with jaw-dropping natural beauty. Enjoy maximum comfort and safety while being provided with everything you need to know about the island of Crete. Your local English speaking guide/driver will help you get the most out of your day and make sure you take some incredible photos for you to share with your friends and family.

Inclusions: V.I.P.- class air-conditioned vehicle, Fridge, Bottled water, Fully equipped First-Aid-Kit, Honey/Raki tasting

Exclusions: Drinks and meals, Entrance fees, Souvenirs and personal expenses

Reviewed By 324lenap

We took the tour on a hunch and did not regret it. Costas made the tour feel like a day trip with old friends . His knowledge of the local history and culture is amazing all wrapped in a natural sense of humour. The locations selected very carefully to reflect the best this place has to offer and the vehicle was comfortable and spotless The highlight was the homemade raki and honey. we can't recommend the service enough .

6. Ancient Palaces with Minoan Wine Routes & Iconic Matala Beach

Istro 721 00, Greece Crete Private & Luxury Tours by Snami Travel
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5.0 based on 2 reviews

Hop down to the heart of Central Crete, the beloved land of our ancestors, and let the wonders of the Minoan world collide on this luxurious passage of time. From the comfort of a premium chauffeured vehicle & escorted by our top local insider revel in the endless luxuries of the ancient Messara plain where wine-red fertile soils treasure lavish vineyards & the oldest olive groves stretch perennially toward the horizon. Visit a family award-winning winery set on the peak of allure panoramas & let our passionate winemakers immerse you into their intoxicating world. Luxuriate in ages unearthing the Bronze Age palaces of Phaistos & Gortyna along with storied villages & monasteries. In the afternoon, tuck in the bohemian vibe of Matala that captivated Bob Dylan & Janis Joplin. Bask in the turquoise waters of the Libyan Sea & unwind in the charming village irresistible for its freshly caught grilled fish & finest ouzo. To us, travel means putting fire in your soul with the best stories.

Inclusions: Personal pick-up & drop-off with a flexibly adjusted pick-up time, Chauffeured premium vehicle at your disposal, Vehicle comforts: mineral water, fresh fruit & snacks, Wi-Fi, USB sockets & hygiene amenities, Private knowledgeable local insider guide, Exclusive insider-access opportunities & tailored details of your personal interest, Dine as locals do: restaurant & bar recommendations, Full support from your travel planner before & during your day trip

Exclusions: Drinks and meals in taverns, Admission fees (if applicable), Gortyna guided tour (if requested), Wine tasting expenses (if requested)

Reviewed By watchmc

We had a great experience with the Knossos Palace and Zeus Cave tour. Alexander was our guide. He has a pleasant personality and is very knowledgeable regarding Crete history. During our visit of Knossos Palace we were guided by Maria who was also very pleasant and knowledgeable. The restaurant near Zeus cave suggested to us for lunch served tasty food combined with an amazing view. The communication with the agency was perfect and it was no issue to shift the date of the experience due to bad weather on the originally booked day (however, I expect this would be more difficult during the main season). The tour is certainly worth the money and especially in these times a private tour feels more comfortable compared to large group events. There was no discussion for Alexander and us to always wear our masks while in the car together which was much appreciated considering that not all drivers or waiters on Crete wear their masks all the time. In total this was a highly recommendable experience we would certainly book again during our next visit to Crete.

7. All inclusive full day trip to Elafonisi-Falasarna-Vouves from Chania-Group

SeaByBus
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5.0 based on 1 reviews

Private tour for groups up to 6 or up to 12 travellers!!! Enjoy nearly 5 hours of leisure time swimming and sunbathing by the sea. Visit the 2 most popular beaches of Greece, Falasarna and Elafonisi, in one day. Our trip starts from Vouves, where we will visit the oldest olive tree in the world and the Olive Tree Museum. The tour goes on west to Falasarna, a white sandy beach famous for the clear turquoise blue sea. Our next stop, Elafonisi, is the most breathtaking destination of the day. Swim in shallow turquoise waters, explore the fine pink sand and the exotic small lagoons, ideal for children.

Inclusions: Audiovisual presentation of Cretan customs on the bus, USB charging ports in bus, Coffee offer in a traditional kafenion, Cold soft drinks, beer, wine, bottled water, Sandwiches, Cretan kalitsounia in a meal box, Umbrellas for the beach, Air-conditioned vehicle, Private transportation, WiFi on board, Local tour leader (English & German speaking), Public liability insurance

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Reviewed By AndreasXylourakis

I loved the Green Route with SeaByBus!! We visited so many amazing places, enjoyed the Libyan See, an incredible experience...I will certainly come back next year!!!

8. Private Half-Day Wine Tasting Tour in Lyrarakis Winery from Crete

Eleftherias Square, Pl. Eleftherias, Iraklio 712 01, Greece Genuine Experience by Rami Masount
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5.0 based on 2 reviews

This is a fully private excursion from the beginning to the end. Our private Chauffeur and Certified Sommelier- Guide will be your new friends from the beginning of the day, that will take you to spots that you don't know. Our Philosophy and Goal is to offer every visitor a Genuine Experience by activating all five senses and trigger beautiful emotions. We will share with you all the secrets of the Cretan land, Gastronomy, Wine, History and Culture. Once we arrive at the winery you will get the chance to get to know the story of the winery. Then, our Certified Sommelier - Guide will take on and offer an exquisite Wine Tasting and Food and Wine Pairing of Authentic Local Cuisine based on the season and location. Whenever you feel ready we will drop you off at your hotel or accommodation or at the airport if requested.

Inclusions: Authentic Cretan Cuisine and Local Wines

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9. Private Full-Day Knossos-Lasithi Plateau-Cave of Zeus from Elouda

Stagakis Grand Prestige
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5.0 based on 4 reviews

Start at the traditional village of Mochos with its narrow alleys and colourful gardens, then continue to Krasi and visit the 2,400-year-old Writers' Plane Tree. Afterwards, the tour will ascend to the Diktaion Andron, an ancient cave believed to be the birthplace of Zeus. Take in the incredible view of the Lasithi Plateau. Next, visit the Knosos Palace, where Zeus’s son Minos intertwined his name with the oldest civilization in Europe. Optionally, you can also visit the Heraklion Archaeological Museum. Whenever you feel like it you can have lunch at a restaurant of your choosing.

Inclusions: Bottled water, Private transportation, V.I.P. Class air-conditioned vehicle, Honey/Raki tasting

Exclusions: Drinks and Meals, Souvenirs and personal expenses, Tickets to Knosos and Museum (15€, 12€), Ticket to the cave of Zeus (6€), Heraklion Archaeological Museum 10 €

Reviewed By Nefeli L

Our vacation in Greece after staying in Athens for 2 days included Santorini and Crete. While we were in Santorini we met a couple (Chris and Heather) that had just left Crete and the first thing they told us was that we had to meet Kostas if we were planning on going on a tour. They gave us his number and when we got there we went on the Knossos - Lasithi tour of his. First of all, he spoke great English which made his storytelling even more enjoyable. Then the places we visited were amazing. My favourite part was the hike uphill to the cave. After Knossos (the last stop of our tour) Kostas took us to an amazing traditional restaurant which was the cherry on top of a great day.

10. Full-Day Land Rover Safari from Heraklion with Lunch

Safari Club Crete
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4.9 based on 232 reviews

Join this 8-hour guided excursion through the Cretan mountains and discover the wonders of the Minoan Route. Stop at historic sites including an ancient Roman aqueduct and the Diction Cave, the mythological birthplace of Zeus. Enjoy a traditional snack with 'raki' in the village of Kastamonitsa, and a Cretan-style lunch at a local tavern in Lassithi.

Inclusions: Hotel/port pickup and drop-off, Driver/guide, 3-course lunch, Fuel surcharge, Local taxes, with the Lunch bottled water and wine are included

Exclusions: Drinks, Breakfast

Reviewed By Mrsdobby1983

Full day Minoan Tour. We had a fantastic day with Daryll our guide taking in the beautiful sights, sampling local delicacies and learning about Crete mythology and history. Darryl was extremely knowledgeable, friendly and tailored our tour to our interests. It was worth every penny. Thank you Daryll The Dobsons Andy, Claire Robyn and Charlie (Simon)

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