The 15 Tours in Rethymno That Earn Their Price

1.Samaria Gorge Full-Day Trek, Pickup & Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,610 reviews · 9 - 12 hours · from $37Our pick

Spend a demanding day crossing Samaria Gorge from Omalos to Agia Roumeli. You’ll walk at your own pace over rocky ground, beneath old cypress trees, beside clear springs, and through the famous narrow gorge. Guides such as Pia and George explain the route in English, German, or French, then you return by ferry and air-conditioned coach.

“Very well organised. A great day out. Enough time to enjoy the walk and the beach and town at the end. The trip ended with a beautiful sunset from the ferry.”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Sunset Catamaran Cruise – Sushi & Open Bar

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 446 reviews · 3.5 hours · from $100

Sail from Rethymno Marina aboard the catamaran Karina for 3.5 hours of swimming, SUP, snorkeling, sushi, Cretan snacks, and unlimited beer, wine, soft drinks, and water. The English and Greek-speaking crew, including Nana and Yannis on some departures, finish the evening near Geropotamos Beach with sunset views. Groups are limited to 25.

“The crew was very experienced, communication was also great. It was a bit windy at first but the crew brought to an amazing area with quiet sea where we had a long pause and were able to swim. This little cruise was my mom’s birthday present and she was extremely happy.”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Spili, Agia Galini, and Matala Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 391 reviews · 10 hours · from $33

Travel by air-conditioned bus from Rethymno to Spili, Matala, and Agia Galini. You’ll see Spili’s lion-head fountains, explore Matala’s Minoan-era caves, enjoy three hours by the beach, and hear local stories from guides such as Anastasia and Lazarus.

“AWESOME!! the stops on our way to matala were beautiful and even the bus ride was nice itself. thanks to andreas we've heard interessting facts about crete and our destinations. the red beach and the hike to it is a definitive recommondation.”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Arkadi, Melidoni, and Margarites Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 211 reviews · 10 hours · from $41

Leave Rethymno for a full day of Cretan culture. Visit Melidoni Cave, 16th-century Arkadi Monastery, pottery workshops in Margarites, and an old olive oil mill. A family tavern adds lunch, live music, and dancing. English and German guides, hotel pickup, and air-conditioned transport are included. Lunch and entrance fees cost extra.

“We enjoyed the variety of experiences and the landscapes are so beautiful everywhere we went. The extra special experience was the afternoon lunch with dance and music. We felt very privileged to be part of the whole experience. Our guide Nectarios and driver Kostas were exceptional. They seemed to enjoy the day as much as we did. We also had a lovely selection of people with us to share the whole day with. We would have liked a little more time in Arcadia rather than the much longer time in Margaritas. However, top marks for a very entertaining day in "real' Crete. We will certainly recommend this particular tour to…”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Samariá Gorge Full-Day Hike

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 129 reviews · 12 hours · from $37

Join an English-speaking guide, possibly Maria or Leonidas, for a demanding 16-kilometer walk through Samaria Gorge. You’ll pass springs, forests, cliffs, and the Iron Gates, then swim in Agia Roumeli before taking the ferry to Sougia. Transport, guiding, and bus Wi-Fi are included, but park entry and the ferry cost extra.

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Melidoni Cave and Arkadi Monastery Half-Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 120 reviews · 210 minutes - 6 hours · from $28

Travel inland from Rethymno with an English or German-speaking guide to Melidoni Cave, Arkadi Monastery, and Fragma Potamon Dam. A pottery workshop near Margarites is included with selected options. Pickup covers Rethymno and nearby resorts. Expect bus time, extra entrance fees, and a schedule that may run longer than six hours.

“The guide was very informative and answered any questions. My wife and I enjoyed the visit to the monastery. The coach was very cunfortable with plenty of room”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Mini Pirate Boat Cruise with Swimming Stop

★★★★★★★★★★3.8 · 110 reviews · 2h 30m · from $41

Join a 2.5-hour pirate boat cruise from Rethymno with a swim near Gerani Bay, views of sea caves and the Camarola arch, a simple snack, and water. The return route passes Fortezza and the Venetian Port. English, French, and German assistance is available, but the boat is not suitable for people with mobility impairments.

“Hyvin sujui. Merellä olo parasta, vesipullo ja sen kanssa tarjottu sämpylä positiivinen yllätys.”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Rethymno Old Town: A Traditional Cretan Food Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 103 reviews · 3 hours · from $104

Join Virginia of Filiko Tours for a three-hour evening walk through Rethymno’s Old Town, with six food stops, local wine, raki, rakomelo, pastries, baklava, and lokma. You’ll visit family-run taverns, a bakery, and a historic phyllo workshop. Groups are limited to 12, and the tastings replace dinner for most people.

“Me and my partner chose this tour as we are big foodies, and wanted a way to try local delicacies while exploring a new city - this tour was perfect for that. our guide gave us so much information not just on the food but on Cretan life in general and the city, and kept us laughing as she did so. Overall I would highly recommend this tour to everyone!”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Chania City Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 98 reviews · 7 hours · from $29

Travel by comfortable bus from Rethymno to Chania, hear local history from a guide, then spend about 4.5 to 5 hours exploring independently. Visit the Venetian harbor, see the lighthouse, follow old-town alleys, and choose your own lunch stop. Guide languages and pickup points vary by day and hotel.

“zeer genoten van de reis mooie plaats en heel gezellig”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Agia Galini: South Crete Sailing Trip with Optional Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 92 reviews · 4.5 - 6 hours · from $106

Join captains Sam, Andrej, or Lucas for a 4.5 to 6-hour small-group sailing trip from Agia Galini. Cruise toward Paximadia and South Crete, swim and snorkel from the yacht, use the SUP boards, and learn about local nature, myths, and history. Lunch is available for an extra charge, with vegetarian food by request.

“Very nice and fun crew. The sailing was amazing with dolphins greeting us in the sunset. Nice mediterraean meal and greek wine!! Highly recommended!”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.Kourtaliotiko Gorge River Trek with Lunch! Pick-up Avaliable

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 90 reviews · 5 hours · from $112

You’ll follow an English-speaking guide through Kourtaliotiko Gorge, swimming to its great waterfall and walking through cool river pools beneath plane trees. The five-hour small-group trip includes transfers, wetsuit, helmet, poles, waterproof phone case, and a light meal at Banana Garden. Bring sturdy shoes that can get wet, a towel, swimwear, and €5 cash.

“Spektakulär in eine hohe schmale Schlucht mit Wasserfällen hineinzuschwimmen zu können und durch das Flussbett in Richtung Tal zu warten-sehr gut organisiert und ein schöner Abschluss im Banana Garden. Sehr sympathischer Guide (Neoprenanzug, Helm und wasserdichtes Handycase wird gestellt, feste Schuhe z. B. nicht die neuesten Turnschuhe,die nass werden können, unbedingt mitnehmen) - unsere absolute Empfehlung, Sonja und Ole”

Check availability →Read our full review

12.Preveli Palm Beach and Kourtaliotiko Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 87 reviews · 10 hours · from $25

Spend a full day exploring southern Crete with an English-speaking guide, an air-conditioned coach, and a short boat ride from Damnoni to Preveli. You will visit Kourtaliotiko Gorge, swim beside the palm forest, and have free time for food and photos. Guides may include Brenda, Spiritos, or Johnny.

“In general a nice trip However, there should be a warning that visiting the gorge is not suitable for many people. Also the visit of Plakias was an unnecessary part of the trip. My impression that it is there only to make participants go to a certain tavern.”

Check availability →Read our full review

13.Elafonisi Island Day Tour by Bus From Rethymno

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 78 reviews · 10 hours · from $31

Travel by coach from Rethymno to Elafonisi, passing through Topolia Gorge and Cretan villages. You get about four hours at the pink-sand beach, time to swim in the shallow lagoon, and a walk across knee-deep water to protected Elafonissi island. Hotel pickup, a guide, and drop-off are included.

“Excursia a fost minunată , timpul a fost puțin cam scurt, recomand cu drag , merită să mergi dacă poți să petreci o zi întreagă ☺️.”

Check availability →Read our full review

14.Crete Private Tour: The Secrets of Wine, Olives & Honey

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 59 reviews · 6.5 hours

From Rethimno, your English-speaking guide drives you by private 4x4 to a winery, Garazo village, Halepa Monastery, an olive oil mill and a honey museum. Taste local products, enjoy a Cretan lunch in Melidoni, and hear about island life from guides such as Xari, Manos and Panos.

“Sehr schöner Ausflug in Gegenden, in die man sonst nicht kommt. Informativ, kleine Gruppe, super nette Guides. Lämmer wieder gerne.”

Check availability →Read our full review

15.Traditional Cooking Class in a Cretan Village

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 58 reviews · from $110Top rated

Join Chrysoula for a 3.5-hour Cretan cooking class in her family home near Rethymno. You’ll prepare dakos, tzatziki, gemista, moussaka, pies, and more with farm-fresh ingredients, then eat together with local wine and raki. Vegetarian and allergy-friendly menus are available.

“What an amazing experience. We learnt how to cook several traditional Greek dishes and the food was absolutely amazing. The class takes place in a beautiful home setting. I can not thank Chrysoula enough for her hospitality. She made it feel less like a class and more than having a meal with family. Im vegan (my friends I did the class with are not) and Chrysoula went above and to make sure I was catered for. I waddled out of the class after eating too much food and even had some left over to take back to our hotel. This was easily the best cooking class I've done and was…”

Check availability →Read our full review