Cycling tour of north Crete

Cycling tour of north Crete [6 days]
from €

Embark on an unforgettable cycling journey through Crete, where culture, nature, and Minoan history come together. This tour blends stunning scenery from the Dikti and Psiloritis mountains, the Mesara plain, and charming mountain and seaside villages. Explore top archaeological landmarks like the Minoan Palaces of Knossos and Malia, and visit iconic sites such as Spinalonga—the famed leper island—and the Cretan Riviera town of Elounda. Ride through some of Crete’s most renowned villages, including Kritsa, Kroustas, Plaka, Tzermiadon, Mochos, Archanes, and many others. Discover popular destinations like Hersonissos, Heraklion, and Agios Nikolaos while cycling along peaceful country roads. Join us for a bike tour that captures the very essence of Crete—its landscapes, heritage, and hidden gems.

Highlights:

Agios Nikolaos
Prina Forest
Kroustas
Kritsa
Lasithi Plateau
Knossos
Heraklion
Anogia (Idi mountains)

Departures available all year round

Itinerary

Hersonisos -Malia Minoan Palace – Neapoli - Agios Nikolaos. 46Km 560meters of uphill. One way trip

Your first day starts from the area of Lyttos Beach Hotel where we fit the bikes and give you all the equipment that you need. From the old road you ride the direction east and after you pass the tourist places of Hersonissos, Stalida, and Malia you reach the Ancient Minoan Palace of Malia. Here you can visit one of the four Minoan Palaces of Crete and enjoy a coffee at a small tavern next to the beach. At the same place is located Potamos Beach one of the best places in this area for swimming. Afterward, you start an ascent and pass the traditional village of Vrachasi and lead to Neapoli. At the square of Neapoli, you can taste some local ice cream made from goat's milk. From Neapoli, you continue your trip direction the east and visit one of the most famous cities of Crete. The picturesque Agios Nikolaos and visit the lagoon. Your today tour finishes at Agios Nikolaos the most picturesque small city of Crete. Until the World World War, Agios Nikolaos was a small fishermen's village and the port was used by the ships that exported the Carobs. Later the people of Kritsa and Lasithi came and created the town. After you go and rest at your hotel you can do a walk around the small lake and then visit one of the many restaurants and taverns for dinner. The lake is called “Voulismeni” and it is believed by the locals that is bottomless or it is connected to the volcano of Santorini. When the Nazis leave Crete they throw several tanks and weapons in the lake.

Agios Nikolaos- Istro – Prina Forest – Kroustas - Kritsa – Ancient Lato. 47km 1000 meters uphill. Round Trip

From Agios Nikolaos, you ride direction east through a picturesque road next to the sea until you reach Istron Village. From Istro will start your climb to the mountains and visit the small village of Prina. From Prina you will ride through the Prinas pine forest on a road with amazing views of Merabello Bay until you visit the famous mountain villages Kroustas and Kritsa. Kritsa is the biggesttraditional village of Crete where the ladies sell their handicrafts on the streets of the village. 1 Kilometer after Kritsa you will visit the ruins of the ancient Greek city Lato. Lato was the most important Doric City of Ancient Crete. Lato is located between two hills at 380 meters of Altitude and great view of the the lower valleys (opening Hours 9:00-15:00 except Tuesday). Agios Nikolaos was the harbor of Lato.

Agios Nikolaos – Areti Monastery – Spinalonga- Elounda – Agios Nikolaos. 55kilometers 1050meters of Uphill. Round Trip

Today you will do a round trip to the Merabello region, Spinaloga, and Elounda. From Agios Nikolaos, you follow the old road and go to Limnes and Nikithiano villages. From Nikithiano start an uphill that takes you to the Fourni plateau and the picturesque small villages of Mesa Merabello an area that it is almost abandoned and very beautiful as there are not many modern buildings but mainly the typical Cretan small houses. From Havgas starts a very nice downhill following the synonymous canyon, until the coastal village of Plaka with amazing views of Spinalonga island and Merabello Bay. (Havgas is the Turkish word for the canyon) . At Plaka, you can stop at one of the taverns for coffee or lunch. Here you can watch Spinaloga the famous Lepra island. Spinaloga was a Castle that was built by the Venetians to protect the strategically important harbor and the last place that the Venetians surrendered to Turkish invaders. Later it was used as an isolated place to exile the people who suffer from Lepra. From Plaka, you do an easy ride from a coastal road until you reach Elounda the riviera of Crete. After a last uphill you reach the top of Lenika Hills and then roll back to Agios Nikolaos with a very nice view of the city.

Agios Nikolaos - Lasithi Plateau – Mochos - Hersonissos. 80Km -1500 meters of total uphill. One way trip

This is a tour to return from Agios Nikolaos to Hersonissos through the Dikti mountains and visit the famous Lasithi plateau. The today tour starts with a warm-up through some small traditional villages on quiet roads without traffic. From Drasi Plateau starts an amazing uphill through the Dikti mountains on a serpentine no-traffic road with many small picturesque villages from sea level to 1040 meters of Altitude. From the top and after 200 meters of downhill you will reach the famous Lasithi plateau the biggest plateau in Crete. Lasithi in the past was the biggest windmill park in the world with more than 10,000 wind mills that were used as water pumps. Now most of the farmers use petrol pumps and there are only some windmills for decoration. Lasithi plateau is a big garden. The farmers plant their late in spring their vegetables. The most famous product here is the potato, olive trees cannot survive at this altitude. Thousands of years before Lasithi was a big lake as it is lower than the mountains and the only exit for the water is a cave. According to the Cretan mythology in a cave of the Lasithi plateau Dias, the king of the Ancient Greek Gods, was grown. The visit at the cave of Zeus at Psychro village (west side of pthe plateau) is optional and adds 10 kilometers extra to your tour. After some more climbing, you will reach Ambelos and pass the north entrance of the Lasith plateau. At the top, you can see the old stone windmills that used to grind the wheat in the past and gaze at the view. The next stop is Panagia Kera one of the oldest and most famous monasteries in Crete. Then stop at Krasi the village with the biggest Tree in Crete which is also the oldest Plane tree in the world. From the springs right next to the tree, you can refill your bottles with fresh water from the mountain. Before you return to Hersonissos you have to stop at the square of Mochos village for a coffee or taste the traditional dishes at one of the many Taverns. After Mochos you will return to Hersonissos with an amazing downhill with panoramic view of the area from above.

Hersonissos -Wine area -Knossos- Heraklion. 60km 1000meterf of total uphill. One way trip

Today you will ride through the fertile hills of the Pediada region and the most famous wine areas of Crete. After some uphill, you will pass a small picturesque canyon with an ancient Roman aqueduct and you will reach Kastelli. Kastelli is a very common village name in Crete. These villages took their names from the castles and Forts that Venetians built from 1207 until 1669. From Kastelii you will ride to Thapsano a village that is synonymous with pottery making in Crete. Then ride to Arkalochori and through the biggest wine areas of Crete, Peza, and Archanes. We recommend a visit to Lyrarakis winery at Lagni village. Archanes is an ancient village located in the same place for more than 5,000 years at the foothill of Juchtas mountain. At the square of Archanes, you can enjoy a delicious lunch at one of the many taverns. After archanes you have an easy ride downhill ride until Knosos the most famous City of the Ancient Minoan times. Your ride finishes at Heraklion the Capital city of Crete.

Heraklion – Anogia (Idi mountains) - Tlissos. 70kim 1200 meters uphill. Round Trip

This ride follows roads of low traffic with many small picturesque villages at the north slopes of Ida mountains until you reach Anogia the most famous mountain Village in Crete. Anogia is located at the north slopes of Ida mountains at an altitude of 800 meters on the way to Psiloritis mountains. King Minoas was visiting the top of this holy mountain every 7 years to receive the laws from the Gods to rule his people. The village is well known as the village of the shepherds, who keep the Cretan traditions alive. The people of Anogia are proud of the resistance against the nazis during the II war world, their music, and their songs. Your return to Heraklion is through the canyon of Gonies. At Tylissos village you can optionally visit the archaeological site of the Minoan city of Tylissos.

Places to visit

Your package includes:

3 or more Bespoke self-guided bike tours
Luggage transfer from hotel to hotel
Detailed documents (maps, route description, places of interest)
24-hour emergency hotline during the entire tour
CyclingCreta bike service and support

Bikes and equipment:

CUBE E-bikes hardtail with hydraulic Brakes, lockout air suspension.
Garmin Explorer GPS for navigation (1 per 4 bikes)
Helmet
Shimano spd or flat pedals
Repair kit and inner tube (per bike)
Bicycle lock (1 per 2 bikes)
Pump and mini tool
Rear rechargeable red safety light
Phone holder (optional)

Your package excludes:

Transport to and from Crete
Transfer from and to Heraklion airport (40-45euro for 1-4 persons)
Accommodation (we book the hotel of your choice, and you pay for the hotel)
All meals (lunches & dinners)
Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks
Personal expenses
Travel insurance
Entrance fees in Museums/wineries...
All items not expressly mentioned under inclusions

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