Want to move away from the crowds and get off the beaten path? Perhaps you want to discover Crete through the eyes of an experienced, knowledgeable local expert? Make each moment count and do not be satisfied with a standard, boring tourist experience. We provide the experience of tailor-made excursions in Crete that will exceed your demand -- even if you are extremely picky.
Discover the many mysteries of the island with our private tours in Crete. All kinds of private excursions in Crete imaginable — you name them, we got them.
Find your private tours in Crete from the list below now.
A tour of the Palace of Knossos, the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion, as well as free time to visit the town.
You will start your tour with a visit to the Minoan Palace of Knossos, the best example of the Minoan civilization, which thrived in the island between 3000 and 1100 BCE, before it was destroyed by the eruption of the Santorini volcano. Many publications about Knossos are available at the gift shop or you can hire a guide who will give you details and history and provide a more rewarding visit. There is a cafe just after entering the gate, and several cafes and tavernas to eat in on the Knossos road just outside the gates. Visit time can be anywhere from 1 to 3 hours, depending on your interest in archaeology.
You will continue to the Archaeological Museum in Heraklion on one corner of the central Eleftherias Square, in which many of the finds from Knossos, Archanes, Phaestos, Zakros and many other archeological sites in Crete are displayed. Again, you have the option to buy a book at the gift shop, or hire a guide. Visit time is about 1 hour.
Finally, you can spend some time visiting the town of Heraklion, Crete’s biggest city, whose emblem is the Venetian fortress of Koules and combines a multilingual past as Byzantine churches standing next to the Venetian mansions.
Daily trip to the West part of the island for a visit of the Arkadi monastery and the town of Rethymno.
You will start your trip with the visit of the monastery of Arkadi, originally built in the 14th century and rebuilt in the 16th century. In the center of the complex stands the Byzantine church. It is well known as one of the most important centres of the Cretan resistance against the Turkish occupation and a symbol of the fight for freedom.
You will continue with the visit of Rethymno, a very romantic place with Venetian fortifications that mingle harmonically with orthodox and catholic churches, mosques, majestic mansions of Venetian architecture, arches and cobbled paths which create a magical atmosphere, reminiscence of the city’s turbulent –yet glorious– past.
Rethymno's harbour area is a fine place for a coffee at one of the cafes or to explore the waterfront and walk along the harbour wall to the Venetian lighthouse. The Fortezza (fortress) overlooking the port is also a place to visit, as well as the old town with the various mosques, churches, and museums.
Daily trip to the West part of Crete for a visit to the town of Chania.
Chania is a small, picturesque town worth getting to know, enjoying tasty food, the wonderful harbour, and walk around the narrow streets with old buildings, museums, churches and craft shops, or visit the main Municipal Market of Chania with many traditional shops selling pure Cretan products on their shelves like honey, herbs, cheese, and olive oil.
Stroll around and explore the waterfront and the streets just behind. Walk along the harbour wall to the Venetian Lighthouse and admire the wonderful views to the Venetian Harbour.
The atmosphere has a touch of Florence and Venice (a few years ago when those cities still had some room to walk), combined with the culture and character of Cretan people and traditions. You can also visit the Archaeological Museum of Chania (Halidon Street), the Folklore Museum of Chania – Cretan House (also in Halidon Street), or the Nautical Museum of Crete, which is located at the entrance of the historical fortress 'Firka'.
Food is offered in great variety and sometimes great similarity - there are many restaurants and also cafes, at which to reflect upon the experiences of places you have just explored together with the enjoyment of some tasty food.
A tour to the south part of the prefecture of Heraklion, for a visit to the archaeological sites of Gortys and Festos, and the beach of Matala.
After a drive through vineyards in the central part of Heraklion, we arrive at the plain of Mesara and our first stop, the ancient city of Gortys (or Gortyna). One of the most important Roman sites of Greece, Gortys offers a history dating thousand years back, with buildings like St. Titus Basilica, the Odeon, and the Chamber of the Law Code. It was here where the longest continuous legal text of Europe was found. Visit time 1 hour.
Continuing our drive in the plain of Mesara, we arrive at the Minoan Palace of Phaistos. Here one contemplates just the Minoan palace and the magnificence of nature, with a view of Ida and Asterousia mountains, as well as the Lassithi massif. Festos was the second most important palace of the Minoan era after Knossos, and a robust and thriving city that, not randomly, developed in Messara Plain 6000 BC. up to the 1st century BC., as attested by numerous archaeological findings. Visit time 1 hour.
Our last stop will be the famous beach of Matala, where you can take a swim at the crystal clear waters of the Libyan Sea, have a coffee or a meal at the numerous tavernas, or take a walk to the world famous caves in the rocks of the cliff.
We start our exploration by visiting the magnificent monastery of Panagia Kera, which played a major role and suffered significant damage during the Cretan Revolt. A splendid monument of architecture and iconography, it operates as a nunnery and it gathers pilgrims from all over Crete. It dates back to the 14th century, with beautiful frescoes, examples of Greek Orthodox Byzantine art.
Soon after, while ascending the winding road, you will see the first evidence of the stone windmills, indicating that we have arrived at the plateau. Lassithi is one of the few residential areas in the Mediterranean at such high altitude.
The tour around the plateau includes small traditional villages and interesting bits of mythology, as you can visit Dikteon Andron (Dikteon Cave), the place where Zeus was born and raised, according to the myth. It is impressively adorned by large columns, stalactites and stalagmites You can visit the cave, as it is provided with ropes and pathways, but proper shoes are required.
Lunch or coffee can be taken in one of the many villages on the plateau, before driving down to the coastal area of Agios Nikolaos, in order to continue our drive up to Kritsa, our last stop for this trip.
Kritsa is a traditional village with old houses and narrow streets on the Lassithi (Dikti) mountains. It is famous for the hand-made woven, and the women of Kritsa were famous for their weaving, lace making and embroidery skills. It is still possible to buy hand-made items. In light of the many hours work in handmade pieces you might think these items are expensive; most people these days are content with more commercially produced items that are also available.
Crete boasts a wine tradition that is 4,000 years old, and this tour will take you through the authentic flavours of Crete at a private wine tasting with professionals from the industry, and sample different wines.
We will head to the central region of Heraklion’s prefecture to the picturesque town of Archanes and the village of Peza. The area is reminiscent of Tuscany in Italy. There are cultural, archeological, religious, and historical interests there, but we will focus on vineyards and wine. Meet some of the best producers of the island's wines, take a tour of their wineries and vineyards, and then experience the flavours of the wines at a private tasting of wines following a wine presentation.
At the conclusion of your tour, you will be left with a fantastic taste of Crete!
A daily tour to Elafonissi at the southwestern side of Crete and about 75 kilometres from the town of Chania, where you will be able to visit an island that is within walking distance from the mainland, sometimes without even getting your toes wet!
Elafonissi is a magical place that consists of a small islet full of white sand with pink hues, turquoise-white lagoon-like waters, which is very close to the main beach.
You can get to the islet on foot because the waters are shallow, and therefore is ideal for families with small children. It is named by the word 'Elafi', which means deer in Greek because people years ago discovered that you can get to the islet on foot like a deer that walked to it. As a Natura 2000 protected area, you will find no umbrellas, sun beds, or beach bars once you walk across the shallow water. Alternatively, you can enjoy the usually busy during the summer beach on the mainland, with all the amenities (beach bar, sunbeds, umbrellas, etc.)
Most of the beach action occurs on the strip of sea between the mainland and the island, not in general a place for a quiet swim or for quality time with one’s significant other, but the water is shallow, warm and therefore perfect for a family day trip and for kids honing their swimming skills.
If you would like, you can also spend time visiting the Chrisoskalitissa, a monastery built on a high rock, resembling a fortress. According to the legend, the last step of the staircase leading to the monastery is gold, but can only be seen by those who really believe in god.