Add dates

Heraklion Regional UnitBeach trips

Our most recommended Heraklion Regional Unit Beach trips

Crete: Day Trip to Agios Nikolaos and Spinalonga Island

1. Crete: Day Trip to Agios Nikolaos and Spinalonga Island

Embark on a full-day guided trip to northeastern Crete and take a boat trip to Spinalonga Island. Visit Agios Nikolaos with its famous lake, and explore the picturesque village of Elounda. Begin the day with the visit to Agios Nikolaos, and see the shore of Mirabello Bay. Explore the town, famous for the lake at its center and its shopping and cafes. Take your time for a walk to enjoy the views, enjoy some shopping or have a drink in one of the numerous cafes around the lake. Explore an open-air market on Wednesdays. Move on to see Elounda village, a former fishing village on the northern coast of the island. Depart from Elounda for the cruise to Spinalonga Island. Learn about the island's vibrant history, from a home for the Venetians and Turks to a place of isolation for those suffering from leprosy. Experience the island, more popular after the 2005 historical novel “The Island” about how lepers lived in Spinalonga. Join the hundreds of people who come to the island every day to visit and learn its history.

From Heraklion: Gramvousa and Balos Cruise with Hotel Pickup

2. From Heraklion: Gramvousa and Balos Cruise with Hotel Pickup

Start with pickup from Heraklion or the surrounding area. Drive over to Kastelli by bus to board your boat. Balos are Gramvousa are located on the West part of the island. Depending on the area your hotel is located is around 4 hours by bus to the place where the boats depart. Embark the boat from the village of Kasteli and head over to Balos Lagoon and enjoy plenty of time to swim in the quiet crystal clear waters, walk across the golden sand beach and soak in the sun as you relax. Cruise across the western Cretan sea and arrive at the tranquil Gramvousa. Swim along the coast and stroll up to the castle on the hill to admire panoramic views of the natural landscape as you hike up to that point. The drivers will be awaiting you at the port, in order to begin the drive back to Heraklion.

From Heraklion: Elafonisi Beach Day Tour with Pickup

3. From Heraklion: Elafonisi Beach Day Tour with Pickup

Spend 4.5 hours enjoying Elafonisi Island. Don't forget your camera, as you'll definitely want to capture this island's pink sandy beaches and clear Aegean waves. The day starts with pickup from a meeting point near your resort. Travel 4 hours to Elafonisi, taking in views of canyons, valleys, and hidden villages on the way. Learn more about Crete and its history from the local guide. Take 20-minute stop to stretch your legs or grab a quick breakfast before arriving to the destination. Once on the island, guests are free to take a swim in the clear waters, soak up the sun on the sandy beach, or chill and grab a drink at the snack bar. At the end of the visit, meet at the bus for the return trip to Heraklion. The journey will take approximately 4 hours, depending on traffic and your drop-off location.

Heraklion: Matala Beach, Hippie Caves, and Gortyn Day Trip

4. Heraklion: Matala Beach, Hippie Caves, and Gortyn Day Trip

Take and airconditioned bus trip through South Crete on this day trip with pickup from Heraklion. Travel back in time as you explore Cretan history at the Gortys archeological site and have plenty of free time to soak up the vibes of at the colorful, seaside town of Matala. Be picked up from the comfort of your accommodation in selected locations on Crete in the morning. Drive for 1.5 hours to the Gortys archeological site. Purchase a ticket to the site to uncover sights from 5000 years of Cretan history. Take a short drive to Matala and spend 4.5 hours of free time where you can go swimming, sunbathe at the beach, purchase a ticket to the local caves or have lunch at a charming seaside café. Return to your accommodation in Crete at the end of your free time in Matala.

Crete: Lasithi Plateau and Cave of Zeus Off Road Safari Tour

5. Crete: Lasithi Plateau and Cave of Zeus Off Road Safari Tour

Discover traditional life in rural Crete by witnessing the daily activities of the locals and visiting the sites where Greek myths were born. Enjoy a tour of Potamies, Aposelemis dam, Empasa, the cave of Zeus, and the beautiful scenery of the plateau. Start with pickup from your accommodation. Visit one of the most characteristic Cretan villages, Potamies, for a tour of a traditional local farm. See the process of milking and cheese-making, meet the animals, and sample their fresh cheese. Next, head to the Aposelemis dam, the largest water supply project in Crete. See the village of Sfendili submerged in the waters of the dam with its impressive old houses fading on the surface of the water. Explore the natural wetlands and spot a unique variety of birds. Continue uphill on the dirt roads to the gorge of Empasa. Enjoy the views of the mountainous landscape and thriving wildlife. Try your hand at foraging for native herbs or relax and take in the panoramic views. Take a trip to Lassithi Plateau to enter Psychro Cave, the fabled birthplace of the Greek God Zeus. Follow the trails of the gods and after that take a tour around the plateau to get a sense of local life. Finally, enjoy authentic food baked in the wood oven in one of the most celebrated taverns in the picturesque village of Krasi. Admire the town square filled with fountains and see imposing plane trees that are up to 2000 years old. Return to your hotel full of unforgettable memories of Crete.

Heraklion: Preveli Palm Beach Boat Trip & Rethymno Town Tour

6. Heraklion: Preveli Palm Beach Boat Trip & Rethymno Town Tour

Morning Pickup: We will start collecting participants from pick-up points in the morning. Depending on the place of your hotel/apartment the bus drive to the destination will differ (between 2.5 - 4 hours). 1st stop: Damnioni Beach Arrive by bus at the beach of Damnioni and embark on the boat which will take you to the unique Palm Forest of Preveli. Boat Trip: 30 minutes 2nd stop: Preveli Palm Beach – 1 hour 30 minutes Arrive at the famous beach of Preveli. Our participants will have plenty of free time to swim and explore a unique mix of sandy beach and green river flanked by palm forests and rocky surroundings. Chill out and enjoy the exotic landscape of the south coast. Boat Trip: 30 minutes 3rd stop: Damnioni Beach – 1 hour Arrival at Damnioni, free time for 1 hour to enjoy lunch at a local tavern (optional, with extra charge). Bus Drive: 20 minutes 4th stop: Kourtaliotiko Gorge – 10 minutes Experience the wild natural landscapes of Kourtaliotiko Gorge. Our participants will have 10 minutes of free time to admire the view of Cretan Nature and take some pictures! Bus Drive: 30 minutes 5th stop: Rethymnon Town – 1 hour 20 minutes Visit the picturesque old town of Rethymno. Enjoy your free time walking along the old port, its iconic small streets with local cafes, and its beautiful beach road. End of the tour – Arrival at resorts: Embarkation in the buses and drive back to the hotels where we gathered participants in the morning. Bus Drive: between 2-3 hours Depending on traffic and the hotel location, the time of the journey back to the hotel will differ.

From Heraklion: Elounda, Kolokitha, and Spinalonga Boat Trip

7. From Heraklion: Elounda, Kolokitha, and Spinalonga Boat Trip

Relax and enjoy a 4-hour long boat trip to some of Crete's most famous sites. Explore the lagoon of Elounda, see Kolokitha's beautiful sandy beach, and see Spinalonga, a former leper colony and Venetian fortress. Begin the tour at Elounda Port at 2 p.m. where you get on board the boat. Set sail towards Spinalonga Island, a picturesque islet known for its stunning scenery and rich history. Approach the island, where you will get to see the Venetian fortress, which was once used as a leper colony. Head towards the Barbarossa cave, a natural wonder that will take your breath away. Learn more about the cave, named after the famous pirate Barbarossa, who used it as a hideout in the past. Enjoy a chance to take photos and explore the cave before you move on to the next stop. Move on to the next destination, Skistra Beach, where you will get to swim in crystal-clear waters and soak up the sun. Admire the beach, known for its stunning scenery and tranquil atmosphere, making it the perfect place to relax and unwind. Take a refreshing swim before will heading towards Kolokytha Beach, where you'll get to enjoy the pristine sand and turquoise waters of the beach, surrounded by lush vegetation, providing a stunning backdrop for your photos. Indulge in a salad and fruit bar on board, where you can enjoy healthy snacks and refreshments. Order cocktails at an additional cost and sip on delicious drinks as you take in the stunning views.

Crete: Island Jeep Tour with BBQ

8. Crete: Island Jeep Tour with BBQ

An incredible day with a team of professionals will be filled with extremes and entertainment! A day that will leave the best and warmest memories of Crete will start early in the morning. A transfer from the hotel will pick you up and take you to the team meeting point. If you have a driver's license, you will be able to drive a jeep by yourself and experience extreme driving on off roads. However, if you do not have a driver's license or you just want to relax, we will provide you with a driver. After meeting your guide and a brief briefing on the day's plan, you will set off on an unforgettable journey. The first location you will be able to enjoy will be Aposelemis Dam. A place of incredible beauty, where you definitely won't be able to resist taking a couple of incredible photos. Continuing along the serpentines and admiring the mountain scenery, you will reach the traditional village of Askoi, where you can taste some traditional delicious or simply enjoy a cup of aromatic coffee. At the middle of the day, an unforgettable BBQ awaits you near the church of Agia Anna, where you can eat deliciously, relax, catch your breath and regain your strength. On the way home, you will see an extremely beautiful landscape combining sea and mountains.

From Herakleion: Day Trip to Preveli Beach and Kourtaliotiko

9. From Herakleion: Day Trip to Preveli Beach and Kourtaliotiko

Discover one of the most famous beaches on the south coast of Crete. Travel through the wild Kourtaliotis Gorge where you will stop to see the magnificent landscapes and the springs of the river Preveli that flow inside the gorge and which result in the river at Preveli Beach. Visit the south of Crete and stop at the viewpoint above where you will be able to enjoy a breathtaking view and take some fantastic pictures. Enjoy a full-day excursion from Heraklion to Preveli Beach on a bus trip with a local guide. Discover South Crete's Grand River, Kourtaliotikos Gorge, and a colony of Theophrastus palm trees. Sunbathe on the sandy beach, swim in the turquoise waters, watch for wildlife, or hike regional trails.  Begin your tour with a bus ride from the north coast to Preveli Beach, where you can swim in the turquoise Mediterranean water or stroll along the beach. Look for a rock shaped like a heart, known as The Stone of Lovers, and marvel at the steep cliffs and misty hilltops of nearby Kourtaliotikos Gorge.  Continue your tour by hiking along the banks of the Grand River to discover the Forest full of Theophrastus palm trees. Hike further up the river trail to a canyon and beach where you can further swim, hike, or sunbathe, before heading back down the path to the bus and returning to Heraklion. 10:45 Arrival at Preveli – free time 15:00 Departure from Preveli 16:50 Arrival in Heraklion Route: 210 km Duration: app. 7hours

From Heraklion: Preveli Tropical Beach and Palm Forest

10. From Heraklion: Preveli Tropical Beach and Palm Forest

Enjoy a full-day excursion from Heraklion to Preveli Beach on a bus trip with a local guide. Discover South Crete's Grand River, Kourtaliotikos Gorge, and a colony of Theophrastus palm trees. Sunbathe on the sandy beaches, swim in the turquoise waters, watch for wildlife, or hike regional trails.  Begin your tour with a bus ride from the north coast to Preveli Beach, where you can swim in the turquoise Mediterranean water or stroll the sandy beaches. Look for a rock shaped like a heart, known as The Stone of Lovers, and marvel at the steep cliffs and misty hilltops of nearby Kourtaliotikos Gorge.  Continue your tour by hiking along the banks of the Grand River to discover the Forest full of Theophrastus palm trees. Hike further up the river trail to a canyon and beach where you can further swim, hike, or sunbathe, before heading back down the path to the bus and returning to Heraklion.

Available activities

38 activities found
Sort by:
Page 1 of 3

Frequently asked questions about Heraklion Regional Unit Beach trips

What are other things to do than Beach trips that are worth visiting in Heraklion Regional Unit?

The other unmissable things to do in Heraklion Regional Unit are:

Other Sightseeing Options in Heraklion Regional Unit

Want to discover all there is to do in Heraklion Regional Unit? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about Heraklion Regional Unit

Great day out! Michael, our tour guide, was brilliant and knew a lot about the local areas. As it was the national Independence Day of Greece , we had our schedule moved around a little so we were able to experience the parades that were happening - a really lovely consideration for the team to have made! Our pick up was very smooth and the bus journey was a beautiful route that allowed us to see the Cretan scenery. Elounda and Agios Nikolaos are stunning places and definitely worth a visit!! We had a good amount of free time in each place - the best part, jumping off our boat into the sea on our way back from Spinalonga Island! Bucket list check! Highly recommend this day out to everyone!

This excursion was awesome! It was a very pleasant trip to South and Eastern Crete. I got to see wonderful landscapes and islands on the road. The view at the top of palm beach of Vai was so beautiful. Don't miss out on the restaurant at the beach, the food there is delicious and authentic. Thank you to Maritza (our guide) and Antonis (our driver). Don't be surprised if you hear the guide give explanations in different languages as it depends on the languages chosen by travellers. If you want to see some parts of Crete, you can book this excursion. It was long but so worth it. The pick-up location was easy to find and the communication with the agency was good.

Very nice trip. They picked me up in a van very close to my hotel because the streets were very narrow. Recommended!

Elafonisi is worth visiting. If you only have one day at your disposal, it is a good solution to choose this tour.

Brilliant day out, lots to see and enough of time to explore each stop.