Bike touring of Crete

An amazing trip that includes everything you want to see and explore in Crete.

A fascinating bike trip to admire the Cretan culture, nature and the minoan Archaeology. It combines the magnificent landscape of Dikti and Asterousia mountains, the Mesara plain, the picturescue coastal and mountain villages and the marvelous beaches lying along the Cretan and Libyan seas. You will visit the most important archaeological sites in Crete such as the Palaces of the Minoan civilization Knossos and Malia.

Ride an ebike and turn all hills into flat

A note about weather:

From March, the day temperature is cool for comfortable cycling and in April you can expect temperate evenings. From May, the average sea temperature is 19 celcius and pleasant for longer baths. In summer months the temperatures are higher but with the option of an ebike the rides are comfortable even for the hardest climbs . From September comfortable temperatures are dominant again. Also, October and November are still good travel months, with small chance of rain and average sea temperature 21-22 Celcius.

Surface and terrain

The tour is designed as an easy/intermediate self-guided riding experience, covering 40-70km every day, taking advantage of a fantastic network of quiet tarmac roads and the most important places of interest between the Heraklion and Lasithi regions. We avoid the high ways. At each stage there are short and long slopes to master. It can be adapted to suit your individual needs.

A fascinating bike trip for the admirers of Minoan Archaeology and cultural experiences

Knossos Palace

Spinaloga

Malia palace

CENTRAL CRETE

Pure Cycling, Pure Crete

Agios Nikolaos

Ancient Lato

Elounda

Istro beach. East Crete.

Kritsa village

Selakano forest

Archanes village

the cretan wine yards

Visit a winery

Heraklion (optional)

The museum of Heraklion (optional)

The Cycling Stages

1Day 1 | Hersonisos -Agios Nikolaos | Distance: 65km - Uphill: 1115m

Hersonisos -Agios Nikolaos | Distance: 65km - Uphill: 1115m
Your first day starts from our bike Center at Analipsi where we fit the bikes and give you all the essential equipment for your trip. After you pass the touristic towns Hersonisos, Stalida and Malia you reach the Archaeological site of Malia one of the four Minoan Palaces and the place where was discovered the famous Minoan jewel with the bees.
Your ride continues eastwards following the old road with less traffic and many picturesque villages to visit and stop for a refreshment. At Kritsa the biggest village of Crete you can walk through the narrow streets where the ladies sell their handicrafts. Optional before you reach Kritsa you can do a small detour and visit Lato the most important Doric City of Ancient Crete and one Kilometer after Kritsa you can do another stop and visit "Panagia Kera" one of the most advertized churches in Crete.
Your today tour finishes at Agios Nikolaos the most picturesque small city of Crete, a former fishermen village which was grown because of the tourism. After you go and rest at your hotel you can do a walk around the small lake and enjoy your dinner at one of the many restaurants or taverns.
Overnight in Agios Nikolaos

2Day 2 | Ag. Nikolaos- Elounda - Ag. Nikolaos | Distance: 54km - Uphill: 1088m

Ag. Nikolaos- Elounda - Ag. Nikolaos | Distance: 54km - Uphill: 1088m
Mesa (inside) Merabello has a very special landscape. As you bike you will discover the man-made stone walls marking the roads and proprieties and a barren landscape which was chosen in the past from the monks who was searching for a quiet place to speak with god. The small picturesque and almost abandoned villages of Mesa Merabello will take you back to time and remind you how difficult was the life at this typical dry area of Crete. After Havgas village starts a serpentine road following the synonymous canyon until the coastal village of Plaka with amazing view of Spinalonga Island and Merabello Golf. At Plaka you can stop at one of the taverns for a coffee break or lunch and gaze Spinaloga the famous Lepra Island.
The coastal road from Plaka until you reache Elounda, the riviera of Crete, is full of beaches for relaxing and sea swimming. After Elounda you jump on your bike and ride back to Agios Nikolaos with breath taking views of the coastal city. Optionally you can visit an olive oil farm (It is located on your way before Agios Nikolaos) for oil tasting.
Overnight in Agios Nikolaos

3Day 3 | Agios Nikolaos - Males | Distance: 40km - Uphill: 1150 m

Agios Nikolaos - Males | Distance: 40km - Uphill: 1150 m
Today, although you do not finish at a place next to a beach you will start your tour with a ride along the sea enjoying stunning views of the Merabello golf and the opportunity to stop at a beach around Istro to relax, swim or enjoy lunch before you start your trip up to the mountains.
As you continue heading south an entirely different scenery presents itself. Authentic and rustic Cretan villages surrounded by beautiful countryside will invigorate you. You will pass through the biggest forest of Crete, discover great rock formations and gaze the amazing view of the Libyan sea from above. Do not forget to stop at one of the numerous villages for a refreshment before you reach Males one of the most beautiful and well preserved mountain villages in Crete.
Overnight in Males

4Day 4 | Males - Tsoutsouras | Distance: 66km - Uphill: 946 m

Males - Tsoutsouras | Distance: 66km - Uphill: 946 m
Your today tour starts with an amazing downhill on a narrow serpedine road through olive groves next to the impressive canyon of Sarakina which you can optionally walk for about 1 kilometer. After Mythoi village you can optionally do an 8kilometer detour and visit Myrtos, a picturesque hippy style seaside village and enjoy a cold drink, coffee or sea swimming.
Υour trip continuous through the villages of the southern slopes of the Dikti mountains which are known as the burned villages because they were totally destroyed during the World War II. At Viannos one of the most historic villages of Crete it is recommended to do a pause at the small tavern under the big plane tree. After you rest you will ride your bikes again and do some easy ride at the plateau of Viannos until you will reach the Kerato the impressive rock that dominates at this area of South Crete and gave its name to the plain right next to the sea. From here starts another serpedine downhill with great views and finishes at the beach. The coastal road from Kastri till Tsoutsouras where you overnight is full of beautiful beaches where you can stop and enjoy the crystal clear waters of the Libyan sea.
Overnight in Tsoutsouras

5Day 5 | Kastri - Archanes | Distance: 62km - Uphill: 1250 m

Kastri - Archanes | Distance: 62km - Uphill: 1250 m
Your today tour starts with a 400meters of climb to pass Asterousia the southernmost Mountains of Crete. At these mountains the climate is African, drier with fewer trees and warmer. This hard to survive place was chosen in the past from the rebels who wanted to live free from the press of the Ottoman conquers.
After you reach the top the landscape is completely different, in front of you lays “Mesara” the big fertile plain of Crete which is now full of olive groves. 50 years before the plane was full of Cereals and Legumes as it was very warm and dry for the olives. Nowadays because of the drills and the new irrigation systems it is full of olives and vine yards at the higher hills. As you pass through these incredible hills of olives and vine yards and vibrant green Mediterranean vegetation you will approachthe most famous wine area of Crete. We recommend you 1 or 2 wineries which you can optionally visit for wine tasting before you reach Archanes your final destination. Archanes is also the most beautiful villages in Crete and will be your home for the night.
Overnight in Archanes

6Day 6 | Archanes - Knossos - Hersonissos | Distance: 54km - Uphill: 800 m

Archanes - Knossos - Hersonissos | Distance: 54km - Uphill: 800 m
On the last biking day, you will have the opportunity to visit the most famous archaeological site of Crete, the mystical Knossos. After you pass the green canyon of Knossos you will ride a quiet road through wine yards until you reach Knossos the birthplace of the European civilization.
From Knossos there are many options for the route back to the coast, our recommendation will be a continuous up-and-down along rolling hills or higher mountains that will give you some great scenery, amazing views, more quiet roads and the biggest lake of Crete. Passing through many small villages along the way, your final destination is Analipsi a quiet tourist town with great bars and restaurants where you can celebrate the end of your cycling trip!
Overnight in Analipsi (Hersonissos)

Price from 1200€

Included:

•6 self guided bike tours
•All accommodation (7 nights, double room, shared)
•7 breakfast
•Luggage transfer from hotel to hotel
•Detailed documents (maps, route description, places of interest, important telephone numbers)
•24-hour emergency hotline during the entire tour
•CyclingCreta bike service and support
•Transfer from and to Heraklion airport

Bikes and equipment:

•CUBE E-bikes hardtail with hydr. Brakes, lock out air suspension.
•Garmin explorer gps for navigation (per 4 bikes)
•Helmet
•Shimano spd or flat pedals
•Repair kit and inner tube (per bike)
•Bicycle lock (per 2 bikes)
•Pump and mini tool (per 2 bikes)
•Front rechargeable safety light
•Rear rechargeable red safety light
•Rear bike rack (upon request no extra cost)
•20 liter high-quality ortlieb water proof rear bag (upon request no extra cost)

Not Included:

•Transport to and from Crete
•All meals (lunches & dinners)
•Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks
•Personal expenses
•Travel insurance
•Entrance fees in Museums / Winneries ...
•All items not expressly mentioned under inclusions

Extras:

•single supplement (1person/room)

Please Note the Following
• Price above is based on 7 nights accomodation per person sharing a double room in three-star and Agritourist farms in a room with bath, shower, and WC.
• Price above is based on a group of 6 persons or more
• Single occupancy is available - please contact to discuss options.
• As you will only ever stay one night in any hotel, some changes may occur. In this case, you will be told about it upon arrival.
• To secure your place a deposit of €250 per person is required.
The bike tours are self-guided, at your own pace, without a tour guide, but with detailed bicycle maps, high quality gps for navigation and directions. We reserve the right to make changes to the program if necessary due to weather or other circumstances.
For more details and to discuss options contact us at info@cyclingcreta.gr

Customize your cycling tour of Crete.