15 Private Tours in Crete to Build a Day Around

1.Knossos Palace Skip-the-Line Ticket & Private Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 633 reviews · 1.5 hours Our pick

Explore Knossos Palace with skip-the-line entry and a private archaeologist guide, with smart timing tips for heat, crowds, and family visits.

“We had a fantastic tour with our guide Vangelis! He’s incredibly knowledgeable about Cretan history and shared great stories and photos that really brought Knossos to life. He also knew all the best photo spots and pointed out details we’d have easily missed. Everything ran smoothly and right on time — no waiting at all.”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Private Half-Day Sailing Trip to Dia Island

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 466 reviews · 4.5 hours

Review of a private Heraklion sailing trip to Dia Island, with swimming, snorkeling, fishing, fruit, drinks, optional lunch, and practical tips.

“It was a lovely sailing experience. It was beautiful and well organised. The staff was very friendly and kind. The overall experience was amazing and would 10/10 recommend it!”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Private Full-Day Knossos-Lasithi Plateau-Cave of Zeus

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 176 reviews · 8 to 10 hours (approx.) Top rated

Review of a private Crete tour to Knossos, Lasithi Plateau, and Zeus Cave, with village stops, local tastings, and flexible pacing.

“We thoroughly enjoyed our tour. Our tour guide was amazing and we saw and did incredible things. I highly recommend this tour.”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Heraklion SUV Private Guided Wine Tour with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 165 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $272

Explore Crete’s wine country from Heraklion with Areti, tasting 12 wines, visiting two wineries, an old wine press, and enjoying a full Cretan lunch.

“Excellent tour. Areti is not only pleasant but very knowledgeable about the region and its wines. Great tour for both neophytes and serous oenophiles.”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Wine & Olive Oil Tour with Lunch – Semi Private Safari Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 156 reviews · 7 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $181

Explore western Crete by 4WD with olive oil and wine tastings, a generous Cretan lunch, ancient olive groves, and mountain gorge views.

“A very comfortable Range Rover picked us up on time. We had just a small group (4 others plus 2 of us) which made the whole experience better. Our driver and guide Dimitris is incredibly knowledgeable, providing insights on our surroundings on the journey, the places we visited and in general chatted to the group all day. The wine and olive oil tasting venue was a great start to the experience. We had a reserved table filled with delicious snacks. The olive oil and wine selection were described pleasantly. We purchased both wine and olive oil - we thought the prices were very reasonable for the quality. The highlight of…”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Private Boat Trip Kissamos Balos (price per group – up to 10 people)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 143 reviews · 3 to 6 hours (approx.)

Review of a private Kissamos boat trip to Balos and Gramvousa, with swimming, snorkeling, castle views, flexible timing, and crowd-beating routes.

“Rough going out to the beaches. Got pounded by the Criten sea for a good 45 minutes but once we reached the beaches it was amazing. Great boat captain!”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Private Full-Day Sailing Trip to Dia Island

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 140 reviews · 6.5 hours

Spend 6.5 private hours sailing from Heraklion to Dia Island with swimming, snorkeling, fishing, fruit, drinks, and optional lunch.

“Our sailing trip to Dia Island was an unforgettable experience! From the moment we stepped aboard, the crew made us feel right at home. They were exceptionally accommodating, ensuring that every detail was perfect for our family. The boat was well-maintained, and the journey was smooth and scenic. We were able to relax, swim in crystal-clear waters, and even snorkel around the island. The crew's knowledge of the area and genuine hospitality made the trip even more special. If you're in Crete and looking for a unique adventure, this is an absolute must-do. We'll definitely be back for another voyage!”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Private Tour-Knossos Palace Zeus Cave Olive Oil Mill & Wine

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 135 reviews · 7 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $151

Explore Knossos, Lasithi Plateau villages, olive oil, pottery, wine, and Cretan food on a private day tour from Heraklion.

“It was an absolutely incredible day with Spiros. He was so interesting. We went to an olive factory and tasted olive oil. Then we travelled up the mountain to taste yogurt and pick strawberries and drink wine. Then we headed to Mesa Lesithi and drank coffee, ate cookies and drank wine in a very old home. The visit to the windmills and the mountain region was just fabulous. He’s amazing.”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Private Jeep Tour – Zeus Cave – Cretan villages

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 135 reviews · from $385

Private Crete jeep tour from Heraklion to Zeus Cave, Lasithi villages, Aposelemis Dam, local lunch, wine, and mountain views.

“Our Jeep tour was such a fun adventure! We loved our private group experience. It worked great for our cruise excursion. Dimitri spoke great English and made the whole experience entertaining from start to finish. It was the perfect way to explore the area with plenty of laughs and great stories along the way. Highly recommend!”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Full-Day Private Adventure: Knossos-Zeus’ Territory-Old Villages

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 115 reviews

Review this private Crete tour from Heraklion, covering Knossos, Lassithi Plateau, Zeus Cave, olive oil, villages, and mountain views.

“Know this is mostly a driving tour to the different sites. They do not go into Knossos and explain the ancient sight. Our guide gave us basic information about Crete but I would have liked to know more history and cultures. Combined with other couples for a discount so that was nice.”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.PRIVATE Walking Tour with Lunch and Wine Tasting by a Sommelier

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 113 reviews · 4 to 5 hours (approx.) · from $193

Explore Chania with a local guide, hilltop coffee, four indigenous Cretan wines, and a generous lunch of traditional dishes.

“Nasos provided us with a great experience getting to sample Cretan wine and food while touring the beautiful old town of Chania. I would highly recommend this tour.”

Check availability →Read our full review

12.Full-Day Private Custom Tour to Elafonisi the Pink Sand Beach

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 103 reviews

Explore Elafonisi, Kedrodasos, Agia Sofia Cave, and Elos on a private Chania day trip with flexible stops and local scenery.

“Fantastic trip with Leonides and brother Jordan .Travelled to Falassarna beach and Elafonissi beach as well as Paleochora Village .Leonides gave both my husband and I a great insight into Cretan life and gave us lots of suggestions as to what to do. Everything we did was in our time and we’re never pressured. They even asked us what music we liked and played it. We would highly recommend them and this tour to anyone. Lisa”

Check availability →Read our full review

13.Chania old town and around private tour (price per group of 6)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 85 reviews · 5 to 6 hours (approx.)

Review of Niriis Tours’ private Chania tour, with Old Town lanes, Venetian harbor, Minoan ruins, WWII cemetery, and flexible local guides.

“George was very well prepared. He even helped us to out excellent parking and very detailed directions from the beginning. He did a superb tour with so much knowledge. We stepped into so many places where he introduced us to the intrinsically of Chania… without a good guide like him you would walk by and think it is a store :). One time it was an old church that became a mosque and had graves with glas covers under it… super cool. He ended with us at a secret spot out of the way (really weird looking at the beginning) which became the most amazing view point. Thank you George…”

Check availability →Read our full review

14.PRIVATE-Knossos Palace-Zeus Cave-Olive Oil Tasting-Old Villages

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 81 reviews · 7 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $138

Private Crete tour with Knossos, Zeus Cave, olive oil tasting, mountain villages, windmills, local food, and hotel or port pickup.

“What a magnificent tour!!! Mike our driver and Ed our guide were like a couple of comedians that showed us the real Crete. From the largest plateau on the island to village life, olive oil making, strawberry picking and the usual tourist sites, it made for a memorable day. Highlight of the day was the superb lunch we had where we tasted the best of Italian home cooking and the famous distilled wine Zaki! If you are thinking of booking this your do not hesitate!!”

Check availability →Read our full review

15.Knossos Palace, Museum & Rethymno city Private Tour from Chania

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 69 reviews · 10 hours (approx.)

Explore Knossos, Heraklion Museum, and Rethymno from Chania with private transport, local food, flexible pacing, and expert guides.

“Loved our guide, Christine and our driver. They were very professional, great fun and full of great information on Knossos and Crete in general. They went above and beyond to make sure we had a good time including packing us a great local lunch and finishing with two kinds of Raki and local candy. The tour was relaxed and we had plenty of time to see everything. Highly recommended.”

Check availability →Read our full review