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  • Little boats floating on crystal clear water in a bay next to a small Greek village with white sugar-cube buildings

Luxury Crete Tours made for you

Explore some of Europe's most stunning beaches

Ancient ruins, stunning beaches and boutique retreats

Crete was home to Europe’s earliest civilisation, the Minoans, and the legendary birthplace of Zeus. That’s quite a claim to fame but not content to just be historically interesting, the island also has a wealth of natural beauty and some of the country’s best beaches found anywhere among the Greek islands.

The island was under the rule of the Romans, Venetians, Byzantines and Turks and its towns and cities have their fair share of architectural gems. It’s well worth wandering through the backstreet of Chania and along its pretty Venetian harbour, as well as exploring the medieval town of Rethymno with its impressive fortress.

Relive the legend of Theseus and the Minotaur at the palace complex at Knossos, capital of Minoan Crete, and delve further into the county’s fascinating history at the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion with exhibits spanning an impressive 5,5000 years.

As well as its rich cultural offerings, Crete is a naturally beautiful island. Explore the eastern region of Lasithi with its forests and vast plateau dotted with windmills. The Samaria Gorge at 16km is thought to be the longest in Europe and is buried deep within the White Mountains, so called because of the sun reflected on the limestone and the dusting of snow in winter.

There’s also a wealth of culinary experiences to be had here, as well as traditional festivals to immerse yourself in and artisan workshops to visit. Finally, no introduction to Crete would be complete without mentioning its beaches. Let yourself be seduced by the sparkling turquoise waters, the swathes of white sand and the secluded coves that are begging to be explored.

From our experts

Experiences picked by our Crete specialists

Learn to cook Cretan favourites

Learn the secrets of the renowned Cretan diet through a hands-on class and seed-to-plate experience at a 17th-century farmhouse surrounded by organic gardens.

Step inside Heraklion's Archaeological Museum

Discover over 5,500 years of history at the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion and see original wall paintings from the Palace of Knossos, including the Bull-Leaping fresco.

Explore a pottery village

Visit traditional hand-thrown pottery workshops hidden in the colourful alleys of Margarites.

See the Minoan ruins at Knossos

Marvel at the ruins of the Minoean Crete capital, Knossos, discovering more than 1300 inter-connecting rooms that may have inspired the Greek myth of King Minos.

Cruise to beautiful coves

Cruise the iconic blue waters of the Balos Lagoon and hike up to the stunning Venetian castle on the Gramvousa islet.

Hike forests and gorges

Trek through Samaria National Forest, tackle the more strenuous and rocky Aradena Gorge, or enjoy the easier, highly scenic Imbros Gorge.

A word from one of our experts

The largest island in Greece has a very distinctive local atmosphere. Influenced by a variety of cultures, you can still find the remains of Bronze Age settlements or the Venetian and Ottoman empires. There are also beautiful hidden bays and beaches, as well as undiscovered local villages that make this island so unique.

Melania Siriu Senior Travel Designer

Luxury accommodation in Crete

There are many incredible places to stay in Crete. Here are some of our favourites, handpicked by our travel designers:

Why book with Jacada?

  • Personalised design

    We’ll plan your trip around your specific interests, tastes and preferences, providing helpful tips and honest advice based on first-hand knowledge of the destination.

  • Authentic experiences

    Our expert guides and brilliant travel concierges are hand-picked to provide a genuine experience, bringing your destination to life with care and passion.

  • Responsible travel

    Our luxury trips are designed with responsible travel principles that prioritise travel experiences that are both good for you and good for the planet.

Trip Inspriation

Get inspired with our Crete example trips and then get in touch to plan your own adventure

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Ready to plan your adventure?

Whatever you want from your Crete tour, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.

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When to visit

The climate on Crete is quite suitable for most of the year, with the temperature and sunlight hours increasing gradually from March through to August. The main tourist period runs from April to mid-October, but our favourite times to visit Crete are in late spring or early summer, as well as in autumn when the weather is not too hot and the main tourist crowds have departed.

Beach Break

June - September

Escape the crowds

October

When Is the Best Time to Visit Greece?

Crete Travel Guides

Plat your trip to Crete

Whatever you want from your adventure in Crete, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.

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We enjoyed our first trip with Jacada and it surely won't be our last! Every detail and moment of our trip was perfectly planned. We were met every step of the way with courteous and knowledgeable drivers and guides. We really appreciated the local guides and the commitment they had to make every day special. Thank you Jacada for the…

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My wife and I used Jacada to plan our honeymoon to French Polynesia. Working with the Jacada team was fantastic and effortless. Every question was quickly answered. Every hiccup was quickly addressed. We felt like we were in the hands of experts who are equally passionate about travel, and who were committed to helping us have the trip of a…

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We enjoy traveling and we have used Jacada Travel for some wonderful trips over several years. We have never been disappointed. In 2024 we took a Safari in Botswana Africa and walked with the gorillas in Rwanda planned by Jacada and the itinerary was amazing. In 2025 we had planned a trip to Antartica ( with another company ) but…

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Communication and organization were excellent. The Jacada team was helpful and genuinely interested in our experience. The guides were personable, knowledgeable, and clearly enjoy their work. Vehicles were spotless, timely, and coordinators managed our every need brilliantly. I will recommend Jacada to friends and family. The only way to travel!

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We had a wonderful trip planned through Jacada. We enjoyed the venues and the excursions. This is a beautiful place we'd recommend to anyone who wants to go on a new adventure.

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Your trip, your story

We craft trips deeply personal, delightfully surprising and entirely one of a kind. Every Jacada journey begins in conversation with a travel designer, a specialist in their destination of expertise. Behind each journey is a wealth of insight, gathered over years of on-the-ground exploration.

Once you’re booked, you’ll meet your concierge. Based in the region you’re visiting, they’ll take care of all the details so your mind is at rest. They make the trip truly special – and truly yours.

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