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
Painting Holiday in Crete
From
€1120 to €1160
8 days
ex flights
Painting and sketching outdoors by the Cretan Sea
Small group2026: 10 May, 6 Jun, 8 Sep
Crete self drive holiday, Greece
From
£750 to £1025
10 days
ex flights
Explore ancient sites and quiet places on stunning Crete.
Tailor made
Crete and Athens holiday
From
€1690
9 days
ex flights
Combine ancient glory of Athens with the island of Crete.
Tailor made
Cottages in Western Crete, Arosmari
From
£830 to £1290
per person per week
Traditional Cretan Cottages in Beautiful Setting
Accommodation
Walking holiday in Crete
From
£1285 to £1295
8 days
ex flights
Hike the Samaria Gorge and enjoy the beaches and simple life
Small group2026: 9 May, 16 May, 23 May, 6 Jun, 5 Sep, 12 Sep, 26 Sep, 3 Oct
Western Crete cycling holiday
From
€990 to €1490
8 days
ex flights
Unique cycling tour in the beautiful west Crete in Greece
Small group2026: 4 Apr, 11 Apr, 18 Apr, 25 Apr, 2 May, 9 May, 16 May, 23 May, 30 May, 5 Sep, 12 Sep, 19 Sep, 26 Sep, 3 Oct, 10 Oct, 17 Oct, 24 Oct
Walking and painting holiday in Crete
From
€1120 to €1150
8 days
ex flights
Walking and Painting in unspoilt picturesque areas of Crete
Small group2026: 10 May, 15 Sep, 29 Sep
Family villa in west Crete, sleeps 6
From
£560 to £1120
inc UK flights
Charming and Stylish Villa with Stunning Sea Views
Accommodation
Tailor made
Contact Us
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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
88Crete holidays reviews
Richard McGinley06 Nov 2025
The hiking was the primary feature and the ocean coastal environment was very beautiful.read more
Melanie Steele09 Oct 2025
Great holiday for people who want to paint/sketch outside and have the opportunity to paint at a lot of different sites during their stay. Very helpful and kind organisers.read more
Valerie Driver08 Oct 2025
It was great, I really enjoyed it all....Organised by a kind and gentle family in quiet areas away from the hustle and bustle of life. Being taken to areas that we would not otherwise have known about.read more
Geoff Smith02 Oct 2025
A great combination of morning walks and afternoon painting sessions. A lovely group of people. The local tour company people were very friendly and helpful.read more
