Aegean sea aerial photo portraying a beach on a Greek island

Heraklion Sightseeing Guide

Heraklion Best
Sightseeing Tours With Aegean Taxi

From Heraklion, the heart of Crete, embark on epic island-wide adventures to its most legendary beaches. These are not just beach trips; they are full-day excursions to breathtaking natural wonders.

Enjoy your personalized Heraklion Sightseeing guide and information!

Painting of a scenic beach featuring cliffs and a rocky shore

Elafonisi

Balos Lagoon

Vai

Matala

Preveli

Falassarna

The world-famous pink sand and shallow turquoise lagoon of Elafonisi Beach in Crete.

Elafonisi Pink Sand Day Trip

Elafonisi Tour distance from Town:200km
Elafonisi Tour is best for:Caribbean Vibe
Elafonisi Tour restaurants:Tavernas

Elafonisi Tour Description: Embark on an epic cross-island tour from Heraklion to the world-famous pink sands of Elafonisi. Your private driver will handle the long, scenic journey through Crete's mountains, delivering you to a Caribbean-like paradise. Visiting in October means fewer crowds. Let us do the driving so you can relax and enjoy this full-day adventure in comfort.

Elafonisi: A Guide to Crete's Pink Sand Paradise

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The stunning aerial view of the turquoise waters and white sands of Balos Lagoon, Crete.

Balos Lagoon & Ferry Tour

Balos Lagoon Tour distance from Town:195km
Balos Lagoon Tour is best for:Exotic Scenery
Balos Lagoon Tour restaurants:Ferry Cantina

Balos Lagoon Tour Description: This full-day tour takes you to the breathtaking Balos Lagoon. Your Aegean Taxi driver provides a comfortable, private transfer from Heraklion to Kissamos port, where you'll board a ferry for a scenic cruise to the lagoon. It's the most stress-free way to witness one of Europe's most beautiful and remote landscapes without the fatigue of the long drive.

Balos Lagoon: How to Visit Crete's Most Famous View

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The unique and tropical Vai Beach in Crete, with Europe's largest natural palm forest.

Vai Palm Forest Excursion

Vai Tour distance from Town:150km
Vai Tour is best for:Unique Tropical Landscape
Vai Tour restaurants:Vai Restaurant & Cafe

Vai Tour Description: Journey to the far eastern tip of Crete on a private tour to the unique Vai Beach. This excursion takes you to the largest natural palm forest in Europe, creating an exotic, tropical oasis. Your driver will handle the beautiful cross-island drive from Heraklion, allowing you to arrive relaxed and ready to explore this one-of-a-kind destination.

Vai Beach: A Guide to Crete's Tropical Palm Forest

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The iconic sandstone cliffs with Roman-era caves overlooking Matala Beach, Crete.

Matala Hippie Caves Tour

Matala Tour distance from Town:67km
Matala Tour is best for:Bohemian Vibe
Matala Tour restaurants:Scala Fish Bar

Matala Tour Description: Take a tour to the closest and most historic beach on our list, Matala. This famous bay on the south coast is renowned for its sandstone cliffs filled with Roman-era caves that became a hippie haven. Your Aegean Taxi can take you on a comfortable ride to explore this unique blend of beautiful beach and bohemian history, just a scenic drive from Heraklion.

A view from inside one of the Matala caves looking out to the sea.

Matala: A Guide to Crete's Legendary Hippie Beach

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The magical Preveli Beach where a river flows through a palm forest to meet the sea.

Preveli River & Palm Forest Tour

Preveli Tour distance from Town:110km
Preveli Tour is best for:Magical Scenery
Preveli Tour restaurants:Preveli Beach Cantina

Preveli Tour Description: Discover one of Crete's most magical landscapes with a private tour to Preveli. On this excursion, you'll see a river flowing through a lush palm forest before meeting the Libyan Sea. The journey from Heraklion is part of the adventure, and your private driver ensures you arrive at the trailhead refreshed and ready for the walk down to this stunning, unique beach.

People walking along the riverbank in the Preveli palm forest.

Preveli: A Guide to Crete's River & Palm Beach

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A spectacular sunset over the vast golden sands of Falassarna Beach in western Crete.

Falassarna Sunset Excursion

Falassarna Tour distance from Town:185km
Falassarna Tour is best for:Golden Sand
Falassarna Tour restaurants:Playa Paraiso

Falassarna Tour Description: Embark on an afternoon tour across the island to witness one of the best sunsets in Greece at Falassarna. This vast, golden-pink sand beach on the west coast is the perfect destination for an unforgettable evening. Let your Aegean Taxi driver handle the long journey, so you can relax, enjoy the sunset, and have a safe, comfortable ride back to Heraklion in the dark.

Colorful sky after sunset at Falassarna Beach.

Falassarna: A Guide to Crete's Best Sunset Beach

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Frequently Asked Questions about Heraklion Sightseeing Tours

Are Crete's famous beaches really possible as day tours from Heraklion?

Yes, they are incredible full-day adventures. A tour from Heraklion to a beach like Elafonisi or Balos involves a round trip of 6-8 hours of driving. October is a perfect time for these road trips as the weather is beautiful and the summer traffic has eased, making the journey even more pleasant.

Which tour offers the most iconic 'Instagrammable' scenery?

For world-famous photos, you have two top choices. The Elafonisi Pink Sand Day Trip takes you to a Caribbean-like paradise with stunning pink sand and turquoise water. Alternatively, the Balos Lagoon & Ferry Tour showcases a breathtaking exotic lagoon that is one of the most photographed sights in all of Greece.

How do the logistics for the Balos Lagoon & Ferry Tour work?

Our Balos tour is a seamless experience. Your private Aegean Taxi driver provides a comfortable transfer from Heraklion to Kissamos port. You then board a ferry for a scenic cruise to the lagoon. Your driver will be waiting for you when the ferry returns, making the long journey completely stress-free.

What is the best tour option if I don't want a very long day of driving?

The Matala Hippie Caves Tour is your best choice. Located on the south coast of the Heraklion region, it's a much shorter excursion (about a 3-hour round trip drive). It offers a beautiful beach and the unique history of the Roman-era caves, providing a fantastic day out without spending the entire day in a car.