Knossos Palace & samaria Gorge Hike
“7 nights in Crete — Land in Heraklion, settle into the Old Town guesthouse, and ease in with a harbour-side evening.”
7 nights in Crete, mapped out day by day through Heraklion, Samaria Gorge and Elounda & Spinalonga — a place to sleep and something worth doing on every one of the 7 days.
Good to know
- Best season
- 12-19 May
- Pace
- Steady, a full day out
- Where you sleep
- Boutique guesthouse, Heraklion (Old Town)
- Getting around
- Trains, transit, and walking
- Length
- 7 days
- Budget
- €1,214
The trip, day by day
- 1
Arrival & Old Town
Airport transfer to Old Town guesthouseWalk the Venetian harbour and Koules FortressStroll Lion Square (Morosini Fountain) and 25 Avgoustou streetCasual dinner of Cretan mezze in the back streets - 2
Knossos Palace
Early departure to Knossos (open 08:00)Guided tour of the Palace of KnossosHeraklion Archaeological Museum for the frescoes and artefactsAfternoon rest, then dinner in Old Town - 3
Samaria Gorge Hike
Pre-dawn pickup for the drive west to Omalos plateau16km descent through Samaria Gorge to Agia RoumeliSwim and lunch at the Libyan Sea coastFerry to Sougia/Chora Sfakion and coach back to Heraklion - 4
Spinalonga & Elounda Boat Trip
Drive to Elounda / Plaka on the east coastBoat to Spinalonga island and guided fortress walkSwim stop and lunch by Mirabello BayWander Elounda waterfront before returning - 5
Wine & Olive-Oil Tasting
Morning drive to the Peza/Archanes wine regionGuided winery tour and tasting of Vidiano and Kotsifali winesOlive-oil estate visit with tasting and production talkVillage lunch, then evening back in Heraklion - 6
Cretan Cooking Class
Morning visit to Heraklion's central market for ingredientsHands-on cooking class: dakos, dolmades, and a slow-cooked mainSit-down lunch of everything you preparedFree afternoon: beach at Ammoudara or Old Town shopping - 7
Departure
Leisurely breakfast and last Old Town walkPick up local olive oil and wine to take homeTransfer to Heraklion airport for return flight
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Arrival & Old Town
Land in Heraklion, settle into the Old Town guesthouse, and ease in with a harbour-side evening. Airport transfer to Old Town guesthouse and Walk the Venetian harbour and Koules Fortress.
- Flights
- €290
- Stay
- €924
- Per night
- €173
Estimates — the booking site shows the real price.
Want it different?
Swap a day, change the budget, add the kids. Tomo re-balances the rest.
Knossos Palace
Early guided tour of the Minoan palace before the crowds and heat build. Early departure to Knossos (open 08:00) and Guided tour of the Palace of Knossos.
Samaria Gorge Hike
Full-day west-coast excursion through Europe's longest gorge, exiting at the Libyan Sea. Pre-dawn pickup for the drive west to Omalos plateau and 16km descent through Samaria Gorge to Agia Roumeli.
Spinalonga & Elounda Boat Trip
Relaxed east-coast day by boat to the fortress island of Spinalonga and the bay of Elounda. Drive to Elounda / Plaka on the east coast and Boat to Spinalonga island and guided fortress walk.
Wine & Olive-Oil Tasting
Inland day among the Peza and Archanes vineyards for Cretan wine and estate olive oil. Morning drive to the Peza/Archanes wine region and Guided winery tour and tasting of Vidiano and Kotsifali wines.
Cretan Cooking Class
Hands-on cooking class with a market visit, learning traditional Cretan dishes. Morning visit to Heraklion's central market for ingredients and Hands-on cooking class: dakos, dolmades, and a slow-cooked main.
Departure
Final Cretan morning before the flight home. Leisurely breakfast and last Old Town walk and Pick up local olive oil and wine to take home.
Make this trip yours
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