
From Rethymno:Arkadi Monaster Margarite village and Melidoni Cave
Traveler rating
4.2/5
Based on 6 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is From Rethymno:Arkadi Monaster Margarite village and Melidoni Cave worth booking?
From Rethymno:Arkadi Monaster Margarite village and Melidoni Cave is a 6-hour experience in Chania, Greece, from $29 per person. It scores 61 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.2/5 rating across 6 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 61 / 100
- Rating
- 4.2/5 (6)
- Duration
- 6 hours
- From
- $29 per person
Immerse yourself in authentic Crete on a guided tour from Rethymno. Discover Melidoni Cave, Margarites Village, and the Arkadi Monastery, and discover how traditional handmade pottery is made. Explore the northeastern part of Crete on a guided half-day trip from Rethymno. Encounter sights like the Fragma Potamon Dam as you soak up the local atmosphere. Climb onboard the bus and start your trip by heading east to your first stop at iconic Melidoni Cave. Visit the fascinating site and perhaps enjoy a coffee (own expense) while admiring a magnificent view of the valley of Melidoni village. Then, move south to Margarites village and make a stop at a pottery workshop. Have the opportunity to observe how traditional handmade pottery is made. Next, move on to the famous Arkadi Monastery, where you have time for coffee or lunch (own expense). Finally, stop at a vantage point with a magnificent view of the well-known Fragma Potamon Dam for photos. Return to your hotel in the early afternoon.
What you get
About this experience
Immerse yourself in authentic Crete on a guided tour from Rethymno. Discover Melidoni Cave, Margarites Village, and the Arkadi Monastery, and discover how traditional handmade pottery is made. Explore the northeastern part of Crete on a guided half-day trip from Rethymno. Encounter sights like the Fragma Potamon Dam as you soak up the local atmosphere. Climb onboard the bus and start your trip by heading east to your first stop at iconic Melidoni Cave. Visit the fascinating site and perhaps enjoy a coffee (own expense) while admiring a magnificent view of the valley of Melidoni village. Then, move south to Margarites village and make a stop at a pottery workshop. Have the opportunity to observe how traditional handmade pottery is made. Next, move on to the famous Arkadi Monastery, where you have time for coffee or lunch (own expense). Finally, stop at a vantage point with a magnificent view of the well-known Fragma Potamon Dam for photos. Return to your hotel in the early afternoon.
What's included
Included
- Attraction entry
- Professional Tour Guide English and German
- Liability insurance
- Pickup and drop-off from Panormo, Scaleta, Adele, Missiria, Rethymno town and Atsipopoulo
- Private tours are with minivan or minibus and is only Arkadi 3 or 4 hours any extra time is charged
- Tour and Transfers with air-conditioned luxurious buses and bus tickets 3-4 h with mercedes minivan
- Pottery workshop
Not included
- Personal Expenses
- Entrance ticket to Arkadi monastery and Melidoni Cave (€4 + €3 can be paid onsite)
What you'll see and do
Melidoni Cave
Climb onboard the bus and start your trip by heading east to your first stop at iconic Melidoni Cave. Visit the fascinating site and perhaps enjoy a coffee (own expense) while admiring a magnificent view of the valley of Melidoni village.
120 minutes here · Admission not included
Margarites
Move south to Margarites village and make a stop at a pottery workshop. Have the opportunity to observe how traditional handmade pottery is made.
120 minutes here
Monastery of Arkadi
Move on to the famous Arkadi Monastery, where you have time for coffee or lunch (own expense). Then, pause at a vantage point with a magnificent view at the well-known Fragma Potamon Dam for a photo stop. Return to your hotel in the early afternoon.
120 minutes here · Admission not included
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 15 minutes before departure.
Options you can book
From Rethymno Town, Perivolia,
From Rethymno Town, Perivolia, Pickup included
4 h Private Arkadi Margarites
4 h Private Arkadi Margarites Pickup included
4h Priv GUID Arkadi Margarites
Pickup included
From Adele, Pigianos Kampos,
From Adele, Pigianos Kampos, Pickup included
From Panormo, Lavris, Scaleta
From Panormo, Lavris, Scaleta Pickup included
3 hours to Arkadi Private Trip
3 hours to Arkadi monastery Pickup included
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- de, en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- PLATANOS TOURS
Know before you go
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- The remaining time will be for the travel time to and from each attraction.
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 6 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
5 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
4 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Photo opportunities
2 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Value for money
2 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Traveler reviews
6 verified traveler reviews for From Rethymno:Arkadi Monaster Margarite village and Melidoni Cave. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Disappointing, don’t recommend.
The tour was fun and all, rich history, but this company needs to get their stuff together…25 minutes late to picking us up without calling or informing us that they were running behind. We almost thought they weren’t coming at all. Then, we get on the bus and there has been nothing but fiascos about the seating arrangements. People were getting chewed out by an old lady for sitting in the open seat next to her when there was no where else to sit because she felt she deserved 2. During one of the stops and getting back on, the seats got jumbled and we took this guys seat and he had to scream at us on the bus and make it a big drama. They should assign seats if people are going to be so miserable about where they sit between places. Also, this is complete false advertising as they don’t pick you up nor drop you off at your accommodation, despite it allowing you to pick a location. They make you walk to in the bus stop. Then, the tour was not to the expectations in the description.
Response from the operator: thank you for the review if the client cannot understand that the have the same seat all the journey we can nothing to do
via Viator
Guide
The guide could be a bit more vibrant and upbeat.
Response from the operator: thank you for the review
via Tripadvisor (translated)
Amazing cave and monastery tour
I was very satisfied with this tour, it was very educational and at a good pace. Not rushed at all, and made it through in the expected time. The monastery was very peaceful and full of history. The small town was very tranquil to walk around in with very pleasant people. Finally the cave was very amazing to view, it is very surreal to be inside a cave like this one with many stalagmites and also with so much history. Demetrius was a very excellent guide, and I would absolutely recommend this tour!
Response from the operator: Thank you for the review
via Tripadvisor
Can do better
Luxury bus? Minivan mercedes? The joke was a double-decker bus filled with 40/50 people. The guide gave explanations on the bus but did not go to the sites gave us information on what we see concretely. I chose the tour in English, I didn’t understand that it would be in English and German! It is not very nice to hear the same information in 2 languages. I'm not wearing pottery so I would have personally dispensed with this stopover. The cave was nice and easy to access as long as you fit on its 2 legs, so the elderly and children can access it. The monastery was really good. I think the description is embellished. It remains a good value for money, but it would be to do it again I will do it myself by renting a car.
Response from the operator: thank you for the review before the booking you can see that's english and german guided
via Viator (translated)
Great value trip with an amazing guide and a pottery highlight!
We absolutely loved this half-day tour! For just £21 for both of us, it was such great value. Our guide was fantastic – full of energy, stories, and humour that made the journey fly by. He really brought the history to life and kept us entertained throughout. The Melidoni Cave was incredible – spacious and dramatic, and thankfully not too tight or claustrophobic. The Arkadi Monastery was peaceful and beautiful, but our favourite part by far was the pottery stop. The woman who demonstrated how quickly she could shape a vase was absolutely amazing – so skilled and engaging to watch. All in all, this tour was a real highlight of our trip. We’d highly recommend it to anyone visiting the area. 5/5!
Response from the operator: thank you for the review
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 6 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $29 to $400
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 2
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Who runs this experience
Operated by PLATANOS TOURS, who run 38 experiences we rank across 2 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 55.5.
See everything PLATANOS TOURS runsWhy this scores 61
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
From Rethymno:Arkadi Monaster Margarite village and Melidoni Cave: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Chania.
How much does From Rethymno:Arkadi Monaster Margarite village and Melidoni Cave cost?
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Prices start at $29 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Chania usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does From Rethymno:Arkadi Monaster Margarite village and Melidoni Cave take?
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Plan for about 6 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Chania is not rushed.
Is From Rethymno:Arkadi Monaster Margarite village and Melidoni Cave worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 61 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.2/5 across 6 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Chania, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule From Rethymno:Arkadi Monaster Margarite village and Melidoni Cave?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is From Rethymno:Arkadi Monaster Margarite village and Melidoni Cave suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 6-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book From Rethymno:Arkadi Monaster Margarite village and Melidoni Cave?
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Around 2 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Chania can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Chania and add a light layer if any part of the 6-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does From Rethymno:Arkadi Monaster Margarite village and Melidoni Cave start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Chania within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Chania?
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On Outty we rank every Chania experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Cretan Safari – 4x4 Adventure to Preveli Beach with Lunch, Elafonisi & Falasarna Small Group Tour from Chania w/snacks, Half-Day Rethymno Quad Safari. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Chania?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Chania?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in From Rethymno:Arkadi Monaster Margarite village and Melidoni Cave?
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Included: Attraction entry; Professional Tour Guide English and German; Liability insurance; Pickup and drop-off from Panormo, Scaleta, Adele, Missiria, Rethymno town and Atsipopoulo; and Private tours are with minivan or minibus and is only Arkadi 3 or 4 hours any extra time i. Not included: Personal Expenses; and Entrance ticket to Arkadi monastery and Melidoni Cave (€4 + €3 can be paid onsite). Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does From Rethymno:Arkadi Monaster Margarite village and Melidoni Cave include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 211 listed pickup locations in and around Chania. Be ready about 15 minutes before the start time. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.
What languages is From Rethymno:Arkadi Monaster Margarite village and Melidoni Cave offered in?
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It is offered in German and English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for From Rethymno:Arkadi Monaster Margarite village and Melidoni Cave?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is From Rethymno:Arkadi Monaster Margarite village and Melidoni Cave wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to From Rethymno:Arkadi Monaster Margarite village and Melidoni Cave if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Chania. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about From Rethymno:Arkadi Monaster Margarite village and Melidoni Cave?
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Across 6 reviews averaging 4.2 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling, photo opportunities. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
What booking options are available for From Rethymno:Arkadi Monaster Margarite village and Melidoni Cave?
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There are 6 options to choose from, including From Rethymno Town, Perivolia,, 4 h Private Arkadi Margarites, 4h Priv GUID Arkadi Margarites, From Adele, Pigianos Kampos,. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.
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