10 Best Day Trips from Heraklion

Heraklion is the capital of the Greek island of Crete, which is surrounded by entertaining activities that you cannot miss. In addition, there are many nearby destinations that you can explore on your own or with professional guides. Its privileged location provides easy access to the island of Dia, Chania, the mountains of Finikia and Giouchtas, Agios Nikolaos, Portela and more.

On a day trip, you can also take the opportunity to escape to one of the most beautiful islands in Greece, as getting to Santorini from Heraklion is very easy. To make the most of your holiday, I recommend planning the destinations you want to visit. It all depends on how much time you have to leave the island, but to help you decide, here are some of the best excursions.

Dia Island is a Mediterranean paradise located 45 minutes by boat from the city. It is uninhabited and home to nature reserves, which are preserved. To get there, you can take advantage of the best cruises in Heraklion, which are known for offering comfortable and comprehensive services.

It is an enjoyable experience, where you can enjoy the wind blowing in your face. You are free to organise the trip on your own, but the main advantage of guided tours is that they take you to see amazing areas of this bay. There are a variety of water activities on the island, ideal if you are planning things to do in Heraklion with children.

Some of the things to do include fishing, paddle surfing, and snorkelling. There are structures that were used during the wars, which have been preserved and reveal interesting stories. It is possible to see wild goats, which should not be touched as they are in their natural habitat. On the other hand, most tours usually offer lunch, as there are not many options for eating on the island.

Details of interest

• Price: from £139 per person.
• Duration: approximately five hours.
• Means of transport: a meeting point is usually set to set sail on board a cruise ship.

After discovering the best beaches in Heraklion and enjoying the city's attractions, you will surely want to explore other options. One of the best options is to relax in the Finikia and Giouchtas mountains. From here you can see the sleeping mountain of the Greek god Zeus.

There are many ways to visit the mountains, and one of the most recommended is to take a guided tour. This option usually includes a relaxing horse ride, as well as a Cretan lunch and local wine tasting. If you are looking for things to do in Heraklion with children, this can be an ideal excursion as it usually includes prior training.

What makes this type of experience even more special is that you will be accompanied by a local guide, who will provide you with relevant information throughout the tour and assist you whenever you need it during your ride. In addition, you will be able to enjoy the most beautiful views of Crete.

Details of interest

• Price: from £74 per person.
• Duration: around five hours.
• Transport: usually includes return transport and a fun horse ride.

Heraklion is a city that can be explored in a short time, so you may want to look for activities outside the island. A great option is to take a trip to Chania, an area of Crete located an hour's drive away. You will surely be dazzled by the ancient streets of the Old Town, as well as the buildings in the New Town that have earned it the nickname "Venice of the East".

It is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful cities in the Mediterranean, notable for its Minoan architecture. You will also see monuments influenced by Venetian and Greek styles. Here you will surely visit the Yali Mosque, the Venetian fortress, the Clock Tower and the Church of St. Nicholas of Chania.

To continue the tour, you can head to Lake Kournas. Its fresh waters and the paths that lead to the mountains are a great option for clearing your mind. Along the way, you may encounter two-coloured turtles and other species. Also, don't forget to stop by Rethymno, a city with a fascinating history and cuisine. Finally, to learn more about the Minoan art of the area, I suggest you visit the Archaeological Museum of Rethymno.

Details of interest

• Price: from £45 per person.
• Duration: approximately nine hours.
• Means of transport: transfers are usually made in an air-conditioned vehicle.

If you plan to stay in the city for a couple of days, you definitely need to take advantage of the best things to do in Heraklion. An excursion to the town of Agios Nikolaos is a must for a fun Mediterranean holiday.

These types of excursions are a great idea as they usually offer free time for you to explore on your own. Additionally, they can cover transportation and provide useful tips. In this city, I suggest you head to Lake Voulismeni, which looks like something out of a postcard. It is a location surrounded by shops, traditional houses, restaurants, and more. Nearby is Elounda, another luxury town with a variety of beaches and hotels facing the Aegean Sea.

Of course, you can't miss the island of Spinalonga. It was home to Venetian communities, who built walls to protect themselves during the war with the Turks. To learn more about this period, visit the museum located in the Fortress of Spinalonga.

Details of interest

• Price: from £34 per person.
• Duration: around nine hours.
• Transport: return transfer in an air-conditioned coach or minivan is usually provided.

Hidden in the mountains of Crete is the Aposelemis Basin Reservoir, with a fascinating historical heritage. If you opt for a guided experience, you can take advantage of the best tours from Heraklion, which usually offer Land Rover tours of the area. The best thing is that these are usually small group excursions, offering personalised experiences.

This is the perfect opportunity to try Raki liqueur, which is produced in the region. You will also find an ancient Roman aqueduct near the Afendi mountains, offering breathtaking views of the village of Sfendili. You may pass by the Dikteon caves, whose archaeological sites are impressive.

Details of interest

• Price: from €88 per person.
• Duration: approximately eight hours.
• Transport: usually includes return transport with a driver who will provide guided commentary.

Chania is a wine region that is not to be missed. There are trips from Heraklion that take you to taste the culinary delights of this location. You can do it on your own, but the advantage of booking an excursion is that it usually includes a guide. In this area, you will find oil mills and learn more about the production process.

There are also wineries and vineyards, where you can enjoy local wine tastings and even have Cretan dishes for lunch. It is ideal if you want to take a family outing or book things to do with children in Heraklion. Generally, the excursions are personalised as they are intended for small groups.

Details of interest

• Price: from £152 per person.
• Duration: around eight hours.
• Transport: usually includes return transfers.

Canyoning is an adventure sport that involves climbing up canyons or ravines. For safety reasons, you need to be reasonably fit. One of the perfect places to do this activity is the Portela Gorge, located an hour from Heraklion. You'll have to climb, jump, scramble and even swim, but it's totally worth it.

You will probably explore the most important canyons in the region, known as Kavousi and Valacha. You will usually be prepared and accompanied by professionals during the tour. It is one of the best things to do in Heraklion, as you will be able to explore the Minoan islands from a different perspective.

Details of interest

• Price: from £95 per person.
• Duration: approximately one day.
• Transport: usually includes return transfer.

You cannot leave Heraklion without exploring the Lasithi Plateau. It is a fascinating location offering caves, picturesque villages and monasteries. It is characterised by its geological formations and stories from Greek mythology. According to the locals, the Greek god Zeus was born here. Some of the sites I recommend visiting are:

• Streets of Krasi: I suggest exploring the Minoan craft shops, some of which sell ceramics and olive oil. You will also find many street stalls selling Cretan food.
• Taverns in the centre: you cannot leave the region without trying homemade wine and meat from the mountains. You will also find bars where you can try the typical drink raki.
• Kera Monastery: this is a medieval building near the village of Kera, with a special charm.
• Cave of Zeus: this is a magical place, believed to be the birthplace of the Greek god.

Details of interest

• Price: from €40 per person.
• Duration: around eight hours.
• Transport: usually includes return transport in an air-conditioned vehicle with a professional driver.

After visiting the best beaches in Heraklion, I recommend going further afield and venturing to the hippie beach of Matala. It is an iconic location that became famous for the colony of hippies who lived in the area in the 1960s. Specifically, they took refuge in the caves, so I suggest visiting the underground part that many tourists overlook.

Although you can do the tour on your own, as it is an hour's drive from Heraklion, it is best to take part in a guided activity, as the main advantage of excursions is that they usually provide transport and give you free time to choose the activities you prefer.

During your visit, don't miss Red Beach or Kommos Beach, where there are historical archaeological sites.

Details of interest

• Price: from £30 per person.
• Duration: approximately eight hours.
• Means of transport: usually includes transport by minibus.

Santorini is Greece's most famous island, so you'll probably be excited to take advantage of an excursion from Heraklion. This island has around 4,500 years of history and is a must-see stop on your Mediterranean holiday. In addition to the legendary little houses, there are other areas to explore, such as the village of Oia, where you can watch the sunset without the crowds.

You can also explore Aegean architecture in the streets of the coastal town of Fira, one of the best destinations in Santorini. If you want to know how to get to Santorini from Heraklion, keep in mind that the best option is the high-speed ferry.

Details of interest

• Price: from €175 per person.
• Duration: around eleven hours.
• Means of transport: to get to Santorini from Heraklion, you will need to take a ferry or cruise ship, as well as cover transfers on the island. Some guided tours usually include this service.