Prices checked on Sep 11, 2026Things to do in Heraklion
One of the most popular full-day tours from the Heraklion area, this experience takes you to three of Western Crete’s most beautiful highlights — Chania, Kournas Lake and Rethymno — in one unforgettable day. Discover the charm of Chania’s old town, relax by the peaceful waters of Crete’s only natural freshwater lake, and explore the elegant streets of Rethymno. With a private knowledgeable guide, you'll have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the local culture, taste the delicious cuisine, and create unforgettable memories.
Your day begins with a scenic drive from the Heraklion area to Chania, one of the most picturesque towns in Crete. Wander through its historic streets, admire the famous Venetian harbor and lighthouse, and experience the vibrant atmosphere that makes Chania so special. Chania is located approximately 2 hours from the Heraklion area, making this a longer but very rewarding full-day experience across the island.
Continue to Kournas Lake, a peaceful natural oasis surrounded by hills and greenery. Enjoy free time to walk, relax, take a swim or simply take in the beautiful scenery. Optional lunch at a local family-run taverna is available nearby.
End your journey in the charming old town of Rethymno, where narrow streets, elegant architecture and the Venetian harbor create a relaxed and memorable atmosphere. A perfect final stop before returning to Heraklion.
Pickup from Heraklion Port: outside of Central Port Station. Pickup from Nikos Kazantzakis Airport: located outside the Arrivals area on the right side. Look for a small gate and crosswalk that leads to the other side of the main road, where you will find the bus station. Your pickup will be at that bus station. We discuss pickup points with each guest individually for their convenience. Pickup from any Hotel: outside of hotel (if the size of vehicle allows to park outside of the hotel), otherwise we discuss with the guests the most convenient place for a pick up.
Chania, Kournas and Rethymno from Heraklion Private Tour lasts about 1 hour. The itinerary has 3 stops.
Prices start at $709 per person for this Heraklion experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There are 3 booking options, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Yes, pickup is offered. Pickup from Heraklion Port: outside of Central Port Station. Pickup from Nikos Kazantzakis Airport: located outside the Arrivals area on the right side. Look for a small gate and crosswalk that leads to the other side of the main road, where you will find the bus station. Your pickup will be at that bus station. We discuss pickup points with each guest individually for their convenience. Pickup from any Hotel: outside of hotel (if the size of vehicle allows to park outside of the hotel), otherwise we discuss with the guests the most convenient place for a pick up. Pickup points include CONTACT_SUPPLIER_LATER, LOC-6eKJ+or5y8o99Qw0C8xWyBDabk0iB3GgdmidVUfmN9M=, LOC-6eKJ+or5y8o99Qw0C8xWyHcskbRBOD7Bzt9L/zW7IEI=.
The experience is available in RU, EN.
It is a private experience: only your party takes part. Up to 15 travellers can book together.
Specialized infant seats are available
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
We had an excellent tour! Our guide Katarina was splendid.. patient, knowledgeable & amusing as well. Everything was well paced and not tiring at all. Lake Kournas is beautiful. Thank you for a great experience, would highly recommend.
Wonderful tour with an amazing guide Katarina! Got to see beautiful Chania, Rethymno and Lake Kournas! Katarina explained things well, shared amusing anecdotes & was patient. Splendid day we had! Thank you so much Katarina!!
Very insightful and thoughtful experience. The experience makes me want to come back to Greece again. Our tour guide Alexander was very knowledgeable and showed us places that we would never have gone by ourselves.
Dear Lynn! Greetings! We thank you so much for your so warm and sinsere feedback! We are truly happy that we not only managed to show you the beautiful Crete, but also made you fall in love with it! We are waiting for you on our sunny island again and again and always remain at your disposal!
What a great day! Victor came to our hotel to pick the four of us up and we headed out to west Crete. The first stop was Chania which was over 2 hours from our hotel. We made one stop that was perfectly planned by Victor and headed on our way. He told stories and gave us some history of Crete which made the time pass quickly. Once in Chania, Victor gave us a guided tour that we all loved and we found a place to ear lunch (which was DELICIOUS!). Next up we went to the fresh water lake - Lake Kournas. We went with a short stop here because we felt it was too cool to swim on the day of our tour. Then we ventured to Rethymnon where we enjoyed a guided tour by Victor through the old town. We all loved it! The total tour was almost 12 hours and we were exhausted, but loved it! This was a great way to see the West side of the island!
What a great day! Victor came to our hotel to pick the four of us up and we headed out to west Crete. The first stop was Chania which was over 2 hours from our hotel. We made one stop that was perfectly planned by Victor and headed on our way. He told stories and gave us some history of Crete which made the time pass quickly. Once in Chania, Victor gave us a guided tour that we all loved and we found a place to ear lunch (which was DELICIOUS!). Next up we went to the fresh water lake - Lake Kournas. We went with a short stop here because we felt it was too cool to swim on the day of our tour. Then we ventured to Rethymnon where we enjoyed a guided tour by Victor through the old town. We all loved it! The total tour was almost 12 hours and we were exhausted, but loved it! This was a great way to see the West side of the island!
Hello, Annie! Thank you so much for your wonderful and so detailed review! We’re truly delighted to hear that you enjoyed your day with us and got the new, so memorable experience! Actually this itinerary ("Chania - Kournas - Rethyno" route) is one of our most popular progarmmes, and we’re so happy than you also managed to discover the beauty and diversity of this part of the island. Thank you once again for choosing Cherry Travel and we hope to welcome you back to Crete for more wonderful adventures in the future! With warm regards, The Cherry Travel Team
An incredible tour with a great organization and a fantastically interesting guide! I recommend it with all my heart! We will definitely go on more joint tours
Dear Victoria! Thank you so much for your wonderful and so warm words! We’re truly delighted that you enjoyed the tour and appreciated both the organization and the guide’s passion and knowledge! We’ll be really happy to welcome you again and show you even more beautiful sides of Greece! With best regards, Cherry Travel team
Our guide Helena customized the trip for us! Had an amazing time! Showed us beautiful beaches! Love the island of Crete!
tour guide had an excellent tour, answered all questions . visited the beautiful places of western Crete tour guide had an excellent tour, answered all questions . visited the beautiful places of western Crete
Леонид, благодарим Вас за отзыв! Очень рады слышать, что экскурсия Вам понравилась и что с нашей помощью Вы увидели и узнали много нового! Крит - самый большой остров Греции, так что нам еще есть, что Вам показать! Ждем Вас в гости снова, чтобы теперь отправиться на загадочный восток или немноголюднй юг острова! С уважением, комнада Cherry Travel
The communication between us and the tour company was excellent. Helen picked us up early and we were on our way for a fabulous day with her. She offered so much knowledge about the history of Crete and the various towns and villages and lake side that we enjoyed. She chose the perfect spot for lunch with a Lakeside view that I will remember as a highlight of the day. Helen is an excellent driver, and the only thing better was her knowledge and history that she so willingly offered. We could have spent days with her! Don’t miss this tour well worth the money.
The tour was very informative. Lina knew a lot about the different towns, and gave us commentary throughout the trip. The walking tours were very relaxed and informative. We were able to stop and look at the souvenir shops. The lunch had the best saganaki and lamb chops that we’ve ever had.
| Tour | Duration | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chania, Kournas and Rethymno from Heraklion Private Tour | 1 hour | 4.9 (35) | $709 | |
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