Malia

Our most recommended things to do in Malia

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  1. Zeus Cave and Lassithi Plateau Day Tour

  Start your tour with pick up in an air-conditioned Land Rover from your accommodations at 10 AM and head into the Dikti Mountain Range. You'll pass through several traditional and very picturesque mountain villages. There will be plenty of opportunities to stop for photos or to have a coffee at a real taverna. At the Lassithi Plateau, you might see eagles and vultures, as both nest around this area. Next, you’ll reach the base of Mount Spathi. The Psychro Cave, the birth place of the Greek god Zeus, is located on the north face of Spathi. You’ll walk 15 minutes up the steep hill to the entrance of the cave and from there follow the path down into the spectacular cave.   Next, enjoy a traditional Cretan meze lunch with local wine. After lunch, you'll continue around the plateau and then descend taking in views of the north coast and the impressive Aposelemis Dam. You will then visit a 2...

  Good trip. We drove in comfort into the hills in the south, visiting little villages, Zeus Cave and viewing spots. Lunch was copious, fresh and really pleasant. Amin who runs Crete Adventures who run the trip was extremely pleasant. A good day out and a great chance to see a bit more of this pretty Island.

  Reviewed by Hilary, 24/05/2021
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  2. Crete: Land Rover Safari on Minoan Route

  Explore Crete by Land Rover on a full-day adventure along the Minoan Path, and experience a blend of ancient myths, spectacular landscapes, and a barbecue lunch on the Lassithi Plateau. Following a pick-up from your hotel, drive through spectacular mountains on route to the Aposelemis Basin Reservoir, and see an ancient aqueduct of the Roman Empire. Continue to the village of Kastamonitsa in the foothills of the Afendi Mountains. Stop for a Cretan-style breakfast and raki tasting. Next, brace yourself for the dirt tracks of the Minoan Path. Drive through a stunning mountain landscape to see wildlife and unbelievable scenery. Learn the myths and legends of Crete on the way to a shepherds' mitato (mountain shelter). Feed the animals as you watch the shepherds produce cheese according to traditional methods. Taste some of the fresh, rich cheese. Enjoy a bird’s-eye view ...

  The trip was great! Only reason the review is 4 stars and not 5, is because the rest of the group was very indifferent about all the activities and that affected everyone's mood.

  Reviewed by Anonymous, 05/08/2021
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  3. From the Heraklion Area: Day Trip to Chrissi Island

  Enjoy a day tour to the uninhabited island of Chrissi. Admire this small island with its natural cedar forest and beautiful sandy beaches. Drive to the south of Crete and reach the picturesque old town of Lerapetra. Climb aboard the boat at the port of Lerapetra and travel through the crystal clear waters of the Libyan Sea. With luck you will see dolphins, and finally reach Chrissi – also called the Golden Island. Admire untouched nature – a paradise of unparalleled flora and fauna. Stroll through a natural cedar forest, enjoy the incredible tranquility and discover corals and shells, dunes and salt marshes.

  We came from Heraklion, and the way there and back was a bit long, but that was because of how far the island is from the capital. Chrissi is one of the most beautiful places we have seen on Crete, I'd recommend to go there, although i wish we could have stayed on the island a few hours more.

  Reviewed by Kristóf, 25/08/2021
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  4. Land Rover Safari on Lassithi Route

  This Land Rover excursion is the perfect way to explore the central part of Crete, visiting 2 different plateaus and learning about mythology as well as local life. We head out in the Land Rover to the plateau of Katharo, passing through the largest forest on Crete. The roads here are basically non-existent and the mountains reach heights of 1,500 meters. You’ll have a refreshment stop at a kafenion (coffee shop) somewhere in the wilderness. The tour continues on along dirt tracks, through valleys, and across rivers, and the journey starts to get exciting! At the next stop you’ll have the opportunity to take photos from a spectacular viewpoint above the Lassithi Plateau. You’ll then head to the plateau to enjoy your BBQ lunch, along with unlimited wine. After lunch you’ll travel back in time as you visit the Eco Village, where you can see local crafts being made by traditional methods...

  Unsere Tour mit dem Guide Thomas brachte eine willkommene Abwechslung zu den Strandtagen. Der Tag war sehr abwechslungsreich gestaltet, das Landesinnere bringt völlig neue Eindrücke, man gewinnt einen guten Eindruck vom Leben in den Bergdörfern, der durch sehr viel Informationen zu Fauna Flora, Geschichte, Alltagsleben durch Thomas noch vertieft wurde. Die Tourführung war sehr umsichtig, die kleine Gruppengröße ideal. Preis-Leistungsverhältnis passt. Das Mittagessen in der Taverne bei der Zeushöhle war von sehr guter Qualität und die off-road Passagen im Landrover machten viel Spaß und brachte uns in Gegenden, die mit dem Mietauto nicht zu erreichen sind. Der Tour kann auf jeden Fall empfohlen werden.

  Reviewed by Doris, 28/07/2021
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  5. Spinalonga and Milatos Cave: Safari Excursion & Speedboat

  This adventure is a perfect blend of a safari and boat ride to the main area of the region. Venture through the breathtaking mountains and valleys, passing through the small villages, and explore smaller islands off the coast. Visit the local olive oil factory and learn how traditional olive oil is made on a free guided tour. On the way back, take in picturesque views of the Gulf of Mirabello and the historical island of Spinalonga. Once arriving at the village of Plaka, board a speedboat for the short ride to Spinalonga, which once served as a leper colony. Take a short tour of the island before heading back to Crete.

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  6. Richtis Waterfall and North Coast Tour

  Take a tour to Richtis beach on the far side of Mirabello Bay and trek through the forest to the stunning Richtis waterfall. After pickup from your accommodation, enjoy the beautiful scenery on the 1-hour drive to the bay of Mirabello. Leave the asphalt and travel off road down to Richtis beach, hugging the mountainside.  Park at the bottom and enter Richtis gorge to start the 30-minute walk to reach the falls. Follow a trail through the forest, listening to the sounds of birds and running water. Stop to admire the incredible waterfalls, with time to climb up the stairs to the top of the falls, take photos, or swim in the cool waters.  When you are ready to leave, head back to the beach along the same trail. During the tour you’ll enjoy a traditional lunch at a local tavern, with wine and water included. At the end of your tour, you’ll be dropped off back at your hotel in the Elounda a...

  The trip to the Richtis Waterfall was just amazing. Our guide was already waiting in front of our hotel before we came out - very punctual. During the trip he told us so much about crete, he has great knowledge on almost everything: mythology, nature, culture. Ask the guide anything and he will most certainly know the answer. You need to do a little hiking to reach the waterfall, but nothing too scary. Just take some good shoes with you. Sneakers will do. The waterfall itself is so beautiful. We were able to swim in the little lake as much as we wanted while our guide waited patiently for us. The lunch in a local restaurant was very tasty. All in all the trip was totally worth it. We learned a lot and had a good time. Can totally recommend it!

  Reviewed by Emma, Germany, 16/08/2019
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  7. Crete: Day Trip Spinalonga, Agios Nikolaos, Elounda & Plaka

  Meet your local guide and enjoy comfortable transportation. Make your first stop at Agios Nikolaos, on the Gulf of Mirabello. The place is famous for its picturesque lake, explored by the ocean researcher Jaques Cousteau. Walk along the city on your own, stroll through the shops or relax. After that, discover Elounda and its magnificent views of Crete. At Spinalonga Island you can choose to join an English guided tour or explore the island by yourself. If you do not wish to visit the archaeological site at all, you can join a one-hour boat trip to a secret location and dive into the crystal clear water. After a short drive, reach Plaka a small fishing village. Plaka was the ferry port of the leper colony, whose history was documented in a book and a Greek television series. Visit the filming sites, enjoy lunch or have a refreshing swim before heading back to your accommodation.

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  8. Knossos Palace and Village Pottery Tour

  Explore the Palace of Knossos and learn the traditional craft of pottery on this tour of Cretan culture and heritage. After pickup at your hotel, start your day at the Palace of Knossos, one of the birthplaces of the modern world. Visit the palaces, the villas and other excavated buildings. Continue to a traditional pottery village in the mountains, driving on pretty roads lined with olive trees. See how Cretans have produced their wonderful pottery for thousands of years. Enjoy the fantastic opportunity to try your hand at this ancient craft, with the guidance of a master potter.  During the tour, enjoy a delicious lunch at a local restaurant with wine or water included. At the end of a wonderful day, start the drive back to your hotel, where you’ll be dropped off.

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  9. From Agios Nikolaos: Sarakina Gorge and South Coast Tour

  This tour will take you high into the mountains of the Lassithi Range (or Dikti Range), offering you an abundance of stunning panoramic views. Picking you up from your accommodation at 10:00AM, you will then start your climb up through several very picturesque traditional villages, one of which you shall stop at for a short break to shop or grab coffee. You will next go off road and move on up through the Kroustas Forest to a point approximately 1,000 meters above sea level. From way up there you will be able to see both the Lybian Sea (south coast) and the Aegean Sea (north coast). You will also be able to view the stunning peaks of the snow capped Mount Spathi (2,140 meters above sea level, second highest on the island), whose north face is home of the Psychro Cave, birth place of the Greek god Zeus. The views you will encounter throughout your tour can't be beaten, and there will be...

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  10. Crete: Full-Day Private Tour

  The ideal way to discover the island of Crete is with a private tour. Share a car and enjoy a full day with your group. Embark on an incredible island adventure with your friends or family, after planning the tour together with your professional guide. Beginning with pickup at your accommodation in Elounda, Agios Niklaos, Ierapetra, Malia, Crete, Hersonissos, or Ammoudara, the world is your oyster.  Settle into a comfy and luxurious Land Rover Discovery equipped with 6 seats and air conditioning. Discover local sites, hit the beach, or simply drive around taking in panoramic views. Perfect for a wedding trip or a birthday, relish in total privacy and the utmost luxury. Included in the tour is a fresh, high-quality dinner at a local taverna.