Rethymno: Arkadi Monastery, Margarites Village & Melidoni Cave.
Traveler rating
4.5/5
Based on 16 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Rethymno: Arkadi Monastery, Margarites Village & Melidoni Cave. worth booking?
Rethymno: Arkadi Monastery, Margarites Village & Melidoni Cave. is a 7-hour experience in Chania, Greece, from $880 per person. It scores 48 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4.5/5 rating across 16 reviews. This booking is non-refundable, so pick your date carefully. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 48 / 100
- Rating
- 4.5/5 (16)
- Duration
- 7 hours
- From
- $880 per person
Explore the cultural and natural highlights of central Crete with a private tour from Chania or Rethymno. Visit the historical Arkadi Monastery, descend into the legendary Melidoni Cave, and discover the artisan pottery
What you get
- Pick-up at your hotel
- All Fees and Taxes
- Wi-fi on board and Water from the springs of the White Mountains “Samaria”, in bottles
- Accompaniment by a professional guide
- Entrance tickets to the Monastery of Arcadia
- Comfortable Vehicle with a professional driver
About this experience
Explore the cultural and natural highlights of central Crete with a private tour from Chania or Rethymno. Visit the historical Arkadi Monastery, descend into the legendary Melidoni Cave, and discover the artisan pottery village of Margarites. Along the route, learn from your guide about the ancient city of Eleutherna, once a major cultural center of Crete. End your day with a stroll through the romantic alleys of Rethymno Old Town. • Visit the historical Arkadi Monastery, a symbol of Cretan resistance • Explore Melidoni Cave, a site of natural beauty and tragic history • Stop in the traditional pottery village of Margarites • Walk through the picturesque streets of Rethymno Old Town • Hear stories of Ancient Eleutherna on your way through the region
What's included
Included
- Pick-up at your hotel
- All Fees and Taxes
- Wi-fi on board and Water from the springs of the White Mountains “Samaria”, in bottles
- Accompaniment by a professional guide
- Entrance tickets to the Monastery of Arcadia
- Comfortable Vehicle with a professional driver
Not included
- Personal expenses, drinks, lunch / dinner
- Customary tips to your drivers, guides and escorts
What you'll see and do
Chania Prefecture
Pickup from your location in Chania region. Your private guide and driver will meet you at your hotel, villa, or cruise ship. Sit back and enjoy the journey through the scenic Cretan countryside.
90 minutes here
Monastery of Arkadi
Arkadi Monastery (Visit – approx. 1 hour). Explore one of Crete’s most sacred landmarks, a symbol of freedom and resistance. Learn the powerful story of the 1866 rebellion against the Ottoman Empire and admire the monastery’s impressive Baroque architecture, bell tower, and peaceful surroundings.
60 minutes here · Admission included
Archea Eleftherna
Eleutherna (Drive-by storytelling stop – no visit). On the way to Margarites, your guide will tell the fascinating story of ancient Eleutherna — once a thriving city-state with Homeric connections. Although we won’t stop at the archaeological site, you’ll gain an insightful overview of its historical importance, recent discoveries, and connection to nearby villages.
Pass by without stopping
Margarites Village (Stop – approx. 1 hour). Discover the charming village of Margarites, famous for its traditional pottery and artistic spirit. Walk through narrow stone alleys adorned with bougainvillea, visit local ceramic workshops, and maybe take home a handmade souvenir.
60 minutes here
Melidoni Cave
Melidoni Cave (Visit – approx. 45 min). Venture into the dramatic Melidoni Cave, filled with natural beauty and poignant history. This atmospheric site was once a place of worship and later the scene of a tragic event during the Ottoman occupation. Explore the cavern’s chamber, admire the stalactites, and feel the reverence of this sacred place.
60 minutes here · Admission included
Rethymnon Old Town
Rethymno Old Town (Free time – approx. 1.5–2 hours). Conclude your tour in one of Greece’s best-preserved medieval cities. Enjoy free time to explore Venetian and Ottoman architecture, cozy cafés, boutique shops, and hidden alleyways. Optional lunch at a local taverna (at your own expense).
120 minutes here
Chania Prefecture
Return to Chania. Relax during your comfortable drive back to the Chania region.
60 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 5 minutes before departure.
Options you can book
Rethymno Town: Arkadi Monastery - Eleftherna - Margarites village
Pickup included
Arkadi Monastery -Up to 10 pax
Mercedes Sprinter Pickup included
Before you book
- Cancellation
- All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
- Languages
- ru, en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- MOYSIDIS TRAVEL
Know before you go
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Private pick-up and drop-off from your hotel, villa, cruise, or any other point in the region of Chania and Rethymno. Pick-up time is flexible and upon your final confirmation.
- To visit the Monastery, you must wear modest clothes: for women – a skirt/dress under your knees and covered shoulders. For men – trousers, T-shirt with long sleeves.
- Important to have: Comfortable shoes, Comfortable clothes, Sunglasses, and Hat Money for souvenirs, drinks, lunch/dinner.
- Health issues: If any participant suffers from any severe allergy (e.g. to bee stings, food allergies/intolerances) or has medical/health issues we need to be aware of, it is important to let us know in advance. This is clearly a safety measure, personal information is by no means violated, and we exercise all discretion.
- HealthInsurance: Our company is covered by Professional Liability Insurance. Each participant is advised to take out health/travel insurance before traveling to Crete.
Photos
Good to know
- Duration
- 7 hours
- Free cancellation
- Non-refundable
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $880 to $1200
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 6
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Who runs this experience
Operated by MOYSIDIS TRAVEL, who run 31 experiences we rank across 3 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 47.3.
See everything MOYSIDIS TRAVEL runsWhy this scores 48
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Rethymno: Arkadi Monastery, Margarites Village & Melidoni Cave.: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Chania.
How much does Rethymno: Arkadi Monastery, Margarites Village & Melidoni Cave. cost?
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Prices start at $880 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 Rethymno: Arkadi Monastery, Margarites Village & Melidoni Cave. take?
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Plan for about 7 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 Rethymno: Arkadi Monastery, Margarites Village & Melidoni Cave. worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 48 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.5/5 across 16 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable culture & history in Chania, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Rethymno: Arkadi Monastery, Margarites Village & Melidoni Cave.?
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No. This experience is sold on a non-refundable basis, so only book a date you are confident about. Similar experiences in the city do offer free cancellation if flexibility matters more than price.
Is Rethymno: Arkadi Monastery, Margarites Village & Melidoni Cave. suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 7-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Rethymno: Arkadi Monastery, Margarites Village & Melidoni Cave.?
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Around 6 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 7-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Rethymno: Arkadi Monastery, Margarites Village & 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 Half-Day Rethymno Quad Safari, Elafonisi & Falasarna Small Group Tour from Chania w/snacks, Balos & Falassarna Beach - Jeep Tour with Loungers and Lunch. 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.
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