Popular excursions

The Samaria Gorge is one of the longest in Europe and a Greek national park since 1962. The hike starts at 1,250 m on the Omalos plateau and descends 16 km down to the village of Agia Roumeli on the Libyan Sea. The trail passes through thousand-year-old cypress and pine forests, along stone bridges and the famous "Iron Gates" (Sideroportes), where the gorge narrows to just three metres between 300 m cliffs. Look out for kri-kri wild goats and old chapels. Bring good hiking shoes, sun protection, at least 2 L of water and a snack. Suitable for reasonably fit travellers - the hike takes 5-7 hours.

Elafonissi is a peninsula in the southwest corner of Crete, separated from the mainland by a shallow, sometimes knee-deep lagoon. The beach is famous for its pinkish sand - coloured by tiny crushed corals and shells. The water is so shallow and warm that children can safely play for hundreds of metres. The surrounding area is a Natura 2000 protected zone, where rare loggerhead turtles nest. The day includes long beach time, the chance to walk across the sandy strip to the neighbouring shore, and a stop at the picturesque Chrysoskalitissa monastery.

Balos lagoon lies at the tip of the Gramvousa peninsula and is considered one of the most beautiful spots in the Mediterranean. Getting there is already an adventure - fishing boats from Kissamos first stop at Gramvousa island, where a 500-year-old Venetian fortress guards the horizon. From there the boat anchors at the lagoon, where turquoise water blends into white sand and the sea is so shallow you can walk a kilometre out. The programme includes lunch on board, swim stops at both locations and time to climb the fortress walls - the view is breathtaking.

The Santorini day trip is the classic Aegean postcard. A fast ferry takes you from Heraklion across the sea in about two hours, straight into the caldera - the crater left by a volcanic eruption 3,600 years ago that destroyed half the island. The day includes a visit to Oia (famous white-and-blue houses and windmills), time in Fira for narrow streets and boutique shops, and the option to visit the volcanic island or the hot springs. Bring your passport/ID, sunscreen and comfortable shoes (Oia's steps are steep).

The Palace of Knossos is Europe's oldest city and the heart of the Minoan civilisation - built around 1900 BC, with a footprint of nearly 20,000 m². A guided tour reveals the palace stories: the throne room, the Prince of Lilies, the queen's quarters with the colourful dolphin fresco, the grain stores and the legendary labyrinth of the Minotaur. Afterwards the tour continues to the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, one of the most important collections in the world - including the Phaistos Disc. Suitable for families, history lovers and anyone curious about the roots of European culture.

Spinalonga is a small rocky island in Mirabello Bay, fortified by the Venetians in 1579 against the Ottoman threat. In the early 20th century it became Greece's last leper colony (1904-1957). Today the island is a strange mix of airy Mediterranean beauty and heavy human stories - Victoria Hislop's novel "The Island" made it internationally famous. The tour includes a fishing-boat ride from Plaka, a 1.5-hour guided walk around the island, and a stop in Elounda - one of Crete's most elegant seaside villages, perfect for lunch at a waterfront taverna.

Rethymno is a unique blend of Venetian, Turkish and Greek culture - its old town is one of the best-preserved Renaissance-era ensembles in Europe. The tour starts at the Fortezza fortress (16th c.), with sweeping views over the bay; from there a walk through the narrow lanes past the Rimondi Fountain, the Nerantze Mosque and the Venetian loggia. After a lunch pause at a local taverna (try the kalitsounia and Rethymno-style lamb), we head 30 km inland to the Argyroupoli springs - a mountain village where cool water flows under the streets and fig trees grow between the restaurants.

This safari-style day focuses on the "real" inland Crete - mountain villages, hidden monasteries, olive mills and views a bus tour will never see. The jeeps are 4x4 with open roofs, moving in a convoy led by an experienced guide. Routes vary by season, but typically include: 1.5 hours of off-road driving through the Lasithi plateau's windmill landscape, a stop in a traditional village at a local family for raki and honey, a short hike to an outdoor church, and a long lunch at a taverna where the food comes straight from the host's garden.

Choose between two programmes: (1) a 3-hour sunset catamaran from Heraklion - fresh drinks, a swim stop in a calm bay and small salty snacks, ideal for couples; or (2) a full-day sailing trip to Dia island - an uninhabited nature reserve with crystal-clear water, snorkelling, kayaks to explore hidden coves and grilled fish on board with local wine. Both have WC, sun shade and a professional crew. Wear soft shoes, bring a towel, sun protection and, if you want, a snorkel.

A Cretan dinner is not just a meal - it's an hours-long ritual. With a guide we drive to a mountain village and eat in a local taverna tourists usually never find. The menu is open (local lamb "antikristo" cooked over open fire, dakos, mountain cheeses, garden tomatoes, house wine), served with live lyra music and traditional dances you can try yourself. The evening ends with Greek coffee and raki with the host. Great for families, couples and anyone who wants to feel what "filoxenia" - Greek hospitality - really means.

Watercity and Acquaplus are Crete's two largest water parks, with over 30 slides, kids' pools, a lazy river, sunbathing areas and several restaurants. The programme includes hotel transfer, entrance tickets and lunch with drinks. Ideal for families and groups - a day where children are happy and parents get some sun. Bring: swimwear, towel, sun protection, floaties for smaller kids (rentals available). No minimum age, but some bigger slides have a 120 cm height limit.

The pirate ship "Black Rose" is an authentic replica of a Caribbean pirate galleon, with a full show on board - crew in costume, sword fights, a treasure hunt for kids, dance breaks to Mediterranean hits. We stop at two separate beaches where you can swim and jump from the boat into the sea. Lunch (BBQ and pasta), an ice cream bar and free soft drinks (water, juice) are included. Especially loved by families with kids aged 4-14 and groups looking for a fun, relaxed day.

Matala is a small southern beach famous for its 1960s-70s hippie era, when over 300 people from around the world - including Joni Mitchell and Cat Stevens, who both mention Matala in their songs - moved into the cliff-carved caves. Today the caves are a museum, but the hippie vibe is still alive in the little village (graffiti, bohemians, live music at night). The day includes exploring the caves, beach time (clear water, a natural amphitheatre of red-blue cliffs), lunch at a local taverna known for fresh fish and hippie nostalgia. On the way back we stop at Gortyna - the ancient Roman capital of Crete and home to Europe's oldest written law code.