Southern Crete Adventures in Heraklion, Greece
Heraklion, Greece

Southern Crete Adventures

Outty Ranking 547 hoursFrom $80
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Outty Ranking

54/100

Worth a Look. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

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Quick answer

Is Southern Crete Adventures worth booking?

Southern Crete Adventures is a 7-hour experience in Heraklion, Greece, from $80 per person. It scores 54 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
54 / 100
Rating
Not yet rated
Duration
7 hours
From
$80 per person

Join us for a trip to south Crete. The first stop will be the archaeological site of Gournia. It is the site of a Minoan palace complex . It was first permanently inhabited during the Early Minoan II periods (approx. between 2650-2100 BC) and was occupied until the Late Minoan I period (approx. between 1700-1470 BC). Then we continue your tour to Ierapetra city, where your guests can visit Napoleon’s House, Fortress of Kales and the Mosque with a Minaret. Let your adventure begin by visiting Mythoi village, the spectacular Gorge of Sarakina. According to Greek Mythology, giant Sarantapihos, who was son of Zeus, was thirsty and crouched to drink water from river Krygios or Myrtos. His long beard ripped the mount rock in half and that's how Saracen gorge was created. But the trip will be completed by visiting an amazing traditional restaurant up to the mountains in Agia Paraskevi. Maybe one of the most authentic Cretan restaurants.

What you get

    About this experience

    Join us for a trip to south Crete. The first stop will be the archaeological site of Gournia. It is the site of a Minoan palace complex . It was first permanently inhabited during the Early Minoan II periods (approx. between 2650-2100 BC) and was occupied until the Late Minoan I period (approx. between 1700-1470 BC). Then we continue your tour to Ierapetra city, where your guests can visit Napoleon’s House, Fortress of Kales and the Mosque with a Minaret. Let your adventure begin by visiting Mythoi village, the spectacular Gorge of Sarakina. According to Greek Mythology, giant Sarantapihos, who was son of Zeus, was thirsty and crouched to drink water from river Krygios or Myrtos. His long beard ripped the mount rock in half and that's how Saracen gorge was created. But the trip will be completed by visiting an amazing traditional restaurant up to the mountains in Agia Paraskevi. Maybe one of the most authentic Cretan restaurants.

    What's included

    Included

    • Water and Soft Drinks

    Not included

    • Lunch

    What you'll see and do

    1. Gournia

      The archaeological site of Gournia sits on the north coast of the Isthmus of Ierapetra in East Crete. Possessing some 50 well-preserved houses, a system of cobbled streets, a central court, a Minoan palace, and cemetery, Gournia gives the visitor the best picture of what a Late Bronze Age (1500 B.C.) town looked like. Gournia was a regional production center of bronze tools and weapons, domestic objects, and pottery and stone vases, an active trade emporium with overseas connections to other parts of the Aegean and the Near East, and the palatial administrative center for the Mirabello region. Its harbor complex consists of a monumental shipshed, fortification walls with towers, a riverside dam, and a cobbled street running from the coast to Town.

      30 minutes here · Admission not included

    2. Venetian Fortress Of Kales

      The Fortress of Kales Ierapetra is located at the entrance of the city port and it is the only surviving fort in the south urban center in the south coast of Crete. Dating back to the early Venetian 13th-15th century and belongs to the type of rectangular fortifications. During the Turkish occupation, the fortress held extensive repairs, that amended the outside and inside. Today is an archaeological site.

      20 minutes here

    3. Napoleon's House

      It’s a two floor traditional architecture building located in the oldest district of Ierapetra, in Kato Mera. Upon tradition Napoleon Bonaparte stayed in the building during the one-day or a few days stop in Crete during his return from Egypt. The building’s morphology is converging towards its date in late 18th or early 19th century, without excluding the construction of an earlier era.

      15 minutes here · Admission not included

    4. The Turkish Mosque

      Ierapetra’s mosque in Kato Mera area was built according to dates listed in the infrared entrance and the south wall medal, the year of Hegira 1309. (189/892) perhaps the oldest mosque position. It is a building square with a wooden, four-sided roof plan covered with tiles. In its architecture elements that come from neoclassical and eclectic tendencies are distinguished, that arrived in Crete during the last 19th century decades. In the mosque’s northwest corner as it is used, a head uncovered today minaret is discovered. The upper portion crashed in the 1953 earthquake. Ottoman fountain is located in the southwest of the mosque and form with it a remarkable complex of the Ottoman architecture in Crete. The fountain belongs to the fountain category sebil and a constituted expiation before worshipers entry to the mosque.

      15 minutes here · Admission not included

    5. Sarakina Gorges

      According to Greek mythology, the giant Sarantapihos, who was the son of Zeus, once stopped to drink water from the river Kryos or Myrtos, near Ierapetra. His long beard slashed the mountain in two parts and created the canyon of Sarakina. Sarakina is located very close to the traditional village Mythi and near the seaside settlement of Myrtos, where the river Kryos exits to the sea.

      60 minutes here

    Where it starts and ends

    Meeting point

    Heraklion

    Main Office , Summer Tours and Taxis in Crete

    Hotel pickup

    Pickup is available for selected locations. Pickup begins about 15 minutes before departure.

    Ends at

    Main Office , Summer Tours and Taxis in Crete

    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
    Fri
    Group size
    Up to 1 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Summer Tours and Taxis in Crete

    Know before you go

    • Service animals allowed
    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Specialized infant seats are available
    • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
    • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

    Photos

    Sarakina Gorge, Southern Crete Adventures in HeraklionFortress of Kales, Southern Crete Adventures in HeraklionGournia Minoan Ruins, Southern Crete Adventures in Heraklion

    Good to know

    Duration
    7 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Fri
    Hotel pickup
    Available for selected locations
    Booked in 30 days
    0
    Verdict
    Worth a Look

    Why this scores 54

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)71
    Review evidence (18% weight)0
    Booking momentum (14% weight)0
    Value for money (12% weight)100
    Listing quality (10% weight)85
    Local standing (8% weight)50
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Southern Crete Adventures: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Heraklion.

    How much does Southern Crete Adventures cost?

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    Prices start at $80 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Heraklion usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.

    How long does Southern Crete Adventures 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 Heraklion is not rushed.

    Is Southern Crete Adventures worth it?

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    It holds an Outty Ranking of 54 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (0/5 across 0 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Heraklion, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule Southern Crete Adventures?

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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 Southern Crete Adventures 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 Southern Crete Adventures?

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    Around 0 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 Heraklion 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 Heraklion and add a light layer if any part of the 7-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Southern Crete Adventures 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 Heraklion 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 Heraklion?

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    On Outty we rank every Heraklion experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Knossos - Zeus Cave - Old Traditional Villages-Olive Oil Factory, Knossos & Lasithi Plateau: Zeus Cave, Villages, Olive Oil Tour, Quad Safari: Off-Road Day Tour with Dinner & Transfers. 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 Heraklion?

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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 Heraklion?

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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 Southern Crete Adventures?

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    Included: Water and Soft Drinks. Not included: Lunch. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.

    Does Southern Crete Adventures include hotel pickup?

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    Yes, pickup is offered, or you can meet at the start point instead from 30 listed pickup locations in and around Heraklion. Be ready about 15 minutes before the start time. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.

    What languages is Southern Crete Adventures 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 Southern Crete Adventures?

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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 Southern Crete Adventures wheelchair or stroller accessible?

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    The operator notes: Specialized infant seats are available; and Not recommended for pregnant travelers. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.

    What happens to Southern Crete Adventures if the weather is bad?

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    It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Heraklion. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.

    Ready to lock in your spot?

    Pick a date, choose your group, and see the exact price for Southern Crete Adventures.

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