Tour guides Greece > Crete

5 ideas for guided tours in Crete

• The Samaria Gorge

  

  Set out for the Samaria Gorge in the southwest of Crete. Stretching for 16 kilometers through the canyon, the hike takes you into a park of remarkable richness, both in wildlife and plant life. Access is open from May 1 to October 15.

  The walk begins at Xyloskala, about 2 kilometers from the village of Omalos, at an altitude of 1,200 meters. On either side, cliffs carved into the limestone plateau rise up to 30 meters high. At its narrowest, you’ll reach the “Iron Gates”, where the path closes in to just 2 or 3 meters wide. The trek can take up to six hours, ending at the coastal village of Agia Roumeli on the edge of the Libyan Sea.

• Chania

  

  About 160 kilometers north of Heraklion lies the coastal city of Chania, which served as Crete’s capital until 1971. Its old Venetian harbor, built in the 14th century, is surrounded by countless restaurants and terraces serving excellent fish dishes. Here, you’ll see everything from fishing boats to luxurious yachts moored along the quays.

  It’s a true delight to wander the narrow cobbled streets of the historic town. Take your time, admiring each building to uncover the secrets hidden in its façades. For deeper insight into the history of the city and its region, visit the Maritime Museum or the Archaeological Museum on Halidon Street.

• Agios Nikolaos

  

  The town of Agios Nikolaos sits on Crete’s eastern coast along the Aegean Sea in the Mirabello Bay. Its emblem is the Voulismeni Lake, where fishing boats dock. A narrow channel carved through red rock links it to the sea, adding to the charm of the setting.

  Colorful houses climb the surrounding hills. Wander up the many steps into the winding lanes full of character, where shaded little squares invite you to sit and linger. Agios Nikolaos is also renowned for its beautiful beaches, with small coves and crystal-clear waters that can easily be reached on foot from the town center.

• Elafonissi

  

  At the southwestern tip of Crete, Elafonissi appears as a stretch of pale sand separated from the island by a shallow strip of water. Footsteps sink softly, the wind carries a hint of salt, and at times the water takes on a pinkish hue. It’s the kind of place that invites long, unhurried walks from one shore to the other.

  Step away from the beach for a moment and you’ll find dunes scattered with junipers, standing firm against the wind. Children splash in warm pools, travelers settle into the rare patches of shade. The contrast between the open sea and this fragile landscape is striking.

  Not far away, the road leads to Chryssi Akti near Chania, with golden sand and a livelier feel. Those seeking wilder scenery head for the Balos Lagoon, a mix of sharp cliffs and shallow turquoise waters. The colors are similar, but the sensation is rawer, more untamed.

  Heading back inland, you pass through simple villages like Paleochora, with open tavernas, the scent of olive oil and fresh bread in the air. Yet it is the image of Elafonissi that lingers, that blend of calm and light, hard to forget.

• Loutro

  

  The small whitewashed village of Loutro is located about 70 kilometers from Chania on Crete’s southwestern coast. It is a sheltered harbor where boats rest safely in a bay protected by a small island. The place has remained authentic, as it can only be reached by sea or by narrow trails.

  The village is entirely pedestrian and has been preserved, with no large hotel complexes or busy shopping streets. Loutro is still a genuine fishing harbor, untouched by mass tourism. From this little village, you can set out on beautiful walks to explore beaches, gorges, and valleys around the Anapoli Plateau.