Our Crete holidays & tours
Our Crete holidays 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 holidays 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 holidays. 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 holidays 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 holiday away by the pool.
And our Crete tours also cater to those more of an artistic bent, with relaxed painting and sketching holidays. 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 holidays 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 holiday away by the pool.
Our top Crete holidays
Crete self drive holiday, Greece
From
£750 to £1025
10 days
ex flights
Explore ancient sites and quiet places on stunning Crete.
Tailor made
Painting Holiday in Crete
From
€1210
8 days
ex flights
Painting and sketching outdoors by the Cretan Sea
Small group2027: 31 Aug
Western Crete cycling holiday
From
€990 to €1490
8 days
ex flights
Unique cycling tour in the beautiful west Crete in Greece
Small group2026: 26 Sep, 3 Oct, 10 Oct, 17 Oct, 24 Oct
Greek Islands Walking holiday in West Crete & Santorini
From
£1097 to £1220
10 days
ex flights
Walk & explore the natural wonders of West Crete & Santorini
Small group2026: 26 Sep, 3 Oct, 10 Oct, 17 Oct, 24 Oct, 31 Oct
Crete self-guided walking holiday, Greece
From
€655 to €720
8 days
ex flights
Selfguided trekking in Samaria Natural Park & South coasts
Tailor made
Easy walking holiday in Crete
From
€1120 to €1230
8 days
ex flights
Relax and explore wonderful, unspoilt rural areas of Crete
Small group2027: 1 Jun, 7 Sep, 14 Sep, 21 Sep, 28 Sep
Crete and Athens holiday
From
€1690
9 days
ex flights
Combine ancient glory of Athens with the island of Crete.
Tailor made
Eastern Crete cycling tour, Greece
From
€1070 to €1620
8 days
ex flights
Exciting cycling tour in stunning East Crete in Greece
Tailor made
Walking and painting holiday in Crete
From
€1180 to €1200
8 days
ex flights
Walking and Painting in unspoilt picturesque areas of Crete
Small group2027: 1 Jun, 7 Sep
Contact Us
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01273 823 700
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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 centre 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 holidays reviews
4.7
95Crete holidays reviews
Gabriela Caballero17 Sep 2026
I loved every part of it. I loved the places we went, the adventure of exploring unique spots away from touristy, crowded places... The tour operator was amazing and very knowledgeable about their culture and heritage. read more
Emily Hedges16 Sep 2026
I enjoyed it very much. Iakovos, Dafni and Phevos were lovely hosts and skilfully managed the different requirements of guests in the group. The accommodation was charming!read more
Eithne Mckevett11 Sep 2026
Everything was wonderful. Gorgeous area, great food and company.read more
