Private Crete: Antiquity & Adventurers
Crete, Greece
From USD 450.32
Office phone number: +30 698 678 0970
Private Crete: Antiquity & Adventurers
Crete, Greece





Culture shock rating
Worried we’re going to shock your senses? Relax! We believe part of the fun of travel is immersing yourself in the destination and its culture, meeting the people, and learning what makes the place tick. We’ve got a wide range of tours with something for everybody. The cultural shock rating ranks how different the experience is from most Western cultures. But no matter the level, don’t worry, you’ll have a local, in-the-know guide with you every step of the way.
Low
Consider these tours your 101 intro to a place. Transportation might be private or a very comfortable public option, and the activities are usually visits to iconic sites and locations that are familiar to most Western cultures – but that will still give you fantastic insight into a destination.
Medium
Expect to rough it for parts of this tour, whether that’s on a packed public bus or in a local market off the tourist trail. There might be a few language barriers or unfamiliar cultural customs, and you’ll get an experience different from what you're used to at home.
High
You're out there in the global community! We’re going to take you down streets you’d rarely explore on your own, introduce you to local customs and languages, and take you for a ride in whatever transport is available. Get ready to take it as it comes, whatever comes. There might be a shock, but oh man, it’s worth it.

Physical rating
Worried our tours are too tough? Relax! From leisurely strolls to muscle-burning treks, we’ve got a wide range of tours with something for everybody. The physical grading gives you an idea of how much huffing and puffing you can expect on the tour.
Low
Slow and steady is all you need here. These tours have very limited physical activity, such as walking relatively flat streets, sites, or markets, and climbing in and out of the transport provided.
Medium
Not too hard, not too soft, these tours are just right! You can expect a bit of physical activity, but nothing overly challenging – perhaps walking up and down hills, riding a bike for up to 30 kilometers along mostly flat terrain, or jumping in a kayak for a gentle paddle on flat water.
High
Get ready for a workout! These tours are our most challenging and involve intense walking, hiking, kayaking, swimming, or bike riding. You could be making steep climbs by foot or pedal, or working your core in the water. We recommend you have a good level of fitness to join this tour.
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Tour snapshot
If you’ve come to Crete seeking adventure, then we think this private tour is perfect for you! Tap into your inner Indiana Jones as you explore a Cretan village, trek a gorge, wander through an ancient city, drink ‘healing water,’ swim in a turquoise sea, and try your hand at preparing local dishes! It’ll be an adventure of a lifetime that only requires a positive attitude and an open mind!
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Highlights
- Take the the ultimate private adventure on the south coast of Crete, where you’ll explore an off-the-beaten-path coastal village
- Set out on a 90-minute hike through a gorge that offers surreal views, some peace and serenity, and the opportunity to learn about local flora
- Discover the mystic wonders of an unknown ancient city with “healing” waters
- Embark on a fishing boat to a stunning secluded beach and swim in the crystal-clear waters of the Mediterranean Sea
- Try your hand at cooking lessons and learn more about local Cretan dishes
Local Impact: How you will help the local community by joining this tour:
- By visiting villages far from mass tourism and collaborating with the locals, your tour supports these small communities financially.
- As part of your tour you'll enjoy a local organic breakfast made entirely with products from the area.
- You'll also have the opportunity to learn to make a traditional sweet from a village local, something which helps to preserve local cultural heritage.
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Schedule details
- Duration: 11.5 hours
- Meeting point:
Central bus station of Chania, KTEL Chanion – Rethymnou, Kydonias & Partheniou Kelaidi GR-73100, Chania, Crete. Your tour guide will be holding an Urban Adventures sign and will be waiting at the ticket desk.
- Find the exact meeting point with what3words:
- Starting time: 8.30 AM
- Ending point:
Chania central bus station
Language: English
Inclusions: Local English-speaking guide, bus fares, breakfast (local dish with rusks, olives, tomatoes, and cheese), seasonal fruit, a meal (starter and main course), local sweets, raki (a local spirit).
Exclusions: Additional food and drinks, souvenirs, personal items, tips/gratuities for your guide.
Get out of town and work your way down the road less travelled to the southern coast of Crete on your own private tour of the island. You’ll meet your tour guide in Chania, and our tour will begin with a two-hour, local bus ride that will take us to a seaside village unknown to mass tourism.
Upon reaching this small, sleepy village by the sea, we’ll start our adventure off by fuelling up on a light, organic breakfast made with local products.
After the olives, rusks, and cheese have quickly been devoured, we’ll head off to the ancient city of Lissos. We’ll walk in the shade of old pine trees on an easy trail before slowly trekking up a hill that will offer breathtaking views of the gorge beneath us, and the turquoise sea in the distance.
When the trees disappear and a barren plateau appears, the rocks will meet the blue sea, and we’ll see the ruins of the ancient Asclepieion. This healing temple was dedicated to the god Asclepius, and was built in the 3rd century B.C.E. We’ll also point out the herbs and flora that are used in the Cretan diet.
While this walk is fairly easy and follows a trail, please note that it will take approximately 90 minutes with stops, with elevations of 250 metres up, and almost 400 metres down.
Lissos was known as a powerful trading and fishing hub from the 4th century B.C.E. up until the 7th to 9th century C.E., until it was abandoned after it was destroyed in a powerful earthquake. During the Hellenistic Times and until the 5th century C.E., it was a makeshift temple for the goddess Diktinna, whose actual temple has not been discovered yet as the site hasn’t been totally excavated.
You’ll have an hour to walk among the ruins and drink from the spring that gushes ‘healing water’ at the foundations of the Asclepieion. This is the very reason why Lissos was famous in the ancient world, and why it attracted hundreds of people every year.
From here, we’ll spend about half an hour making our way to a sandy beach with fine pebbles. We’ll spend two hours diving into the blue waters, or relaxing under the sun enjoying some fresh fruit.
From the small, pebbled beach, we’ll embark on a fishing boat to continue our exploration of the south coast. Our next stop will be a remote, but quaint village where we’ll have the opportunity to participate in making a local traditional sweet, which pairs well with a glass of raki after a hearty meal!
In the evening, before we depart for Chania, you’ll be able to spend an hour exploring the coastal town of Paleochora. You can take a walk around the promenade or along the smaller, quieter streets — either way, this tiny town has a cosmopolitan flair that you don’t want to miss out on!
By the end of the day we hope you’ll agree with us when we say the best way to explore any place is to check out the unspoiled, local hang-outs and hot-spots that would be hard to find without a local tour guide. We also hope you’ll have discovered the inner explorer within you!
(If you’d prefer to travel as part of a regular group experience, please book our Crete Antiquity & Adventurers group tour.)
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Additional information
Inclusions: Local English-speaking guide, bus fares, breakfast (local dish with rusks, olives, tomatoes, and cheese), seasonal fruit, a meal (starter and main course), local sweets, raki (a local spirit).
Exclusions: Additional food and drinks, souvenirs, personal items, tips/gratuities for your guide.
Dress standard: Please wear comfortable walking shoes and bring a hat, sunscreen, and a bottle of water. If it’s warm, bring your swimsuit!
Confirmation of booking: If you have your voucher, your booking is confirmed. We'll see you at the meeting point. Get in touch if you have any concerns or require more information, via the email address or phone number (business hours only) on your voucher.
Child Policy: Travellers under 14 years of age are not permitted on this tour.
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Dietary Notes
We can accommodate dietary restrictions upon request. Please notify us when you book if you have any allergies or intolerances. You can do so in the “Additional information” box at checkout.
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Local contact
Office phone number: +30 698 678 0970
Email address: info@creteurbanadventures.com
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