Crete is fantastic if you’re into sports and adventures. The offer of activities keeps growing as seasons go by. You can explore canyons and gorges or choose to go horseback riding.
You can also face more extreme challenges, such as climbing the high peaks of Crete’s mountains. In this guide, I will tell you about some of these thrilling experiences and recommend the best places for outdoor activities in Crete!
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Outdoor Activities in Crete
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📍 Top tours I recommend on the island:
– Boat cruise to Balos Lagoon & Gramvousa
– Ticket to Knossos Archaeological Site
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Crete is a fantastic destination for those who enjoy outdoor sports and adventurous activities. There are thrilling things to do in every corner of the island, and the offer keeps growing as the seasons go by.
You can explore canyons and gorges, go horseback riding, or face more extreme experiences by climbing the high peaks of our mountains. Let’s take a look at the most fantastic outdoor activities in Crete!
Outdoor Activities in Crete: Gorges & Mountains
Chania Region
The impressive Samaria Gorge is the mother of all hikes on the island. Thousands visit it yearly to walk 5-7 hours (13 km + extra) from the north to the south of Crete. You can do it on your own or with an organized tour.
If you plan to hike Samaria, staying in Agia Episkopi, a small village near the Omalos Plateau, is a good idea. If you prefer to stay near the sea, the village of Platanias offers easy access to Omalos and Samaria.
Recommended place to stay in Agia Episkopi: Villa Enny with a private pool
Recommended place to stay in Platanias: Porto Platanias – Casa Di Porto
Other hikes in the Chania area take less time and effort. Agia Irini Gorge and Imbros Gorge are two of the most popular ones. You can also hike through Topolia Gorge, which takes less than two hours. Topolia connects the northern coast of Chania to Elafonisi Beach in the south.
The best area for extreme adventures is Sfakia where you can also go bungee jumping, hiking, and explore other gorges, such as the impressive Aradena.
Recommend place to stay to hike Imbros and discover Sfakia: Panorama New Generation
Recommended place to stay to hike Topolia: Topolia House 4-bedroom
Rethymnon Region
If you stay in Rethymnon, you can explore Kourtaliotiko Gorge (a 3-hour hike), which ends in the fabulous Preveli Beach.
Recommend place to stay near Preveli: Dionysos Tavern & Rooms
Patsos Gorge is an easy walk. This gorge is lush and green, with refreshing water sources all around. Patsos is close to the Amari Valley and has stunning views of the Psiloritis, Crete’s highest pick, which many tourists climb.
Recommend place to stay in Amari: Amari Villas
Heraklion Region
In Heraklion, Rouvas Gorge is lush and green, with plenty of water along the way. Another magnificent gorge in Heraklion is Agiofarago (the hike is shorter than an hour).
Recommend place to stay near Agiofarago, in Kali Limenes: Sfinias Apartments
Agiofarago is one of my favorite hikes on the island because of the stunning solitary beach at the end of the walk.
Lasithi Region
Lasithi has the spectacular Valley of the Dead (Zakros Gorge), which ends on a fantastic beach. Over here, you can also explore Kato Zakros, one of Crete’s four Minoan Palaces.
However, my favorite hike in Lasithi is the small Richtis Gorge on the northern coast, especially because of the pretty waterfall you encounter on the trail.
During our walk along Richtis Gorge, we managed to pick and eat wild berries! Besides, at the end of the gorge, you’re rewarded with a refreshing beach and a magnificent waterfall.
Recommended place to stay in Zakros: Sofia’s House
Recommended place to stay near Richtis: Anemomylos House
Outdoor Activities in Crete: Watersports
Windsurfing and motor-ski are popular in Falasarna. In Elafonisi, you can practice canoeing and kitesurf.
In the last couple of years, SUP (stand-up paddle) has become incredibly popular, and there are endless places to do it. I can recommend Marathi Beach (Chania) as well as Agia Pelagia (Heraklion).
Recommended place to stay in Marathi: Cap Bleu Seafront Holiday Home
Recommended place to stay in Agia Pelagia: Blue Hills Villas
Plakias Beach in the Rethymnon region is the best place to scuba dive in Crete. If you stay in Chania instead, a good place to scuba dive is Georgioupoli. Near the area, you can explore the Elephants Cave on scuba diving trips.
Recommended place to stay in Georgioupoli: Georgioupolis Beach Hotel
Recommended place to stay in Apokoronas: Kiani Beach Resort Family All Inclusive
Water sports are also popular in Kouremenos Beach (Lasithi). In some locations, you can also hire boats without the need for a sailing license.
Recommended place to stay near Kouremenos: Glaro Kouremenos
Let’s now see some of the most popular water sports on the island:
Scuba Diving
Although we have a whole article devoted to the best scuba diving spots in Crete, which I recommend you bookmark and read later, this is one of the most popular water activities on the island.
Plakias is a village on the island that shines when it comes to scuba diving, with several schools in the village for those who want to be PADI certified or for people just looking to have fun under the sea!
Recommended place to stay in Plakias, Rethymnon: Lamon Hotel
Sea Kayaking
Kayaking of the many popular water sports in Crete which sees hundreds of fans year after year. It can be practiced in every corner of the island! So, it is a good idea to book a hotel right by the sea.
Snorkeling
Nothing says summer holidays in Crete more than snorkeling! This is probably the easiest activity on the waters around the island, perfect for all ages, and guarantees hours of fun and entertainment. Also in this case, snorkeling is spread all over Crete and any place by the sea on any shore can be the right spot for your stay!
SUP – Stand-Up Paddle
One of the most popular activities in Crete in recent years, ok for almost any age as long as you are able to swim, SUP (stand-up paddle) is the perfect thing to do to have some fun time on the beach. The gorgeous Kalathas Beach, also part of the Akrotiri Peninsula, is another popular place for SUP fun!
Recommended place to stay in Kalathas: Villa Jamila
Choosing the right sport and – also – the right place to stay in Crete can be overwhelming, however, it is not impossible if you look for the right location in advance! Are you planning to enjoy some of these outdoor adventures in Crete soon?
Read more about Crete
- Where to Stay in Crete For Beaches: Best Places and Hotels in Each Region
- Where to Stay in Crete for History and Culture (Best Areas + Brief Hotel Guide)
- Best Places to Stay in Crete: Insider’s Guide to Where to Stay on the Island
- Best Places in Crete for Families: Where to Stay and Top Family Resorts
More resources to enhance your Crete adventure
Start by checking out my ultimate guide to planning your trip to Crete, packed with helpful essential information. Explore the articles on prices in Crete, common mistakes to avoid, and insider secrets for an unforgettable experience.
When it’s time to plan, explore the best places to visit on Crete Island, discover my tours and activities, and be amazed at Crete’s incredible beaches. If you are exploring specific areas like Heraklion, Rethymnon, Lasithi, and Chania, I’ve got detailed guides to help you make the most of your time.
Suggested accommodation in Crete
No time to read all my accommodation guides? Check out these places to stay:
- Heraklion: So Young Hostel ($), Capsis Astoria ($$), Galaxy Hotel ($$$).
- Chania: Cocoon City Hostel ($), Porto Antico ($$), Hotel OFF ($$$).
- Rethymnon: Matthias Hotel ($), Archipelagos Hotel ($$), Avli ($$$).
- Agios Nikolaos: Villa Galini ($), Hotel Port 7 ($$), Minos Beach Art Hotel ($$$).
More useful travel resources
- Check out all the digital travel guides I’ve specifically written about Crete. They are affordable and practical to check from your mobile.
- Find convenient ferry tickets with Ferryhopper.
- Welcome Pickups offers a convenient pre-paid airport transfer service, while Discover Cars is my favorite engine for finding a rental car on the island.
- To book adventures, tours, and cultural experiences, I recommend Get Your Guide for its flexible cancellation policy.
Pin this Outdoor Adventures Guide for Your Next Trip to Crete!
About me:
I have lived in Chania, Crete, since 2016. As a local, I have an intimate knowledge of the Crete. I host culinary and concierge tours and experiences in Crete and write about the island for several travel media. During the last five years, I have helped many travelers plan the perfect holiday in Crete. I co-authored DK Eyewitness Top 10 Crete and had more glasses of frappe than any regular person could ever handle.