Are you in Heraklion in Crete and want to explore the region and islands around? Here are the 13 excursions to the day from Heraklion that we recommend!
A dream destination for many holidaymakers, Greece is famous for its scattered islands. Each has its remarkable point, its identity and its history. Traveling to the Greek islands is evading holiday time!
Moreover, Crete is by far, the largest of the Greek islands. It brings together all the riches offered by Greece: dream beaches, historical sites, relaxation, discovery of local products... The richness of Crete is particularly appreciated when it is travelled by car or by boat from Heraklion, the main city.
So, to help you choose the best excursions, we have selected for you 13 excursions to the day from Heraklion to Crete!
1. Elafonissi
Photo credit: Shutterstock – DaLiu
- 📍 Distance 211 kilometres
- 🚗 By car : 3h
- 📷 To see/to do : beach, enjoy the lagoon
Certainly, Elafonissi may seem a little far from Heraklion for a day trip. However, a visit by Elafonissi is not the most challenging because, above all, it is a matter of enjoying the beach! And what beach! Some will say that it is the most beautiful of Crete or Greece. What is certain is that the beach of Elafonissi is unique on several aspects, which makes it so popular.
The first aspect is the color of the sand that sometimes turns to the rose. The second is the peculiarity of the places: Elafonissi is a small island that forms a lagoon with the Crete and has access to a deep water of a few centimeters (up to one metre depending on the period of the year).
It is therefore possible to make a small hike to the end of the island, where there is a church and a lighthouse. Once you arrive at the site, you can admire the extent of crystalline water, an azure blue as you rarely see.
2. Santorini
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Sabine Klein
- 📍 Distance 145 kilometres
- ⛴ in By boat : 1h50 by fast boat
- 📷 To see/to do : Fira and its white houses, village of Oia, cruise around the caldera, beach
If Elafonissi is far from Heraklion, what is Santorin saying? Yet, the magical island is very well served by boat and can be the subject of a day trip from Heraklion. Santorini is known to all holiday lovers and especially atypical places.
Santorin is the postcard of the Cyclades Archipelago, with its white houses and traditional alleys, which can be found in Fira and Oia. An island where it is good to rest, where one day is not enough to appreciate the whole. You can however choose between you pre-lasser at the beach or make a cruise around the volcanic caldera because, yes, Santorin is a volcanic island!
The visit of this caldera is by boat, sailing around Nea Kameni and the volcano Tholos Naftilos. A unique moment to live that you will not regret!
3. Beach of Vai
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Dziewul
- 📍 Distance 152 kilometres
- 🚗 By car 2h25
- 📷 To see/to do : beach, hiking, archaeological site of Itanos
Another beach for this day trip from Heraklion to Crete. Located opposite Elafonissi, the beach of Vai offers a wonderful relaxing moment during your stay on the island. The place shines by the magical color of its water, a pure and intense blue!
Starting from this little corner of paradise, it is quite possible to push, on foot, to the archaeological site of Itanos located 4 km north. We then leave to discover a sublime coastal landscape. You can also go by car after enjoying the beach!
4. Gramvousa and Balos
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Thomas Ramsauer
- 📍 Distance 183 kilometres
- 🚗 By car 2:30
- 📷 To see/to do : beach and lagoon of Balos, hiking, island of Gramvousa, former fortress of Gramvousa
Located northwest of the island, Gramvousa and Balos form a classic trip from Heraklion to Greece. The places look a little like Elafonissi, with a lagoon and a sand turning to the rose at times. But the comparison stops there!
Gramvousa and the lagoon of Balos are quite distant from each other. Balos forms the big beach of the places, that of the postcards we love to enjoy. As for Gramvousa, it is a remote island that houses dream beaches.
It is possible to make great hikes in Gramvousa and Balos. In Gramvousa, for the bravest, the point of view of the former fortress is fabulous... and makes competition to that of the heights of Balos! Because yes, you can also hike around the lagoon.
5. La Canée
Photo credit: Shutterstock – kavalenkava
- 📍 Distance 142 kilometres
- 🚗 By car 2 hours
- 📷 To see/to do : old town and old Venetian port, archaeological museum, maritime museum, lighthouse, local culinary specialties
The one called Chania in Greek and in the majority of other languages is a beautiful day trip from Heraklion to Crete. The second largest city on the island, La Canée houses a sublime old town around its Venetian port.
On the port is a beautiful mosque, one of the few Ottoman vestiges of Crete. We like to reach one of the terraces facing the sea to taste local culinary specialties based on fish and seafood. Finally, if time allows, do not miss the most beautiful archaeological museum in Crete. In short, no time to get bored in La Canée!
6. Chrissi Island
Photo credit: Shutterstock – tuulijumala
- 📍 Distance 100 kilometres
- 🚗 By car 2 hours
- ⛴ in By boat 1h
- 📷 To see/to do : beaches, hiking
Chrissi is a trip from Heraklion to Crete quite special. First you have to go to the city of Ierapetra in the south of the island, by bus or by car, then take a ferry.
Why is this trip so special? Chrissi has all of Paradise Island! Beautiful beaches, a crystalline color, a hot water in the summer... and nothing else to do, or almost! In Chrissi, we enjoy a well-deserved rest for a day. It is also possible to hike, discover fossilized shells and a church.
Attention however to inform you about the weather because the days of great winds the island is to flee absolutely!
7. Lake Kournas
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Richard Whitcombe
- 📍 Distance 103 kilometres
- 🚗 By car 1h30
- 📷 To see/to do : cruise on the lake, swimming, hiking
Lost in the middle of nature, Lake Kournas is a dream destination for many. The only true lake on the island is a day trip from Heraklion to enjoy the cooler air of the mountain. It is of course possible to bathe if the temperature is ready!
Another popular activity of the lake, cleaning your feet! Indeed, small fishes eating dead skin colonize the lake and will make you a little free scrub!
Finally, if you are equipped with good shoes, do not hesitate to hike around the lake to admire stunning views.
8. Hiking at Mount Ida
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Peter Hatch
- 📍 Distance 59 kilometres
- 🚗 By car 1h25
- 📷 To see/to do : hiking, enjoying a superb panorama
Culminant to 2 456 metres , Mount Ida is the highest peak of Crete. It is a excursion reserved for those who want a little freshness in the heart of the summer meter and who like to make beautiful hikes. Mount Ida offers beautiful trails with breathtaking views.
Mount Ida also houses many caves. The most famous of them is the cave of Ida. Also known as the cave of Zeus, it is, according to Greek mythology, the birthplace of the master of the Olympus. It has, like the many caves of Mount Ida, especially that of Psychro, magnificent stalagmites and stalactites. Some are mentioned in mythological works like Iliade!
9. Rethymnon
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Georgios Tsichlis
- 📍 Distance 80 kilometres
- 🚗 By car 1h05
- 📷 To see/to do : old town and Venetian fortress, Rimondi fountain, archaeological museum, Neratze Mosque, beach
For some, Rethymnon is a little La Canée. This is in part true! Like La Canée, Réthymnon has a pretty old town and an old Venetian port where you like to walk. There's even an archaeological museum! Yet, Réthymnon is a day trip from Heraklion that offers much more than a simple miniature copy of La Canée.
The Ottoman remains of the island are better preserved and more numerous in Rethymnon, including two mosques. One is located on the heights, inside the ancient Venetian fortress. We appreciate this cultural and architectural mix, as well as the maintenance that has been carried to these buildings since the Greek reconquest.
In the old town, there are also pretty streets, as well as the superb Rimondi fountain – the name of the Venetian governor of the time – built in 1626. In short, a small town that we love very much!
10. Gorges de Samaria
Photo credit: Shutterstock – proslgn
- 📍 Distance 80 kilometres
- Interpretation By bus : during the day
- 📷 To see/to do : hiking and observation of an exceptional panorama
You want to make a real trek? So choose this trip! The gorges of Samaria offer a fabulous spectacle and a grandiose landscape. Throughout the day, you will discover a panorama as varied as splendid.
At the bottom of the canyon, you will walk on wooden boards, a small stream that is sometimes dry. This hike also includes passages on the heights. Be warned, the hike is rather difficult but, at the end, the reward of exceptional views!
11. Lassithi region
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Dziewul
- 📍 Distance 60-70 kilometres
- 🚗 By car 1 to 2 hours depending on location
- 📷 To see/to do : Spinalonga, Elounda, Agios Nikolaos, ancient site of Lato, cave of Zeus
For lovers of mini road trips or discovering off the beaten paths, opt for this day trip from Heraklion. The Lassithi region occupies the eastern part of Crete Island. It houses many points of interest and remarkable places.
In the first place there are seaside resorts such as the Elounda animate or the quietest Agios Nikolaos, the archaeological site of Lato and the island of Spinalonga. The latter is much more attractive than it was once, when it was the island that sheltered the lepers!
Then, if the weather allows and you love hiking, you can go to Mount Spathi, which houses beautiful caves. Finally, the region of Lassithi is also that of the beach of Vai and the archaeological site of Itanos mentioned above. But we think it is better to devote a whole day to this far part of the Lassithi region.
12. Dia Island in sailboat
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Natalia Davidovich
- 📍 Distance : 12 kilometers – 6.5 nautical miles
- ⛴ in By boat : 4-5 hours of total excursion
- 📷 To see/to do : sea ride, beaches, hiking
A small wild island located north of Heraklion, Dia Island is only accessible through a private excursion. The one we recommend is made by sailing the time of an afternoon.
Once on board, you will have time to enjoy a nice sea ride and your guide will teach you while the island was one of the favorite destinations of Jacques-Yves Cousteau . Once on site, visitors will have 2h30 to discover the treasures of the island, such as its former Minoan port, and to hike in the middle of Dia cedars. Of course, you can also enjoy swimming in crystalline water!
We recommend this excursion to those who want peace and enjoy a quiet place to rest while admiring the richness of the landscapes.
13. Safari on the road
Photo credit: Shutterstock – photoff
- 📍 Distance : on site
- 🚗 By car : 8 hours of total excursion
- 📷 To see/to do : all-terrain in 4×4, cave of Zeus, visit of villages, culinary tastings and liqueurs
We finish our selection with this trip from Heraklion. You will have the opportunity to explore Crete in 4×4 to discover the riches of the Minoan road, the name of the first inhabitants of the island.
On the road you will also have the opportunity to admire sublime mountain landscapes. You will go to meet the inhabitants of a mountain hut who will tell you the legends of the Minoan road! It is with these inhabitants that you can taste local specialties like cheese and a home liqueur. During your getaway, you will go to visit Lasinthos Eco Park to observe traditional craftsmanship.
Finally, you will finish your safari by the village of Krassi , famous for its 2,000 year old tree and its natural water source. On the road you will remember the wonderful moments spent during this unforgettable day!
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