Silversea Luxury Cruises A AGHIOS NIKOLAOS (Crete)

Discover the seaside beauty and ancient history of Crete during this half-day walking tour of Aghios Nikolaos, and visit to Spinalonga Island via boat.

Aghios Nikolaos Walking Tour

Depart the pier for a guided, approximate 45-minute walking tour of Aghios Nikolaos. Built on the western recess of Mirabello Bay, Aghios Nikolaos is undoubtedly the most picturesque harbour in Crete. A Byzantine church of the same name is located on the peninsula of the port. This ancient town served as a harbour during Roman times and the first Byzantine period. A fortress, Mirabello, was erected here during a period of Venetian occupation due to its beautiful view. Following your walking tour, board a coach for the brief drive to Elounda.

Elounda and Spinalonga Island

Upon arrival in Elounda, embark a boat for the approximate 30-minute ride to the nearby island of Spinalonga, also known as 'Kalidon'. Located on the eastern section of Crete, Spinalonga was once linked with the adjacent peninsula of Kolokitha and fortified to protect the entranceway of the ancient port of Olous. Spinalonga also served as the setting for Victoria Hislop's best-selling novel, The Island, and Werner Herzog's experimental short film, Last Words. Today, this unoccupied island is one of the main attractions in Crete.

Following an hour-long visit to Spinalonga, embark your boat for the approximate 30-minute return ride to Elounda. Upon arrival, a stop is made for some free time to explore your surroundings or have a refreshment on your own before commencing the brief drive back to the pier in Aghios Nikolaos.

Experience the exquisite beauty of Kolokytha Island and Saint Luke Beach in a healthy new way during this invigorating, half-day hiking excursion.

Agios Nikolaos, Elounda, Guided Hike to Kolokytha Island, Spinalonga Peninsula

Depart the pier for the short drive north to Elounda. Upon arrival, begin your guided, approximately 80-minute hiking trek towards Kolokytha (the Pumpkin), a small island just opposite the Spinalonga Peninsula, approximately 7.4 miles (about 12 kilometres) north of Agios Nikolaos and close to Elounda.

Saint Luke Beach, White Sands, Blue-Green Water, Swimming, Spinalonga Island

Opposite Kolokytha Island is the small, idyllic Saint Luke Beach, which features white sands, blue-green water and a few tamarisks for shade. Upon arrival, some free time is made available to relax and take a refreshing swim. The water is sparkling clean, and the island of Spinalonga in the background is a reminder of the past. Spinalonga was the last leper colony in Europe, which closed in 1957. The branches of the aged olive trees cast their shadows like strokes of an artist's brush.

Guided Hike Back to Elounda, Local Taverna, Refreshments and Snacks

Following your beach visit, depart for the approximately 80-minute walk back to Elounda. Upon arrival, proceed for refreshments and snacks at a local taverna. At the conclusion of your visit, re-board your coach and commence the short drive back to the pier.

Explore the scenic ancient countryside and mountains of Crete during this half-day journey to Kera's Monastery and the Lassithi Plateau.

Mt. Dikti

Depart the pier for the approximate 60-minute drive into the interior of Crete, then ascend 3,000 feet (about 914 metres) to Mt. Dikti; the island's easternmost mountain range. En route, pass through the fertile countryside and many picturesque villages.

Kera's Monastery

Your first stop is a guided walking tour at Kera's Monastery, or 'Kardiotissa'. Built in the 17th century and dedicated to the Virgin of Kera, this structure is adorned with lovely Byzantine icons and 14th-century wall paintings.

Lassithi Plateau

Next, you will continue on through wooded villages to the Lassithi Plateau and Seli Village to admire the breathtaking views and photo opportunities of the surrounding mountains, which are dotted with over 100 picturesque windmills for which the area is famous. Following your photo stop, walk to a nearby tavern to enjoy local treats and the hospitality that these warm people are known for before returning to the pier.

Explore central Crete and its two different plateaus in an exciting new way during this scenic and exhilarating, full-day Jeep excursion.

Agios Nikolaos, Central Crete, Forest, Katharo Plateau, Selikiano Forest, Mountains, Valleys, Rivers

Depart the pier for a scenic and exhilarating Jeep tour, the ideal way to explore the central part of Crete with its two different plateaus. Along the way, have lots of fun, take in splendid views of your surrounds, and learn interesting facts about mythology, Crete, and the local lifestyles and traditions. Your journey takes you to the Katharo Plateau by way of the Selikiano Forest, the biggest forest on the island, where the roads are non-existent and the mountains reach a height of approximately 4,921 feet (about 1.5 kilometres). Enjoy a refreshment at a local 'kafenion' in the middle of the wilderness, then continue through dirt tracks, goat valleys and across rivers, where the journey really gets exciting.

Photo Stops, Barbecue Lunch, Lassithi Plateau, Selinari

Next, enjoy an opportunity to take postcard-worthy photographs from a vantage point overlooking the Lassithi Plateau. After your photo stop, re-board your Jeep and drop down to the plateau for a barbecue lunch. After lunch, a visit is made to the Lassithi Plateau, where time has virtually stood still, the local people are mainly farmers and you can see many donkeys at work. From here, drive to Selinari, where another photo stop is made to marvel at this unique scenery.

Krassi Village, Old Plane Tree, Natural Spring, Vultures

Your drive continues on to the village of Krassi, which is famous for a 2,000-year-old plane tree and derives its water from a natural spring. Leaving Krassi Village, head back through the Selinari area. Here, you can see vultures, which are now an endangered species. At the conclusion of your unforgettable tour, commence the approximately 1.75-hour back to the pier.

Explore the storied past of the Palace of Knossos during this scenic and informative, half-day sightseeing excursion to Heraklion.

Palace of Knossos

Depart the pier for the approximate 70-minute drive to Knossos, the ancient capital of the great King Minos. Constructed around 1900 B.C., the original Palace of Knossos was destroyed by an earthquake about 200 years later, then rebuilt on a grander scale. Knossos was devastated again with the eruption of the volcano in Santorini around 1500-1450 B.C. Despite this blow, people continued to live here for another fifty years until a fire swept throughout the city circa 1400 B.C.

Upon arrival, take a guided tour through the fantastic ruins of the ancient palace complex, which served as the administrative and religious centres for the whole region. Along the way, see the living quarters of the king, queen and members of the royal court, rooms for state occasions, the theatre area, store rooms, and potters' workshops.

Following your tour, re-board the coach and proceed to the pier.

Explore the history of traditional olive oil production in Greece during this picturesque sightseeing excursion to an award-winning olive oil estate.

Agios Nikolaos, Villages of Elounda, Plaka and Kasteli, Panoramic photo stop at Spinalonga and Moni Aretiou

Depart the pier for the scenic, approximately one-hour drive to the Vassilakis Estate. En route, pass through the villages of Elounda, Plaka and Kasteli, stop for photos of Spinalonga and Moni Aretiou, and marvel at the stunning natural panorama.

Neapoli Village, Vassilakis Estate, Olive Oil Groves, Guided Tour, Olive Mill

Upon arriving in Neapoli Village, proceed for a visit to the Vassilakis Estate. The Vassilakis family olive mill is situated close to the ancient settlement of Drirοs. The olive groves span approximately 6.2 kilometres (about ten kilometres), and have been cultivated by the Vassilakis family since 1865. Today, the estate is a full, vertically-integrated olive business, from grove-to-bottle. During your visit, a Vassilakis family member escorts you on a guided walking tour of this award-winning olive mill, which is renowned for its environmentally-friendly policy and sustainable agricultural practices, and 3,800 registered olive farmers and collaborators.

Outdoor Museum, Old Olive Press, Olive Oil Tasting with Local Specialities

Along the way, see-and-learn learn about the family and their olive oil-making traditions, how olive oil used to be made utilising the old, hand-operated olive press at the outdoor museum, how olive oil is made today at their ultra-modern olive mill, hygienic conditions, international food standards, and more. Following your tour, learn how to distinguish a good olive oil during an olive oil tasting session, and sample selected local specialities. At the conclusion of your visit, re-board your coach and commence the approximately 30-minute drive back to the pier.

Immerse yourself in the traditions, customs and local village life in Crete during this scenic, half-day sightseeing excursion.

Agios Nikolaos, Bioaroma Farm, Organic Products, Church of Panagia Kera, Frescoes

Depart the pier for the short drive to the Bioaroma Farm, which features a shop boasting a wide selection of locally-sourced, organic plant products, aromas and herbs. Afterward, re-board your coach and continue on to the old Byzantine Church of Panagia Kera, which boasts a collection of important frescoes dating back to the 14th and 15th centuries.

Kritsa Village, Countryside Views, Guided Walking Tour

Next, re-board your coach and head to the traditional village of Kritsa. Perched dramatically on a rock hill, the town's amphitheatre-like construction affords incredible views of the countryside. An important centre of Cretan folk and weaving art, Kritsa is one of the most traditional villages in Crete, with locals nurturing local Cretan customs and traditions. At the conclusion of your tour, re-board your coach and commence the short drive back to the pier.

Explore Aghios Nikolaos at your leisure during your full-day (8-hour) sightseeing tour via private car. Customise your own itinerary or choose to see an overview of the area's highlights.

Depart the pier with your English-speaking guide in an air-conditioned car and discover the city and surrounding areas at your own pace. Your exclusive tour concludes back at the pier.

Explore Aghios Nikolaos at your leisure during your half-day (4-hour) sightseeing tour via private car. Customise your own itinerary or choose to see an overview of the area's highlights.

Depart the pier with your English-speaking guide in an air-conditioned car and discover the city and surrounding areas at your own pace. Your exclusive tour concludes back at the pier.

Explore Aghios Nikolaos at your leisure during your full-day (8-hour) sightseeing tour via private van. Customise your own itinerary or choose to see an overview of the area's highlights.

Depart the pier with your English-speaking guide in an air-conditioned van and discover the city and surrounding areas at your own pace. Your exclusive tour concludes back at the pier.

Explore Aghios Nikolaos at your leisure during your half-day (4-Hour) sightseeing tour via private van. Customise your own itinerary or choose to see an overview of the area's highlights.

Depart the pier with your English-speaking guide in an air-conditioned van and discover the city and surrounding areas at your own pace. Your exclusive tour concludes back at the pier.

Discover scenic Plaka on-foot and explore Spinalonga Island via boat during this panoramic, half-day sightseeing excursion.

Agios Nikolaos, Plaka Village, Walking Tour, Main Promenade, Cafés and Shops, Boat-Ride

Depart the pier for the scenic, approximately 30-minute drive to the charming fishing village of Plaka. Upon arrival, take a guided stroll through the village's main promenade, exploring the small town's cafés and shops. Following your tour, embark a traditional wooden boat for the short ride to the small island of Spinalonga.

Spinalonga Island, Venetian Fort, Fortress, Return Boat-Ride, Refreshment Stop

First inhabited by the Christians, Spinalonga was later occupied by the Venetians, who constructed an impressive fortress on the island. The island was eventually turned into a restricted leper colony by the Greek state. Upon arrival, take a guided walking tour of the island and learn about its rich history. Afterward, embark your traditional wooden boat for the return ride to Plaka Village. Upon arrival, proceed for a refreshment stop to a local taverna situated on the sea rocks of the village overlooking the island of Spinalonga.

At the conclusion of your tour, commence your return drive back to the pier.