Crete · HISTORICAL TOURS
15 reviewed
Below are the 15 best historical tours on Crete right now: what each one costs, how long it runs, and which kind of traveller it suits. Number one is the place to start.
Guided Knossos and Heraklion old town in one day: Minoan myths, shaded palace storytelling, Venetian harbor views, and optional museum time.
“It was a great trip! The guide was amazing and her tour of Knossos was very heartfelt and enthusiastic. The city tour was good but didn’t have the same level of effort.”
Ride Heraklion’s old town by eco-bike with a local guide, sea views, Venetian walls, and a real food stop for about 3 hours.
“We contacted Alex and asked how to get from our ship “which docks at ten” to our bike tour which starts at eleven. He said “take a taxi”. We did not know it was a ride of over two hours. He knew this and did not say anything as we would have cancelled. DISHONESTY THROUGH OMISSION.”
One day from Heraklion to Knossos, olive presses, and Cretan villages, with olive oil tastings, countryside stops, and easy pickup.
“This was one of the best tours I've ever done!! Marinos was excellent, very funny, kind and gave us a great insight into Crete. His hospitality was next level- thank you!!”
See Richtis Waterfall, Azorias olive tree (3250 years), ancient settlement, and Agios Nikolaos olive oil tasting on a small-group 4x4 day trip.
“Andre was amazing, he knew the area so well and he gave interesting information on everything we were seeing. The trip contains some difficult terrain and he was patient and helpful to those who were struggling a bit, the whole trip was really well structured and the food was great too, it allowed us to get a taste of lots of different type of Greek food. Also, my friend left something in his car and he was kind enough to contact us afterwards and return it to us. This was the best day we had in our week trip to Crete, so I definitely recommend booking it!”
WWII history tour from Chania to Maleme, Tavronitis Bridge, Galatas and cemeteries, with secret shelters and added artifacts stops.
“The tour was excellent. The guide was very knowledgeable and had a real feeling for the subject. There was lot of ground to court, all very relevant. The only thing I could suggest is that the snack offered could include a drink and a short stop near a restroom, so we could all have a conversation about our reasons for being there. But really a very good tour.”
Private Heraklion highlights with Knossos and the Archaeological Museum, plus Venetian Walls and Rocca a Mare views. Comfortable, flexible, small-group.
“Due to inclement weather, our cruise ship did not stop in Crete, and we found out the morning of the tour. We immediately contacted the operator Leonidas and offered to proceed with a partial refund that would cover all of his expenses and preparation. He refused, offering only a discount on an indeterminate future tour that we both know is unlikely to ever come up. Whether or not he had a legal right to refuse refund, I would want to book with an operator who is genial, empathetic, and collaborative, and Leonidas showed himself to be none of those things when he realized he could earn easy money without providing…”
A guided day trip from Heraklion that pairs Knossos Palace with a history walk and Old Market time, with pickup and A/C ride.
“Knossos Palace was really interesting but there’s a lot of standing around and due to queues to get in and to see a certain part once in, you then aren’t left long to explore the full site. The Heraklion city tour was a disappointment, was 15 minutes of showing two things before you are left to explore yourself for 3 hours. Wouldn’t recommend this specific tour”
Hike from Chania into the Cretan hills to Katholiko Bay, exploring caves and monasteries, then swim in clear water before heading back.
“Konstantinos was a delight to hike with! We started off on an easy pace and we stopped at a few of historical and natural monuments. He was able to explain and answer questions about the cultural impact of the monasteries and the moks that reside(d) there. The downhill hike was really quick and we were the only people at the bay. It was the most serene and beautiful water body I have experienced in Greece. He gave us enough privacy and also took great pictures. For the uphill climb, I recommend carrying a hat or something because the heat was really harsh . But Konstantinos was more than happy to…”
Full-day Rethymno history and crafts: Arkadi monastery, Eleftherna museum, Margarites pottery, Melidoni Cave, and a ceramics workshop with Mrs Helen.
“The monastery and the related historic events are a must-see to better understand cretan people. Also, the pottery, the olive oil factory and the cave are interesting additions.”
Chania Battle of Crete private WWII tour: Maleme airfield, Hill 107, bunkers, cemeteries, and a private museum with Apostolis.
“Pros: •extremely knowledgeable guide •passionate about his work •pace of tour was relaxed •good before and after photos of sites •German bunker and museum excellent •tour was adapted to accommodate my interests”
Small-group Eastern Crete shore trip from Heraklion: Fourni, Agios Nikolaos, a Spinalonga viewpoint stop, and Kritsa with a top guide.
“This was a very well organised tour , well organised port also . Our guide Helen was extremely informative and gave a really good insight to Crete and life on Crete.We enjoyed the small Villages , coffee Salad and Wine plus Souvlaki What a wonderful way to live a relaxed life . We purchased a hand made linen table cloth and a real leather belt as memories We cannot thank Cherry Travel enough and Helen . We thoroughly recommend and only wish we had 4 days or more , so will be back”
A small-group day in Crete mixing early Knossos sights with a family winery, olive oil views, and a Peza lunch with wine and raki.
“A fantastic day trip with Anthony who was very friendly, informative and welcoming. We went as a couple with two other pairs of people who we also got along well with so a great group and guide to spend the day with! We went to the Knossos Palace and Stilianou winery to taste the olive oil and wines - wow!! Absolutely delicious and great to see the processes and work that goes into these products. Afterwards we went to a local tavern for lunch and enjoyed some beautiful home made food. Definitely recommend to anyone :)”
Walk Heraklion’s historic lanes with tastings of olive oil, snacks, coffee or tea, wine, and raki, plus major monuments and stories.
“This was a great tour! We stopped at so many local places to meet up with the food and cultures of Crete. Sweets, treats, a Cretan lunchbox, herbs and botanicals, and more. So much was learned and appreciated on this tour. I highly recommend it to anyone, especially solo travelers. The journey is customized to your preferences. The tour guide has beautiful character and much knowledge about the story of Crete.”
Private half-day Chania tour with monastery wine and olive oil tasting, Aptera ruins, Venizelos views, and Lake Kournas.
“We absolutely loved our tour yesterday with Ioanis in Chania!! He was so personable and knowledgeable in regards to the history of the area. He drove us all over the island telling us about each area pointing out specifics regarding past and present! We really liked the drive and walk through Old Town with the mix of very old buildings from long ago amid the newer ones! And the visit to the Monastery was a huge highlight along with the wine tasting and olive oil tasting. Chania is a gorgeous area that we thoroughly enjoyed thanks to Ioanis attention to details! And last but not least was the fun stop…”
Chania’s historical culinary tour with small-group tastings of olives, cheese, kalitsounia, bougatsa, market coffee, and a taverna lesson.
“Mariana was generous with her time, her knowledge, and her cooking talents. We learned about the history of Cretan foods, sampled many things including her homemade cheese, and left with a sachet of fresh herbs epitomizing the aromas of Crete. Our experience of Crete has been greatly expanded by what she shared with us.”
