Overview
Read reviews and enjoy exclusive savings on Intrepid's 7 Day Highlights of Crete. The island of Crete has so much history and natural wonder to offer, and in seven days on its shores, you’ll see what’s known as Europe’s oldest city, taste some of the region’s best food and wine, and discover some of the world’s most beautiful beaches. Visit the Knossos archaeological site and unwind in the secluded seaside village of Sougia. Join a boat trip with a local family through the region’s islands, sip wine in the vibrant port city of Chania and indulge in local dishes like fresh seafood or bougatsa read more (warm flaky pastry with creamy semolina custard or cheese).
Our Price From
US$1,712 per person
Price shown based on twin share
Save up to $64 per person
Trip Length
7 Days
Trip Starts
Heraklion
Trip Ends
Chania
Departures
Aug 2026 to Oct 2027
Countries Visited:
Operator
Intrepid
1 Trip Review
Avg. Rating: 5/5
Trip Style
Original
Budget
Affordable
Age Range
18-99 Years
Max. Group Size
12
Pace
Leisurely
Guide Style
Fully Guided
Tour Code
ZLSA
Itinerary
Welcome to Greece! Your island adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 in Heraklion – a port city and the capital of Crete, known for its ancient frescoes, baths and large collections of Minoan art. If you arrive early, maybe visit the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion, see the Palace of Knossos or wander through the Museum of Ancient Greek Technology by Kotsanas. After the group meeting, get your bearings around the capital with a leader-led orientation walk of Heraklion, then maybe head out for dinner with the group.
This morning, head out of the city to the renowned archaeological site of Knossos, considered to be Europe’s oldest city. Explore the ruins with your leader and soak in thousands of years of history within its walls. After, discover one of Crete’s most celebrated commodities (vino, of course)! with a visit to a nearby winery for a tasting. Learn about the different varietes of grape grown here and sample a range of small-batch vintages. Then it’s time to slow things down – continue to the small village of Omalos, set at an altitude of 1000 metres, offering a rare opportunity to immerse yourself in the authentic Cretan countryside. (B)
Lace up your boots as you set off on a hike through the gorges this morning, stopping at the entrance of Agia Eirini Gorge along the way. Hear stories about the area’s historic past and how it once hid Greek rebels during the Turkish Occupation. Look out for the endangered Cretan wild goats and dittany trees as you walk. After, travel along the beautiful south coast to the village of Sougia. This is Crete at its very best – an undiscovered sweep of beach overlooked by mountains. When you arrive, the afternoon is yours to spend at leisure. (B)
After breakfast, set off on a boat trip , where there will be a couple of swimming stops and later join your leader for a traditional homecooked meal in a rural area. Discover the region’s rich history as you cruise, then join the family for lunch. Maybe try some seasonal local dishes. The rest of the afternoon is yours to spend as you please. Maybe explore one of the coastal trails, take a swim in the warm waters or simply lay back on the beach with a drink in hand. (B/L)
Say goodbye to Sougia this morning and catch a local bus to Chania. When you arrive, join your local leader on a guided tour of the Old Town. As you walk, you’ll explore the city markets, the Ottoman neighbourhood and Jewish quarter and pass by the workshops of traditional artisans of local pottery. The rest of the day is free for you to explore at your own pace. Tonight, maybe venture out into the bustling night life and sit down to dinner at a local restaurant – your leader will have the best recommendations! (B)
Today is a free day for you to enjoy how you like. Maybe set off on a boat tour of the Balos and Gamvousa Islands or join a kalitsounia workshop where you’ll learn firsthand how one of the most famous Cretan pastries is made. Kalitsounia is commonly enjoyed as an appetizer or for breakfast, and you can choose your fillings according to your taste – Cretan mizithra or anthotyro cheese with Cretan greens or maybe a sweet filling instead. You could even take them with you to enjoy later in the day. This evening, maybe to head out to a local restaurant for a final dinner and use your knowledge of Cretan wine to pair with your meal. (B)
With no activities planned for the day, your adventure on Crete comes to an end after breakfast this morning. If you’d like to spend some more time exploring the island, just get in touch with your booking agent ahead of time. (B)
Trip Inclusions
- Visit the well-preserved archaeological site of Knossos – the former capital of Minoan Crete. Explore the ruins of Europe’s oldest city with your leader and discover the hundreds and thousands of years of history embedded within its walls.
- Join a local family on a boat trip around Crete's shorelines. Learn about the region’s history and maybe try some local dishes like fresh seafood or bougatsa for lunch.
- Explore Chania on an orientation walk through the colourful port town. Discover one of its most loved commodities during a wine tasting and maybe join a local workshop to learn to bake kalitsounia (pastries).
- Unwind in the small fishing village of Sougia. Maybe walk along the coastal trails, take a swim in the warm waters or simply relax on the beach with a cold drink in your hand during your free time.
- Hear stories about the area’s historic past from your local leader. Maybe hike to the Entrance of Agia Eirini Gorge, look for endangered Cretan wild goats or relax on the beach in Sougia.
- Hotel (3 nights)
- Guesthouse (3 nights)
- 6 Breakfasts included
- 1 Lunches included
- Accommodation, itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
- Price is for land, cruise and internal flights as specified. Flights not specified are not included
- Intrepid regularly update their itineraries throughout the year based on feedback and local conditions. Therefore the itinerary you see now may differ from when you booked. Global Journeys will provide you with detailed trip notes at the time of quoting, along with a finalised itinerary and trip notes before your trip departs.
Operator
Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers off the beaten track to discover the world's most amazing places for 30 years. Every trip is designed to truly experience local culture - to meet local people, try local food, take local transport and stay in local accommodation. Led by a local leader, our small group tours offer more a sustainable way to travel off the beaten track, while giving back to the places and people that travellers visit.
Trip Reviews (1)
Incredible Crete 0
Meredith and Richard, NSW, Australia, Sep 2025
We loved Crete and the experience this trip offered us. We’ve just spent 3 weeks travelling in Crete and incorporated this 7 day Intrepid tour as we wanted to see the more rural areas of Crete and didn’t want to drive. It was incredible and gave us an authentic and local look into Crete. We loved the home stay experience and the small seaside village read more allowing us to trek one of the gorges. Our tour guide was very good and attentive to making our experience a true local experience.
This is our first Intrepid tour and definitely won’t be our last. We enjoyed Intrepid’s travel style, small groups (we only had 5 in our group) and their focus on sustainable responsible travel and supporting locals. This is our 4th tour booked through Global Journeys. The service is always excellent with prompt communication and response times. I highly recommend this tour.
This is our first Intrepid tour and definitely won’t be our last. We enjoyed Intrepid’s travel style, small groups (we only had 5 in our group) and their focus on sustainable responsible travel and supporting locals. This is our 4th tour booked through Global Journeys. The service is always excellent with prompt communication and response times. I highly recommend this tour.
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Intrepid Worldwide (2025-26)
Since 1989, Intrepid has been taking travellers beyond the ordinary to discover the real and remarkable. With small groups, passionate local leaders, and a commitment to responsible travel, every journey is crafted to connect you deeply with the people and places you visit. From iconic landmarks to hidden gems, Intrepid combines comfort, culture, and more curiosity for adventures that truly matter, all backed by a global network and guaranteed departures for peace of mind.
Dates & Pricing
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Sunday
26 Apr 2026
26 Apr 26
Heraklion
Saturday
02 May 2026
02 May 26
Chania
Details
Definite Departure
Our Price
US$2,280
Twin Share (Per Personpp)
Sold Out
Note
A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you Inquire. Additional savings may apply. T&C’s apply.
A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you Inquire. Additional savings may apply. T&C’s apply.
Note
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Intrepid. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Intrepid. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
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