Crete in Spring

Tour Code: GRC02

An 8-day holiday in search of the spring flowers and migrating birds on the island of Crete.

8 days from
£1,895
Land only price from
£1,695
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Highlights

Summary

Summary

Crete boasts one of the most diverse floras in Europe, with over 1,600 species of flowering plant, 139 of which are endemic. The island also lies on a major bird migration route. Our spring tours to Crete begin in Plakias on the southern coast, from where we explore the dramatic Imbros Gorge and orchid-rich hills around the village of Spili. We then conclude with three nights in western Crete based in the old capital of Chania. Bird and botany highlights are many, but include Collared Flycatcher, Lammergeier, Snake's-head Iris and Drooping Star of Bethlehem.

Please note our latest departure will see many of the orchids past their best, so please remember this when making a booking.

  • Gentle-paced 2-centre holiday focusing on birds & flowers
  • Lammergeier, Little Crake & Ruppell's Warbler 
  • Over 40 species of orchid, including the endemic Cretan Bee Orchid
  • Minoan archaeology at Phaestos
  • Dramatic scenery of the Samaria Gorge & Omalos Plateau
  • Direct flights from the UK
  • Sample local Cretan cuisine
  • Expert guidance by Naturetrek botanist & ornithologist

Grading

Grade A/B. Day walks only.

Crete is the largest of the Greek Islands, being 258 kilometres long and 56 kilometres wide. To its south, across the Libyan Sea, lie the shores of North Africa; to the north lie the islands of the Cyclades and Dodecanese. Crete itself is dominated by four mountain chains which are largely limestone in content and stretch, like the backbone of a great sea monster, from its eastern to its western shores, rising at their highest point to 2,450 metres. From these heights, clear mountain streams empty into the Aegean Sea to the north. To the south the streams have cut deep gorges before entering the Libyan Sea, and many dry out under the intense heat of the summer sun.

Crete’s northern coast has been cultivated for thousands of years. Here, olives, grapes, melons, peaches, oranges and cereals are grown, and the ubiquitous sheep and goats are still pastured as in Biblical times. The island’s climate, position, and variety of both altitude and terrain have created its outstanding — indeed world-renowned — flora. Not only are there over 1,600 species of flowering plant, of which at least 139 are endemic, but the display of colour along each roadside verge is breathtaking. The intense reds of poppies; the delicate pink of Silene colorata blending so well with the pale purple of Sea Stock; the red, yellow and white of Ranunculus asiaticus; the pink of gladioli in the fields, and everywhere the pale yellow of Crown Daisies make Crete a most colourful island in spring.

Our visit to Crete will also coincide with the northward migration of birds visiting Europe for the summer. Greek islands are their stepping stones, and indeed the final destination of many of the most colourful species. We will watch for herons and birds of prey as they fly in off the sea, for ‘falls’ of passerine migrants in coastal maquis and olive groves, and for waders feeding in the tiny marshy fields. At this season the coastal scrub can hold Icterine, Subalpine, Eastern Bonelli’s and Olivaceous Warblers, Collared and Pied Flycatchers, and Black-eared and Isabelline Wheatears. Overhead, Swifts and Bee-eaters hawk for insects. Crete also has its own eastern Mediterranean specialities; amongst them, the elegant Rüppell’s Warbler, and the Eleonora’s Falcon which can be seen flying at dusk along most shorelines in late spring. In the mountains, a good population of Griffon Vultures can be found, together with the rarer Bonelli’s and Golden Eagles, and Lammergeier.

With the recurring theme of occupation followed by heroic battles for liberation, Crete’s history is unusually rich, and we do not plan to ignore it. The Romans, Venetians, Turks and Nazis have all tried to suppress these quiet, cheerful people. All have failed, leaving only the relics of their occupation behind them. Most fascinating of all Crete’s settlers were the fun-loving Minoans, the remains of whose palaces and villages lie scattered throughout the island.

During our 8-day stay we will be based for the first four days in the picturesque seaside town of Plakias on the south coast. This will allow us the opportunity to explore the dramatic gorges of Imbros, Kotsiphos and Kourtilotiki and the hills around the little town of Spili, famous for its orchids, tulips and other wonderful flora. Other explorations will include the Minoan Palace of Phaestos which, with its view of plain and mountain, has the most awe-inspiring location of all Minoan sites. It also provides an excellent hilltop bird migration viewpoint and flower-rich slopes with possible Monkey Orchid and Eastern Serapias. We will visit the Late Minoan Cemetery at Armeni with its cool Valonia Oak woodland and the atmospheric monastery at Moni Prevelli. From there we will explore the back roads of the verdant Amari Valley, famous for its apple, cherry and almond orchards, and Byzantine churches.

Western Crete is perhaps less well known, but is greener than the east and has some dramatic scenery. On one day we will head to the top of the spectacular Samaria Gorge, where we will keep our eyes skyward for Lammergeier, but walking on the Omalos Plateau we shall be torn between birds and the amazing display of iris, tulips and anemones. We return to Chania via the reed-fringed reservoir at Ayia to look for Great Reed Warblers and Little Crake. On another day we will visit the peaceful Akrotiri Peninsula and spend time searching the extensive olive groves around the monastery of Agia Triada for migrant flycatchers, warblers and Golden Orioles. By now under the island’s spell, we must return to London, well satisfied with the colour, history and natural history of Crete.

DETAILED INFORMATION
Itinerary

Outline Itinerary

Day 1
Fly Chania; transfer Plakias
Day 2/4
Plakias
Day 5/7
Chania
Day 8
Fly London
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What's Included

What's Included?

  • Flights
  • Accommodation:

    This is a 2-centre holiday, using small family-run hotels in Plakias and Chania, where all rooms have private facilities.

  • Food:

    All food is included in the price.

Reviews
Dates & Prices

Dates & Prices

2026

Departures Availability Cost
Tue 31st Mar – Tue 7th Apr SPACES £1,895
Book Tour Show Details
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£1,695
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£195
Tue 7th Apr – Tue 14th Apr SPACES £1,895
Book Tour Show Details
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£1,695
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£195
Tue 14th Apr – Tue 21st Apr SPACES £1,895
Book Tour Show Details
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£1,695
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£195

Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?

For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.

Enquire
Why Naturetrek?

Why Naturetrek?

At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:

  • The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
  • Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
  • Outstanding value and exceptional customer service

Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!