Crete is the largest and most popular resort in the Greek Mediterranean. It is washed by the waters of the Aegean, Ionian and Libyan seas. Tours to these parts are chosen by those who are interested not only in beach holidays, but also in numerous excursions in Crete. The locals are the epitome of cordiality and hospitality. Greek cuisine is delicious and filling.
Recommendations for travelers
Crete is, without exaggeration, a huge island. Therefore, the journey from one part of it to another can take a large amount of time. Experienced tourists recommend that when choosing an excursion in Crete, focus on the location of the hotel. If it is located to the right of Heraklion, then acquaintance with the sights concentrated on its left side should be postponed. For this reason, review programs throughout the island are rare.
Those who booked a hotel in the central part do not need to limit themselves to visiting the mountain gorge of Samaria and the cave complex of Zeus. In this case it's worthspend a little more time and get away from Malia and Hersonissos.
Interesting nearby
Tourists staying in the eastern regions of the island are offered a variety of excursions in Crete with a tour of the following attractions:
- Mirabello Bay;
- Vai Palm Beach;
- Ierapetra.
In the west of the island, travelers can travel to the shores of Lake Kourna, to the regions of Chania and Rethymno, to the Balos lagoon. The central part of Cyprus is traditionally preferred by those who are interested in the archaeological and historical monuments of Greece. The nearest attraction is the ensemble of the Knossos Palace. In addition, excursion routes in Crete in the center include visits to the ruins of Phaistos and Grotina.
Accompanying a guide
Due to the long distances between settlements and attractions on the island, the choice of individual programs involves substantial costs. Trips in the company of private guides are justified in cases where tourists are interested in the subtleties of the history and life of the island. For such travelers, there are special programs in which visitors are shown the Devil's Bay, the village of the dead, the El Greco estate, the best tavern in Rethymnon.
The most juice
To see everything at once, to visit the maximum number of excursions in Crete and Greece, it is recommended to settle in Chania or Rethymnon. These are large and developed resort cities. It can be boring in Heraklion, because this is the usual administrative center of the island. In Agios Nikolaosafter three days of stay, it becomes crowded for many - this is a very small and compact village. It is usually visited by tourists staying at the neighboring resorts of Plaka and Elounda.
There is a choice
Short list of the most popular programs and excursions in Crete and Greece:
- cruise to Santorini island;
- tour to Elafonissi;
- Knossos Museum;
- "Antique Crete";
- "Majestic Athens";
- "Spinalonga and Agios Nikolaos";
- Trip to Balos Lagoon;
- "Chania, Kournas, Agriupoli";
- getting to know Chania;
- journey to Chrissi Island;
- sea fishing on a yacht;
- jeep safari;
- trekking in the Samaria Gorge;
- pilgrimage tours;
- visiting the Lassithi Plateau and the cave complex of Zeus;
- Aquarium, Fodele, Pagliani, Heraklion, Knossos.
Santorini boat trip
This cruise is for one day. Its goal is to study the architectural and historical heritage of the island, which is of volcanic origin. It owes its unique sickle shape to a powerful eruption that occurred in 1400 BC. Sheer cliffs are clustered off the coast, which go straight into the sea. Their height reaches 300 meters.
The excursion program to Santorini from Crete includes visiting tiny resort towns, welcoming travelers with bright blue roofs and snow-white skeletons of houses. Tourists are brought to the vineyards andwineries that abound in Santorini.
The calling card of sightseeing tours is a trip to Fira. It includes walking along the ancient winding streets, visiting Kamari beach with sand of volcanic origin, as well as exploring the archaeological sites of the Minoan civilization. Sometimes travelers are brought to Agios Nikolaos and Red Beach.
Tour to Elafonissi
The program of this trip includes visiting a lot of attractions. Excursions in Crete run along the coast of the Aegean Sea, then the mountain road begins to wind and climb into the mountains. Vacationers visiting the Topolia Gorge, Cretan peasant villages, immersed in the greenery of orchards. The path to Elafonissi passes dense olive groves, chestnut forests and heather thickets.
The island is located in the western part of the archipelago. Its coast is strewn with fine pink sand. Tourists are given free time to swim in the lagoon. After water procedures, travelers are brought to the monastery complex of Chrysoskalitissa. Within its walls is a collection of priceless icons.
The way back winds through mountain passes, from the height of which opens picturesque panoramas of the Mediterranean Sea. On the way, a stop is provided in the village of Drapanias winemakers. The tasting of drinks lasts about thirty minutes. The price of this excursion on the island of Crete does not include the cost of meals and the cost of entrance tickets to museums. The tourist bus departs daily early in the morning.
Knossos Museum Program
The duration of this trip is eight hours. The tour will be useful for those who are interested in the history and architectural traditions of Ancient Greece. As part of the program, travelers, accompanied by a guide, explore the capital of the Minoan civilization. The palace is only five kilometers from Heraklion.
Judging by the reviews of tourists about excursions in Crete, this trip is not recommended for families with small children and preschool children. But teenagers, with bated breath, listen to the tales and legends about the son of Zeus Minos, the kidnapped princess, the Minotaur, the beautiful Ariadne, the daredevil Theseus, the artisan Daedalus and Icarus.
After a thorough inspection of the Knossos ensemble and expositions, vacationers are brought to the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion. It presents unique artifacts illustrating the life of the inhabitants of the Minoan era. The stands are lined with frescoes and items made of precious metals, weapons and handicrafts of craftsmen. After visiting the museum, you will have time to explore Heraklion on your own.
In reviews of excursions in Crete, it is advised to buy souvenirs. They are cheap in this city. You can look into the tavern or cafe.
Ancient Crete Program
The route of this trip is designed for eight hours. This is an overview program designed for those who are interested in the history of the island. Acquaintance with Crete begins at the foot of Aptera Hill. There is a monastery complex. Its walls were built from the remains of ancient buildings. The site offers a picturesque view of Souda Bay.
Excursions in Crete performed by Pegas Companypresented in various versions. There are short routes. There are comprehensive sightseeing tours. As part of this program, after visiting Aptera, tourists are brought to Polyrrinia. Here is an ancient reservoir, which is surrounded by thickets of thyme and sage. After the travelers get acquainted with the ancient temple.
The next stop on the route is the provincial town of Kissamos. He grew up on the ruins of a completely destroyed settlement. The local archaeological museum presents a rare mosaic. Further, the border of two seas, the Mediterranean and the Aegean, stands in the way of tourists. If you're lucky, the outlines of the mountain peak Taygetus, which is located in the Peloponnese, will be visible in the distance.
During the trip, tourists will have the opportunity to swim in the Mediterranean Sea. They will also walk around the territory of ancient Falasarna. Since the tour is designed for the whole day, an amazing sight awaits vacationers in the evening. They will meet the sunset, which will paint the high Greek sky with flashes of pink and crimson.
The price of the tour includes transportation costs and guide accompaniment. Separately, you will have to pay for soft drinks, food in a cafe, tickets to museums.
Majestic Athens
A trip to the capital of Greece takes a day and a half. Excursions from Crete to Athens are conducted by experienced Russian-speaking guides. They tell about the past and present of a five million metropolis. The tour starts at the pier where the passenger ferry leaves for the city. The ship consists of eleven decks and is a full-fledged houseboat. In himeverything is provided for a safe and comfortable stay.
At sunrise, the group members are woken up by an escort. The Acropolis is the first tourist attraction in Athens. Similar trips for Russians are organized by many travel companies. Affordable excursions around Crete from Spiridon are very popular. Programs of this operator abound in visits to architectural monuments.
Lunch hours are dedicated to shopping. There is time for gatherings in cafes and taverns. After that, the trip program includes a stop at Syntagma Square, where the changing of the military guard takes place. Next, the bus will bring travelers to Lycabettus Hill, the Olympic Stadium.
In the evening, vacationers gather and return to the seaport, where a ferry awaits them, heading back to Crete. Going on this trip, you need to be prepared for a number of additional costs:
- entry ticket to the Acropolis - about 800 rubles;
- to the archaeological museum – 350.
Children under the age of five take part in sightseeing for free. Teen discounts available.
Spinalonga and Agios Nikolaos
The road to these settlements runs along the picturesque coast of the Mediterranean Sea. The Italians call these places the Land of a Thousand Beauty or Mirabello. Tourists are shown Lake Voulismeni, the capital of the province of Lassithi. After a short rest, travelers board the ship, which follows towards the island of Spinalong.
At the final point of the route, guests will be introduced to the history of the medievalfortress built by the Venetians. On Spinalonga, old coffee houses and homemade taverns await travelers. After getting to know the town, tourists go to Kolokita.
On the island they are offered to swim in the warm sea, and then taste the meat cooked on coals. On the way back, the bus stops at Agios Nikolaos. In the city, vacationers will have half an hour for independent walks along its streets and souvenir shops.
Balos Lagoon
For fans of ecological tourism, operators have developed a special route. Its ultimate destination is the Balos lagoon. This is an amazingly beautiful place. The sand on the coast resembles powder. In this part of the archipelago, the waters of three seas converge at once, and the water in the lagoon has a characteristic azure hue.
Tourists arrive in Balos by boat. It is possible to come to these parts by car. True, in this case it will not work to get close to the very edge of the water. It takes five hundred meters to walk on a dirt road. Near the beach there is a small tavern where young Greek wine is poured and fish dishes are served.
Great choice of restaurants in Kaseli, a small town next door. The next point of the route is the Wine Museum. This is an operating plant, which still produces alcoholic beverages. If you wish, you can take part in the tasting.
The way back runs through the village of Vouves. It is famous for having the oldest olive tree in Greece. There is also a plant specializing in the processing of olives.
Chania, Kournas, Agriupoli
This tour is designed for those tourists who live in the western part of Crete. During the trip, travelers will see cypress groves growing right on the slopes of the mountain range.
First stop - the city of Chania. It is the second largest settlement on the island and is often compared to Venice. The resort still has a seaport built by the Italians. At one time, Chania was the capital of Crete.
Second stop - Lake Qurna. A distinctive feature of this reservoir is its fresh water. There are no other lakes like this in Crete. The end point of the route is Argiroupoli. This part of the island abounds with cold water waterfalls, water meadows and mountain ranges.
