Best 12 National Parks activities on Crete Island

Embark on a guided hike in the Samariá Gorge on a day trip from Rethymno or Chania. Get your daily dose of exercise, enjoy the panoramic views and take a swim.  Discover the longest gorge in Europe, an area of stunning natural beauty. See its many flowers and herbs and the crystal-clear spring waters that flow from the mountains. Following an early morning pickup from the nearest point to your accommodation in Rethymno or Chania, travel through the mountains passing the plateau of Omalos. Arrive at some wooden stairs at the start of Samariá Gorge. You can opt to start the walk straight away or get some breakfast at the taverna before you begin. Hike for approximately 6-7 hours and experience the magnificent landscape on a 16-kilometer walk. Once you have finished the hike, there will be ample time for a swim and lunch at a taverna in Agia Roumeli.

Explore the famous Samaria Gorge on a trip along the northern coastline of Crete and through the White Mountains up to the Omalos Plateau. Samaria Gorge became a National Park in 1962 and today, it is the last natural refuge for the Cretan goat species known as Kri-Kri. Depart early in the morning and board a coach which will pick you up from your hotel. After a comfortable drive, arrive at the plateau of Omalos for a small break before heading to the entrance of the gorge. The start of the hiking trail through the gorge is at a height of 1200m. On the route, pass by rich vegetation and through the tall rock walls known as the “Iron Gates”. Fill up your water bottle at one of the springs in the gorge. At the end of the 17km walk, reach the Libyan Sea. There, at the beach of Ayia Roumeli, enjoy a refreshing swim or sit at one of the taverns until a ferry takes the group to Chora Sfakion where the bus will be waiting for you to return you back to your hotel.

Book a private rigid inflatable boat (RIB) vessel and an experienced skipper to explore the western parts of Crete with your family or friends. Departing from Kissamos Port, board your boat and ride the waves to the famous Balos Lagoon and to the historic Gamvousa Island. The skipper will take you on an adventurous or relaxed ride (according to your preferences) and provide drinks and snacks on the way.   At your first stop, Balos, you’ll anchor and explore the area’s white sand beaches and vivid turquoise waters for 1.5 hours. You’ll then head to Gramvousa, an island with a medieval fortress at the top of the hill. There, you can sunbathe, snorkel, and swim for another 1.5 hours before returning to Kissamos.

Begin your cruise 10:30 AM with a group of up to 8 people, and enjoy a full-day sailing trip around the magical island of Crete. Along the way, you will make stops at the usual destinations, such as the coasts and islands located near Chania, Theodorou, and Machairida Bay.  You will also have the opportunity to sail the yacht yourself with an experienced skipper on board to teach you everything you need to know about sailing the boat. This tour includes lunch, soft drinks, fresh fruits, and dessert. Feast on rich Cretan flavors, and enjoy complimentary wine, beer, and soft drinks. As well, make stops to swim, sunbathe, or relax on deck, all at your request. You can experience the wonderful underwater world with complimentary masks, snorkels, and fins, which will be readily available onboard for your use.  Finish your cruise at 6:30 PM, at which point you will be transported back to the sailing dock.

Admire an array of exotic species of flora and fauna at the Botanical Park and enjoy a relaxing stroll through the quaint streets of Chania on this full-day trip. Start your adventure early in the morning and head to the Botanical Garden and Park of Crete. Wander into the park from the small path and see a variety of trees, exotic plants, and a small artificial lake. Once inside this natural paradise, admire the range of animals who call this park home. Next stop: Chania, the city of Zorbas. Enjoy a relaxing walk through the winding Venetian streets and capture incredible photos of city highlights like the famous Lighthouse. As you explore, visit the Turkish market in the center, and admire the traditional crafts on sale. Stroll along the harbor or stop at one of the many cafes and marvel at the breathtaking views of the sea.

Start your boat cruise from the port of Ierapetra and head to the exotic Chrissi. Sail in the emerald waters of the Libyan Sea, accompanied by seagulls and dolphins. The self-service bar of the ship remains open during the cruise, offering light meals, with salads, wine, soft drinks, coffee, and ice cream available to purchase. Jump off the boat and swim in the refreshing water off the coast of Chrissi Island. After a relaxing swim, dry off on board and enjoy views of the island’s blue and green waters, golden beaches, and protected cedar forest. The cedar forest extends to the center of Chrissi, covering an area of 350,000 square meters. The colors of the rocks are spectacular, while almost the entire island is covered by golden sand.

Start your day with pick-up from the nearest point to your hotel. Drive towards the west side of Crete in a bus to reach the port of Kissamos Kasteli. After your escort gives you all the necessary information about the cruise, arrive at the port to board the ferry boat to Gramvousa. Your escort will collect the money for the boat tickets from you so you can skip the lines at the ticket offices. At about 10:30 AM, set off for the island of Gramvousa on the ferry, which has a restaurant with self-service meals and snacks. Sit back on a deck chair or in the lounge for the journey of approximately 45 minutes. During the cruise, marvel at the cliff edges of the wildest part of Crete and learn about the history of the island with the onboard commentary played through the speakers in various languages. Upon arrival in Gramvousa, either have a swim or take a hike to the top of the island to the Venetian fortress. Enjoy 2.5 hours on Gramvousa before you continue to the lagoon of Balos, which is 20 minutes away. As soon as you arrive at the lagoon, you’ll have a little less than 3 hours to enjoy the area. You may go back to the boat at any time for food or also hire umbrellas if the heat is too intense. In the early evening, board the boat to head back to the port of Kissamos, where a bus will be waiting to return you to your hotel area.

From its jaw-dropping villages to its healthy Mediterranean cuisine, Crete is a feast for the senses. The stunning beauty of Samariá Gorge National Park is an important part of the island’s attraction. On this full-day excursion you’ll be picked up in Chania and travel by comfortable bus to the park. Get ready to be wowed by the gorge, as high limestone cliffs and quaint village create the background for a great hike. The walking tour from one end of Samaria gorge to the other is a challenging 18 kilometers. The terrain in the gorge is rough, rocky, and uneven and the hike is not suitable for anyone who has heart problems or is unfit, or for pregnant women. There are a number of stopping points along the route, where you’ll find toilets and drinking water. At some points the gorge is only 3 meters wide and you may have to climb over boulders. You’ll reach the end of the gorge at Agia Roumeli, and stop for a break and a bite to eat (the price of the food is not included). You’ll return by boat to Sougia where you’ll be picked up by the coach.

Spend a day in the stunning landscapes of the Samariá Gorge, starting with a bus transfer to Chora Sfakion. Upon arrival, board the ferry to Agia Roumeli, and reach the south end of Samariá Gorge, where you can take some spectacular hikes through the rocks. Benefit from the opportunity to walk up to the Iron Gate at the narrowest part of the gorge, and enjoy some free time for a refreshing swim and to enjoy lunch on arrival. You can walk as much, or as little as you want, making it suitable for families with children as well as adventurous travelers. Take the ferry in the afternoon back to the waiting bus for the return transfer to your hotel or other convenient nearby location.

This full day Domata Agios Pavlos boat trip offers you unique views and access to some of the most secluded and remote beaches along southwest Crete. Most of the places you visit during the day have no road access and are only accessible by boat or on foot! Starting in Chora Sfakion (or Loutro), we set off for the furthest beaches of the day, Domata, Fournoti and Kalogeros. The distant view of Crete from the boat enables us to take in the island´s majestic high peaks and imposing gorges that plummet into the deep blue sea. With a 99% chance of there being nobody else on the beach, we enjoy an undisturbed swim. From then on, we travel back along the coastline stopping at any remote beach we fancy! We visit the Byzantine chapel of Agios Pavlos on its deserted beach and stop for lunch at the marble beach of Marmara or at the picturesque fishing village of Loutro. Finally we have a last swim at the refreshing Sweet Water (Glyka Nera) beach before returning to Sfakia. Our Domata Agios Pavlos full day boat trip is ideal if you want to explore almost all the southwest coastline in a day!