Our Crete vacations & tours
Our Crete vacations are, perhaps unsurprisingly given that this is the largest Greek island, wonderfully diverse. Our walking, cycling and family activity trips explore hillsides draped in vineyards and olive groves, imposing mountains and gorges, and beautiful beaches perfect for a swim break. Led by brilliant local guides who love to infuse their guests with knowledge, these vacations immerse you in Cretan nature, history and culture.
And our Crete tours also cater to those more of an artistic bent, with relaxed painting and sketching vacations. These retreats are led by resident artists who are very connected with their communities, so your breakfast bread comes from the village bakery, your honey from the beekeeping farmer next door. If you feel more like doing your own thing, our self drive vacations give you independence but also organise your accommodation, and provide detailed route suggestions for convenience. Or simply rent a cottage in a tranquil village in western Crete, and laze your vacation away by the pool.
And our Crete tours also cater to those more of an artistic bent, with relaxed painting and sketching vacations. These retreats are led by resident artists who are very connected with their communities, so your breakfast bread comes from the village bakery, your honey from the beekeeping farmer next door. If you feel more like doing your own thing, our self drive vacations give you independence but also organise your accommodation, and provide detailed route suggestions for convenience. Or simply rent a cottage in a tranquil village in western Crete, and laze your vacation away by the pool.
Our top Crete vacations
Crete self drive vacation, Greece
From
£750 to £1025
10 days
ex flights
Explore ancient sites and quiet places on stunning Crete.
Tailor made
Painting vacation in Crete
From
€1160 to €1210
8 days
ex flights
Painting and sketching outdoors by the Cretan Sea
Small group2026: 8 Sep, 2027: 31 Aug
Tailor made
Walking and painting vacation in Crete
From
€1170 to €1200
8 days
ex flights
Walking and Painting in unspoilt picturesque areas of Crete
Small group2026: 1 Sep, 2027: 1 Jun, 7 Sep
Western Crete biking vacation
From
€990 to €1490
8 days
ex flights
Unique cycling tour in the beautiful west Crete in Greece
Small group2026: 5 Sep, 12 Sep, 19 Sep, 26 Sep, 3 Oct, 10 Oct, 17 Oct, 24 Oct
Eastern Crete cycling tour, Greece
From
€1070 to €1620
8 days
ex flights
Exciting cycling tour in stunning East Crete in Greece
Tailor made
Greek Islands hiking vacation in West Crete & Santorini
From
£1097 to £1220
10 days
ex flights
Walk & explore the natural wonders of West Crete & Santorini
Small group2026: 15 Aug, 22 Aug, 29 Aug, 5 Sep, 12 Sep, 19 Sep, 26 Sep, 3 Oct, 10 Oct, 17 Oct, 24 Oct, 31 Oct
Easy walking vacation in Crete
From
€1110 to €1230
8 days
ex flights
Relax and explore wonderful, unspoilt rural areas of Crete
Small group2026: 1 Sep, 2027: 1 Jun, 7 Sep, 14 Sep, 21 Sep, 28 Sep
Walking vacation in Crete
From
US $1550 to US $1880
8 days
ex flights
Hike the Samaria Gorge and enjoy the beaches and simple life
Small group2026: 12 Sep, 26 Sep, 3 Oct, 2027: 8 May, 22 May, 11 Sep, 25 Sep, 2 Oct
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Crete map & highlights
Go west for the best. That could be Crete’s motto except the tourist board is unlikely to stop promoting the eastern promise of all inclusive resorts and concrete commercialism.
With the island’s magnificent White Mountains creating a dramatically beautiful and natural divide between the stunning mountains, gorges and remote villages of the west, and the resort ravages of a stretch of the east, you will feel as if you are on another island altogether. Chania is the finest town in the west, with hiking, archaeological and wine trail expeditions all within easy reach.
With the island’s magnificent White Mountains creating a dramatically beautiful and natural divide between the stunning mountains, gorges and remote villages of the west, and the resort ravages of a stretch of the east, you will feel as if you are on another island altogether. Chania is the finest town in the west, with hiking, archaeological and wine trail expeditions all within easy reach.
Aptera
1. Aptera
There is a strange dichotomy at Aptera, an astounding archaeological site. With remains of a 2nd century Greek temple and a 7th century BC city, destroyed by an earthquake but revived during Byzantine times, it has stunning hilltop views over Souda Bay. A bay that’s now a NATO base and where, sporadically, a jet fighter speeds across, creating rumbles among ruins that have far outstood the test of time.
Chania
2. Chania
With an old center that’s an ancient arcadia of Venetian and Turkish architecture, as well as its famous Venetian harbour and lighthouse, it must be one of Europe’s most beautiful waterfront urban utopias. The market is craft central and the old streets are havens for authentic artisans, such as fine leather and wood workers (kids will love the handcrafted catapults). It is also gateway to a lot of the gorge walking.
Imbros Gorge
3. Imbros Gorge
Smaller than Samaria but still perfectly formed with a lot fewer visitors too. It is 8km long and doesn’t take all day, making it family friendly to hike while still giving you a magnificent few hours enveloped by Crete’s most dramatic landscapes. It has historical importance too, as allied troops walked through here in 1941 to escape Nazi occupiers, helped along by the island’s strong resistance movement.
Knossos
4. Knossos
Just south of the island’s capital, Heraklion, this is a superb archaeological site of Minoan palaces that was uncovered in the early 1900s. Although controversially, as many experts will tell you. It gets packed with coachloads in summer, so get there early. It opens at 8.30am or take a picnic supper and head there for dusk. There are excellent, private, licensed guides to hire, and it really is worth it.
Samaria Gorge
5. Samaria Gorge
This makes up most of the White Mountains National Park, sometimes known as Samaria Gorge National Park, it is Europe’s longest gorge at 16km. For hikes, start from Xyloskalo and, after 6-8 hours (mostly downhill, but rocky and tricky) you arrive at the coastal village of Ayia Rouméli. In between gawking at the towering rock faces and bevy of birdlife keep an eye out for Cretan wild goats or ‘kri kri’.
White Mountains
6. White Mountains
Aka Lefka Ori, these are Crete’s heart and lungs. It’s where gushing rivers are sourced, wildlife thrives and traditional agriculture survives. 30 peaks top 2,000m, the highest being Pachnes at 2,453m. Stay in the foothills to discover enough hiking to keep you going for months, sublime sleepy mountain villages and over 50 gorges to trek through, as well as elevated plains that take you back down to swim time.
Our Crete vacations reviews
4.7
92Crete vacations reviews
Beverley Rymer27 May 2026
The archaeology and the food in Crete are both wonderful.read more
Amy Trice21 May 2026
It's rare that you have a week where everything is planned out for you and with such care. Dafni, Iokovos, and Foivos were flexible with the variety of people in our group and their individual personalities. They were ever patient and kind. The pattern of breakfast at 8am, hiking from 9am - 12pm, and painting from 5pm - 7:30pm allowed a nice break in the afternoon and even for rest and relaxation.read more
Jenny Goodhand18 May 2026
I loved the walks through beautiful countryside with all the wild flowers... everyone got on so well and it was so sad saying goodbye.read more
