Rethymno Tour: Lake Kournas, Arkadi & Pottery Experience

A single day reaches five different Crete, from ancient monastery to freshwater lake to pottery workshop to Roman springs.

This full-day tour of the Rethymno area in Crete combines five stops across inland villages, archaeological sites and natural landmarks, with a live English-speaking guide and private transportation. You visit the pottery village of Margarites, an active excavation in the interior, Arkadi Monastery (a center of Cretan Resistance), the mountain springs of Spili, a moderate hike to St. Antonios Cave, the narrow streets of Rethymno Old City, the waterfalls and mills of Argyroupoli, and Lake Kournas: Crete's only freshwater lake. The tour includes bottled water and snacks. Entrance fees to archaeological sites and museums are separate.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Arkadi Monastery1h
2. Rethymno1h
3. Lake Kournas1h

Explore Crete's authentic sites and nature

• Visit Margarites village and pottery making
• Explore excavation site and museum
• Visit historic Arkadi Monastery
• Refresh at mountain spring in Spili
• Hike to St. Antonios Cave
• Stroll Rethymno Old City alleys
• Relax at Argyroupoli waterfalls and mills
• Walk and swim at Lake Kournas

The experience

What does a full day in Crete actually look like when you skip the beaches and head inland? This tour strings together eight distinct stops across the Rethymno region, each one a different slice of the island. You start in Margarites, a working pottery village where the craft has never stopped, then move into the wild interior to an excavation still in progress: the kind of dig most visitors never see, with a museum on-site showing what has been found. From there the landscape opens into olive groves and mountain springs. Spili's cold water and Argyroupoli's old mills and waterfalls are the kind of stops that break up the day without feeling like a checklist.

The route builds toward two landmarks that anchor the region. Arkadi Monastery sits in a lush landscape and carries weight. It was a center of Cretan Resistance during the fight for freedom, and the feeling inside the monument reflects that history. Lake Kournas, the only freshwater lake on Crete, comes near the end of the day and offers a chance to slow down: you can walk the shoreline, swim if you want, or take a pedalo out on the water. Between these two, there is a moderate hike to St. Antonios Cave that requires comfortable walking shoes but rewards the effort. The day ends in Rethymno Old City, where narrow paved alleys mix history with modern life: cafes, music, photo stops, a place to sit before the drive back.

Private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle moves you between stops. A live English-speaking guide leads the tour. Bottled water and snacks are included. The 12-hour day is long enough to linger at each place without rushing, but entrance fees to the archaeological sites and museums are paid separately. Budget for those if you want to go inside the excavation museum or explore the monastery grounds fully.

What’s included

• Private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• a live English-speaking guide.
• bottled water and snacks throughout the day.
• WiFi on board.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 12 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by CreteCab

Is this one for you?Book this if you want both mountain villages and natural landscapes in one day without splitting your time across separate outings.

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Top questions

What is there to do at Lake Kournas if I'm not a strong swimmer?

Lake Kournas offers more than swimming. You can walk the shoreline, take a pedalo ride on the water, or simply sit and take in the landscape. The tour includes time to choose what suits you.

Does the tour go inside Arkadi Monastery, or just look at it from outside?

Arkadi Monastery is a visit to the site itself. You explore the grounds and feel the history of this center of Cretan Resistance. Entry to the monastery is not included in the tour price, so you decide whether to go inside.

How difficult is the hike to St. Antonios Cave?

The hike is described as a moderate walk, so comfortable walking shoes are essential. It is part of the day's itinerary, but the guide can advise on whether it suits your fitness level.

What is the pottery village of Margarites actually like to visit?

Margarites is a working village where pottery making is still an active tradition. You get to see the craft as it is practiced today, not as a museum display.