Activities in Crete
-
FEATURED
Santorini Island Day Trip
by Viator
Sail by high-speed catamaran to the beautiful Greek Island of Santorini where the day is yours to explore at leisure. Admire the contrasting beauty of the red a…Not LP reviewed
from USD$182.12 - All activities
-
A
Blue Adventures Diving
This outfit offers a PADI certification course and daily diving trips around Hania, including beginner dives. There are also snorkelling trips and cruise options if you just want to go along for the ride.
reviewed
-
B
Universal Diver
Universal Diver is a PADI dive centre offering all levels of scuba diving.
reviewed
-
Hiking the Gorge
The hike from Xyloskalo (the name of the steep stone pathway with wooden rails that gives access to the gorge), to Agia Roumeli on the coast takes from about four hours for the sprinters to six hours for the strollers. Early in the season it's sometimes necessary to wade through the stream. Later, as the flow drops, it's possible to use rocks as stepping stones.
The Samaria Gorge hike is not a Sunday stroll; it is long and, at times, hard. Do not attempt it if you are not used to walking. If you find that the going is too tough within the first hour, there are park wardens with donkeys who will take you back to the beginning. They will be on the look out for stragglers.
Ru…
reviewed
-
Imbros Gorge
The Imbros Gorge, 57km southeast of Hania, is less hiked than its illustrious sister at Samaria but is just as beautiful. Cypresses, holm oaks, fig and almond trees gradually thin to just cypresses and Jerusalem sage deep within the gorge. The walls of rock reach 300m high, while the narrowest point of the ravine is only 2m wide. At only 8km the Imbros walk is also much easier on the feet. Most people begin the walk in the mountain village of Imbros but you can also do it from the southern village of Komitades. Both places are used by gorge hikers and have plenty of mini-markets and tavernas to fuel up at. There's nowhere to stay in Imbros village.
At only 8km the Imbros …
reviewed
-
Paleohora-Sougia Coastal Walk
From the town centre of Paleohora, follow signs to the camping grounds to the northeast. Turn right at the intersection with the road to Anydri and soon you'll be following the coastal path marked as the E4 European Footpath. After a couple of kilometres, the path climbs steeply for a beautiful view back to Paleohora. You'll pass Anydri Beach and several inviting coves where people may be getting an all-over tan. Take a dip because the path soon turns inland to pass over Cape Flomes.
You'll walk along a plateau carpeted with brush that leads towards the coast and some breathtaking views over the Libyan Sea. Soon you'll reach the Minoan site of Lissos. After Lissos the pat…
reviewed
-
bungy jumping
The virtually abandoned stone hamlet of Aradena, about 14km west of Hora Sfakion, is famous for the Vardinogiannis bridge that crosses over the Aradena gorge. At the kantina next to the bridge you can get directions for a remote refuge at nearby Agios Ioannis. On weekends you will see people launching themselves off the bridge 138m into the gorge - this is the highest bungy jumping bridge in Greece.
For a less adrenalin-pumped experience, you can reach the gorge entrance by rambling through the ruins of the village.
reviewed
-
Walking
There are well-worn walking paths to the scenic village of Sellia, the Moni Finika, Lefkogia, and a lovely walk along the spectacular Kourtaliotis Gorge to Moni Preveli. An easy 30-minute uphill path to Myrthios begins just before the youth hostel. For guided walking tours, including a walk to Preveli beach that gets you back by boat (around €30), contact Anso Travel.
reviewed
-
Elounda Spa & Thalassotherapy Centre
The state-of-the-art Elounda Spa & Thalassotherapy Centre, in the Blue Palace Resort just before Plaka, also incorporates Cretan nutrients into unique treatments, including exfoliation with sugar and olive oil, a traditional olive-oil massage and hydromassage baths using Cretan herbs. There is even a treatment using raki - not your traditional rakotherapy!
reviewed
-
Six Senses Spa
Elounda is home to some of Europe's most luxurious spas and thalassotherapy centres, which - as the name suggests - promote the therapeutic benefits of the sea with seawater pools and hydrospas, marine algae body wraps and every imaginable sea-themed pampering and rejuvenation treatment. A world class spa is the new Six Senses Spa at the Porto Elounda Hotel.
reviewed
-
Kalamaki
The town beach at Nea Hora is crowded but generally clean if you need to cool off and get some rays. For better swimming, keep heading west and you'll come to the beaches (in order) of Agioi Apostoli, Hrysi Akti and Kalamaki . There are regular local buses heading there and all the way to Platanias and beyond.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
C
Samaria Gorge
Hiking through the Samaria Gorge is one of the 'must-dos' of Crete and attracts both serious hikers and people for whom it is clearly a one-off experience. Despite the crowds - more than 170,000 people walk the gorge each year - a hike through this stupendous gorge is still an experience to remember.
reviewed
-
Dolphin Cruises
Rethymno is well placed for boat excursions. Along the harbourfront there are several companies that offer boat trips, including Dolphin Cruises, which offers three-hour trips on the 'pirate ship' to nearby caves, Panormo and Bali, all-day trips to Marathi beach, and fishing trips on a speedboat.
reviewed
-
D
Xyloskalo
The hike from Xyloskalo, to Agia Roumeli on the coast takes from about four hours for the sprinters to six hours for the strollers. Early in the season it's sometimes necessary to wade through the stream. Later, as the flow drops, it's possible to use rocks as stepping stones.
reviewed
-
E
M/S Irini
Boat excursions from the harbour take you to the nearby islands of Agii Theodoroi and Lazaretto and the Gulf of Hania. The M/S Irini runs daily cruises on a lovely 1930s cruiser, including free snorkelling gear, and sunset cruises with complimentary fruit and raki.
reviewed
-
Cycling
The plateau is a popular bike route, and on any given day you will be assailed by squadrons of helmet-clad cyclists. Enterprising cycle tour operators in Iraklio and Agios Nikolaos ferry bikes and cyclists to the plateau but you can also get bikes locally.
reviewed
-
Full Day Tour to Samaria Gorge
by Viator
Enjoy this excursion to the prized national forest of Crete, the Samaria Gorge - the longest and most beautiful gorge in Europe.Walk through the gorge, approxim…
Not LP reviewed
-
F
Aqua Creta Diving & Adventures
.Aqua Creta Diving & Adventures runs a range of diving courses from beginner dives to seven- to 10-day master courses. They also run one-day beach-hopping and snorkelling excursions to remote beaches along the southern coast and as far as Gavdos.
reviewed
-
Trekking Plan
In Agia Marina, 8km southwest of the old town, Trekking Plan offers hikes to the Agia Irini and Imbros gorges, and climbs of Mt Gingilos, as well as canyoning, rappelling, rock-climbing and kayaking and mountain-bike tours.
reviewed
-
Kalypso Rocks' Palace Diving Centre
There are a several diving operators in town. One of the first was Kalypso Rocks' Palace Diving Centre, which has an impressive dive base nearby offering a range of scuba diving and snorkelling activities.
reviewed
-
Union of Agricultural Cooperatives of Sitia
The Union of Agricultural Cooperatives of Sitia, about 1km before town, showcases the area's wines, oil and raki. Tours include a video and wine tasting. The charge is often waived if you make a purchase.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
Santorini Island Day Trip
by Viator
Sail by high-speed catamaran to the beautiful Greek Island of Santorini where the day is yours to explore at leisure. Admire the contrasting beauty of the red a…Not LP reviewed
from USD$182.12 -
G
EOS
The Hania branch of the Greek Mountaineering Association has information about serious climbing in the Lefka Ori, mountain refuges and the E4 trail, and runs regular weekend excursions.
reviewed
-
Full Day Tour to Spinalonga Island with BBQ Lunch
by Viator
From the pretty village of Elounda, reached by traveling the northern coastal route, take a boat to the island of Spinalonga. This former leper colony includes …
Not LP reviewed
-
H
Cretan Adventures
Cretan Adventures is a well-regarded local company run by two intrepid brothers, who can organise hiking tours, mountain biking, and other specialist and extreme activities.
reviewed
-
Dolphin-watching trips
In summer, you can take a day trip to Elafonisos by ferry. Dolphin-watching trips leave at 17:00. They reckon you have a 50-50 chance of spotting one when it's not windy.
reviewed
