Shopping in Crete
Chania by night with harbourfront dinner
Tucked in the western corner of the island, between the White Mountains and the Sea of Crete, lies the port town of Chania. Here you'll spend the evening getting lost in its characterful cobbled streets. Take a stroll through the old town to Eleftherios Venizelos Square where you might catch an impromptu show from the local street entertainers who often perform here in front of the fountain. With free time before and after dinner to explore, you can wander the winding lanes. Look up to admire the blend of Venetian and Turkish influenced buildings – a nod to Crete's eclectic history of Roman and Ottoman rule. If you're on the hunt for leather bags, boots and belts then make sure you head down ‘Leather Lane', officially called Skrydlof Street. The highlight of your evening will be dinner at a waterside restaurant, nestled among the colourful buildings that line the old harbour. Feast on classic Cretan dishes, like Tzatziki, baby squid and moussaka, with sunset views of the16th-century Venetian lighthouse.
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Rethymnon Town & Market Tour from Plakias
With plenty of free time to explore at your own pace, this trip to the romantic town of Rethymnon is as relaxing as they come. Wander around the weekly market stalls where the aroma of fresh produce will entice you to taste local flavours, and where you'll find plenty of souvenirs. The imposing fortress is also a must-see with its maze of narrow streets that wind their way around enchanting historic buildings.
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Ferry Tour of Milos Island - Ticket Only
Grab your crew, soak up the sun, and enjoy the top three must-see spots of Milos. After hopping on the ferry, you'll visit Plaka, the cutest capital where you can wander through whitewashed streets, snap pics of colorful doors, and snag some Greek food. Next, it's off to Sarakiniko, a beach that looks like a lunar landscape – think epic white rocks and endless photo ops. Finally, chill in Pollonia, a super cute fishing village with sandy beaches and fresh seafood tavernas.
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Popular experiences in Crete
Crete - Heraklion Airport VIP Service & Lounge
Make your wait at the airport a breeze with our VIP airport service. Avoid all the usual hassle as you're fast tracked through check-in and security to enjoy unlimited drinks, snacks, Wi-Fi and more in the exclusive departure lounge. An altogether more relaxed way to round off your stay.Greeted on arrival at Heraklion Airport, the VIP service sees you sail through check-in and security with our fast track pass – giving you more time to take advantage of the comfortable VIP lounge and all its benefits.Inside, you've access to complimentary coffee, tea, water, soft drinks and snacks, as well as selected alcoholic beverages too. What's more, there's unlimited free Wi-Fi and access to TV, magazines and newspapers, allowing you to relax right up to take off.
An excursion that gets better and better as the day goes on. Enjoy some sightseeing before an afternoon relaxing in Elafonisi, an idyllic island off southwest Crete. You'll also visit the village of Voulgaro and the Agia Sophia cave.
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Crete - Elafonisi Island Tour with Monastery and Agia Sophia Cave
The uninhabited island of Elafonisi may be tiny but it's bursting with personality. This journey to this islet off southwestern Crete is steeped in myths and legends and boasts historic buildings and amazing natural scenery – making it an ideal excursion for all the family.
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Crete - Nat Geo Day Tour: Discover Cretan Farm Life
Small-scale, family-run farms are integral to the Mediterranean diet that Crete is so famous for. A local family will welcome you to their Mitato, a small farmhouse, where you'll be greeted with the genuine warmth of Cretan hospitality. Listen to the local farmer tell the intriguing tale of King Minoas who watched from his observatory, and alerted locals to incoming pirates. Greetings over, it's time for a hands-on bread-making lesson, learning the techniques for typical Cretan bread, made with wheat and barley flour. Then, witness their cheese-making skills using goat's milk from the farm. Next, it's time to roll up your sleeves and get stuck in, helping out with daily farm tasks like feeding the goats, pigs, chickens, and rabbits, and tending to the gardens. The adventure continues with a snail hunt over the mountainside, exclusive to National Geographic travellers, peeking under rocks, and among shrubs and flowers. As the day unfolds, your collected treasures, including snails, eggs, fruit, and vegetables, become the ingredients for lunch. Alongside the family, you'll prepare a feast of local delicacies, all made from the products of your day's work. Finish off the experience with a taste of Crete's spirit, Raki, and why not sing along to their traditional Cretan ‘Mantinades,' - traditional Cretan couplets that express sentiments about Cretan daily life.
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Crete - Nat Geo Day Tour: The Millenary History of Olive Oil
Approximate itinerary and duration of activitiesIntroduction - 15 minutesWalking tour through the olive trees - 30 minutesPause for questions and raki drink - 15 minutesOlive oil factory tour - 40 minutesOlive oil tasting and questions - 55 minutesCooking demonstration and tastings - 30 minutesPlease note the order of activities may vary at your guide's discretion With millennia of experience behind them, it's no wonder the people of Crete produce some of the finest olive oil in the world. You will appreciate the timeless bond between Cretans and their revered olive trees as you trace the long heritage of olive cultivation on the island. Just outside Kritsa village in the hills of eastern Crete, you'll follow Nikos Plevritakis on a brief walk to his olive groves where some trees are 600-800 years old, and learn about olive cultivation from a true specialist. In the shade of the olive trees, you can try local raki known as ‘tsikoudia' with olives to nibble on while discussing the cultural and societal significance of olive cultivation in Crete. Then it's time to visit a local cooperative factory, to see up close how olives are processed into world-class olive oil. Back on the Olive Path, seize the chance to taste fresh figs, almonds, and grapes, see what the locals are growing, and find out all about the Cretan lifestyle and diet. Then, at an olive farm, you can sample olives, fresh tomatoes, and raki before your olive oil tasting session begins – a great opportunity to learn how to taste oils like a professional and compare the flavor profiles of different varieties. Finish off the day with a cooking lesson on various ways to use olive oil in Cretan cuisine. Authentic dishes, such as tzatziki and Greek salad will feature, and you'll find out why the traditional Cretan diet is so beneficial to health and longevity.
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Crete - Gramvousa Islands Boat Cruise
This cruise has everything – great scenery, beach time and a helping of medieval history. Everything starts at Kastelli on Crete's northwest coast, where a boat awaits to carry you across Kissamos bay to the Gramvousa peninsula and isles. And to round off the trip, you'll spend a few hours at Balos lagoon.
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Crete - Tour of Western Crete with Winery and Olive Oil Estate
From quality local produce to postcard-perfect beaches, western Crete has it all. This full day tour showcases the area's best bits, with wine tasting at Karavitakis Winery, sampling organic olive oil at the Biolea Estate and relaxing on Falassarna beach. Vasso, one of our expert local guides, says: ‘This is one of my favourite excursions, as it gives a good taste of many aspects of Cretan scenery, lifestyle and monuments. You get to visit an olive oil factory and a winery that produces some of the best wines in Crete'.The day starts with some viticulture on a guided tour of the family-run Karavitakis Winery. Delight your taste buds by sampling local wine and tasty snacks at the state-of-the-art visitor centre. Next, you'll head for lunch to a traditional Cretan restaurant by the sea, where food is prepared using locally sourced products. Plus, you'll have some time to relax on the blond sands of blissful Falassarna beach, which, says Vasso, ‘has been voted as one of the best beaches in Europe several times'.You'll then be taken to the Biolea Estate, a family-owned olive oil factory that specialises in the artisan production of organic olive oil. Find out everything you need to know about olive oil production, from how the olives are grown to how the oil is pressed and then bottled. What's more, your visit contributes to a local business and helps the wider island economy.
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Crete - Cretan 4x4 Experience from Chania
This full day 4x4 tour is for designed especially for adventures. You'll journey along dirt roads, mountain passes and through Crete's charming villages as you explore the island's hidden gems and vast panoramic scenery.
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Crete - Chania Boat & Snorkelling Cruise
The warm waters surrounding Crete are home to a fascinating array of marinelife – making it nothing short of snorkelling heaven. Sailing from Kolymbari, you'll admire the beauty of the Chania coast before diving into the Mediterranean to see shoals of exotic fish, colourful coral and more.
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Crete - Rethymnon and Lake Kournas Tour
There's something about the old town of Rethymnon that makes you want to keep on exploring. And you'll have a whole morning to wander it at your own pace before spending the afternoon at nearby Lake Kournas. It's up to you to do as you wish – just follow your inner compass and go with the flow.Rethymnon old town is pretty compact and bursting with activity. A maze of narrow alleys links the old harbour to the Fortezza citadel. Everything in between dates from the Venetian and Ottoman eras. As well as tavernas and shops, you'll encounter churches of all styles and mosques. The Veli Pasha mosque was recently renovated and is now a palaeontological museum – it's well worth a visit.Then, it's on to Lake Kournas. Protected under the Natura 2000 project, it's a dream for all things green. Surrounded by the imposing White Mountain range – and the only freshwater lake in Crete – you'll have just over an hour to soak in the fresh mountain air, swim in the calm waters or kick back and relax on the sandy beach.
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Crete - Northern Crete Scuba Diving Courses
The warm and clear waters of the Sea of Crete are ideal for learning scuba diving. This full day scuba diving excursion off the coast of northern Crete will give you comprehensive theory and practice instruction in a swimming pool or in shallow sea waters, followed by a guided deeper water dive at a celebrated local dive site.
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Crete - Limnoupolis Water Park from Chania
The beach isn't the only place for watery fun in Crete. Limnoupolis Water Park is jam-packed with slides, chutes, rivers and pools that'll have you whizzing from one to the other. From the scary Giant Slide to the chilled Lazy River, there's something for everyone and every mood.
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Crete - Cretan Mountain Villages 4x4 Tour
The rugged mountains and sun-baked plains of Crete are best explored in an access-all-areas 4x4 vehicle. Head for the heart of Crete, where you'll explore the countryside to rumble through hidden villages and down dirt tracks to discover a world untouched by time. The day begins with a visit to Omalia olive press, where the aroma of fresh olives fills the air. Next, we traverse the scenic Lassithi Plateau and make our way to Lassinthos Eco park. The drive continues off-road, climbing till we're 1200m above sea level - a picture-perfect moment with the magnificent North coast of Crete as your backdrop.Next, a traditional Cretan lunch at a local tavern is sure to tantalise your tastebuds. As we navigate through the narrow alleys of various small villages, each bend reveals yet another spectacular view. To round off the day, we'll visit the impressive Skotino cave. Relatively unknown, this natural wonder invites you to explore its depths. The return trip promises more awe-inspiring vistas as we make our way back to base.
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Crete - Acqua Plus Water Park Premium Ticket with Transfer
From adrenaline-filled hair-raising rides to kids' splash zones and sun lounging areas, Acqua Plus Water Park provides the very best in watery fun. This excursion is an ideal day out for relaxed family fun and thrill-seeking adults alike.
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Crete - Acqua Plus Water Park with transfer from Heraklion & Rethymno
Some call it ‘the spinner', others ‘the toilet' – it's actually the Spacebowl. Whatever you call it, you're in for an experience that'll leave you feeling flushed. Acqua Plus is that sort of waterpark. If you're looking for adrenaline-pumping fun or some rest while the kids go wild, this is the place for you.
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Crete - Ultimate Catamaran Cruise from Heraklion
If sun on your face and a cool sea breeze in your hair really give you that holiday feel, then our Ultimate Catamaran Cruise is for you. You'll call by the island of Dia and snorkel in the Aegean before a tasty lunch. And with a maximum of just 10 passengers per trip, this day on the waves is all about relaxing.
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Crete - Sunset Cruise from Heraklion
Sprinkle some magic on those holiday memories with this relaxing sunset cruise. Set sail mid-afternoon and we bob leisurely towards the stunning shores of Dia Island. Drop anchor and there's plenty of time to swim, snorkel and sunbathe before the main event – a fabulous sunset over the Aegean.You'll come aboard in the afternoon and be greeted by the crew with a welcome drink. Set sail along the coastline so that you can soak up every inch of Crete's beauty as you leave the shore behind. Relax, unwind and catch some rays out on deck as we take a leisurely cruise towards Dia Island.Legend has it that the gods created Dia Island and there's certainly something heavenly about it. There's time to swim, snorkel or even try your hand at a spot of fishing or paddle boarding before a light dinner is served. Then, you'll sit back, admire the views and – with luck – an incredible sunset too.
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Crete - Cretan Night with Dinner & Dancing
Cretans are renowned for throwing a great party night. And there's no better way to find out just how good they are than by dropping into one at a local taverna. You'll enjoy rousing live music and dancing, with free-flowing wine and dancers in folk dress. A full-on Greek night.
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Crete - Full-day tour of Crete’s historic Knossos Palace and Heraklion
'The Palace of Knossos is one of the most important archaeological sites in Crete because it's where Europe's first civilisation began,' says Veta, one of our guides. A born and bred local, she knows a thing or two about the legends and myths surrounding the island's most popular attraction. You'll spend the day watching history come to life as you tour the grounds of the palace, before crossing over to Heraklion for some free time in the capital.Once the hub of Crete's Minoan civilisation, Knossos Palace sits in the heart of what's considered to be Europe's oldest settlement. You'll enjoy a guided tour around its treasures, stopping by the throne room, royal apartments, frescoes and more. And with fast-track access, there's no waiting around in queues.It's then time to head to Heraklion, the island's capital. See the 17th-century Morozini Lions fountain and the 400-year-old Venetian Loggia – which is still the city hall – during a short guided walk around the city centre. We'll round the day off by taking you to the open markets for some free time. Poke around stalls laden with hand-made trinkets and fresh local produce or stop off for a coffee at a local café for some people watching. Other must-sees include the Koule Fortress and the Church of Agios Titos.
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Crete - 4x4 off road-tour of Crete’s mountains with taverna lunch
Get ready to go off-road on this adrenaline-pumping 4x4 adventure that will take you well and truly off the radar. Explore the more rural parts of Crete and the beautiful nature as you voyage through the mountains on this small group tour.
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