The 15 Best Heraklion Tours & Excursions

1.Dia Island Sailboat Cruise with Swimming and Meal

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 2,579 reviews · 5.5 hours · from $95Our pick

Sail from Heraklion’s Old Venetian Harbour to protected Dia Island aboard a small yacht for up to 14 people. Captain Petros and crew members such as Sofia, Giannis, Mariana, and Manos may host your trip, with swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, a Mediterranean meal, unlimited drinks, and sunset options.

“Fantastic few hours in the Greek sea, lovely crew DELICIOUS food and gorgeous sunset! Love love love”

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2.CRETAquarium Admission Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 2,055 reviews · 1 day · from $9Best value

Spend a flexible day at CRETAquarium, part of the THALASSOKOSMOS marine research complex near Heraklion. Follow a clear route through 60 habitats holding more than 2,000 sea creatures, including sharks, stingrays, jellyfish, tropical fish, and protected species. Plan about one hour, or longer with the €3 audio guide.

“what a beautiful aquarium. loads of beautiful fish and marine life to see. great for all the family”

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3.Palace of Knossos E-Ticket and Audio Guide

★★★★★★★★★★3.8 · 1,540 reviews · 1 - 5 hours · from $34

Visit Knossos Palace at your own pace with a pre-booked entry ticket, site map, and downloadable audio guide in five languages. Learn about Minoan art, trade, fashion, rituals, and daily life as you pass the South Propylaeum, West Magazines, Queen’s Megaron, and Mount Juktas viewpoint.

“It was a great experience, the audio really brought life to the site and the whole process is very easy. Would definitely recommend!”

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4.Full-Day Land Rover Safari from Heraklion with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,351 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $113Top rated

Spend eight hours with a small group in a Land Rover, traveling from Heraklion into Crete’s mountains. Guides such as Kostas, Yiannis, Chris, and Darryl explain local history, shepherd life, and Minoan stories. The day includes village stops, a three-course lunch with wine, and time near Dikteon Cave.

“We booked this trip for October 9, 2024. We learned shortly before arriving in Greece the Cave of Zeus tour was closed, however, our guide Kosta more than made up for it! We were picked up first, so from the very beginning he regaled us with his knowledge and history of his home; little nuggets of information that gave us a better understanding of Crete's rich history. The island has so many hidden gems. We loved the random stops to see nuts, fruit, vegetables, even seasoning growing along the road. Feed the goats! We thoroughly enjoyed the fresh food and drinks served at lunch. They waste NOTHING, even leftover lunch…”

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5.Sailboat Cruise to Dia Island with Drinks & Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 1,287 reviews · from $90

Join a small shared cruise or private sailing trip from Heraklion to Dia Island. Swim and snorkel in Saint George Bay, try fishing, enjoy lunch and unlimited drinks, and sail back with an attentive crew such as Marcos, Vasilis, Dimitris, or Alexandra.

“A beautiful and relaxed boat trip including a lovely little meal. I enjoyed it a lot. Thanks to captain and skipper and also the other travelers.”

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6.Finikia Horse Riding Tour with Lunch or Dinner

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 1,231 reviews · 4.5 hours · from $94

Ride for two hours through the Finikia mountains with guides including Gregory, Irene, and George. Beginners get a basic lesson, while advanced riders may canter when conditions allow. Finish with homemade Cretan food, wine, and time with the farm’s horses and dogs.

“We love it! I recommend this adventure to everyone :) Finikia is run by a fantastic family who put their whole heart into. We are incredibly impressed with how much work and effort they put in and the atmosphere they create. We managed on horses without much experience, we could count on the support of very nice and open people working on the farm. We will remember it fondly :) Also won't forget these delicious meatballs :)”

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7.Sunset or Morning Quad with Local Products Tasting

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 1,135 reviews · 3 hours

You’ll learn to handle a quad with a short lesson, then follow a multilingual guide from Agia Pelagia along quiet coastal and mountain paths. Visit abandoned Achlada, hear about Cretan village life, taste olive oil, olives, and honey, and finish with a sunset over the bay.

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8.Knossos Palace & Heraklion Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 1,127 reviews · 6 - 9 hours · from $35

Travel by air-conditioned bus from selected Crete resorts to Knossos and Heraklion. A licensed guide, often including Vangelis, explains the palace, then you have free time for the Archaeological Museum, market, Venetian fountain, Loggia, and Koules Fortress.

“A very good day trip. The tour guide's enthusiasm for Crete's history was infectious”

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9.5Hour Safari Tour in Crete(Heraklion)with Quad,Jeep,Buggy & Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 941 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $107

Creta Quad Safari takes you from Karteros through dusty tracks, villages, olive groves, a historic cave, mountain viewpoints, Karteros Gorge, and a beach near Heraklion. Choose a quad, automatic 1000cc buggy, Monster 800cc, or Jeep. Pickup, safety gear, lunch, and beginner instruction are included.

“We can say without a doubt this was one of the best tours we have done. The staff were friendly and on time. The food at the little tavern in town was good. I would do this tour again. Thank you”

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10.Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 912 reviews · 2 days · from $23

Use a 48-hour ticket on two bus routes through Heraklion, to Knossos, and along Ammoudara Beach. You get maps, earphones, and multilingual audio commentary, with helpful staff such as Jackie and Aria available at stops. The buses are wheelchair accessible, but service times and stop announcements can vary.

“There was one stop where I wanted to get off at but the driver didn’t even stop”

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11.Sailing Cruise to Dia Island with Drinks and Meal

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 778 reviews · 6 hours · from $106

You’ll sail from Heraklion’s Old Venetian Harbor to Dia Island with a certified crew, often including Stelios, Celia, Captain Nick, Kristina, or Iorgu. Swim, snorkel, paddleboard, fish, hike, and enjoy shrimp spaghetti, salad, fruit, wine, soft drinks, and raki aboard a small-group yacht.

“Lovely chilled boat cruise with two swimming stops… the island is uninhabited just some goats but it’s all about boat life!! Lush food, beer and wine and soft drinks flowing all day and raki shots for the hard-core”

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12.Dia Island Sailing Cruise with Snorkeling

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 742 reviews · 4.5 - 7 hours · from $82

Sail from Heraklion with a professional crew, often including Ernesto and George, to uninhabited Dia Island. Swim in clear bays, snorkel, paddleboard, and enjoy Greek salad, tzatziki, seafood pasta, fruit, wine, and soft drinks. Choose a half-day or full-day trip, with small groups of up to 18.

“A really enjoyable and relaxing day. The group was small and everyone chatted with eachother and also with the two crew who were great. It was my first time on a sailing boat which I really enjoyed as well. Would highly recommend!”

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13.Elafonisi Beach Day Tour with Pickup

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 731 reviews · 13 hours · from $64

Spend 4.5 hours at Elafonisi after a long but scenic bus ride from Heraklion. Your multilingual guide explains Crete’s villages, history, wildlife, and customs. Swim, walk across shallow water to the island, or relax at the snack bar. Pickup and drop-off are included from selected resort areas.

“journey is longer than stated due to pick ups at hotels...otherwise...perfect!”

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14.Zeus Cave -Old Traditional Villages-Olive Oil Factory

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 694 reviews · 7 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $136

Spend about 7.5 hours with a local English-speaking guide such as Stavros, Ed, Mike, or Spyros, traveling from Heraklion through olive country and mountain villages. Taste olive oil and raki, visit Krasi and Mochos, see Lasithi windmills, and add Dikteon Cave and Knossos when open.

“Ed was a great tour guide! This tour was a little of everything and very off the beaten path. Ed offered options, choices and suggestions while providing tons of info and comedy relief. Will definitely recommend Ed to my friends who go to Crete in the future!”

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15.Scuba Diving Experience for Beginners _Beach

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 549 reviews · 3 - 6 hours · from $81

At Mononaftis Beach near Agia Pelagia, Aquadive gives beginners a 30-minute theory lesson, full scuba gear, and a supervised 45-minute underwater session. Your instructor stays close as you learn basic signals and explore fish, sea urchins, and rock formations in clear, shallow water.

“Great introduction to scuba diving for beginners. Amazing location and well worth the money.”

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