Crete Island Tour - (4 Nights - 5 Days) - 2026
Day 1: Istanbul Airport – Heraklion
Meet at 09:00 in front of the Aegean Airlines counter at the International Departure Terminal of Istanbul Airport. After passport control, check-in, and baggage procedures, depart to Heraklion with Aegean Air flight A3435 at 12:35. Arrive in Heraklion at 14:05 local time. Transfer to our hotel with our private vehicle waiting at the airport. Upon arrival, check-in to the hotel, settle into your rooms, and enjoy leisure time. Today, you can take advantage of the hotel facilities and enjoy the sea. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 2: Heraklion
After breakfast, free time for personal activities and shopping. Guests who wish can join the optional “Heraklion City Tour & Knossos & Archanes Village Tour” organized by the guide. After breakfast, meet your guide and start the tour. We begin with Heraklion City Tour, exploring the richness of Crete's history and culture starting from Plateia Elefterias. Visit the historic Agios Titos Church, Agios Minas Cathedral, and the Ottoman-era Bon Marche Building. These sites reflect Crete's rich cultural heritage. Visit Valide Sultan Mosque Fountain, Evfak Building, and the Venedik Loggias, showcasing Venice's influence. One of the most impressive parts will be the Venice Port and shipyards. Enjoy some free time to taste local delicacies and rest. Then, head to Knossos Ancient Palace and Archanes Village. Knossos Palace, built around 2000 BC, was the capital of the Minotaur Kingdom. After touring the palace, proceed to charming Archanes Village to experience traditional life. After free time, return to the hotel.
Day 3: Heraklion
After breakfast, enjoy free time for personal activities and shopping. Those interested can join the optional "Rethymno & Chania Tour" with guides. We start with Rethymno, a city filled with traces of Venetian and Turkish periods. Visit the Venetian Castle, Ibrahim Agha Mosque, Venetian Fountain, Nerace Mosque, and old Ottoman School. After exploring Rethymno, travel to Chania via Souda Bay, enjoying scenic views. In Chania, visit the Venetian Port, Lighthouse, Hunkar Mosque, Saint Nicholas Church, and Kastelli Muslim Quarter. You will have a chance to shop at the Covered Market before returning to the hotel for the night.
Day 4: Heraklion
After breakfast, check out from the hotel and enjoy free time for personal activities and shopping until the transfer time determined by the guide. Optional “Elounda & Spinalonga & Agios Nikolaos Tour” can be joined. The tour starts from Plaka port, where we board a boat. We first visit Spinalonga Island, a formidable fortress from the Venetian period. Then, transfer by boat to Elounda and enjoy free time. Afterwards, visit the picturesque town of Agios Nikolaos, famous for its lake and numerous legends about its depth. Walk around the scenic harbor and visit Voulismeni Lake, also called the Dipsiz Göl. Return to the hotel for the night.
Day 5: Heraklion – Istanbul Airport
After breakfast, check out from the hotel and enjoy free time for personal activities and shopping until transfer. Those interested can join the optional “Jumbo Shopping Tour” to visit Greece’s most popular store, where you can find toys, home goods, and more at affordable prices. After the tour, transfer to the airport. Passport control and check-in procedures are completed before departure on Aegean Airlines flight A3434 at 15:25 to Istanbul. Arrive at Istanbul Airport at 17:00 local time. End of the tour.
What's Included
- Aegean Airlines round-trip economy class ticket between Istanbul Airport – Heraklion – Istanbul Airport
- 4 nights bed and breakfast accommodation at the selected hotel category in Crete
- Airport taxes
- Hotel taxes
- Experienced Turkish-speaking tour leadership service (minimum participation of 15 people)
- Airport taxes
- All hotel and airport transfers
- Compulsory travel insurance (professional liability insurance)
Not Included
Personal expenses and hotel extras.
All excursions specified as additional tours in the program
Overseas exit fee (can be paid at related banks or at the customs office at the airport).
Lunch and dinner.
City taxes levied by hotels.
Domestic connecting flights.
Schengen visa fee.
Travel insurance package (including cancellation insurance).
GENERAL CONDITIONS
1- The General Conditions are an integral part of the tour program and cannot be considered independently of the program.
2- If sufficient participation is not achieved for the trip; Wtatil reserves the right to cancel the tour up to 21 days prior to the travel date. In such a case, cancellation notice is given to the guest. The full tour fee is refunded to the guest. For additional services purchased outside the tour, refunds apply as follows: if an internal connecting flight has been purchased from Wtatil, it is also refunded; visa services and travel health insurance services used for visa application on behalf of the guest cannot be refunded once utilized; if no visa application has been made, visa and health insurance fees are canceled and refunded. If the guest purchased internal connecting flights from a provider other than Wtatil, the cancellation of the tour by Wtatil does not entitle the guest to any refund from Wtatil. The guest accepts in advance any material or moral loss resulting from the tour’s cancellation, and Wtatil is not responsible.
3- If sufficient participation is not achieved, Wtatil has the good-faith right not to cancel the tour. In this case, the tour will be provided on a solely individual basis for the guest, and the guided service included in the package will only cover transfers to and from the international departure airport.
Cancellation and Modification
4- Guests can cancel without penalty until 30 days prior to the departure date by notifying Wtatil in writing, excluding airline tickets paid or reserved by Wtatil. If the cancellation occurs less than 30 days before the start, a penalty of 50% of the remaining tour fee applies if fewer than 31 days remain; for cancellations within 15 days or less before the start, the full amount of the tour fee is payable as a penalty. Additional services like internal connections, visa services, and travel insurance have varying refund conditions depending on the time of cancellation; prior inquiry about refund conditions is recommended. Wtatil cannot guarantee refunds for additional services.
Guidance Services and Extra Tours
5- The days and hours of tours specified in the program may be changed due to the open/closed status of museums and sites or weather conditions, and guided by the local guide. During tours, additional guides may accompany guests.
6- Panoramic city tours included in the package are 2-3 hour tours that provide a general introduction to the cities, including outdoor city and museum visits without entrance fees. These tours may be altered or not conducted due to local authority restrictions, closures, weather conditions, or other circumstances beyond Wtatil’s control. Some tours may be conducted by public transport or on foot where access is restricted or roads are closed.
7- Our guide may change the schedules of city and additional tours depending on the number of participants and closures of museums or sites. These changes are also applicable for changes in flight times.
8- For tours via Speed Boats: avoid heavy meals and excessive water intake before boarding. Those with stomach, back, neck issues, or pregnant guests should inform their guides.
9- Fees paid for services included in the price, such as specific tours or meals, are non-refundable if not used.
Flight Information
10- Wtatil acts as an intermediary between the passenger and the airline; in disputes, the relevant provisions of Turkish law, the Hague Protocol, and the Warsaw Convention will apply.
11- Scheduled and charter flights may experience delays or schedule changes. Wtatil is obliged to notify these changes as soon as possible. Passengers accept the risk of flight time changes or cancellations by purchasing the tour.
12- Children aged 0-2 only pay airport taxes.
13- According to airline rules, if the outbound flight is unused, the return flight is canceled automatically by the airline.
14- Check-in and boarding are personal procedures for those participating in air tours, and must be completed by guests online or at airline counters before departure.
15- Last-minute delays and gate changes are announced at airports and indicated on information screens. Guests should follow these updates themselves.
16- Guests who do not arrive at the airport on time for check-in and boarding, or do not board despite checking in, are not the responsibility of Wtatil. Missing the flight incurs all costs for re-acquiring tickets, transfers, and any additional expenses.
17- The typical baggage weight limit for flights from Turkey is 20 kg; this can vary by airline and destination country. Domestic flights may have a limit of 15 kg. Excess baggage rules are determined by airlines, not Wtatil.
18- Guests wishing to upgrade their tickets (to business or first class) after issuance can request upgrades depending on availability with the airline. No milage guarantees are provided; check if the ticket class in the program is eligible for upgrade.
19- Some airlines may charge extra for in-flight meals and online check-in services.
Other Matters
20- Wtatil is not responsible for any changes or cancellations via the hotel directly; such cases are subject to the hotel’s cancellation policies.
21- If the hotel (or hotels) are indicated only by category, not specific name, or options are provided for the same destination, guests will be informed 48 hours before travel.
22- During special periods like fairs, congresses, concerts, sports tournaments, hotels may be located farther than specified; Wtatil will notify guests 15 days prior.
23- During tour registration, guests must correctly enter or declare their passport name, date of birth, and passport number into the system. Tickets are issued based on these details; errors may incur penalties or cancellations, and guests are responsible.
24- To use mobile phones abroad, check with your service provider before departure about roaming status.
25- Hotel check-in time is at 15:00; check-out time is at 12:00.
26- Wtatil will notify the hotel of special requests (high floor, close to public areas, smoking/non-smoking, bed type) but cannot guarantee these requests are fulfilled; they depend on hotel availability.
27- Breakfast at hotels generally consists of limited options like bread, butter, jam, tea or coffee, often served in a separate dining room.
28- Some double rooms may have single beds or beds that can be combined. Many European hotels offer such options.
29- Child and extra bed policies vary by hotel and room type.
30- Extra beds and cribs are provided upon request and availability, and must be confirmed by the hotel.
31- The maximum capacity for extra beds or cribs in a room is one.
32- Triple rooms typically consist of one double bed plus an extra bed, which may be smaller or foldable, and guests agree to any possible space or bed size limitations.
33- When making reservations, provided information such as the number and ages of children, and those who will share rooms, must be accurate; incorrect info may result in additional charges or penalties.
34- In reservations for 2 adults + 1 child, the child may not have a separate bed. Child discounts apply only when the child stays with two adults. Discounts are valid for children of the specified age range sharing a room with two adults.
35- Currency exchange rate fluctuations may be reflected in prices during the day. The exchange rate at the time of payment applies. Extra services (minibar, iron, etc.) on site are paid directly to the hotel unless included in the purchase.
36- Local taxes or service fees may vary by country or city and are collected by the hotel at entry or exit.
37- Distances listed in the programs are map-based; travel times can increase due to traffic, weather, or conditions in the destination country, including roadworks.
38- Wtatil reserves the right to alter the order of cities and carriers without changing the content of the program if deemed necessary.
39- Personal belongings, suitcases, passports/ID cards are the responsibility of the guests. Wtatil is not responsible for lost or stolen items. Costs for retrieving lost belongings are borne by the owner.
40- Guests are required to carry their travel insurance policies, medications, and health reports during the trip.
41- Extra expenses like deposits and fees upon hotel entry/exit may be requested with valid identification and credit card or cash; refunds are between the hotel and guest, without Wtatil involvement.
Visa and Passport
42- Visa is not required for Turkish citizens.
43- Passports must be valid for at least 6 months from travel end date.
44- For customs and border crossings, passports must have at least 2 blank pages for entry and exit stamps.
45- Visa exemption does not guarantee entry; border authorities may deny entry or exit, and Wtatil is not responsible; travelers assume risks.
46- Non-Turkish or dual citizens using a different passport should check visa requirements with the relevant consulate; Wtatil is not responsible for consequences.
47- Passports that are torn, worn, wet, or damaged should be renewed to avoid issues at border crossings; responsibility lies with the traveler.
48- Minors traveling alone or with only one parent may need to show notarized consent; travelers and parents should be aware of this.