Top Heraklion Shore Excursions

Uncover the real Crete with this special experience that takes you deep into the heart of the island's culture and heritage. Our journey is an immersive adventure that lets you see Crete from an insider's perspective, something that you won't easily find elsewhere. We start by visiting the Aposelemis Dam, then we head to Panagia Kera Monastery to learn about its history and art. The Windmills of Lassithi Plateau show you a different side of the island, and the Cave of Zeus takes you to a place of myth and legend. The 2,400-year-old Platanus Tree in Krassi connects you to nature's ancient beauty, and the Omiaia Olive Press offers a taste of Crete's culinary heritage. We finish the journey with a visit to the Palace of Knossos, the largest Minoan site. We've chosen each stop carefully, offering you a chance to dive into history, culture, nature, and local food. It's this mix of unique locations, insider knowledge, and genuine connections that make our adventure stand out from the rest.

Embark on a Journey of Discovery Through Crete's Majesty: Knossos, Zeus Cave & Authentic Delights! Our exclusive private or small-group guided tour unveils the essence of Crete's treasures. Experience the grandeur of Knossos Palace and the mystique of Zeus Cave, Diktaion Andron. Traverse charming villages, connect with locals, and immerse in the art of olive oil production. Indulge in the finest olive oil, honey, and raki, awakening your senses to Crete's flavors. With comfort and luxury, embrace Crete's uniqueness. Delve into Cretan traditions, absorbing its rich history. Savor authentic local cuisine, a feast for the palate. Above all, immerse in the heartfelt hospitality embodying the true spirit of our island. Join us on this unforgettable journey where culture, history, and gastronomy intertwine, creating memories that linger long after, defining the essence of Crete's allure.

Embark on an enchanting journey through Crete's heart, where culture and culinary heritage intertwine. Begin at an olive mill, where the scent of olives fills the air, and witness the ancient craft of olive oil extraction. Dive into Cretan cuisine's traditions, connecting with the island's gastronomic roots. Continue to a micro-winery and raki distillery nestled in sun-kissed vineyards. Discover the alchemy of winemaking and distillation, unraveling the secrets behind Crete's indigenous varieties and beloved spirit. Enjoy a tasting of four wines and spirited raki, immersing in the island's essence. Indulge in a feast of Cretan delicacies, each dish a symphony of local flavors. As laughter mingles with the clinking of glasses, the meal becomes a celebration of tradition, uniting Crete's culinary richness with its authentic charm.

If you want to make the most of your limited time on Crete, get a skip-the-line ticket for the Palace of Knossos.  With over 1500 rooms to explore, you’ll want to maximize your visit to the well-preserved labyrinth. Avoid the long line of tourists and exposure to the elements. Instead, collect your ticket upon arrival from a conveniently located operator.

Spend the day exploring Crete with a local driver/guide. See the windmills of Lasithi Plateau, the Cave of Diktaion Andron, the birthplace of Zeus, and a platanus tree that is, according to locals, the oldest tree on the island. You’ll also explore Mochos and Krasi villages. Tour with a group no larger than 15, or upgrade for a private adventure: Lunch and entry fees are at your own expense.

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.

Experience traditional Greek vineyards alongside a certified sommelier on this private excursion by SUV. Venture into the countryside and learn about the winemaking traditions of Crete, including a visit to a 500-year-old wine press. Your tour includes a wine tasting of 12 premium wines paired with local snacks and culminates with a delicious 3-course Cretan meal in the middle of the vineyards.

Join our full-day sailing trip, leaving Heraklion Old port daily and live a proper sailing experience, looked after by our experienced and hospitable crew, with plenty of time to take in this wonderful journey. With the best views of Crete seen only by sea, we will make enough anchor stops to give you the opportunity to admire the beaches and of course sailing!

Embarking on a culinary journey through Traditional Cooking Classes in Crete is a captivating exploration of the island's rich gastronomic tapestry. Guided by seasoned local cooks, participants delve into the heart of Cretan cuisine, marked by the abundant use of fresh, locally sourced ingredients such as the renowned Cretan olive oil, aromatic herbs, vegetables, and meats. Beyond mastering iconic dishes like Dakos, Gemista, and Tzatziki, these hands-on experiences provide a profound connection to the island's cultural heritage. As each chop and sauté unfolds, participants not only learn the intricacies of traditional recipes but also gain insights into historical tips, unraveling the stories behind the dishes that have become integral to Cretan identity. With a warm welcome extended to vegetarians, the classes epitomize inclusivity, offering a holistic and authentic encounter with the flavors, traditions, and history of Cretan gastronomy.

This a great program for people that would like to experience both, snorkeling and scuba diving by boat on the same trip. It's also the perfect program for friends, families and couples that some of them would like to try only the snorkeling experience and the others would like to try snorkeling and scuba diving experience too. In that case you will still be all together on the same boat trip the whole time, you will enjoy snorkeling all together at the first spot and then at the second spot those you don't want to dive they will continue do snorkeling and the same time on the same spot the others will try their dive at max depth 9-10 meters always with an instructor.

Exotic Excursion in the south! A special excursion to the South of the island, starting our exploration with a visit to the emblematic lake of incomparable beauty in Zaros in a highly impressive landscape in central Crete! Then driving among the biggest valley of Crete surrounded by the olive forests we will visit a small village for a walk or coffee. We continue to the unique gorge of Tripiti where our descent will begin and we will continue with the passage between the huge narrow vertical rocks ending at the exotic beach of Tripiti. Landscape of incomparable natural beauty rich in flora and fauna. Arrival at the beach and time to swim in its crystal clear waters. Quiet beach for moments of relaxation just before our lunch with authentic Cretan food. Satisfying experiences and good traditional food, we return to your hotel.

Hop on an eco-bike for a locals' tour of historic Heraklion, minus any emissions. With a native Cretan as your guide, you'll visit Heraklion's lesser-known corners as you learn about the characters who have shaped the city that you see today. The sightseeing tour also visits some locally loved hangouts where regional snacks and drinks await.

Hit Heraklion’s highlights in just half a day direct from your accommodation (or cruise ship) when you book this private tour, with skip-the-line tickets to the iconic Palace of Knossos. Your licensed guide will showcase details from lighting to drainage that bring this lost civilization to life. Next, discover the Heraklion Archaeological Museum (own expense) and its Minoan collection; finally, explore Heraklion, including the fortress, cathedral, market and Venetian Walls.

See a side of Crete that many tourists miss, with this private day trip to the places off the tourist map. You’ll head away from the island’s busy beaches to discover the real Crete, visiting an olive oil producer, traditional wind mills, sleepy inland villages, and even the Cave of Zeus, where the Greek god was rumored to have been born. Note that entry to the cave is extra.

Experience the epitome of luxury and cultural immersion with our personalized chauffeured service in Crete. Our expert local drivers, well-versed in the region's history. Delve into the heart of Central Crete as we transport you to the enchanting Peza valley, a Minoan haven with olive groves and red soils. Indulge in a wine-tasting adventure at a local winery, savoring Cretan indigenous varieties with divine aromas. No visit is complete without exploring the magical village of Ano Archanes, a favorite of the current King of England Charles, where charming streets and old houses beckon. Immerse yourself in the local culinary scene, enjoying a carefully crafted meal in this enchanting locale. Our bespoke journey ensures you unravel the layers of Cretan history, culture, and gastronomy in the lap of luxury.

Get an authentic taste of Heraklion without the carbon cost of a vehicle or the strain of having to pedal hard in the heat on this guided half-day e-bike tour of the city’s downtown. You’ll cycle along the seaside, take a trip to the shops, taste traditional pastries, Greek coffee, and taverna classics, and explore highlights like the Old Venetian Harbor. Provided Wi-Fi means you can share as you go.

Skip the tourist food, and get a real taste of Crete with a tour that's created and led by locals. In a small group that's capped at just eight people, you'll visit two locations to sample olive oil and wine, and learn how to create some Cretan specialities with help from a local cook. Lunch with wine completes the experience.

Spend a day amid the nature of Crete and discover a different side of the island during a self-drive adventure. Following a guide in a convoy of vehicles, you'll drive a cabriolet 4WD around the inland and coastal areas, conquering the island terrain with ease. An olive oil producer, monastery, cave, and beach are among the highlights en route.

This tour was created for nature and wine lovers. Would you like to learn all about locally produced products such as Wine, Olive oil, and Famous Raki? This tour has been created just for you. Be open to tasting local wines, and exploring rural Crete this tour it's for you. We visit one family winery in the Heraklion area where we take a tour of the cellar of the winery, learn how different wines are made, and then taste up to 5 different indigenous varieties. We will visit a family-run olive mill, having an olive grove tour, olive mill tour, and olive oil tasting. Finally, we will drive to a small village and to an undisclosed location, not open to the public, and learn all about Raki Distillation. At the end of the tour, we will get on our 4WD SUV and head to the mountain top at 850 meters to observe the Cretan fields from the top and the beautiful colors created on Mother Earth.

Opt for a private wine tasting experience on the island of Crete, and avoid the tourist tipples that you might find elsewhere. You’ll try a range of wine varietals that are created locally, meet the producers themselves, and hear the stories behind the labels. Up to five varietals of Cretan wine are included, or you can opt to sample more by upgrading locally at the winery.

If you’ve always wanted to learn to scuba dive, Crete is a great place to turn your dream into reality. During this three-hour introductory course you’ll start by learning the theory of diving and how to use the gear. Then, you can enjoy a dive for a maximum of 45 minutes. This is a fun way to get started in the sport.

The minibus picks you up outside your hotel and takes you to the port in Hersonissos, where the boat leaves when your ready. Before leaving you will get a short briefing off 15 min. Then you have the rest of the day to enjoy the water and sun. There is a tent on board so there is also shade when needed. If you bring your own food en drinks we will provide a cool box to keep everything cold. The range of the boat is 5 navy miles to the left and to the right. So that means between Gournes/ Gouves and Malia. The Boat has a GPS so they can track you every moment also in case of emergency. The boat has 1 extra spare motor. No boat license is mandatory.

Embark on a captivating private tour in Crete, exploring Zeus Cave, Knossos Palace, a local winery, and Archanes village. Begin your day in awe at Zeus Cave, steeped in myth and natural beauty. Delve into history at Knossos Palace, an ancient marvel showcasing the brilliance of the Minoan civilization. Transition to a local winery, where the essence of Cretan terroir comes to life through tastings of exquisite wines. Conclude your journey in the charming Archanes village, surrounded by picturesque landscapes. Here, relish a delightful lunch featuring authentic Cretan cuisine. This curated experience seamlessly weaves together mythology, history, and gastronomy, promising a day filled with discovery and flavor. Explore the essence of Crete through this personalized tour, creating lasting memories of the island's cultural richness and natural splendor.