West Crete Tour from Heraklion: Rethymno-Chania-Kurnas

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Overview

Available languages

German
Russian
English
Polish
French

Mobile ticket

• The city of Chania is one of the cultural centers of Greece, located at the foot of the majestic White Mountains. The former capital of the island and the second largest city of Crete, it attracts tourists from all over the world with its unique combination of Venetian, Ottoman, Byzantine and Greek cultures.

• The old town is more like an open-air museum: the splendor of medieval architecture, the beauty of Venetian-style churches, Ottoman mosques and ancient fountains.

• Picturesque Rethymno impresses every tourist with its beautiful old harbor. You can enjoy delicious local cuisine right on the waterfront, buy the best local products and explore the narrow streets of the old town.

• The final and enjoyable part of the trip will be swimming in Lake Kourna.

• This is the island's natural freshwater lake, its waters are replenished by two springs. The lake looks like a bowl, surrounded on all sides by mountains. If you're lucky, you might see waterfowl turtles.

Additional Info

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

Public transportation options are available nearby

Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap

Specialized infant seats are available

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

If an infant does not sit on lap in the bus, It is necessary to pay a child ticket.

Pick-up from the specific bus stops next to the hotels. From Area 1: all the villages between Fodele, Agia Pelagia, Xeropotamos(West Heraklion), Area 2: Heraklion Center and East, Carteros, Kokkini Hani, Gouves, Gournes, Hersonissos, Stalida, Malia, Sissi.

After booking we will contact you to arrange the pick-up. Please, note, if you do not provide your pick-up details up to 24 hours before the tour, we do not guarantee the pick-up. For pick-up from different location, please, contact us.

Tuesday: English, German, French

Wednesday: English, German, French

Thursday: English, German, French

Friday: English, German, French

Saturday: English, German, French

Sunday: Russian

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What‘s Included

Additional insurance for tour participants

Pick-up from your hotel (at the specific tourist bus stop, outside of the hotel)

Transfer with air-conditioned bus

Information about the island and the route during the bus ride

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

What To Expect

1

Lighthouse of Chania

Chania has the most beautiful old town in Crete and is located at the foot of the majestic White Mountains. The former capital of the island and the second largest city of Crete, it attracts tourists from all over the world for its unique blend of Venetian, Ottoman, Byzantine and Greek cultures. You will be wandering through the maze of the ancient streets, that will fascinate you by the beauty of the colorful houses and feel as if you are travelling through time, with a variety of unforgettable sights. The old town is more like an open-air museum: splendor of the medieval architecture, beauty of churches in the Venetian style, Ottoman mosques and antique fountains.

2 hours • Admission Not Applicable
2

Rethymnon Old Town

Picturesque Rethymno impresses every tourist with its beautiful old harbor and famous lighthouse. You can enjoy the delicious dishes of the local cuisine right on the waterfront, buy the best products of local producers and explore narrow streets and its hidden gems in the old town.

1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Not Applicable

Options

Pick-up Area 1

From Heraklion East region:: Amudara/Heraklion/Karteros/Amnissos/Kokkini Hani/Gournes/Gouves/Analipsi/Anissaras/Hersonissos/Stalida/Malia/Sissi
Pickup included

Pick-up Area 2

From Heraklion West region:: Sises/Fodele/Agia Pelagia/Ligaria/Achlada/Mades/Ammoudi/Rodia/Palaiokastro/Pantanassa /Linoperamata/Gazi
Pickup included

Reviews

4.16

116 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

60
28
18
6
4
  • Both towns were great to...

    Adriana G,

    Oct 12, 2025

    - Review from Viator

    4.00

    Both towns were great to visit. Wish the time at the lake was a lot shorter and more time Was given to enjoy Rethymano.

  • Lovely trip to the West Coast

    Curious581629,

    Oct 5, 2025

    - Review from Tripadvisor

    4.00

    Good knowledge from the guide but having to speak in two languages made it a bit lengthy. Pick up and drop offs were a bit chaotic. But overall a good trip with time to see everything.

  • A long day! 11 hours start to finish

    Marlene M,

    Sep 24, 2025

    - Review from Viator

    3.00

    A lot of bus time like others said. Nice to see other cities however other than waterfront and fortress just more restaurants and shops. The one hour at the lake was a waste of time. Helena provides good info about the area. In order to ensure people don’t get lost returning back to the bus coordinates or a street name or something should be provided, and our van driver did not identify himself for pick up so he was just sitting there and we were just standing there and not realizing if there was a sign in the windshield it was covered by the wipers. It might be helpful if he got out and asked those waiting there or have some kind of a shirt identifying himself.

  • West Crete: Chania, Beach and Rethimnos

    Dora D,

    Sep 13, 2025

    - Review from Viator

    3.00

    The tour was advertised as an English Tour, the guide translated in other languages. I forgot what she said because of the distraction of other languages. They only took us to their favored restaurant for lunch and didn't mention others and discouraging us from eating in Chania altogether. The tour was only to go and drop us off in shopping districts. They should advertise as a shopping tour. We didn't see many good sites for photographs. In fact, a trip I took the least photos. The bus was large and not properly air conditioned. The seat in front of me was broken and it was almost on my lap.

  • Just worth seeing

    Annette S,

    Aug 17, 2025

    - Review from Viator

    5.00

    The tour is just beautiful. There is much to discover and see in both cities. From the small, dreamy harbour, to busy shopping streets and small exhibitions in historic buildings. If you want to experience something of everything, time is short on the spot. But they are worth seeing. The only remaining freshwater lake on the island is also a highlight if you appreciate landscapes. Again, time is scarce, especially for swimming in the lake. But at least with your feet in you should try it out. The panorama of what is available is simply beautiful. My tour guide had a lot of informative information about the history, architecture, myths, the island and everyday life on the island. Since you ride the route in stages and experience something new in between, the journey will not be long. On the right the sea, on the left the White Mountains...there is something to see. The bus was modern and even for tall people was a greater distance between the seats. That makes the ride very enjoyable.

  • Excellent

    Valerie,

    Aug 8, 2025

    - Review from Viator

    5.00

    Spectacular, chania is a must, rethymno too. When we went to the lake it was raining, but we stayed for a drink at the restaurant and everything was fine

  • A good sampling with freedom

    Marcelo H,

    Jul 15, 2025

    - Review from Viator

    4.00

    This is not a tour for those who want to deeply know each place, but works as a sample. Gives a nice taste and leaves you wanting more. which I guess is the intention. The time on each place feels short compared to the time in the bus, but I can't see an alternative considering the size of the island. I do appreciate the freedom to do whatever we want instead of running around without options. My only complaint is the multilingual approach. I do appreciate that they try to acommodate multiple languages and what is said is very interesting, but the amount of time it takes to go through all three languages feels awkward.

  • Too big a group!

    Susan S,

    May 30, 2025

    - Review from Viator

    3.00

    Way too big a group, used a double decker bus. Took forever entering and exiting. No clear instructions for each stop. Would not recommend.

  • Too much bus!!

    Terrence M,

    May 26, 2025

    - Review from Viator

    2.00

    Exceedingly long day. 14 hrs!!!! 5 hours at the sites, 9 hours on bus! Too many stops collecting and dropping off fellow travellers. Lake not worth visiting!

  • Although a bit confusing...

    Donna S,

    Apr 23, 2025

    - Review from Viator

    5.00

    Although a bit confusing on pickup, the tour was very good. Unfortunately at the lake it was rainy and cold but you can’t choose the weather. With lunch at the lake there is not much time to see the lake anyway. If you are someone who wants to actually get out in the lake and swim or paddle around, I would suggest getting a quick bite to eat in Chania and you are at the Lake for just 1.5 hours. But it was a great day and great tour

From €55.00

4.16
116 reviews

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