13 Day Trips from Crete, Greece

Sprawling with sun-drenched villages, swoon-worthy beaches and spellbinding history, this Greek island is straight from godsend. Whether you want to gawk at ruins, bathe in blue lagoons or quench your appetite with Greek cuisine, there are plenty of dazzling day trips from Crete.

Fondling flower-bedecked alleys, flourishing natural splendour and a culture that’s full of character, Crete makes for a fantastic foray.

Dowsed with dazzling diversity, the landscape lies with lyrical contrasts aplenty. From the ancient ruins of the Minoan civilization to the plunging ravines of the Samaria Gorge, adventure is etched within every corner.

This Greek Island has a lot more to offer than just sun and sand, and if you're thinking about day-tripping it, you're in the right place.

Whether you want to tour the island, boat around the coast or island hop from Crete, there is seriously so much on offer.

Here are the Best Day Trips from Crete, Greece. Yassou!

13. Diktaean Cave  

Coined as the Cave of Zeus, this western-situated spot intertwines enthralling tales and serrated, stalagmite splendour. Sitting in the tranquil region of the Lassithi Plateau, Diktaean Cave is carved deep with stories.

Thought to have been the home of the Greek God, the Cave of Zeus has served as a place of worship for over 4,000 years. Witness the magic of the stalactites and stalagmites as they cling to the roof, floor and walls of the cave.

Get fully immersed in the landscape on this Lasithi Plateau & Cave of Zeus off-road safari tour. Release your wild side as you segue along with mythical trains and connect with the age-old stories of Zeus.

Put the cherry on top of this unique experience by visiting a tavern in the local Psychro village. After devouring traditional gastronomy, set your sights on the panoramic plateau.

12. Chania  

If you’re located in Heraklion, Agia Pelagia, or anywhere out in the north or east of Crete, don’t miss a day trip to Chania.

Touted with a petite town and traditional harbour, this part of the island offers an old-school experience.

Frolic through the cobblestone streets, learn about Greece’s naval history in the Maritime Museum of Crete and pop into the Jewish Quarter.

Stop for a coffee near the lighthouse and grab a bite to eat in the tavern-lined Old Venetian Harbour.

Take an Old Town tour, go snorkelling on a boat trip and test out your skills in a cooking class in the White Mountains.

Get active on a paddle boarding experience, endeavour out to Lazaretta Island and keep your wallet happy with this pocket-friendly sunset boat cruise. 

11. Elounda & Plaka 

Pinned as a luxury-lovers paradise, Elounda is one of Crete’s most sumptuous sojourns. Sitting on the postcard-worthy Korfos Bay, the sublime lagoon and sweeping panoramas can be enough to glue you here for the entire trip.

Situated right alongside Elounda, Plaka is a picturesque fishing village. This laid-back town is teeming with authentic experiences and traditional taverns. Watch the day go by from the pebbled beaches, observe local fishermen tending to their nets and dabble in the divine dining scene.

If you’re coming from Heraklion or Chania, a day trip to Elounda and Plaka offers the best of both worlds. Better yet, you can spice things up and venture out to the history-ridden Spinalonga Island.

To get more bang for your buck, jump on this Elounda, Plaka & Spinalonga tour from Heraklion.

10. Gramvousa Island

Sitting just off the coast of Crete, Gramvousa Island is illustrated by the idyllic images that come to mind when you picture Greece. Powdery sands, turquoise-coloured water and ancient ruins aplenty.

Scattered with bliss-inducing beaches, a time-worn Venetian Castle and a rusty shipwreck, this is a must-do day trip from Crete. Ignite the travel bug with this tour from Kissamos Port, Chania, Heraklion & Rethymno.  

9.  Rethymnon

Coined as one of the island’s most charming towns, Rethymnon is one of the best day trips from Crete.

This character-packed gem effortlessly blends culture, history and natural scenery into one place. And better yet, Rethymnon has maintained its authenticity. 

Wander around the alley-woven Old Town, peer up at the wind-sculpted Fortezza Castle and stroll along the Venetian Harbour at sunset.

Get out and active on a quad bike safari, dine like a local aboard a luxury catamaran cruise and visit Damnoni Beach.

Bask in the flavours on a winery and olive oil tour, bathe at Spili and Matala Beach and watch the sky turn pink as you say cheers on a sunset cruise.

8. Spinalonga

Surrounded by scintillatingly blue waters, Spinalonga is a small island with a surprising number of pursuits. Arrayed with abandoned edifices, scenic views and rich history, this is easily one of the best day trips from Crete.

Encapsulated with an eerie, yet intriguing past, Spinalonga boasts a unique experience in Crete. Stroll around the Venetian Fortress and learn about the 20th-century leper colony.

With weathered ruins, partially-standing houses and an unmatched atmosphere, Spinalonga is a must-see when visiting Crete.  Board this Spinalonga day tour from Heraklion, and jump on these trips from Agios Nikolaos, Rethymno, or these other locations.

7.   Knossos

Arrayed with ancient ruins and time-worn treasures, Knossos holds the key to every history buff’s heart. Hemmed in by a huge haul of remnants from the Minoan civilisation, you can spend a day waltzing around in awe.

Wander astray through the palace complex, get a feel for life as it once was and take a deep dive into the island's history. Knossos is known as Crete's biggest Bronze Age site. Replete with riveting archaeological remains at every end, this spot was once the thriving political centre of the island. Spanning over 22,000 meters, you'll unmask mystery-infused Greek Mythology too.

Learn about the Minotaur and picture ancient life unfolding in the Ceremonial Halls.  As one of the top day trips from Crete, Knossos promises a stellar sojourn. Sitting just 5km south of Heraklion, this is a well-located and convenient stop if you’re short on time. Get the ball rolling with this tour from Heraklion, Chania, or Rethymno.

6. Preveli Beach & Plakias

Set on the southern coast of Rethymnon, Preveli Beach is well worth the day trip. Overlooking the unforgiving Libyan Sea, you can pop by Plakias, Damnoni and Crete’s paradisal, palm-fringed forests.

This full-day Land Rover safari to Preveli covers the hidden gems of the riveting Rethymno region, as well as the Prasses and Kourtaliotiko gorges. Splash around the crystal-clear waters in Preveli Beach, peer up at the vulture-dominated treetops in the Prasses gorge and lock eyes with the small church in Potamon Dam.

Pass through Karines and Spili villages, taste a traditional raki from a tavern and soak up all the greenery in Preveli’s dense palm forest.

5. Samaria Gorge

Calling all nature lovers! Myself included. This notorious national park is nestled with a nuance of pursuits, from the trekking trails and rocky outcrops to the thundering waterfalls and native wildlife.

Located in the White Mountains, this day trip offers insight into the island’s rugged side. Appreciate the grandiose canyons and uncover the untamed splendour as you scale the 16km hiking trail.

As Europe’s longest trekking gorge, this hot spot is not for the faint-hearted. Beginning in the south of the island in Xyloskalo, the hike kicks off descending a wooden staircase.

Winding through whimsical sites, you'll encounter wild Cretan goats along the way. Stop by Agia Roumeli, a seaside haven sitting on the coast of the Libyan Sea.

Get your adrenaline racing on this full-day Samaria Gorge trek from Chania. Or, kick things off from other destinations like Rethymno, Heraklion, Georgioupolis, Malia or Agia Pelagia.

4. Chrissi Island

Lain in the Libyan Sea, this uninhabited island is seriously unparalleled. Accentuated with African Cedarwoods and clear water that splashes onto white sand, Chrissi Island is idyllically unbridled.

Home to non-poisonous snakes, speedy lizards, fluffy rabbits and a variety of wildlife, the protected nature reserve is a must-see for nature lovers. Harbouring hefty tales of pirates, there are shipwrecks, Roman graves and even a 13th-century church to be explored. You can reach Chrissi Island from Makrigialos and Myrtos, or with these tours from Ierapetra, Heraklion, or in these other locations.

3. Santorini  

Brimming with a world of whitewashed homes and blue-domed churches, Santorini is one of the most famous Greek Islands.

Perched above plundering clifftops in the Aegean Sea, this iconic Cycladic island is interwoven with a wealth of pleasurable pursuits. Go for a dip in the Volcanic Hot Springs on a cruise, get your heart pumping on a South Sea kayaking tour and channel your inner sommelier on a wine-tasting tour.

Relish in Greek cuisine with a BBQ on a catamaran cruise, head out on a horse riding trip and test your skills scuba diving in the volcanic crater. Sitting just 2 hours away via boat or ferry, the journey is practically hassle-free. Each day, there is a diversity of day trips from Crete to Santorini. Depending on where you’re based, you’ll be able to find plenty of options from Rethymno, Chania, Agios Nikolaos or a Hotel Pick-Up.

2. Elafonisi Island  

Situated on the southwestern coast of Crete, Elafonisi is pinned for its pastel-pink sand and teeming turquoise waters. If you’re thinking about island hopping from Crete, this day trip is a must-see!

Appreciate the small reef, take a dip in the aqua-blue water and watch the time tick by as the salt dries on your skin. Elafonisi is one of the easiest islands to get to from Crete, so board a boat and get to it!

Ignite the spirited explorer within with this day trip to Elafonisi Island from Chania. For more pick-up points, check out these tours from Rethymno, Heraklion & Georgioupolis.

1. Balos Lagoon & Falassarna Beach  

Tucked along the west coast of Crete, Balos Lagoon is an absolute treasure trove.

Washed with saline white sands, crystal-clear waters and an aqua-blue lagoon, this is one of the best day trips from Crete.

Sheltered by a protected marine park, there’s even something to satisfy wildlife enthusiasts too. Providing the perfect playground for turtles and monk seals, you can come here to bask in mother nature’s splendour.

This semi-private Jeep tour to Balos & Falassarna Beach trails through all the highlights. You’ll venture off-road, bathe in the world-famous Balos Lagoon and dabble in the delights of Kaliviani village.

Find more top tours from Rethymno, Chania & Heraklion.

Things to do in Crete

Crete is known for many things from the blissful bays to the soaring mountain tops. With a world of culture, cuisine and captivating scenery to explore, it can be a challenge to squeeze everything into one itinerary. Of course, island hopping is a must, and these day trips are too.

When planning a trip to Crete, be sure to save these top things to do to your bucket list:

• Dabble in Greek cuisine in an authentic cooking class in the White Mountains 

• Venture out to Dia Island on a sailboat cruise

• Hit the heights on a paragliding tandem flight

• Taste the flavours on a food tastings tour in Heraklion

• Get active on a trekking excursion at Samaria Gorge

• Tour the 7 Villages of Apokoronas

• Check out Spinalonga, Plaka, Agios Nikolaos & Elounda on a day trip

• Go snorkelling on a day trip to Preveli Beach

• Splash around in Elafonisi Beach

• Watch time tick by in the crystal-clear Balos Lagoon & Gramvousa

• Discover the Minoan ruins on a Land Rover safari

How Many Days Should You Spend in Crete

Dowsed with diverse villages, dazzling landscapes and dream-like beaches, Crete is a traveller’s oasis. With endless activities, attractions and natural wonder on offer, you might be wondering how many days is ideal for Crete.

At least five days is enough to make the most of the scenery and enjoy a few of these day trips from Crete. If you want to uncover the authentic side of Crete, dive deep beyond the surface with a ten to fourteen-day itinerary.

Where to Stay in Crete

Home to humble mountain hideaways, seaside havens and quaint village escapes, Crete boasts a variety of accommodation options.

Whether you want to stay in the hustle and bustle of Heraklion or hike out from the hills of Amari Valley, there are teeming top destinations to discover. Places like Rethymnon and Chania serve as ideal bases, particularly if you’re interested in doing day trips from Crete.

Prepare for the trip of a lifetime with this in-depth guide on Where to Stay in Crete, Greece.

10-day Greek Island Itinerary

Crete is a beach nirvana, but this island is only just a slice of what Greece has to offer. Whether you want to party it up in Mykonos, cruise the waters around Paros or bathe on the parasol-lined beaches of Milos, this country is a mecca for sun-soaked adventure.

Save yourself the hassle of planning with this 10-day Greek Island Itinerary.

FAQS

What islands can you a day trip to from Crete?

Crete is within close reach of many different Greek Islands. Aside from show-stopping Elafonissi Island, there’s Chrissi, Santorini, Spinalonga, Balos, Samaria Gorge and Preveli Beach.

How to spend 13 days in Greece?

Kick off your Greece itinerary with 2 days in Athens, before moving down to Mykonos. Then, visit Paros & Ios, before heading into the second week. Spend the next two days in Naxos or Sifnos, and finish up your trip in either Santorini or Crete.

How many days in Crete is enough?

5 days in Crete would be enough time to visit attractions like Chania, Heraklion and Balos Beach. If you want to explore the island further, 10 to 14 would be best.

Is Santorini worth a day trip from Crete?

If you haven’t visited Santorini before, then yes, a day trip from Crete could be worth it. Be aware that it’ll most likely be busy during your visit, and you may only have enough time to explore Fira (the main area).   

Why Visit Crete?

As Greece’s biggest island, Crete has room for plenty of variety.

Replete with remnants of ancient civilisations, palm forests, turquoise lagoons and impressive mountain tops, this island is nothing short of paradise. Hear the bells of the wild Cretan goats, lock lips with the gastronomy scene and bathe at the beaches on these day trips from Crete.