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Authentic Crete: Arkadi, Margarites & Melidoni from Rethymno

Day trips

  • 5 hours
  • Free cancellation up to 24h before
  • 2 languages
  • Instant confirmation

Highlights

This experience offers a different side of Crete, away from the busy tourist routes and into the island’s authentic heart. From the historic Arkadi Monastery to the traditional village of Margarites and the fascinating Melidoni Cave, each stop reveals a different part of Crete’s history, culture and way of life. What makes this tour special is the combination of history, traditional villages, local culture and natural beauty in one carefully designed experience. You will have time to explore, discover local stories and experience places that are deeply connected to the identity of Crete. It is more than a sightseeing tour. It is an opportunity to experience the real Crete, with its traditions, landscapes, stories and people, while travelling comfortably from Rethymno in a private and relaxed setting.

Inclusions

What's included

  • Private transportation
  • Bottled water
  • WiFi on board
  • All Fees and Taxes
  • Air-conditioned vehicle

What's not

  • Alcoholic Beverages
  • Any type of purchase, such as souvenirs are not included
  • Lunch

Itinerary

  1. Visitors to Arkadi Monastery will experience a historic and spiritual landmark of Crete, known for its stunning Venetian architecture and its heroic role in the Cretan resistance against Ottoman rule in 1866. The monastery features a beautiful church, a museum with artifacts from its history, and serene courtyards that reflect its rich cultural and religious heritage.

    1 hAdmission included

  2. Visitors to Margarites village will discover a charming Cretan village renowned for its traditional pottery craftsmanship. Strolling through its picturesque alleys, they can visit pottery workshops, admire Venetian-influenced architecture, and enjoy the peaceful rural atmosphere surrounded by olive groves and rolling hills.

    1 h

  3. Visitors to Melidoni Cave will witness a stunning underground world filled with impressive rock formations. Beyond its natural beauty, the cave holds deep historical significance, as it was both an ancient place of worship and a site of sacrifice during the Cretan resistance against the Ottomans in 1824. A memorial inside honors those who perished, making it a place of both awe and remembrance.

    1 hAdmission included

Cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.

Know before you go

Pickup
Pickup is included for everyone.
Ticket type
Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Operated by
Way to Crete
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • 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
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

How it compares in Chania

  • Its from-price is 107% above the median of the 205 day trips we list in Chania.
  • It is shorter than most of them.
  • The operator lists free cancellation on it.

About Chania

Chania, on Crete's north-west coast, is a Venetian harbour town of old mosques and tall houses, with mountain gorges and beaches within reach.

Chania's old harbour is a crescent of tall Venetian houses facing a stone breakwater and a lighthouse rebuilt by the Egyptians in the nineteenth century. The domed Mosque of the Janissaries stands on the quay, left from the Ottoman centuries, and behind it narrow lanes in the Splantzia and Topanas quarters pass Venetian and Ottoman houses, churches and small workshops. The cross-shaped covered market sells cheese, honey and herbs.

Top-ranked sights in Chania: Marathi Beach, Venetian Lighthouse, Venetian Harbor.

See all 441 experiences in Chania

Special offers in Chania

Was/now prices come from the operator, never from us.

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