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Recommendations for Tour Guides in Heraklion and Chania, Crete

Hello All

My family and I will be in Crete in late June/early July this year (2025). We will have two days in Heraklion and four/five days in Chania. Google has given me the names of many tour operators in both places but I thought that I would post a message on this Forum asking for recommendations of tour guides in these two towns. I trust the advice I receive on this site more than the "advice" on other platforms.

Based on messages posted in the RS Travel Forum, I know that a tour of the Knossos Palace in Heraklion will be so much more interesting with a guide. And my family and I have always enjoyed tours of old towns with a guide who knows the local history and culture and can take us to parts of town that are off the beaten path. That is why we really like to use a tour guide who can give us a memorable experience of the place we are visiting.

Last summer we went around Hungary and Poland and found great tour guides through this Forum. I'm hoping that once again you all come through with the names of great tour guides in Crete for us.

Many thanks to all of you in advance.

Penn

Posted by
4543 posts

Did you check Toursbylocals.com? It is like a clearing house for guides. We have been using their guides for years and in many cities. Here are a few reasons I like them

You can read a description of the tour.
Prices are listed, with per group or per person breakdown.
The maximum/minimum number of participants is stated.
They tell you if it will be by car or public transport.
They let you know any extra charges, such as lunch etc.
If entrance tickets are needed, they pick them up. Sometimes they are included, sometimes an extra charge but they let you know up front.
The dates they are free are clearly marked on their calendar.
There is a picture of the guide along with a blog about them.
They list the languages they know.
If just your group you can customize your tour. Such as remove stop A to linger longer at stop B.
You can email with them for further info or questions.
Other tours by the same guide are listed after you click on their name. We’ve done a few with the same guide.

Posted by
11991 posts

I have friends who live in Chania and they recommended Maria of diktynna-travel.gr to us.
Maria was excellent to work with when planning
our travels in Crete and I highly recommend her.

Posted by
110 posts

Many thanks to Barbara and Suki for your responses. I did read about Tours by Locals in this RS Forum but my preference is to go with an individual who people have used before. But if I am unable to find someone, I will definitely look into Tours by Locals.

Suki, I will send your recommended guide a message and see what we can work out.

Thanks again to both of you for your help.

Penn

Posted by
110 posts

Hello Suki, do you happen to have the direct contact for Maria. I reached out to the travel agency at their website a week ago and they have not responded to me. Thanks for your help.

Penn

Posted by
110 posts

Hello Again everyone

It is almost time for my family and me to go to Crete on a holiday and I am still looking for a tour guide who can take us around Knossos Palace in Heraklion. I've not received any recommendations and the travel agent who responded to my March posting is not contactable. Any information and recommendations you can give me will be greatly appreciated.

Penn

Posted by
3612 posts

Penn - I thought a guide in Italy was ignoring my request for a booking, but the owner of our B&B correctly guessed that the guide's reply to my email went to my spam folder instead of my inbox. Maybe try the guide again and monitor your spam folder for their email.

I'm hoping you find some good guides and share them here - Crete is on my radar.

Posted by
110 posts

Hello Friend

Yes, I too wondered if responses were going to Spam but that was not the case. I recall reading a post from a tour guide on one of the threads on the Italy Forum but now I cannot seem to find it. I really hope someone can give me a good recommendation soon.

Penn