Top 14 Private Tours in Crete

1.Knossos Palace Skip-the-Line Ticket & Private Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 633 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $247Our pick

Skip the ticket line at Knossos and enjoy a 1.5-hour private tour with a licensed archaeologist, built for fewer queues and better context.

“Great option for Knossos- i really suggest you take it especially if going in summer and it’s very warm outside and there’s lots of visitors. Our guide Stella was v thoughtful ( always made sure we were in the shade) and very patient with our questions. A great experience!”

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2.Hersonissos: Private Motorboat Rental – No License Required

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 487 reviews · 2 - 4 hours · from $188

Self-drive a private motorboat from Hersonissos with no license needed. Cruise Crete, stop at Saint George Bay, swim and snorkel.

“The boat of the year, we saw turtles and the jet boat, doing amazing spin!”

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3.Private Half-Day Sailing Trip to Dia Island

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 466 reviews · 4.5 hours · from $459

Private 4.5-hour sailing to Dia Island from Heraklion. Snorkel, paddleboard, fish, swim, and eat on board with drinks included.

“Communication with the provider was excellent from point of booking to the day of the event. They answered my many questions and was helpful with facilitating a cake delivery for my daughters birthday. The round trip taxi service was fairly priced, the driver arrived in time & was very friendly and accommodating. The boat was lovely & the crew Ilias & Nikiforas were fantastic. Really friendly& welcoming guys. Dia Island was beautiful & the journey to and from the island was equally as enjoyable. All round a perfect excursion and well worth the money. Thank you”

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4.Private Full-Day Knossos-Lasithi Plateau-Cave of Zeus

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 176 reviews · 8 to 10 hours (approx.) · from $544.43Top rated

Private full-day Crete tour from Heraklion to Mochos, Krasi, Lasithi Plateau, Zeus Cave, Knossos Palace, and the archaeology museum.

“Nicholas and his knowledge and expertise of the area (especially our lunch options) were exceptional! A five star experience for sure.”

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5.Heraklion SUV Private Guided Wine Tour with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 165 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $272.21

Private Heraklion wine tour with vineyard access, 12 tastings, and a 3-course lunch. See Peza wine country with a sommelier guide.

“We had a wonderful day visiting 2 wineries and an ancient wine press with our very knowledgeable guide. The wines were very good and food exceeded our expectations- absolutely amazing! The scenery was stunning and we enjoyed the tours at both wineries. Our only complaint was that this was sold to us as a private SUV tour however it was a small car. My husband and 2 adult daughters are very tall so it was a very uncomfortable car ride. I think the tour operator should clarify this before accepting the booking request.”

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6.Wine & Olive Oil Tour with Lunch – Semi Private Safari Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 156 reviews · 7 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $181.48

4WD semi-private safari from Chania for a hermit cave, 3000-year olive tree, olive oil and 5 wines, plus scenic lunch.

“Good variety in the day , history, wine and olive oil tasting and off road Dimitri was an excellent guide again”

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7.Private Boat Trip Kissamos Balos (price per group – up to 10 people)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 143 reviews · 3 to 6 hours (approx.) · from $701.71

Private boat trip from Chania to Balos Lagoon and Gramvousa, with snorkeling, swimming stops, and fortress views in a small group.

“We were very impressed with this trip. This is the second time we have used Viator and we have always found them to be so good. Our captain was Lefteris and he was excellent. Fantastic trip would highly recommend.”

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8.Private Full-Day Sailing Trip to Dia Island

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 140 reviews · 6.5 hours · from $695

A 6.5-hour private sail from Heraklion to Dia Island with two swim stops, snorkeling gear, fishing, unlimited drinks, and optional meal.

“We told the guides we were more interested in sailing than the excursions and they accommodated our request. The Elan 37 is a fun boat and she sailed well even in light winds. The lunch was delicious and we enjoyed it in an idyllic bay on Dia island. The captain and first mate were vey kind and helpful with our two kids. I highly recommend this excursion and will book again if we return to Crete.”

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9.Knossos & Lassithi Private Tour–Discover Zeus’s Land with a Local

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 137 reviews · 7 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $302.46

Private Knossos and Lassithi day trip with dam views, olive oil tasting, Lassithi windmills, a monastery with bees, and flexible Knossos time.

“Leonidas was an excellent tour guide. He provided wonderful information, safe transport with amenities and many historical stops with shopping and food. Would absolutely hire him again.”

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10.Private Tour-Knossos Palace Zeus Cave Olive Oil Mill & Wine

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 135 reviews · 7 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $151.17Best value

Private Crete tour from Heraklion: Lasithi Plateau villages, olive oil tasting, pottery, windmills, Krasi tree, and Knossos Palace.

“Realizing that there are two cruise ports in Crete and make sure that your ship is coming into the right on for the tour. Apparently they are 2 hours apart and the tour company doesn’t verify which port your ship is coming.”

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11.Elafonissi Beach Private Custom Tour – Crete’s Pink Sand Paradise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 130 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $314.44

Private Elafonissi day trip with pink sand, turquoise lagoons, honey tasting, monastery or cave stops, and flexible pickup from Crete.

“Fantastic tour guide who tailored the tour to the weather and what we wanted to see, with very unique stops along the way!”

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12.PRIVATE Walking Tour with Lunch and Wine Tasting by a Sommelier

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 113 reviews · 4 to 5 hours (approx.) · from $193.50

Private Chania walking tour with coffee at Profiti Ilia, a sommelier-led tasting of 4 Cretan wines, and a lunch packed with local favorites.

“amazing. group was small and our guide was amazing! he brought us to local places we would've never gone and was so fun. he taught us so much about chania/greece and it felt like we were running around with a dear friend. we had a huge lunch at the end of the tour where we got to try different local dishes. 10/10. me and my other girl friend felt safe.”

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13.Private Balos & Falassarna Tour – Lagoon, Beach & Scenic Views

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 86 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $337.90

Private Crete day trip to Balos Lagoon and Falassarna Beach with free Chania pickup, flexible timing, and direct beach drop-off for up to 3.

“Beautiful beaches. Spent most of our time at Balos. Wonderful views and amazing look at nature in Crete! So many goats/sheep! Amazing walk/trek to the lagoon. Definitely wear tennis shoes/Tevas/Chaco/etc… (no flip flops)! Be prepared for the hike back! Water was cold but here in late Apri! Excellent lunch at Gramboussa! Amazing Cretan food! Falasarna Beach was also beautiful with cold water but amazing waves! All in all a great experience!”

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14.Chania old town and around private tour (price per group of 6)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 85 reviews · 5 to 6 hours (approx.) · from $567.19

Private Chania Old Town and Souda Bay tour for up to six, with Talos Square walks, WW2 cemetery, and flexible pacing.

“Don’t miss this tour if you are Chania. Our guide George was the most knowledgeable historian we have met while in Europe. He took us to all the best spots and was so interesting to learn from.”

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