Kournas

Summer activities

The first stop is the town of Rethimno, the third biggest town in Crete west of Heraklion on the north coast of Crete. Here, archeological monuments of the Ottoman and Venetian eras co-exist. Enjoy a stroll in the alleys of the old town, a visit to the Turkish minarets and the Venetian fortresses, or a coffee at the magnificent harbor. The next stop is Chania town, the second largest town of Crete on the north coast west of Rethymno. The city of Chania is divided into the Old City, with the gorgeous harbor, and the New City, beyond its Venetian fortifications. The Old City is one of the most beautiful cities in the Mediterranean and is called “Venice of the East”. You can find Turkish minarets and mosques, Muslim neighborhoods, Venetian fortresses, dockyards, fountains, squares, arches, mansions, Loggia and the Lighthouse. Visit the famous Agora (market), which houses traditional little shops and taverns. The last stop of the day is Kournas lake, a beautiful habitat with natural freshwater, one of a kind in Crete. The whole area of Kournas is protected under 'Natura 2000', as it's a designated wetland. Vast greenery, steep cavities between hills, and rare species of fish and birds make Kournas the ideal place to enjoy an early afternoon walk.

As soon as the safari begins, you will head to Lake Kournas, one of the largest natural lakes in Crete, where you can enjoy the stunning scenery and learn about its unique ecosystem. Following this, you will visit a historical Byzantine church, and nearby, you’ll have the chance to sample traditional Cretan products such as herbs, raki, honey, oregano, and more at a local café. After this cultural and educational experience, the adventure truly begins! You will climb to an altitude of 1,200 meters, where you might spot majestic vultures soaring above or other wildlife thriving in the mountains. The off-road part of the safari will take you deep into the serene isolation of the White Mountains, offering breathtaking views and a peaceful atmosphere. In this mesmerizing landscape, take memorable photos, and create moments to cherish for a lifetime. The next stop will be near Fragkokastelo, where you will admire the castle’s impressive exterior and hear about its fascinating history. Afterward, you’ll head to a quiet beach nearby to swim in the crystal-clear waters of the South Cretan Sea and enjoy delicious Greek dishes prepared by a local family-owned tavern right above the beach. To round off your day, you will be treated to an exclusive tour of a modern olive oil factory, where you will discover the process of olive oil production and have the chance to taste its exquisite flavors.

Join us on a day trip to Chania, Lake Kournas, and Rethymno—one of the best excursions on Crete! We will travel west by bus to Chania, a beautiful city with a rich history, influenced by the Minoans, Byzantines, Ottomans, and Venetians. Upon arrival, you'll see the stunning Venetian lighthouse at the port. Take a stroll through the old town’s narrow streets, brimming with history, and enjoy some free time for lunch at the picturesque harbor. Savor local cuisine while taking in the lovely views. After lunch, explore the famous market and find unique gifts and souvenirs. Next, we head to Lake Kournas, the only freshwater lake on Crete. Surrounded by green hills, the lake offers a peaceful and serene atmosphere. Keep an eye out for rare birds and aquatic animals such as eels and turtles. You can swim in the crystal-clear waters, walk through the tranquil wetlands, and immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the area. On our way back to Heraklion, we’ll stop in Rethymno, a historic town with a fascinating past. Wander through the narrow alleys of the old town and admire the charming buildings. Don’t miss the domes and minarets of the old Ottoman mosques, and visit the 16th-century Venetian fortress, a landmark of the town. Relax at a local café or taverna, taste authentic Cretan dishes, and soak in the special atmosphere of Rethymno. We plan to spend 2 hours exploring Chania, 1 hour and 30 minutes at Lake Kournas, and 1 hour and 15 minutes discovering Rethymno. This day trip to Crete offers the perfect combination of history, culture, and nature for a wonderful experience. Explore Chania’s rich history, enjoy the tranquility of Lake Kournas, and discover the charm of Rethymno. This tour promises a memorable adventure in Crete, ideal for anyone interested in Crete’s history, natural beauty, and cultural sites. The day tour to West Crete includes round-trip transfers from the following areas: Sissi, Malia, Stalida, Hersonissos, Piskopiano, Koutouloufari, Anissaras, Analipsi, Gouves, Kokkini Hani, Karteros, Heraklion Center, Ammoudara Beach, Agia Pelagia, and Lygaria.

Morning Pick up: We will start collecting participants from pick-up points in the morning. Depending on the place of your hotel/apartment the bus drive will differ. Bus Drive: 3 hours 1st stop: Chania Town – 2 hours 30 minutes Our groups will enjoy their time wandering around the beautiful Venetian streets and neighborhoods of this picturesque town of Greece. Walk through its roads full of little shops, markets and local restaurants around their famous old port. Bus Drive: 1 hour 2nd stop:The lake of Kournas – 1 hour 20 minutes The largest natural lake of Crete reflecting the White Mountains gives you the sense of an Alpine landscape. Grab the opportunity to hire a pedal boat for a lovely ride around the lake, swimming and enjoying a meal in one of the little taverns (not included). Bus Drive:20 minutes 3rd stop: Rethymno – 1 hour 30 minutes Visit Rethymno and its picturesque venetian town. Enjoy your free time to walk along the old port and beautiful oriental beach road. End of the tour – Return to resorts: Embarkation in the buses and drive back to the hotels where we gathered participants in the morning. Depending on traffic and on the pick-up places of each one, the time of journey back to the hotel will differ. Bus Drive: 2 hours

Explore the picturesque city of Chania and the freshwater of Lake Kournas on this day trip from Rethymno. Enjoy pickup from your hotel and head for Chania, the charming city perched on Crete's north west coast. Admire the lively port of the Old Venetian Harbour and its imposing lighthouse. Stroll the atmospheric narrow streets of the city, filled with shops, churches and tavernas. Pick up some traditional local products like cheese or pastries at the municipal market. Shop for leather goods and souvenirs at the famous Halidon Street. Next, sit back and enjoy the scenic journey to Lake Kournas. Once there, explore the lake or tuck into a delicious meal at a local taverna. Enjoy the relaxing views beneath looming mountains. Look out too for the local wildlife - moorhens, eels, and turtles are among the permanent residents of this friendly wetland. Take pleasure in being out in nature amongst this beautiful scenery, before hopping back in the vehicle for your journey back to Rethymno.

Start your day of adventure at your first stop of the trip, a local oil mill. Here you will have the opportunity to see how Crete's famous olive oil is produced on this fascinating and informative outing. Follow on your journey through Crete and make a quick stop at the watersprings of Argyroupolis. These watersprings are responsible for the rich vegetation that surrounds the village, a truly magical and refreshing experience. Your last stop of the tour, lasting roughly 2,5 hours, will give you enough time to enjoy a swim and eat Cretan delicacies at the many taverns that are located around the lake.

Set off on a day trip by bus and boat to the magnificent Balos Lagoon and the Gramvousa island, on the northwestern coast of Crete. Travel by air-conditioned bus to the port of Kissamos and board the boat for a cruise with swim stops and a visit to a castle. After an early morning pickup near your hotel, sit back and relax as you pass through beautiful scenery to get to the Port of Kissamos. There, you'll pay for the cruise and board the boat which will take you in the sea for about an hour till you reach Gramvousa island. Once at Gramvousa, spend 1-hour and 30-minutes exploring the Venetian Fortress which offers breathtaking views from the top. Otherwise, you can stay on the boat to take advantage of the bar restaurant or you can relax at the beachside. Afterward, the boat will continue for about 20 minutes to reach the Balos Lagoon. There, you'll have 3 hours of free time on the beach. Swim, snorkel, sunbathe and explore the dunes in the background. In the afternoon, the boat will begin the cruise back to Kissamos and from there you will be driven back to your Hotel area in Rethymno.

This excursion takes you to the west side of the island. It includes a visit to the towns of Rethymnon and Chania, as well as to the well – known Lake of Kournas. Going west on the northern axis of Crete, first we will pass the Ida range that includes the highest mountain of Crete, Psiloritis (2453m high), then our tour will take us to the beautiful town of Rethymno. A graphic Cretan town, so characteristic and unique, that nothing similar is met anywhere else on the island of Crete. We will have time to relax at the beautiful scenery at the old port of Rethymnon. Our next stop , the town of Chania is the capital city of the prefecture of Chania , which comes second in size on the island and is the sixth biggest city in Greece having approximately 65.000 residents. It's Venetian walls and harbor , narrow streets , and old buildings from the Venetian and Ottoman period are mostly intact and take you directly to the past . The old harbor , where the small fishing boats can moor , is a perfect place to enjoy a coffee and observe the liveliness of the city . Here you can see the cross-shaped closed Marketplace and the leather Market Street . Next stop and last is the lake of Kournas, the only natural sweet water Lake outside Chania, where you will have your lunch. For those who want, there is a possibility to make a tour in the lake on pedals, or just walk around the lake and swim before we take the way back to Heraklion.

Our first stop is Kourna Lake, where our guests can swim, relax at one of the local cafes, or explore the lake by renting a pedal boat or canoe during their free time. After that, we head to the ancient Greek village of Lappa, which offers a beautiful view of the area. We take a scenic walking route around the village to see some of the sites. Next, we visit the Springs of Argiroupoli, a place where fresh water flows out of the mountainside. Here, guests have the option to join us for an optional lunch at a recommended restaurant or take a leisurely walk around the springs. Lastly, we stop for a refreshing beverage at the picturesque village of Vrysses, which is surrounded by lush greenery and has water running through and around the cafes. If our guests prefer, and the weather is nice, we can go to Georgioupoli instead, which is also a great place with a beautiful beach for swimming or renting a pedal boat up the river that flows into the sea.

Embark on an extraordinary adventure to Kournas Lake, Argiroupoli, and Georgioupoli, immersing yourself in their mesmerizing beauty. Delight in the pristine, transparent waters of Kournas Lake, lose yourself in the enchanting ambiance of Argiroupoli's traditional village and unwind on the picturesque golden beaches of Georgioupoli. This captivating journey guarantees inspiring landscapes and treasured memories, a must for families with young children and those seeking to minimize bus travel time.