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Heraklion
Family-friendly activities

Family-friendly activities

Our most recommended Heraklion Family-friendly activities

Heraklion: Dia Island Sailboat Cruise with Swimming and Meal

1. Heraklion: Dia Island Sailboat Cruise with Swimming and Meal

Sail to the exotic Dia island on our modern and large sailing yachts! Explore the magnificent bay of the island and spend 6 hours of pure relaxation and joy. Sailing to Dia takes approximately 1 hour so after anchoring at the bay there will be 4 hours to spend swimming, enjoying our delicious menu freshly prepared from the crew on board and trying our endless water activities before setting sails to return to Heraklion to enjoy 1 more hour of relaxing sailing. While on anchor in the bay our crew will be happy to offer you any piece of equipment for our water activities and serve you plentiful drinks so please don't hesitate to request it from them. You can choose between the morning or the afternoon cruise with the sunset view. Below we give you the timetables of the 2 trips. Morning Sailing Trip: 9:00 AM : Departure from the Port of Heraklion. As we sail you can enjoy the sun, the wind or have some drinks or even learn how to sail and be the captain yourself! 10:15 AM : We arrive to the exotic Dia island. Time for swimming, exploring and trying our water activities. 12:00 AM : Time for a break to enjoy our delicious menu. 12:30 PM : More time to spend swimming, sunbathing, relaxing or trying our water activities. 1:45 PM : Time to say goodbye to the beautiful scenery and the crystal waters and set sails once again to head back to Heraklion full of joy and great memories! 3:00 PM : We arrive to the Port of Heraklion and we wish you farewell hoping to see you again in one of our trips! Afternoon Sailing Trip: 3:00 PM : Departure from the Port of Heraklion. As we sail you can enjoy the sun, the wind or have some drinks or even learn how to sail and be the captain yourself! 4:15 PM : We arrive to the exotic Dia island. Time for swimming, exploring and trying our water activities. 6:00 PM : Time for a break to enjoy our delicious menu. 6:30 PM : More time to spend swimming, sunbathing, relaxing or trying our water activities. 7:45 PM : Time to say goodbye to the beautiful scenery and the crystal waters and set sails once again to head back to Heraklion admiring the magnificent sunset, full of joy and great memories! 9:00 PM : We arrive to the Port of Heraklion and we wish you farewell hoping to see you again in one of our trips! We look forward to welcome you on board for an unforgettable day!

Crete: Palace of Knossos Entry Ticket & Optional Audio Guide

2. Crete: Palace of Knossos Entry Ticket & Optional Audio Guide

Benefit from access to the Palace of Knossos avoiding the ticket booth lines. Once inside, you are free to explore this Minoan archaeological site at your own pace, including the Grand Palace which dates back to the year 2000 B.C. Choose between just an entry ticket or an entry ticket and audio guide. As you wander through the site, discover what remains of living quarters, workspaces, and storerooms that have stood for centuries. Learn more about the city which is thought to have been the capital and political center of Minoan civilization and culture. Get a sense of what the building was like originally from the extensive restorations that have taken place throughout the 20th and 21st centuries. See colorful restored murals, which were typical of the time, and the throne room of the legendary King Minos, which is still intact.

Crete: Knossos & Museum E-Tickets with Optional Audio Tours

3. Crete: Knossos & Museum E-Tickets with Optional Audio Tours

Experience Ancient Crete at your own pace with a combined e-ticket for the island's top two archaeological attractions, the Palace of Knossos and the Heraklion Archaeological Museum. Receive your ticket in a separate email from the activity provider. Then travel back in time to experience the grandeur of Crete from the Minoan period to Roman times. Discover the Palace of Knossos and its monumental Palace of Minos. Explore the exquisite artifacts exhibited in the Heraklion Archaeological Museum and its unique collection of Minoan artistic masterpieces.

Heraklion Area: CRETAquarium Admission Ticket

4. Heraklion Area: CRETAquarium Admission Ticket

Venture into the ocean’s depth with a 1-day admission ticket to the CRETAquarium. One of Europe’s largest aquariums, over 2,000 sea creatures lice the CRETAquarium's 60 diverse habitats. Delve into the caves and crevices of the Mediterranean, where stingrays and rock-like scorpionfish slither about. Pop out into the open ocean, where menacing sharks circle, waiting to be fed. Get up close and personal with jellyfish and schools of vibrant tropical clownfish through shallow, open-topped tanks, which allow a new viewing perspective of well known species.  Above all, gain a new appreciation for the unending diversity of the world’s most mystifying environment. When you’ve had your fill of looking at the ocean’s residents, why not pop in for a dip? The CRETAquarium is, fittingly, right on the beach.

From Crete: Santorini Island Guided Tour

5. From Crete: Santorini Island Guided Tour

Enjoy a roundtrip tour to Santorini. Travel comfortably on a modern boat and in air-conditioned buses while learning about this island's history and mythology. Capture pictures of Santorini's famous Aegean architecture and narrow, winding streets.  Travel to Heraklion port where you will depart on a high-speed boat for Santorini. Enjoy ocean views on the 2.5-hour cruise to the island and pickup a snack from the bar onboard.  Arrive at Port Athinios and hop aboard the bus for the guided tour. Travel 40 minutes to Oia, where you will admire the blue and white houses built over the cliffs. Learn about the city before enjoying free time to admire the volcanic caldera at your own pace. Next, travel 30 minutes to Fira, the main town of Santorini, built on the edge of a 300-meter cliff. Check out its narrow streets, white vaulted houses, and bright blue domes. Have the option to take a cruise from Fira in a wooden boat to the volcano and hot springs (for an additional charge) or spend more time exploring the city. Return to Port Athinios where your guide will help you board the return ferry.  Take in the late-afternoon views on the boat before arriving at Heraklion port.

Crete: Palace of Knossos E-Ticket and Optional Audio Guide

6. Crete: Palace of Knossos E-Ticket and Optional Audio Guide

Enjoy an exciting visit to Knossos Palace, Crete’s most famous historical attraction, with a pre-booked e-ticket, including a compelling audio tour downloadable on your phone and a detailed map of the site. Lose yourself in the audio tour's storytelling and immerse yourself in history as you walk around this iconic site. Visit the grand capital of Minoan Crete, located just south of Heraklion, and see the evocative setting, complete with impressive ruins and brightly-colored frescoes, come alive through an engaging narrative that sheds light on various elements of Minoan culture. The cupbearers and procession frescoes at the South Propylaeum, which depicts scenes from everyday life and the ceremonial activities in Minoan Crete, provide a great insight into the aesthetic ideals of the time. Follow the evolution of Minoan fashion, learn about the popular hairstyles of the people, and discover the beauty products locals used to touch up their looks. At the West Magazines, where the storage facilities of the palace are located, gain an understanding of the well-organized bureaucracy that supported the palace organization, the earliest forms of linear writing, as well as the Minoan economy and trade networks. Discover the copy of the “Prince of the Lilies” at the South Entrance Corridor and gaze out on Mount Juktas, perfectly framed by the eroded walls of the palace. Visit the Queen’s Megaron, embellished with famous blue dolphins fresco and equipped with a bathroom and a toilet room, where you can find out everything about the bath habits in the Minoan era.

Heraklion: Sailing Trip to Dia Island

7. Heraklion: Sailing Trip to Dia Island

Kick off your shoes and come onboard an elegant yacht on a sailing tour with us. Embark on a private cruise or a group trip to Dia Island from Heraklion and explore this rugged island with plenty of time to swim, snorkel, or relax on its pristine shores. Enjoy a glass of wine or a refreshment. Benefit from optional pick-up from your hotel or apartment, and then relax on a 1-hour sailing cruise to Dia Island on a luxury yacht only for you and your family or friends. After dropping anchor in the romantic Gulf of Saint George, spend your day discovering an idyllic location with great history, such as the underwater ancient Minoan port, which was one of the favorite destinations of the explorer, Jacques-Yves Cousteau. Enjoy fishing, swimming in the crystal clear water, taking a walk among the island's cedar trees, or just relaxing in the quiet bay overlooking Heraklion. Snorkeling and fishing equipment are provided for your comfort and convenience by the attentive crew, along with unlimited refreshments and seasonal fruits.

Heraklion: Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus Tour

8. Heraklion: Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus Tour

Explore Heraklion city at your own pace using a hop-on hop-off bus. Enjoy a combo ticket good for 48hours and for 2 different bus lines. See famous attractions, visit the beach of Ammoudara and the Knossos archaeological site. Take your chance to see it all with one combo ticket. Discover the Cretan civilization, history, and architecture and learn all about the old and modern city of Heraklion. Enjoy onboard commentary in 8 different languages explaining important details and facts. On the first route, embark on a 12 stop line that tours Heraklion city over one hour. Get off and on when you please and appreciate hours from 830am until 530pm every day. The second route provides a 6 stop line that leads to Ammoudara beach.

Agia Pelagia: Quad Safari-Family Tour

9. Agia Pelagia: Quad Safari-Family Tour

Begin the tour at the Peninsula Resort and Spa with a short theoretical introduction and a quad driving lesson before the adventure begins. Follow a beautiful off-road cliff path along the sea and into the heights of Achlada away from traffic and in the midst of the most beautiful nature the area has to offer. Enjoy breathtaking views over Agia Pelagia until reaching Heraklion, then continue to the ancient and abruptly abandoned ghost village of Achlada.  Find out more about the background of the village and the traditional Cretan way of life and share a special personal moment with the last two remaining inhabitants of the village. Stroll through this otherwise inaccessible village at leisure. From the heights of Achlada, pass in between the mountains surrounded by breathtaking nature before continuing to Fodele, a traditional Cretan village, also called the village of the oranges and birthplace of the famous painter El Greco.  Explore Crete’s culture and marvel at its local handicrafts. Take some time for shopping and a visit to the museum or to the village’s orthodox churches. Sit back and enjoy a famous freshly squeezed orange juice made from the local orange trees for a more relaxing experience. Return to the hotel at 1.00 p.m., just in time for lunch.

From Heraklion: Gramvousa and Balos Cruise with Hotel Pickup

10. From Heraklion: Gramvousa and Balos Cruise with Hotel Pickup

Start with pickup from Heraklion or the surrounding area. Drive over to Kastelli by bus to board your boat. Balos are Gramvousa are located on the West part of the island. Depending on the area your hotel is located is around 4 hours by bus to the place where the boats depart. Embark the boat from the village of Kasteli and head over to Balos Lagoon and enjoy plenty of time to swim in the quiet crystal clear waters, walk across the golden sand beach and soak in the sun as you relax. Cruise across the western Cretan sea and arrive at the tranquil Gramvousa. Swim along the coast and stroll up to the castle on the hill to admire panoramic views of the natural landscape as you hike up to that point. The drivers will be awaiting you at the port, in order to begin the drive back to Heraklion.

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What people are saying about Heraklion

Angela and I came to Crete for our thanksgiving break looking for fun activities to do and we found scuba diving. We’ve never done it before and we’re both pretty nervous to do it, but our instructor Ioannis Almpantakis was the best. He gave us all the information we needed for our first time and was very patient with us. This was by far one of the best experiences of our lives. He is a great leader and you can tell he was very passionate about his job. If you get the chance to scuba dive definitely do it!

staff were lovely- the stable is owned by a father and daughter who are both very hospitable they can speak many languages including English, greek, german transportation wasn't included but they specifically came to pick us up as it was pretty far for us to go by bus/expensive by taxi they also provide orange juice and watermelon up in the mountains there is always a group of staff walking up with you if your horses start acting up or you need help- it's about 4 horses with 1 staff member

The lake is cool, but perhaps not as beautiful as it is depicted in photographs (that being said I did see it on quite an overcast day). However, the towns were absolutely lovely and I really enjoyed just strolling through and exploring a different side of Crete! Really loved the guide as well!

Great scenery and great hosts. The horses are very gentle and well behaved so it was a lovely gentle ride up and down the mountains. We took our 5 year old and he loved it. The guide was with him the whole time so he was completely at ease.

This was amazing! These guys know their horses and the mountains! Always felt safe because they walked close by and understood each horse and how to tell us to react to them! Highly recommend!