Highlights of Crete
Tour the ancient histories and sun-kissed shores of Crete
The island of Crete has so much history and natural wonder to offer to a curious traveller. And in seven days on its shores, you’ll see what’s known as Europe’s oldest city, taste some of the region’s best food and wine, and discover some of the world’s most picturesque beaches. From Heraklion, visit the famous archaeological site of Knossos, hike through forests and gorges, unwind in the secluded seaside village of Sougia, and sip wine in the vibrant port city of Chania to show you what makes the island so special. So quintessentially ‘Greece’ and so full of life, the best of Crete is waiting.
What's included
Hotel (3 nights), Guesthouse (3 nights)
Public bus, Private vehicle, Boat, On foot
6 breakfasts, 1 dinner
- Knossos - Archaeological Site
- Agios Ioannis - Village Visits
- Chania - Wine Tasting
- Agios Ioannis - traditional Cretan dinner
- Chora Sfakion - Coastal Boat Ride
- Sougia - Agia Irini Gorge Hike
- Chania - Old Town guided tour
- Chania - Kalitsounia Bakery Workshop
Optional extras
- Heraklion - Archaeological Musem of Heraklion - EUR12
- HERAKLION - Museum of Ancient Greek Technology by Kotsanas - EUR5
- Chania - Archaeological Museum of Chania - EUR15
- Chania - Marine time Museum of Crete - EUR4
4.8
60 reviewsStart: Heraklion, Greece
End: Chania, Greece
- Duration
- 7 days
- Group size
- 1 to 12
- Minimum age
- 15 years old
- Style
Basix: Simple accommodation, local transport and lots of free time
Original: Tourist-class hotels, some meals included and a great mix of included activities and free time
Comfort: Comfortable accommodation, with a relaxed pace of travel and many included meals and activities
Premium: Our best accommodation, exclusive inclusions and our most experienced leaders
- Original
- Theme
Our themes categorise trips based on a common interest or activity, while showcasing the highlights of a destination.
- Explorer
- Physical rating
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
Why you'll love this trip
- Did you know that Crete is home to Europe’s oldest city? From Heraklion, head to the famous ruins and archaeological site of Knossos – the former capital of Minoan Crete.
- Uncover the real Crete during visits to its quiet corners. We’ve partnered with non-profit organisation MEET to bring you an ecotourism experience in the delightful village of Agios Ioannis. Spend an evening dining in a local restaurant and stay the night in a guesthouse with a welcoming local family.
- Get off the beaten path – literally – during a visit to the charming fishing village of Sougia. Hike, swim, or relax on the beach with a cold drink in hand.
- Visit the colourful port town of Chania and discover one of its most loved commodities during a visit to a local winery for a wonderful tasting experience.
- Explore Crete’s natural wonders on foot during a hike through the Agia Irini Gorge, learning about its historical significance and rare wildlife as you go.
View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2026 - 31 December 2026
Itinerary
Welcome to Crete! Greece’s largest island delights with clear waters, charming villages and a tangible history. Your island adventure begins with an 6pm welcome meeting where you’ll meet your local leader and fellow travellers. After the group meeting, perhaps head out for dinner with the group, and get your bearings around the capital with a leader-led orientation walk of Heraklion.
- Hotel (1 night)
There are no meals included on this day.
- Heraklion - Archaeological Musem of Heraklion - EUR12
- HERAKLION - Museum of Ancient Greek Technology by Kotsanas - EUR5
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance and emergency contact details at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.
This morning head out of the city to the renowned archaeological site of Knossos, considered to be Europe’s oldest city. Explore the ruins with your leader and soak in hundreds and thousands of years of history within its walls. Continue your Crete discovery with one of its most celebrated commodities during a visit to a nearby winery for a wine tasting. Take your time discovering the grape varietals grown in Crete, sampling a range of small-batch vintages. Then it’s time to check out some quiet corners of Crete – continue to the tiny coastal town of Chora Sfakion (sometimes referred to as Sfakia) and the historic village of Anopolis for some short stops, then carry on to Aradaina, teetering on the edge of a gorge, and learn about the history of this dramatic area. Your final stop for the day is the delightful village of Agios Ioannis, nestled into the foothills of the White Mountains. Your well-earned dinner this evening will be a lively affair - a perfect introduction to village life in Crete. Spend the night in a traditional guesthouse.
- Guesthouse (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Dinner
- Knossos - Archaeological Site
- Agios Ioannis - Village Visits
- Chania - Wine Tasting
- Agios Ioannis - traditional Cretan dinner
Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours.
To bring you today’s activities, we’ve partnered with MEET, a non-profit organisation which supports local providers in national parks throughout the Mediterranean by giving them the tools to develop community-based ecotourism projects. This partnership gives you the opportunity to visit these protected places in an authentic and sustainable way.
You maybe allocated to a triple room here depending on the group configuration. For those who have booked a single supplement, this day is excluded due to small property we use.
Bid farewell to Agios Ioannis and drive back to Chora Sfakion where you’ll board our private boat along Crete's stunning south coast to the village of Sougia. This is Crete at its very best – an undiscovered sweep of beach overlooked by brooding mountains. It’s almost too pretty to believe, but believe it, you’re here! Upon arrival in Sougia the afternoon is yours to spend at leisure, and it’s certainly not hard to find something amazing to do. You may like to explore one of the coastal trails, take a swim in the warm waters, or just lay back on the beach and let life tick along around you with a drink in hand.
- Guesthouse (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Chora Sfakion - Coastal Boat Ride
Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours.
For those who have booked a single supplement, this day is excluded due to small property we use.
Rise early and board a private transfer bound for the Agia Irini Gorge, carved through the west side of the White Mountains. Set off on a shady hike through the gorge as your leader shares stories of the area’s historical past and how it once hid Greek rebels during the Turkish Occupation. The hike is expected to take around three hours and you’ll be rewarded with fantastic views along the way, plus the chance to spot the unique flora and fauna of the region, including endangered Cretan wild goats, cypress, pine, and dittany trees. The rest of the afternoon is yours to spend as you please in Sougia.
- Guesthouse (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Sougia - Agia Irini Gorge Hike
Today's hike is about 8km / 3 hours. Please note that the surface varies between well-worn forest paths to gravel and loose rocks. There are multiple uphill and downhill sections. Good walking shoes, worn with rigid soles and perhaps ankle support are recommended for this hike. Please speak to your leader for more details if you have any concerns, and you can always opt out if you prefer to explore Sougia's surroundings instead, or have a leisurely day on the beach.
For those who have booked a single supplement, this day is excluded due to small property we use.
Say goodbye to Sougia this morning and catch a local bus to Chania. Beachside, colourful and full of culture, Chania is definitely a traveller’s favorite. Today, join an included guided tour of Old Town. Explore the city markets, the Ottoman neighborhood and Jewish quarter, passing by the workshops of traditional artisans of local pottery, knives and many more. The town is also bursting with excellent restaurants, so be sure to ask your leader for dinner recommendations this evening.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Chania - Old Town guided tour
- Chania - Archaeological Museum of Chania - EUR15
- Chania - Marine time Museum of Crete - EUR4
Your travel time today will be approximately 2.5 hours.
Start the day with a ‘kalitsounia’ workshop and experience firsthand how one of the most famous Cretan pastries is made. Kalitsounia is commonly had as an appetizer or for breakfast and you can choose your fillings according to your taste: Cretan ‘mizithra’ or ‘anthotyro’ cheese, legendary Cretan greens or choose a sweet filling instead. It’s tasty, nutritious and you can take them with you to enjoy later in the day. Enjoy some free time at leisure in Chania, perhaps taking the time to visit any spots you may have missed yesterday, or simply sitting back with a coffee and watching the locals go about their business. This evening you may like to head out to a local restaurant for a final dinner and use your knowledge of Cretan wine to pair with your meal.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Chania - Kalitsounia Bakery Workshop
With no activities planned for the day, your adventure on Crete comes to an end after breakfast this morning. If you’d like to spend some more time exploring the island, just get in touch ahead of time and we can assist in arranging some additional accommodation to extend your stay (subject to availability).
- Breakfast
Inclusions and activities
6 breakfasts, 1 dinner
Public bus, Private vehicle, Boat, On foot
Hotel (3 nights), Guesthouse (3 nights)
- Knossos - Archaeological Site
- Agios Ioannis - Village Visits
- Chania - Wine Tasting
- Agios Ioannis - traditional Cretan dinner
- Chora Sfakion - Coastal Boat Ride
- Sougia - Agia Irini Gorge Hike
- Chania - Old Town guided tour
- Chania - Kalitsounia Bakery Workshop
- Heraklion - Archaeological Musem of Heraklion - EUR12
- HERAKLION - Museum of Ancient Greek Technology by Kotsanas - EUR5
- Chania - Archaeological Museum of Chania - EUR15
- Chania - Marine time Museum of Crete - EUR4
This trip generates 30 kg of CO2-e per person per day
Learn more about our climate commitment.
When you travel with us, The Intrepid Foundation gives you more opportunities to support important causes in destinations you visit.
Why choose us
We’re adventure travel experts with decades of experience and proud to run trips in over 100 countries.
We keep our group sizes small and our experiences big, so you can get more out of your travels.
Leaders don’t just show off a destination, they’re the heart and soul of our trips.
The Intrepid Foundation gives back globally and our B Corp status is proof that we're dedicated to creating a positive impact.
Before you book you should know
- Summer temperatures in Greece can reach up to 40°C, which can be uncomfortable for those not used to the heat. On the other hand, early in the season (April) many businesses may still be closed and the weather is unpredictable, however you may have some of the major sights of the Greek islands almost to yourself. Please consider the time of the year you wish to travel and your suitability to that season.
- Please be aware that some of the Greek Islands are very hilly and mountainous, which means lots & lots of steps are an inherent feature of the landscape. You will have to be able to easily lift your luggage and carry it up and down stairs and inclines. Also, stone streets become very slippery when wet. Some people may find Greece's topography very demanding.
- On this trip you must pack as lightly as possible because you will be expected to carry your own bag and although you won't be required to walk long distances with your luggage (max 30 minutes), we strongly recommend keeping the weight under 15kg / 33lb. Most travellers carry their luggage in a backpack, although an overnight bag with a shoulder strap would suffice if you travel lightly. Smaller bags or backpacks with wheels are convenient although we recommend your bag has carry straps to accommodate the cobbled streets, uneven surfaces, stairs and steps you are likely to encounter while carrying your luggage. You'll also need a day pack/bag to carry water and a camera etc for day trips.
The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline only and may change. On some occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our preferred accommodation. In these cases, we will use a similar standard of accommodation.
Throughout the trip, we request that our properties prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination or on some trips, have use of shared day rooms until all rooms are available.
OCCASIONAL ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATION
The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline. On rare occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our usual accommodation. A similar standard of accommodation will be used in these instances.
TWIN SHARE BASIS
Accommodation on this trip is on a twin/multishare basis. We pair up solo travellers with another traveller of the same gender as per the gender marker on each of their passports. Please note there may be times where facilities will be shared rather than ensuite and rare occasions when you share a room with passengers travelling on different Intrepid trips than your own.
CHECK-IN TIME
Throughout the trip we request that our hotels prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination.
PRE/POST TRIP ACCOMMODATION
If you've purchased pre-trip or post-trip accommodation (if available), you may be required to change rooms from your trip accommodation for these extra nights.
FACILITIES
Your accommodation may not always have private en suite facilities or air-conditioning. European hotels generally don't provide kettles or fridges.
Kastro Hotel
22 Theotokopoulou Street
Heraklion
GREECE
Phone: +30 2810 284185
Description
Kastro Hotel is Within 100 metres (328 feet) from the city centre of Heraklion, well positioned for exploration of the ancient sites of city. All rooms have ensuite bathrooms, air conditioning, TV, phone, and are fully equipped with modern facilities.
Instructions
If you arrive at Heraklion airport (code HER), metered taxis are readily available 24 hours. Heraklion City center is approximately 5 Km (3.1 miles) from Heraklion airport. Alternatively you can use public bus (blue buses to the city center): stop at Eleftherias Sq./ Astoria and then walk appx 650 meters to Kastro hotel. Buses operate from 6:00 am to 10:30pm. Tickets can be purchased directly from the driver, but the only payment method is cash.
If you have pre booked an arrival transfer, your transfer driver will be waiting in the arrivals hall holding a board with the Intrepid Logo or your name. In case of flight cancellations, changes, if you experience severe delays at immigration, baggage collection or customs, or if you are not able to find the driver, please contact the transfer operator directly: +30 6948201777.
Dates and prices
Important notes
1. A single supplement is bookable on this trip, excluding Day 2,3&4. Availability is limited due to small properties we use. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.
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