Discover the beautiful island of Crete on this family-friendly walking holiday
This 8-day self-guided walking holiday is the perfect way for you to explore Crete with your family. The itinerary includes lots of free time and flexibility, giving you the option to choose which walks you want to do and when you want to do them.
Immerse yourself in Greek culture as you get to know the seaside town of Chora Sfakion, where you’ll stay for the entire tour. Take a different walk each day that explore the island’s unique landscapes. Options include a quiet stroll through the Askifou plain, an exploration of Imbros and Samaria gorges, and a visit to the remote village of Loutro. You can explore at your own pace and modify the itinerary to suit your family’s holiday dreams. Make lasting memories on the Crete Family Walking Tour!
Highlights of the Crete Family Walking Tour
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Crete Family Walking Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive in Chora Sfakion
When you arrive at the Chania airport, a shuttle will be waiting to drive you to Chora Sfakion. The drive to this little town is about an hour and a half. You’ll spend the duration of your trip at this seaside location with easy access to other villages, restaurants, and beautiful beaches.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Chora Sfakion
Distance: None
Meals: None
Day 2-7 Your Choice of Five Walks
This tour includes a lot of free time for your family to explore, which you can fill with as many or as few activities as you like. Below, you’ll find the list of the five recommended walks that you can complete in whichever order you choose.
Walk 1 – Discover the Askifou Plain
Distance: 2 hours, 7 km, 150m of ascent, 125m of descent
Take a taxi or public transit to Askifou, where you’ll begin your walk. This walk is on quiet roads and will take you to the villages of Kares and Imbros. This easy walk explores rural farmlands, and you have the chance to stop at the small war museum in Kares.
Walk 2 – Explore the Imbros Gorge
Distance: 4 hours, 12.5 km, 350m of ascent, 1100m of descent
You’ll need to take a taxi or bus to Imbros to begin this walk. You’ll walk through the inspiring Imbros Gorge and to the village of Komitades. There are lovely tavernas abound here if you want to stop for a meal before taking a taxi or walking back to Chora Sfakion.
Walk 3 – Ferry and Samaria Gorge
Distance: 3 hours, 7.2km, 375m of ascent, 375m of descent
To start this walk, you’ll take the ferry to Agia Roumeli. You’ll walk uphill from the village to the Samaria gorge. Walk as far as you’d like or turn around at the “Portes,” which is the gorge’s narrowest point. The last ferry returns at 5:30 pm, so make sure you’re back in time to make the hour-long boat ride back to Chora Sfakion.
Walk 4 – Visit Chania
It’s about an hour bus ride to Chania, but you’ll be glad to visit this historic town. This ancient Venetian port has a lighthouse, the Firkas Fortress, and museums for you to explore. Or you can simply wander the pedestrian streets and enjoy a nice meal at a local taverna.
Walk 5 – Walk the Coast to Loutro
You can choose what route you’d like to take today depending on how far you’d like to walk. You can follow the coast or take the longer route through the Ilingas Gorge that passes through the village of Anopolis. Loutro, your seaside destination, is only accessible by boat or on foot. Explore this charming village and the secluded bay and then walk or take the ferry back to Chora Sfakion. Even if you decide to take the ferry both ways, Loutro is worth the visit.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Chora Sfakion
Meals: Breakfast each day
Day 8 Departure
Your family walking tour has come to an end. Once you’re packed, a transfer will be waiting to take you to Chania airport to check-in for your flight.
Overnight Location: None
Meals: Breakfast
The departure is available on any day of the week. Prices below are per person:
Departure on April 1st – 24th, 2024:
- Single room (traveling alone): $1,175 USD
- Single room (group of 2+): $950 USD
- Double/twin room: $650 USD
- Triple room: $525 USD
Departure on April 25th – June 24th, 2024:
- Single room (traveling alone): $1,275 USD
- Single room (group of 2+): $1,075 USD
- Double/twin room: $725 USD
- Triple room: $550 USD
Departure on June 25th – October 14th, 2024:
- Single room (traveling alone): $1,395 USD
- Single room (group of 2+): $1,175 USD
- Double/twin room: $775 USD
- Triple room: $595 USD
Accommodation on the Crete Family Walking Tour
This tour is based in 3-star hotels. The hotels offer simple, comfortable rooms in great locations.
In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travellers
If you prefer a single room or you are a solo traveller, the required supplements are included in the listed prices.
Hotels on Standard Tour
Livikon Hotel & Restaurant ★★★
Ocean views from your room? Yes, please! This hotel is also home to one of the best restaurants in town, and it’s super close to the beach.
What’s Included in the Crete Family Walking Tour?
Meals
7 breakfasts are included on this tour.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 7 nights are included. Accommodations before and after the tour not included but can be added as a supplement.
Transportation during the Tour
Roundtrip transport for you and your luggage from Chania Airport to the hotel is included in this tour. Transfers from the Heraklion Airport are available for an additional fee.
Also Included
- 24-hour emergency telephone assistance
- Detailed roadbook and basic maps
- GPS tracks
Not included
- Tourism tax to be paid locally at each hotel Travel insurance
- Flights
- Meals, drinks, or snacks not previously mentioned
- Tourist taxes if applicable
- Visas if required
- Personal equipment
- Fees not mentioned as included
- Any admission or entrance fees
- Gratuities for servers and drivers if desired
Optional Extras
- Supplement for the additional transfer cost if you arrive at Heraklion Airport
- Pre-paid dinners at the Xenia hotel
- Sing occupancy upgrades
Frequently Asked Questions about Crete Family Walking Tour
S-Cape Travel Greece is a Greek outdoor company, established in 1994 and member of the S-Cape Group of companies since 2010.
At S-Cape Greece you find a varied portfolio of active and adventure trips that offer you a hands-on experience of Greece, having time to slowing down and appreciate the details: view the sites and landscapes, savor the specialties, meet and mingle with the locals and learn about the culture.
All our trips and itineraries are developed by our team of professional walkers and cyclists who have a keen eye for great trails, exciting itineraries, breath-taking scenery and good quality accommodation that share our vision on sustainable travel.
If you travel on one of our self-guided trips, you receive a Destination Manual with information on the country and a state-of-the-art Road Book with detailed route description, turn by turn diagrams of each crossing and explanatory text. On top, you can navigate the route in your own smartphone via our excellent S-Cape Travel App.
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Maria has worked in the Athens office of S-Cape for nearly 4 years. She’s discovered an even deeper love for her country through the process of helping others explore it.
- Q: What is your favourite trip to lead and why?
- A: My favourite trip is Crete “Coast to Coast” because you discover unspoiled Crete while following walking paths through wildflowers, lush valleys, and gorgeous gorges. You get to know the locals, drink wine with them, and taste the famous Cretan food in local taverns. You meet the locals of this village in the “kafeneion” and drink a “Raki” with them. You get to stay in a beautiful old restored house and enjoy views of the White Mountains whilst having breakfast. Explore the White Mountains and walk at an altitude of 1,300m gazing at the white peaks surrounding you. On the south coast, you walk through beautiful gorges. It’s just wonderful!
- Q: What are guests most surprised about in visiting your country?
- A: You hear how good the food, the sun, and the people are. It’s even better in real life!
- Q: What is one local dish anyone visiting should try?
- A: Greek salad, tzatziki, stuffed tomatoes, fried zucchini, and traditional souvlaki, of course!