Crete is the largest and most popular resort of 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 vacations, but also in numerous excursions in Crete. Locals - the embodiment of hospitality. Greek cuisine is tasty and satisfying.
Travel Recommendations
Crete is, without exaggeration, a huge island. Therefore, traveling from one part of it to another can take a lot of time. Experienced tourists recommend choosing the location of the hotel when choosing an excursion in Crete. 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, overview programs around the island are rare.
Those who have booked a hotel in the central part need not be limited to exploring the Samaria mountain gorge and the Zeus cave complex. In this case, it is worth spending a little more time and moving away from Malia and Hersonissos.
Interesting near
Tourists staying in the eastern regions of the island are offered a variety of excursions in Crete with the following attractions:
- Mirabello Bay;
- palm beach "Wai";
- Ierapetra.
In the west of the island, travelers can travel to the shores of Lake Kurna, to the areas of Chania and Rethymnon, to the lagoon of Balos. The central part of Cyprus is traditionally preferred by those who are interested in archaeological and historical monuments of Greece. The nearest attraction is the ensemble of the Knossos Palace. In addition, excursion routes in the center of Crete include visits to the ruins of Fest and Grotina.
Guide escort
Due to the large distances between the settlements and sights of the island, the choice of individual programs is fraught with considerable expenses. Traveling in the company of private guides is justified in cases where tourists are interested in the intricacies of the history and life of the island. There are special programs for such travelers, within the framework of which visitors show Devil's Bay, the village of the dead, El Greco estate, the best tavern in Rethymnon.
Juice itself
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. In Heraklion it can be boring, because this is the usual administrative center of the island. In Agios Nikolaos many become crowded after three days of stay - this is a very small and compact village. Usually it is visited by tourists staying at the neighboring resorts of Plaka and Elounda.
There is a choice!
A short list of the most popular programs and tours in Crete and Greece:
- cruise to Santorini island;
- tour to Elafonissi;
- Knossos Museum
- Antique Crete;
- "Majestic Athens";
- "Spinalonga and Agios Nikolaos";
- a trip to the lagoon of Balos;
- "Chania, Kournas, Agriupoli";
- acquaintance with Chania;
- trip to the island of Chrysi;
- sea fishing on a yacht;
- jeep safari;
- trekking to Samaria gorge;
- Pilgrimage tours
- inspection of the Lassithi plateau and the cave complex of Zeus;
- "Aquarium, Fodele, Palyany, Heraklion, Knossos."
Boat trip in Santorini
This cruise is designed for one day. Its purpose is to study the architectural and historical heritage of the island, which is of volcanic origin. It owes its unique form in the form of a sickle to a powerful eruption that occurred in 1,400 BC. Sheer cliffs that go right into the sea are crowded off the coast. Their height reaches 300 meters.
The excursion program to Santorini from Crete includes a visit to tiny resort towns greeting travelers with bright blue roofs and snow-white skeletons of houses. Tourists are brought to the vineyards and wineries that Santorini abounds in.
The visiting card of the sightseeing tours is a trip to Fira. It includes walking along the ancient winding streets, visiting the Kamari beach with sand of volcanic origin, as well as exploring the archaeological site of the Minoan civilization. Sometimes travelers are brought to Agios Nikolaos and the Red Beach.
Tour to Elafonissi
The program of this trip includes visiting a mass of attractions. Excursions in Crete lie along the coast of the Aegean Sea, then the mountain road begins to loop and climb the mountains. Vacationers visiting the Topoli Gorge, Cretan peasant villages, buried in the greenery of orchards. The path to Elafonissi passes by thick olive groves, abounds in chestnut forests and heather thickets.
The island is located in the western part of the archipelago. Its coast is strewn with fine sand of pink color. Tourists are provided with free time for swimming in the lagoon. After water procedures, travelers are brought to the monastery complex Chrysoskalitissa. Within its walls is a collection of priceless icons.
The return road winds through mountain passes, from the height of which picturesque panoramas of the Mediterranean Sea open. On the way, a stop is provided in the village of winemakers Drapanias. Tasting drinks lasts about thirty minutes. The price of this excursion on the island of Crete does not include food expenses and entrance fees to museums. A tourist bus departs daily early in the morning.
The Knossos Museum Program
The duration of this trip is eight hours. The tour will be useful to 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 located just 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 children of preschool age. But teenagers, with bated breath, listen to legends and legends about the son of Zeus Minos, the abducted princess, the Minotaur, the beautiful Ariadne, the daredevil Theseus, the artisan Daedalus and Icarus.
After a thorough inspection of the Knossos ensemble and the exhibits, 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 products from precious metals, weapons and crafts of craftsmen. After going to the museum, time is provided for an independent examination of Heraklion.
In reviews of excursions in Crete, it is advised to purchase souvenirs. In this city, they are inexpensive. You can look into a tavern or cafe.
Antique Crete Program
The route of this trip is eight hours. This is a review program designed for those 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 composed of the remains of ancient structures. The site offers a picturesque view of the Gulf of Suds.
Performed by the Pegasus company, excursions in Crete are presented in various versions. There are short routes. Comprehensive sightseeing tours are available. As part of this program, after inspection, Aptera tourists are brought to Polirinia. There is an ancient reservoir, which is surrounded by thickets of thyme and sage. After travelers get acquainted with the ancient temple.
The next stop on the route is the provincial town of Kisamos. He grew up on the ruins of a completely destroyed settlement. The local archaeological museum presents a rare mosaic. Further, on the way of tourists, the border of two seas, the Mediterranean and the Aegean, rises. If you are lucky, then in the distance you will see the outlines of the mountain peak of Taiget, which is located in the Peloponnese.
During the trip, tourists will have the opportunity to swim in the Mediterranean Sea. And stroll through the territory of ancient Falasarna. Since the tour is designed for the whole day, an amazing sight awaits vacationers in the evening. They have to meet the sunset, which will color the high Greek sky with flashes of pink and crimson.
The price of the tour includes travel expenses and guide support. Separately, you will have to pay soft drinks, food in cafes, 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 talk about the past and present of the five millionth metropolis. The tour begins at the pier, from where the passenger ferry leaves for the city. The ship consists of eleven decks and is a full-fledged houseboat. It provides everything for a safe and comfortable stay.
At sunrise, an accompanying person wakes up the group. The Acropolis is the first attraction that tourists visit in Athens. Similar trips for Russians are organized by many travel companies. Available excursions in Crete from "Spyridon" are very popular. The programs of this operator abound in visiting architectural monuments.
Dining hours are devoted to shopping. There is time for gatherings in cafes and taverns. After the trip program includes a stop on Syntagma Square, where the military guard changes. Next, the bus will bring travelers to Lycabettus Hill, the Olympic Stadium.
In the evening, vacationers gather and return to the seaport, where they are waiting for the ferry, next back to Crete. Going on this trip, you need to be prepared for a number of additional costs:
- entrance ticket to the Acropolis - approximately 800 rubles;
- to the archaeological museum - 350.
Children under five years old take part in sightseeing for free. Discounts for teens are available.
"Spinalonga and Agios Nikolaos"
The road to these settlements runs along the picturesque coast of the Mediterranean Sea. Italians call these places the Land of a Thousand Beauties or Mirabello. Tourists are shown Lake Vulizmeni, the capital of the province of Lassithi. After a short rest, travelers board the ship, which is heading towards Spinalong Island.
At the final point of the route, guests will be introduced to the history of the medieval fortress erected by the Venetians. On Spinalonga, travelers will find old coffee houses and home taverns. After exploring the town, tourists go to Colokita.
On the island they are invited to swim in the warm sea, and then try the meat cooked on coals. On the way back, the bus enters Agios Nikolaos. In the city, vacationers will have half an hour for independent walks along its streets and souvenir shops.
Laguna Balos
For fans of eco-tourism, operators have developed a special route. Its ultimate goal is the lagoon of Balos. This is an amazingly beautiful place. Sand on the coast resembles powder. In this part of the archipelago the waters of three seas converge together, 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, to get to the very edge of the water in this case will not work. It takes five hundred meters to walk on a dirt road. Near the beach there is a small tavern in which young Greek wine is poured and treated with fish dishes.
Huge selection of restaurants in Kaseli, a small town located next door. The next point on the route is the Wine Museum. This is an existing factory, which still produces alcoholic beverages. If desired, you can take part in the tasting.
The return road runs through the village of Vouves. It is famous for the fact that it grows the oldest olive tree in Greece. Immediately there is a plant specializing in the processing of olives.
"Chania, Kournas, Agriupoli"
This tour is intended for those tourists who live in the western part of Crete. During the trip, travelers will see cypress groves growing directly on the slopes of the mountain range.
The first stop is the city of Chania. This is the second largest settlement on the island, it is often compared with Venice. The resort still has a seaport built by Italians. At one time, Chania was the capital of Crete.
The second stop is Lake Kurna. A distinctive feature of this reservoir is its fresh water. Similar lakes in Crete are no more. The end point of the route is Argyroupoli. This part of the island abounds with waterfalls with icy water, flood meadows and mountain ranges.