Tour Experts offer an extensive list of shore excursions and programs starting from the ports of Crete, for visitors arriving to the island with a cruise ship. The list can help you get an idea of the archaeological sites that guests visiting Crete, very often choose to include in their excursions. Of course, there is a number of impressive archaeological sites or places of natural beauty (gorges, caves) that perhaps you would like to visit. Please, let us know about your interests and we can plan a tailor made tour around Crete just for you and your friends.
The duration of every tour listed below is approximately 5h. If you have less time available and you wish to visit a highlight of Crete, such as Knossos, you can arrange for a private guide to meet you at the site. Our travel agency can organize the full service (your transportation from the port, the guide for the tour, and the tickets of every site). If you wish you can specify the service you require, for example just transportation or just the licensed guide. We are available to answer all you questions, feel free to contact us.
Starting from Heraklion, up to 5 h duration
- Knossos, city tour of Heraklion city and free time for shopping
- Knossos and Archaeological museum of Heraklion
- Knossos and Peza (Miliarakis winery – Wine tasting)
- Knossos and Boutari Winery (wine tasting)
- Knossos and Arolithos traditional village
- Lassithi plateau and Kera Monastery
- Agios Nikolaos and Kritsa church
- Rethymnon city tour and free time for shopping
- Phaistos, Minoan Palace of King Radamanthys, South Crete
- Gortyn and Phaistos archaeological sites
- Knossos Peza (winery Miliarakis) and Archanes village (sort walk and visit of the local Museum )
- Malia Palace and Kera Monastery
- Peza (winery Miliarakis), Skalani (winery Boutaris) Myrtia (Kazantzakis Museum)
Starting from Agios Nikolaos, up to 5 h duration
- Knossos and city tour of Heraklion city
- Knossos and Archaeological museum of Heraklion
- Spinalonga island (Venetian Fortress that was later used as a Leper colony) and Elounda village
- Lassithi plateau and Kera Monastery
- Gournia photo stop, Ierapetra town and Kalamafka village
- Kritsa Monastery, Elounda village and Bio – aroma farm
- Gournia and Mochlos archaeological sites
- Malia Palace and Kera Monastery
Starting from Rethymnon, up to 5 h duration
- Venetian fortress of Rethymnon, city tour and free time for shopping
- Kournas Lake and Vamos and Georgioupolli village
- Chania city tour and Venizelos graves
- Chania and archaeological museum
- Chania city tour with a Segway
- Arkadi monastery and Rethymnon city tour
- Preveli Monastery and Kourtaliotis gorge (photo stop)
- Arkadi Monasteri and Margarites village (visit at a pottery workshop)
Starting from Chania, up to 5 h duration
- Aptera fortress (photo stop) Vamos and Georioupoli village
- Chania city tour and Venizelos Graves
- Chania city tour and Tsangarolon Monastery
- Chania city tour with a Segway and archaeological museum
- Rethymnon city tour and free time for shopping
- Arkadi monastery and Rethymnon city tour
- Venizelos Graves, World War II cemetery, Maleme village
- Chrissopigi Monastery and city tour Chania
- Chania city tour and the Naval Museum
Depending on the starting point and the time available, programs and excursions mentioned above can be organized as full day tours, for individuals, couples, families or small groups.
Important
For all cruise ship passengers, please note that the tours are confirmed only if the full amount of the tour is paid. An invoice will be issued by our travel agency and will be send to your email. Please, understand that in case of any last minute cancellation we still have to pay for the transportation, guide, VAT and tax.
CHANIA
Tour descriptions starting from Chania port or port of Souda
All tours and programs include the services of a professional licensed Guide, registered vehicles, liability insurance. Chauffeur service with a licensed guide and a van is also an option. Tours listed below can be organized as private tours or for your group…Feel free to contact us for a tailor made experience according to your wishes and needs.
AKROTIRI AND CHANIA TOWN
Duration: 4 hours
Travel back in time to the Venetian occupation of Crete (1204 to 1669 AD) on this relaxing and informative tour. Starting from the port of Souda with your professional licensed guide in your coach explore first Akrotiri area, where you will have the chance to visit the Agia Triada Monastery, known as Tsangarolon, one of the most significant monastic complexes of the Venetian Era. Moving on to the town Chania (after a short drive of 20 to 25 min, depending on the traffic), you will have the chance to admire the Venetian Harbour, the old Venetian port with the Lighthouse and the Yalisi Tzami, as well as the narrow shopping streets and waterfront restaurants. The atmosphere will remind you of Florence or Venice, due to the long occupation of the Venetians, combined with the local culture and character of the proud Cretan people and the island’s traditions. Admire the effect of the light on the harbor, which gives it a different appeal at every hour of the day, feel the breeze from the sea, perhaps enjoy your coffee or snack at one of the tavernas at the pier. The tour ends with the return drive to the ship. (25 min drive, depending on the traffic).
ARKADI MONASTERY & RETHYMNO TOWN
Duration: 5 hours
Leaving the port of Souda you’ll drive towards the Monastery of Arkadi, one of the island’s most famous Monasteries. Built during the Venetian period, it consists of a large, almost rectangular fortress – monastery around an impressive baroque church with two aisles. The history of the monastery goes back to Byzantine times, when it was founded according to local historians by either Arcadius Emperor or according to others by a local monk named Arkadios. Not only became a remarkable cultural centre, a trade center due to the wealthy fertile land around it ( producing various local products ), it also played an important role during the Cretan resistance to Ottoman rule. After visiting the monastery with your licensed professional guide, you’ll continue through the beautiful scenic roads to the town of Rethymno, famous for its Renaissance architecture, Venetian fortress and the old city center . Enjoy a walking tour in the old town with the narrow pedestrian roads, followed by some free time to explore on your own or perhaps to enjoy a coffee or a snack by the sea, before boarding your coach for the return drive. ( almost an hour drive to reach the port of Souda )
CHANIA BOTANICAL GARDEN AND CITY TOUR
Duration: 5 hours
Get to know Crete’s wonderful botanical park as well as the historic city of Chania, on this tour . An experience to understand the local, Cretan landscape as you will be driving through the hills. As you walk through the beautiful gardens and get to know the numerous endemic species of plants, spiceys and local herbs, trees that grow on the two hundred square kilometers of planted hillside, you’ll enjoy not only the visual spectacle.. After the gardens, your tour continues to Chania, where along with your professional licensed guide , you will explore one of the oldest cities on Crete. Feel the byzantine atmosphere as you walk through the narrow pedestrian streets and touch certain decorative details of the listed buildings dating back to Venetian and Turkish times. A city protected as a monument, where Greeks from all over Greece will put very high on their list, when it comes the time to choose a place for their vacations. After strolling around the Venetian harbor with the Venetian lighthouse, the impressive Cathedral, the museum (optional visit) you will have a chance to taste some local fruit and delicacies at the Municipal Food Market at the centre of the city …Free time to explore on your own, before we reach back the port of Souda ( 20 min drive depending on traffic).
ARCHEOLOGICAL MUSEUM & WALKING TOUR TO THE OLD TOWN
Duration: 5 hours
After a short drive from the port of Souda we will bring you to Chania’s old town and from the central Municipal Food Market we will start our walking tour. With its Venetian harbor, old port, narrow shopping streets and waterfront tavernas, the old town attracts crowds of visitors from the near by touristic areas and locals as well. As you walk through its picturesque streets, you’ll feel that the atmosphere reminds you of Florence or Venice or a small Italian city of the south , combined with the Cretan character, culture and local traditions. The Chania Archaeological Museum, although is small in size, will attract your attention. Important artefacts from the Minoan Era, from ancient Kydonia Polyrhenia, Aptera and so many more , that you should not miss… Over the years, the small collection has been housed in various public buildings being moved around, including the Residency, the Boys’ High School and the Hassan Mosque. But since 1963 it has been housed – in theory temporarily – in the Venetian Monastery of Saint Francis, one of the city’s important monuments. Before returning to Souda port and the ship, you’ll have some free time to explore the old city with the Veletian port. ( 20 min drive depending on traffic).
A TASTE OF CRETE
Duration: 5 hours
Experience Cretan hospitality and history on this journey, a bit off the beaten path to the traditional Village of Vamos with the beautiful stone build houses, the Karidi Monastery with the church of St. George and the old Olive oil press, a short stop at a modern olive oil facility will be possible….. Your exploration begins with a visit to the traditional Village of Vamos, whose first inhabitants, back in the 8th century, were Arab pirates. Enjoy the Cretan landscape, the fabulous local flora, which includes lemon, almond, walnut, fig and pepper trees, as well as rosemary, thyme and grapes. You will be able to smell those in the air!!!! Admire the luxurious “conakia” and more modest “kamarospita” homes. Next, it’s time to visit Karidi Monastery and the Agios Georgios Church, before exploring the ruins of the old mill built in 1862. Then head for a olive oil tasting at a local facility and hear all the information and secrets of producing thew liquid gold of Crete. You’ll appreciate the warmth of the locals, the villagers and the Cretan hospitality while you learn from your professional licensed guide all about the local history and family traditions. Your last stop is at Chania old town ( we will stop close to the Municipal Food Market) with its old harbor, where you will have some free time to explore before returning to the ship. ( 20 min drive depending on traffic).
MINOA PALACE BEACH & CHANIA
Duration: 5 hours
Experience a slice of paradise at the Minoa Palace beach resort at Platanias , one of the 5 star resorts in Chania. This long, sandy beach offers plenty of facilities, including friendly beach bars and small, local taverns nearby . Enjoy the opportunity to spend a few hours relaxing, lying in the sun and swimming in the crystal waters of Chania . Your visit includes a sun bed and beach umbrella. And don’t forget to savor a cool, refreshing drink from the beach bar during your time here. Before returning to the ship, you’ll also have some free time to explore Chania town independently. Please note: this tour is available from June to September and is subject to weather conditions. ( 20 min drive depending on traffic).
KALYVES BEACH & CHANIA
Duration: 5 hours
Experience a slice of paradise at the Kalyves beach resort at Kalyves (close to Souda area) one of the 5 star resorts in Chania. This long, sandy beach offers plenty of facilities, including friendly beach bars and small, local taverns nearby . Enjoy the opportunity to spend a few hours relaxing, lying in the sun and swimming in the crystal waters of Chania . Your visit includes a sun bed and beach umbrella. And don’t forget to savor a cool, refreshing drink from the beach bar during your time here. Before returning to the ship, you’ll also have some free time to explore Chania town independently. Please note: this tour is available from June to September and is subject to weather conditions. ( 20 min drive depending on traffic).
TREASURES OF CRETAN CULTURE
Duration: 7 hours
Immerse yourself in Greek culture, culinary traditions, history and architecture on this breathtaking journey to see artisanal wine-makers, soap-makers, and Chania town. After a 45-minute scenic drive, you’ll arrive Vouves village , to see an amazing olive tree , one of the oldest trees of Greece, dating back to Classical Era. Next to this impressive olive tree, that still produces fruits, you will visit a small museum with olive wood tools and utensils. You will continue and after a short drive you will reach at the Anoskeli Winery. Here, you’ll enjoy an exclusive wine tour where you’ll learn about local wine varieties and olive oil production. Discover how local artisans maintain local culinary traditions. Then sample the flavors of the region during a guided tasting of 5 different wines and the local Tsikoudia. Next, visit a soap-making workshop in the quiet village of Tavronitis, where you can indulge your senses and bring home a fine souvenir. Finally, explore the charming town of Chania, with its romantic harbor framed by the Venetian lighthouse and former mosque. Enjoy some free time to stroll the picturesque streets, admiring the neoclassical mansions and Venetian fortifications.
RETHYMNON CITY AND WINE TASTING
Duration: 6 hours
Leaving the port of Souda you’ll drive towards the beautiful city of Rethymno, famous for its Renaissance architecture, Venetian fortress and the old city center. Enjoy a walking tour in the old town with the narrow pedestrian roads, followed by some free time to explore on your own or perhaps to enjoy a coffee or a snack by the sea. We will continue after Rethymnon and a short drive towards the winery, a family winery with a long tradition in wine making and we will enjoy the wine tour in the facilities, getting as much information as possible from the passionate wine makers of Crete. We will taste 5 local wines produced at the winery, which have received international awards. After our wine tasting and tour we will drive towards the Vrysses village, to see the amazing plane trees, before reaching back the port of Souda. ( almost a 40 min drive to reach the port of Souda )
WWII AND MARITIME MUSEUM OF CHANIA
Duration: 6 hours
Leaving the port of Souda you’ll drive towards Aptera , to enjoy the panoramic view and understand the strategic position of the port of Souda. You will hear all the information about the battle of Crete, from your professional licensed guide , as you will continue towards the cemetery of the Allies, where the soldiers rest in peace close to the Bay of Souda. You will drive towards the city of Chania, where you will start tyou walking tour , to explore the city center and reach the Maritime museum for your guided tour. Later on you will have free time to enjoy the Venetian city center, do some shopping and perhaps enjoy a nice snack by the sea.
AGIOI APOSTOLOI BEACH TRANSFER
Duration: 4 hours
Relax on the beaches of the Holy Apostles (AgioiApostoli in Greek), located just 3km west of Chania, which together make up a beautiful resort. The first cove is located just beside the east edge of Glaros beach. This is a beautiful sandy beach, offering a comprehensive set of amenities. A small peninsula on the west side of the beach protects it from the winds, and you can admire the amazing rock formations on the side. Beside the east end of the beach, there is a small pine grove extending eastwards to Golden Beach. You will have around 3 hours of free time to enjoy this wonderful setting, overlooking the magnificent Aegean Sea, before the drive back to the ship. Please note: this tour is available from June to September and is subject to weather conditions.
KNOSSOS PALACE AND SHOPPING
Duration: approx 8 hours
You do not need to have an expert’s knowledge of Greek history or Cretan civilizations to appreciate the fabulous Minoan Palace of Knossos. More than just a collection of stones or ruins, the Palace structure is still visible and visitors can wander the maze of rooms. A British archaeologist, Arthur Evans, who led the excavation of the site in the 1900s, reconstructed the Palace. Pictures on the walls help visitors gain a sense of the scale of the Palace – which was originally 20,000 square metres – and an idea of life here during the late Bronze Age. The Palace of Knossos is built on the ruins of a larger Neolithic settlement and of the supposed 1.300 rooms that made up the five-storey Palace, 800 are left today. After the visit, we will drive to Heraklion for free time exploring and shopping. Please note: the visit to the site includes walking on cobblestones and may result difficult for guests using a wheelchair. If wheelchair users wish to take part in this tour they must be accompanied by a paying helper to provide assistance with getting on and off the coach and that wheelchairs must be collapsible/foldable since the coach has neither a ramp nor a lift. Guests using a wheelchair who would like to participate in this tour are requested to contact the Shore Excursions’ Desk promptly once they are on board so that arrangements can be made.
KNOSSOS & ARCHEOLOGICAL MUSEUM
Duration: 8 hours
You don’t need to be an expert in ancient Greek history to appreciate the fabulous Minoan Palace of Knossos. Much more than just a ruin, the palace structure is still visible and you can wander the maze of rooms reconstructed by British archaeologist Arthur Evans, who led the excavation of the site in the 1900s. Of the 1.300 rooms that made up the five-story palace, 800 remain. Pictures on the walls help you gainan idea of life here during the late Bronze Age and a sense of the vast scale of the palace, which originally covered 20.000 square meters. Your next stop is Heraklion for a visit to the Archaeological Museum, home to an impressive collection of Minoan artefacts, from terracotta, marble and alabaster idols, through gold, jewelry, ivory and figurines to frescoes and sarcophagi, providing fascinating insights into the artistic flair of this ancient civilization.
