Excursions
All excursions are tailored to your needs and requirements.
Price per hour(*)
Balos Beach – Lagoon & Gramvousa Island in Crete
Balos beach – lagoon is located on the northwestern corner of Crete, 53 Km from the city of Chania and 15 Km from the town of Kissamos. Balos is an exotic beach-lagoon formed between the peninsula of Gramvousa and cape Tigani while further to the north lie two islands, Imeri Gramvousa and Agria Gramvousa.
Balos beach & lagoon as well as the island of Imeri Gramvousa can be reached by cruise ship that departs from the port of Kissamos. Also you have the ability to come here by yourself, driving up to a point and then continuing on foot. Because the sea is very shallow, the water is warm, pink colored sand is scattered everywhere, because of the millions of crushed sea shells . Snorkeling with a mask and swimming is highly recommended.
The Island of Gramvousa
Gramvousa island is a tourist’s attraction due to the existence of a Venetian fortress built (in the shape of an isosceles triangle) on the highest part of the island. Granvousa’s fortress has its own long history.
8 HOURS TRIP STARTING FROM 280€
Elafonisi beach, Chania
Elafonisi (some people also call it Elafonissos) is something like an island and a peninsula, because to reach the island you have to walk through the sea.
It is located in the southwest end of the prefecture of Chania, Crete, about 70km from the city of Chania.
Elafonisi is a place of an exceptional natural beauty, and it has been included in the Natura 2000 Protection Program. Someone could say that nature made its wonder in Elafonisi.
That’s why Elafonissi beach is such a popular destination in the prefecture of Chania, and a top of the top things to do / excursion from all over Crete.
White-Sand Beaches – Shallow Waters – Turquoise Sea
What characterizes the area of Elafonissos and makes it such an exotic place, are the little sand islets formed, the shallow turquoise waters of the sea, which at a point looks like a lagoon, and certainly the fine white sand, pinkish at several spots because of the crushed shell powder.
The whole area is an endless summer playground for young and old alike.
7 HOURS TRIP STARTING FROM 245€
Falasarna, Chania
Falassarna is today one of the most famous destinations on the island, both for its beaches but also for reasons of ecological interest. The surrounding area Falassarna also has joined the project Natura 2000, due to the variety of flora and fauna, but also for its unique natural beauty. It extends into a very long sandy area and the central beach is very organized with umbrellas and canteens where you can buy essentials. As you take the car you notice that the sand is white and gives the water a white – blue tint, which in combination with the wind gives you the impression that you are in an exotic bay.
Facing Falassarna by the hill from the village of Platanos, you will see many greenhouses, since the area is ideal for the cultivation of vegetables. In the archaeological site, which is currently in Falassarna, one can see the ruins of the ancient city. It was dedicated to the nymph Falasarni and flourished in the 4th and 3rd centuries BC.
6 HOURS TRIP STARTING FROM 210€
Paleochora, Chania
Is a small town located southwest of Crete? It is 77 km from the town of Chania. It is built on a peninsula and this gives it a natural privilege to be located between two bays. This means that it has many options in beaches within walking distance from it.
More specifically in the western bay are the beaches of Pahia Amos, Limnaki, Volakas, Plakaki, Azuro, Grameno and Krios. In the eastern bay are the beaches of Chalikia, Anidri and Gialiskari.
It is famous and touristic place not only by tourists but also by Greeks because it’s very beautiful and affordable destination. Paleochora there are many restaurants, hotels, cafes, bars – disco and activities to fill your days.
6 HOURS TRIP STARTING FROM 210€
Aptera Archaeological Site
Your visit to the archaeological site of Aptera will get you acquainted with Crete’s history. The archaeological site continues to bring to light new important finds through ongoing excavations and attracts more and more visitors. It surely will fascinate you with all its monuments, its history and myths. According to legends, the ancient city of Aptera was named after a musical competition between the Muses and the Sirens. The Muses emerged as victors of the competition, a defeat which left the Sirens without their wings. It is from this legend that the name Aptera, meaning wingless in the Greek language, was inspired.
This significant ancient city – state of Aptera is located above the entrance to the Bay of Souda, in the southeast part of Chania. The ancient city of Aptera is mentioned in Linear B tablets from the 14th-13th centuries BC. It continued to be alive, wealthy and powerful until the 7th century AD, when it was destroyed by an earthquake and attacked by Saracen pirates. In the archaeological site of the ancient city of Aptera, the remains of a small temple dating back to the Classical period and of several vaulted tanks dating back to the Roman times as well as the preserved ruins of a small ancient theater, have also been discovered. Various findings are exhibited at the Archaeological Museum of Chania. After visiting the ancient city of Aptera, enjoy a traditional Cretan meal at the «Cretan Corner» Restaurant in Megala Chorafia .
3 HOURS TRIP STARTING FROM 100€
Monasteries of Akrotiri – Venizelou graves, Chania
Τhe Holy Trinity – Tsagarolon Monastery (16th century): It is the largest monastery in Crete, remarkable for its architectural beauty. It has been damaged due to constant looting and fires. The monastery, famous for its tradition and fine vine varieties, produces the famous monastery’s excellent wine. Gouvernetou Monastery (15th): Located to the north of Cape ,it is rich in outdoor beauty. Katholikon Monastery: Built in the 6th-10th century, it is the oldest monastery in Crete.
Also, monasteries of Akrotiri: Monastery of St. John the Merciful (17th century), Women’s Monastery of St. John in Korakies (17th century), Glebe St. Anthony and cavernous temple Arkoudiotisas next to Gouverneto Monastery, cavernous church of St. George Apidioti (14th century) in Pazinos in the Mavre Gorge. It is worth to visit the Venizelos Tombs with a magnificent panoramic view of the city of Chania. There, are the tombs of the well-known Greek politician Eleftherios Venizelos and his son Sophocles Venizelos, the church of Prophet Elias and the statue of Spyros Kajale a Cretan fighter during the Cretan revolution against the Turkish.
3.5 HOURS TRIP STARTING FROM 122€
Heraklion – Knossos
The archaeological site of Knossos is sited 5 km southeast of the city of Heraklion. There is evidence that this location was inhabited during the neolithic times (6000 B.C.) . On the ruins of the neolithic settlement was built the first Minoan palace (1900 B.C.) where the dynasty of Minos ruled. This was destroyed in 1700 B.C and a new palace built in its place.The palace covered an area of 22,000sq.m, it was multi-storey and had an intricate plan. Due to this fact the Palace is connected with thrilling legends, such as the myth of the Labyrinth with the Minotaur. Between 1.700-1.450 BC, the Minoan civilization was at its peak and Knossos was the most important city-state.
During these years the city was destroyed twice by earthquakes (1.600 BC, 1.450 BC) and rebuilt. The city of Knossos had 100.000 citizens and it continued to be an important city-state until the early Byzantine period. The site was discovered in 1878 by Minos Kalokairinos. The excavations in Knossos began in 1.900 A.D. by the English archaeologist Sir Arthur Evans (1851- 1941) and his team, and they continued for 35 years.Knossos gave birth to famous men like Chersiphron and his son Metagenis, whose creation was the temple of Artemis in Efesos, the Artemisio, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.
8 HOURS TRIP STARTING FROM 280€
Rethymno City and the Wooden Sculptures Museum in Axos
Rethymnon is the third largest city of Crete, built on the site of ancient Rithymna (4-5th century BC). After the Byzantine era, Rethymnon was fortified and further strengthened by the Venetians. The old town is one of the nicest attractions for visitors to Crete, who have the ability to roam in the past. Near the old town with the narrow streets, the visitor shall visit the largest fortress in Crete, the majestic Fortezza.
The Wooden Sculptures Museum at the center of Crete and at the foot of the sacred mountain of Psiloritis is a permanent collection of the sculptor George Koutantos. It works both as a Museum and Workshop and is the outcome of twenty years of involvement with sculpture. In Axos Milopotamou of Crete (Greece), within an hour distance from the city of Rethymno (45 km) in a natural landscape, more than one hundred handmade work arts made from a hummer and a chisel are exhibited in a new two-storey building 300 s.m. The dimensions of the sculptures are in a natural size, while some of them are presented in bigger dimensions, such as «The Eagle and the Snake» approximately six meters long.
7 HOURS TRIP STARTING FROM 245€
Georgioupoli – Argyroupoli
Georgioupolis is the easternmost seaside resort of the north coast in the prefecture of Chania, located in the area of Apokoronas. In the square and the surrounding streets you will find shops of all kinds. There are two beaches in Georgioupolis. The small beach of Kalivaki on the edge of the settlement, and the large beach that extends eastwards. The long 9 km long beach with amazing clear water, in the middle of a very picturesque landscape, is well organized, with lots of sun loungers and umbrellas. Enjoy your breakfast overlooking the blue of the sea and the white Chapel of St. Nicholas, located literally in the sea.
Argyroupoli, which in 2008 received the award for the most clean organized traditional community, is famous for its natural attractions as well, since the visitor will find here beautiful springs and old mills. The sources of the Agia Dinami (Holy Force), with reference to the divine origin of the power of the water, dominate the verdant valley with the waters of the river Mousselas flowing from every location. One hundred meters down from the church of Saints Five Virgins there are the springs of the Petre River in an idyllic landscape with huge centuries old plane trees. Argyroupoli is the ideal place to eat, the visitors will find many taverns, serving local dishes.
5 HOURS TRIP STARTING FROM 175€
Vrises – Koyrnas lake
Vrises (taps) is a village in Chania and also the capital in the municipality of Apokoronas. The village is built on the foothills of the White Mountains at an altitude of 62 meters. The name of the village is due to the morphology of the soil, as there are a lot of taps, springs and running waters. The magnificent location of the village, its abundant waters, its springs and rivers make Vrises one of the most beautiful villages of Apokoronas. There is a Greek-Roman bridge to the east of the village, at the exit to Rethymnon, under the new highway.
Lake Kournas is the only natural lake in all of Crete, it is part of the Natura 2000 network as it is a very important ecosystem for Greece with great biodiversity. The lake is ideal for day trips or walks and is considered a destination for recreation, with great naturalistic and geological interest. There are pedal boats for bathers who want to explore the lake and swim in the deep water as well as sun beds for relaxation on the shores of the lake. Its circular dark color was the occasion to create the myth that the lake has no bottom, while its beauty still preserves the legend about the fairy who lives in the lake. Enjoy a meal in one of the tavernas at Kournas Lake, where you can eat beside the lake and enjoy the lovely view. The tavernas offer traditional Cretan dishes and it’s worth trying the “apaki” (smoked pork) or the goat meat, a local specialty.
5 HOURS TRIP STARTING FROM 175€
Botanical Gardens of Crete – Agia Lake
Nearly 20 hectares of land are waiting to welcome you, full of fruit trees from all over the world, herbs, medicinal and ornamental plants in a park different from others, where the land’s formation and the region’s micro-climate make it a paradise for hundreds of plants and animals! In the midst of this colorful and vivid landscape stands a burnt centennial olive tree, a memorial and a reference to the dismal fires of 2003, the park’s history and origin. The newest and one of the most interesting sites of the Prefecture of Chania lies only 18 kilometers outside the city, on the feet of the White Mountains. It is ideal for visitors of all ages, combining enjoyments that only Crete can offer! Complete your experience with an excellent meal in the park’s restaurant. Its totally local, organic and seasonal philosophy will be unforgettable!
The artificial lake of Agia is 9 km away from the city of Chania, in the homonym village of Agia. The lake has an area of 450 acres and south connects with the Fasá valley. The valley receives the waters from Lefka Mountains through many underground springs. The ecological significance of the Lake of Agia is reflected in the fact that the lake is protected by Natura Network. It is a station for migratory birds, hosting important species of fauna such as rare species of frogs and a wide variety of aquatic plants and reptiles.
5 HOURS TRIP STARTING FROM 175€
(*) The prices don’t include tickets and ‘entrance fees’.