Classic & Undiscovered Crete

On Offer

7 nights accommodation

Availability Sep-Oct 2026

One itinerary available

Half Board

Grades 2 & 3 details

1121kg CO2 details

Non-members From

£1,549

pp

Inc flights

Members From

£1,499

pp

Inc flights

For group booking of 10 or more please click here
Greece’s largest island rolls out over 600 miles of coastline dotted with palm-fringed sandy stretches, plus an impressive line-up of ancient ruins, whitewashed villages, and historic cities. There’s also a wealth of wonderful walking trails that up the ante for epic scenery. Trek through the White Mountains for their eyebrow-arching views of soaring cliffs, wildflowers, and Cretan wild goats known as Kri Kri and discover the national park and UNESCO Biosphere Reserve that is Samaria Gorge. Stretching for over 9.94 miles (16km) it’s one of the longest gorges in Europe.

Accommodation

A range of handpicked hotels...
The family-owned Spilia Village hotel is a luxury 4-star resort surrounded by citrus orchards and olive groves just 3km from the charming village of Kolimbari. A former olive oil processing plant, it has been lovingly restored using local stone and wood and the original millstones of the plant are on display in reception. As for facilities, the hotel boasts free Wi-Fi throughout, two outdoor pools, and an excellent restaurant decked out in Venetian style.
Spilia Village - _MIL4761.jpg

Walking grades and options

This is a level 2 and level 3 graded Activity, Easier walks: 4 to 7 miles (6.5 to 11km) sometimes on rugged paths. Up to 1,200 feet (360m) of ascent and 2,000 feet (600m) of descent in a day. Harder walks: 7 to 10 miles (11 to
17½km) over undulating limestone hills and rugged gorges. Up to 2,200 feet (670m) of ascent and 4,000 feet (1,200m) of descent in a day.


What You’ll Love

  • Completing the dramatic Samaria Gorge walk
  • Admiring beautiful foothills, stunning coastline, and ancient ruins
  • Keeping your eyes peeled for rare wildlife
  • Staying in an authentic Cretan village near Kolimbari
  • Visiting the Venetian city of Chania on your free day

What's Included

  • Return flights from London Heathrow, including baggage and transfers
  • A choice of 2 guided walks per day with local leaders (on walking days)
  • 7 nights' accommodation in Kolimbari
  • 7 breakfasts & 7 dinners
  • All in-destination transport

Reviews


Gallery

Itinerary

All our carefully-curated itineraries are designed by our experts. While we make every effort to adhere to the described itinerary, we may take alternative routes or adapt the running order for weather and/or operational reasons.

Itinerary

Welcome to Hotel Spilia Village. Unpack and settle in.

Today both groups will visit Rodopos village with its narrow streets, stone houses and beautiful churches.

Our coach follows the coast road west from Kolimbari towards Kissamos and then drives inland to the rural interior of the island.

Today we offer a choice of the famous Samaria Gorge or the very attractive but shorter Imbros Gorge.

Each week there is a free day when no guided walks are offered. This is an ideal opportunity to relax around the hotel, walk independently or visit local places of interest. The more popular options for your free day include:

Chania: Many guests take the opportunity to visit the delightful Venetian city of Chania. The old town is a maze of narrow streets lined with shops, bars and restaurants. The centrepiece of the city is the main harbour, from where there are regular boat trips available. The cafés that line the harbour side are attractive places to have lunch and watch the world go by. Other interesting sights include the Venetian defences and the indoor market – a hive of bustle and activity with lots of local produce.

Spilia Village: For a relaxing day you may prefer to spend time around the hotel and pool or perhaps a stroll in the olive groves or to ancient local churches.

Both walks visit the mountain village of Milia. This ancient village was abandoned in 1948 and then rebuilt using the traditional materials of timber and stone in the 1990s. As much of the original village as possible was preserved or recreated and the nearby gorge was reforested. It is now used as a mountain retreat and enjoys wonderful views of the surrounding forested slopes. 

Enjoy dramatic mountain views and the opportunity to enjoy a traditional taverna lunch.

We hope to see you again soon.

Daily Walk Options

Grade 2

Easier Walks

Good paths but walks are a bit longer. Some walks, particularly in mountain areas, may have sections over rough or steeper terrain.

Grade 3

Medium Walks

Walks follow well-defined paths, though often in hilly or upland areas, or along rugged coastal footpaths. These may be rough or steep in sections and will require reasonable fitness.

Accommodation

Spilia Village - Crete

The family-owned Spilia Village hotel is a luxury 4-star resort surrounded by citrus orchards and olive groves just 3km from the charming village of Kolimbari. A former olive oil processing plant, it has been lovingly restored using local stone and wood and the original millstones of the plant are on display in reception. As for facilities, the hotel boasts free Wi-Fi throughout, two outdoor pools, and an excellent restaurant decked out in Venetian style.

Spilia Village has two outdoor swimming pools. 

There is a pool bar, open during the daytime.

Internet access and Wi-Fi are free of charge.

Our holidays at Spilia Village are on a half-board basis and include breakfast and evening meal.

Breakfast

A self-service buffet is available each morning including a wide range of options.

Lunch (payable locally)

Ingredients for your picnic lunch can be bought locally - there is a supermarket in the village which is 15-20 minutes' walk. On some walks it will be possible to eat in a local tavern; your leaders will advise. The hotel can also provide a packed lunch on request, which can be added to your bill.

Evening meal

Dinner is served in the traditional Taverna "Halara", an historic structure dating from the Venetian period. The Taverna at the hotel serves local style cuisine with ingredients sourced from local farms and villages. This will be buffet style on our arrival night, with a choice of two dishes per course on other evenings. One evening, we will also dine externally at a local restaurant to experience traditional cuisine, which will be a set menu.

Drinks

The hotel has a well-stocked bar serving beer, wine and spirits.

Spilia Village has 30 comfortable en-suite rooms. All have free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, direct dial phones, two channel radio, satellite TV, mini bar, safe deposit box, laundry service, and hairdryer.

In common with most European hotels, tea and coffee making facilities are not available in the bedrooms; however hot drinks can be purchased from the bar/café. Twin rooms comprise one double bed and a day bed/sofa bed. 

Getting here

Address

Spilia Village Hotel
Spilia Village
Kolimbari
Chania 73006

Tel: 0030 2824 083300

More Information

Vaccinations & health information EU NEW 2026

Before booking, you should check with your doctor to see whether any health precautions are needed for your trip. Health advice and requirements can change, so we recommend doing this in good time before travel.

As a general rule, travellers should ensure they are up to date with routine UK vaccinations and boosters, including, for example, MMR and diphtheria, tetanus and polio. Some countries may require you to have specific vaccinations such as Malaria, Rabies and Yellow Fever. Please check with your GP if you are unsure.

Please note that the use or possession of some common prescription or over-the-counter medicines is restricted or banned in certain countries. If you will be carrying medication, you should check with the relevant embassy or consulate before travelling. As an extra precaution, we recommend keeping medication in its original packaging, carrying a copy of your prescription, and, where possible, asking your pharmacist to provide the medication name in the language of the country you are visiting.

For further country-specific health advice, visit www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk or www.traveldoctor.co.uk. If you are travelling from outside the UK, please consult your own doctor and check local entry requirements.

 

Passport & Visa information - SHARED FOR ALL EU NEW 2026

This information is for those travelling with a full ‘British Citizen’ passport; for all other nationalities or passport holders, please check with your local consulate for advice.

Passport Requirements

This information applies to travellers holding a full British Citizen passport. Entry requirements vary by destination and can change at short notice. For most EU and worldwide destinations, passports must be valid for the entire duration of your stay. Some countries also require a minimum period of validity remaining on your passport (often up to 6 months beyond your return date), even if you are not staying that long.
We strongly recommend ensuring your passport has at least six months’ validity remaining at the time of travel to avoid any issues.

If you hold a different type of British passport or a passport issued by another country, you must check the requirements with the relevant embassy, consulate, or official government website.

Visa Requirements

Visa rules depend on your nationality, destination, length of stay, and purpose of travel, and they can change frequently. It is your responsibility to check whether you require a visa before travelling.
British passport holders should check the latest entry, passport validity and visa requirements for their destination on the UK government’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) website:
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice

 

 

Packing list - Overseas Guided Walking

It's best to be prepared for all weather conditions. To make it easier, here is a list of items you should consider packing.   

Essentials  

  • Walking boots 
  • Waterproof jacket 
  • Waterproof trousers 
  • Insulated jacket/top 
  • Walking clothing  
  • Walking socks (plus spares)  
  • Sunhat 
  • Gloves/mitts and warm hat
  • Water bottle (minimum 2 litre capacity)  
  • Headtorch 
  • High-factor sunscreen (minimum SPF 30)  
  • Sunglasses with a dark lens 
  • Rucksack (15-30 litres)  
  • Mobile phone 
  • Personal first aid kit (containing your medication, blister plasters, etc.) 
  • Passport 
  • Visa (if applicable) 
  • Copy of your travel insurance policy 
  • UK Global Health Insurance Card (formerly known as EHIC

Recommended

  • Collapsible walking poles 
  • Swimwear and travel towel
  • Snacks
  • Dry bags
  • Rubbish bags
  • Insect repellent

Optional extras

  • Camera 
  • Sit mat
  • Flask for hot drinks 
  • Durable lunch box
  • Gaiters 
  • GPS device (excluding Bhutan, Georgia and India)

With flights EU & WW

Book your holiday ‘with flights’ and you can choose to depart from a range of UK airports* to your destination. For latest flight times and prices please call us on 0203-974-8865 or email reservations@hfholidays.co.uk  

If you choose to book your flights with us, we automatically include return transfers between the destination airport and hotel.  

Without flights EU

Alternatively, tailor your journey to suit you by booking your holiday ‘without flights’ and you’ll have the freedom to book your own flights from your local airport.   

*Subject to availability 

Local currency (Europe)

The local currency is the Euro (€)

Electricity information for Crete

220 Volt AC with round two pin plugs; you will need an adaptor for any appliances brought from the UK.

ATM availability for Crete

There are several ATM machines in nearby Kolimbari where you can obtain money.

Carbon Footprint - 1121kg CO2

We see it as our responsibility to minimise our emissions, not just for this year but every year to come. Our work with sustainability experts, ecollective, has enabled us to measure our carbon footprint and create a strategy to reduce the carbon intensity of our product by 5% each year. Our ambition is to be net zero by 2040 – earlier if we can.

Learn more

Reviews

Code: CRT07-LCL09

Share

Dates & availability

Classic & Undiscovered Crete

Members save an additional £50 on this booking and get a range of other exclusive benefits. You can join during booking process. Read more about membership

2026

Save £100 Per Person

12 Sep - 19 Sep 2026

7 nights. Trip notes

Twin & double rooms

Non-members

£1,749 £1,649

£1,549 £1,449

pp

Members

£1,699 £1,599

£1,499 £1,399

pp
Single rooms

Call to enquire 020 3974 8865

Call to enquire 020 3974 8865

19 Sep - 26 Sep 2026

7 nights. Trip notes

Twin & double rooms

Non-members

£1,749

£1,549

pp

Members

£1,699

£1,499

pp
Single rooms

Call to enquire 020 3974 8865

Call to enquire 020 3974 8865

Save £100 Per Person

26 Sep - 3 Oct 2026

7 nights. Trip notes

Twin & double rooms

Non-members

£1,649 £1,549

£1,449 £1,349

pp

Members

£1,599 £1,499

£1,399 £1,299

pp
Single rooms

£1,928 £1,828

pp

£1,878 £1,778

pp

£1,728 £1,628

pp

£1,678 £1,578

pp

3 Oct - 10 Oct 2026

7 nights. Trip notes

Twin & double rooms

Non-members

Call to Enquire

Call to Enquire

Single rooms

£1,828

pp

£1,778

pp

£1,628

pp

£1,578

pp

10 Oct - 17 Oct 2026

7 nights. Trip notes

Call to Enquire

Image

Trusted British co-operative

We are proud to be Britain’s only walking holiday co-operative. Led by almost 40,000 members, offering hundreds of holidays across the UK and overseas, with all surplus being reinvested back into our Society.

Image

Flexible choice of guided walks

Experienced volunteer HF Leaders guide every walk at our UK country houses, offering up to three daily options. Making it easy to find a holiday to suit your ability, and with the flexibility to switch grades each walking day.

Image

Book early with confidence

Become an HF Member to benefit from our Price Pledge. Secure your first choice of holiday early, and if the cost drops after you book, we will automatically refund the difference (exc. travel agent & group bookings).

Image

Book with confidence

If the flights we have organised are cancelled or changed, we’ll do everything we can to find alternative transport, with minimal disruption to your holiday

If we cancel your holiday, we honour all refund requests 

Image

Travel with confidence

We know that peace of mind is priceless, so we’ll always go above and beyond to meet – and exceed – expectations

If the flights we have organised are cancelled or changed, we’ll do everything we can to find alternative transport, with minimal disruption to your holiday

Image

HF Holidays

A British heritage brand with 111 years of experience

Offering a choice of over 260 itineraries in nearly 40 countries

Run as a co-operative with 40,000-plus members

Your Wishlist
No Wishlist Items

Start your next adventure.

Click the heart icon on the search or holiday pages to save a holiday to your wishlist.