Best 25 Spring activities on Crete Island

Discover one of the most beautiful beaches in the world on this day trip from Rethymno to Elafonissi. Experience a heaven on earth, with soft white and pink sand, exotic crystal-clear water, and cedar trees that extend down to the coastline. Visit traditional villages like Elos and Kaloudiana. Get picked up from your hotel area in the morning, then stop for a short break in the traditional village of Elos. Time permitting, enjoy time to have breakfast or a coffee (cost not included). Afterward, depart for Elafonissi. On the way, see small traditional villages combined with typical Mediterranean scenery. Admire the rugged landscape around the Topolia Gorge. At Elafonissi, get 4 hours of free time to soak in the sun and enjoy the spectrum of shades of blue that this beach has to offer. At the end of your tour, stop at the village Kaloudiana, where you can explore the village and have refreshments or food (not included). Later, get driven back to your accommodation in Rethymno.

Travel through stunning natural landscapes up into the mountains of the Kissamos region on this 7-hour tour from Chania. Stop at a traditional family winery, established in 1993, and learn about the varieties of wine they produce and their ideas for modern farming processes and wine production. Taste award-winning local Vidiano, Muscat of Spina and some international varieties such as Grenache rouge, Syrah and Mourvèdre that each have a unique taste due the local terroir. Next you’ll visit a traditional village and see the oldest olive tree in the world, with an estimated age of 3,000 years. This is a day filled with tasting different wine expressions of noble grapes and a variety of delicious foods. Head to another winery in the Kissamos region to taste a special local blend of white wines with Vilana, Vidiano and Assyrtiko varieties. Walk through the idyllic landscape of the vineyards and visit the family’s olive oil factory. Learn about extra virgin olive oil production. The wine tasting here will be accompanied by a tasting of extra virgin olive oils and local pure products, creating combinations your palate will never forget. You’ll also learn the Cretan way of saying goodbye drinking the award-winning Tsikoudia.

Taste the authentic foods of Crete at a unique cooking class using only healthy organic ingredients, such as extra virgin olive oil, local meats, aromatic herbs and freshly picked vegetables. Stroll around the vegetable garden to get a feel for the raw produce and learn more about the herbs. Then, prepare a traditional meal and learn the secrets of how the locals cook. Go for a mountain walk to a shepherds and hear how olives are harvested. Return to the house to sample some cheese and wine from Crete and prepare some appetizers such as ntakos and tzatziki. End with a tasty lunch with wine pairings and traditional jar desserts.

Embark on a captivating journey through the heart of Apokoronas with our tour, featuring convenient pickup points in the Chania area. Traverse the picturesque landscapes and immerse yourself in the charm of authentic villages. Your adventure begins as you depart from Chania, setting the stage for a day filled with exploration and discovery across the diverse highlights of Crete. Pause to savor the rich flavors of a Greek coffee, unraveling the secrets behind crafting the perfect cup. A visit to a local cheese factory awaits, where you’ll indulge in the delectable tastes of graviera, mizithra, and an array of cheese varieties. Make a delightful stop at a traditional bakery to sample local culinary treasures. The tour culminates in an idyllic village, where you’ll relish a leisurely lunch at a traditional “kafeneio” or Greek café. Engage in conversations with locals, gaining insights into the rhythm of countryside life. This immersive experience offers a genuine taste of Cretan culture and hospitality. As the day concludes, return to your designated pickup point, cherishing the memories of a day spent exploring the hidden gems of Apokoronas.

Benefit from pick-up at your hotel in the Rethymno area, and then explore the traditional lifestyle and historical legacy of Crete. Learn the Neolithic history of the Melidoni Cave and discover the pottery traditions of the village of Margarites. Discover the oldest monastery in Crete at the 16th-century Arkadi Monastery, and then go to the village of Apostoli to visit an old olive oil factory. Enjoy lunch in a traditional tavern and listen to the beautiful sound of live folk music before making your way to St. Antonios Gorge. Stop at the Fragma Potamon dam before making your way back to Rethymno.

Discover the beauty surrounding Rethymno as you head uphill through picturesque olive groves and make the first stop at Halevi Monastery. See the church of Panagia with its flame-shaped windows and the ruin of the monastery building, which was recently renovated. Continue to the village of Chromonastiri and visit Villa Clodio where the Military Museum is housed. As you reach the Myli Gorge, a small oasis close to the city, set out on a short hike through a gorge with diverse flora and fauna and visit the abandoned village of Myli.  Stop and relax in the Cretan village of Roussospiti and be spoiled with a selection of traditional dishes from a family run taverna. Due to the elevated location you will have a breathtaking panoramic view over Rethymno and the Mediterranean coast. After lunch, ride to the monastery of Aghia Irini to talk to the nuns there and learn more about the history of this place before slowly starting your way back.

You will be picked up at your hotel in the Chania area and then journey by bus to the Imbros Gorge in the eastern part of the White Mountains of Crete. Upon arrival you will enjoy an easy 3-hour hike through the narrow passages and marvel at the stunning rock formations, with an expert guide to teach you about the area. During your descent you will see famous locations such as the Stenada, Mesofarango, and Xepitira Arch. You exit the gorge at Komitades village, where a bus will be waiting to bring you to Chora Sfakion for some relaxing free time at one of the taverns or cafes overlooking the sea. Continue by bus to the south coast, and visit a beautiful beach for a refreshing swim in the Libyan Sea. You can relax and enjoy a traditional lunch before the bus trip back to the Chania area.

See the best of Rethynmo aboard a convenient state-of-the-art Segway. Starting from the seafront next to the marine port, you will meet your guide who will introduce you to your vehicle, after which the fun begins. You will depart on your Segway, soon finding yourself in the heart of the Old Town next to some of the most famous sights such as Mitropolis and Nerazze-Mosqe. From there, your tour advances to the “secret” part of the Old Town. Following that, it will be time for the castle. On the way up to the Fortezza Fortress you can admire the breathtaking views of the city as you feel the breeze of the sea from the other side. On the way down, you can glimpse at Venetian Harbour, as you learn about the myth that hides in the water of the Rimondi Fountain. You will eventually finish your tour finding yourself in the most famous square of Rethymno.

Don’t miss out on the Archeological Museum of Heraklion, one of the most important museums in Europe in its field. This museum provides a unique opportunity for the visitor to marvel at the remnants of the first of civilization in Europe, the Minoans. This tour will guide you through a period of time that extends over a 5000 years, from the Neolithic to the Roman era. Find out how Cretan people used to live, their occupation, religion, architecture, travel, arts and more. This singularly important Minoan collection contains unique examples of Minoan art, many of them true masterpieces. The Heraklion Museum is rightly considered as the museum of Minoan culture par excellence worldwide. The museum, located in the town center, was built between 1937 and 1940 by architect Patroklos Karantinos on a site previously occupied by the Roman Catholic monastery of Saint Francis which was destroyed by earthquake in 1856. The museum’s antiseismic building is an important example of modernist architecture and was awarded a Bauhaus commendation. The colours and construction materials, such as the veined polychrome marbles, recall certain Minoan wall paintings which imitate marble revetment. The two-story building has 27 galleries, a gallery for audio-visual displays, extensive modern laboratories, a cloakroom, a cafeteria and a museum shop that sells museum copies, books, postcards and slides.

Climb aboard an electric trikke for a 75-minute guided tour of Chania, the 2nd largest city on Crete and full of buildings that tell a fascinating history, from the Venetian and Ottoman eras, to modern day times. Meet your guide for a safety briefing and orientation of the 3-wheel bike. Once you feel comfortable and confident to operate it, head off down the narrow streets of Chania’s Old Town. Stop to take photographs and strategic points. Photos of your tour will be sent to you electronically at no extra charge once the tour is over. Glide through the Harbor to see the Chania Lighthouse, Venetian Walls, and site of the Maritime Museum. Marvel at the imposing walls of Firkas Fortress, and discover the location of the Byzantine Museum. Pass the “Gate of the Sand” at Sabbionara, see the Dry Docks of Neoria, and go to Yialli Mosque. Next, trikke into the heart of the Old Town, and visit Splantzia Square. Take photos of the Turkish Minaret and Synagogue. Experience the vivid life on Halidon Str., visit landmark attractions such as the Orthodox Cathedral, and see a statue of Saint Francis of Assisi outside the Catholic Church. Discover architectural adornments from various epochs, and experience the warm hospitality of the Greeks.