Agenda Zorbas Island Crete

Holiday Crete 2025 & 2026 agenda – Agenda Zorbas Island, Crete – Season 2025-2026: Every year, we offer an extensive excursion programme with a number of regular excursions as well as new ones on Crete. You are probably curious about the activities we are organising at Zorbas Island for the coming season. In this agenda for Crete, we provide an overview of a number of activities that we think will interest you. We will highlight special excursions and activities in particular. Three times a year, we organise a multi-day E4 hike, several multi-day cooking workshops, an island-hopping tour, a two-day jeep safari and much more.

Walking weeks are always available on request.

Click here for the agenda of 2026

Zorbas Island is open till 15 November 2025

1 July to 31 August 2025: High season in Crete

During this period, we offer an extensive family programme including football, visits to the water park, hiking, snorkelling, sailing, safaris, diving, waterfall excursions, cooking and much more.

September 2025 – 2-day sailing trip to Dia and Paxomadi

We sail from the Venetian harbour of Heraklion to the islands off the coast. There is time for swimming and snorkelling. We spend the night on Dia Island. The next day we sail back to Heraklion.

6 to 9 October 2025: Island hopping from Crete to Ios.

A 4-day trip to Ios. On Ios, we do several different trips. We visit the island of Sikinos and go by boat around Folegandros.

On day 1 we go with the ferry from Heraklio, via Santorini to Ios. Here we stay in a luxuruous villa. We visit Ios-town before we head to the villa.

On day 2 we explore the island of Ios.

Day 3: we make a boat trip to the island of Sikinos and go around Folegandros. At the end of the day we go back to Ios.

On the last day we visit Ios-town again before we go back to Crete.

Multiple day excursions

20 to 23 October 2025 – Cooking Week – Crete cooking course & Greek cooking workshop (4 days, including an excursion Unknown Crete)

Greek cooking holiday: A full week cooking holiday in Crete, enjoying the outdoors. Cooking workshop in Crete, cooking in olive oil, cooking class in Crete, food recognition, outdoor cooking. We give you an impression of a cooking holiday in Crete on this page. The cooking workshops take place in our own olive field and once at Zorbas by the sea. We also visit a local market. There is also 1 day excursion Unknown Crete. On this page you can read more about cooking holidays: read more

Trip to Chania

27 to 30 October 2025 – 4 days Unknown Crete Chania

We stay in a luxuruous villa near Chania-town.

Day 1: we leave around 6 am from Zorbas to go to West-Crete. We drive through the inland to Perivolia where we stay the next days.

Day 2: visit to Paleochora and Kandanos. We visit these 2 villages in Southwest-Crete.

Day 3: we leave early to take the boat to Balos, from Kissamos. We go past the uttermost peninsula of Crete. We see the fortress island Gramvousa, where the Barbarossa fortress is located.

Day 4: we leave Chania again. We visit either the botanical gardens of Crete or we go to Chania-town. We leave early to be ahead of the crowds. After this we drive back to Zorbas.

Walking in the South-East

3 to 6 November 2025 – E4 walk – Walks around Kato Zakros

A top hiking week from the beautiful village of Kato Zakros in the far south-east of Crete. Kato Zakros is a small Greek village by the sea enclosed by gorges and mountains in the hinterland. Actually the start or end point of the E4 in Crete.

This E4 walking tour consists of four walks (programme subject to change). Day 1: early morning departure to the Richtis Gorge. We walk through the gorge to the waterfall and back: read more. After the walk, we drive to Kato Zakros where we stay for 3 nights. Day 2: we walk from Kato Zakros to Pano Zakros and from there via the Valley of the Dead back to Kato Zakros (read more). Day 3: walk in Xerokampos (12 km). Via the flamingo beach, we walk a short distance into the gorge. We then walk along the beach to an area with beautiful formations and natural pools. On the fourth day, on the way back to Zorbas, we walk the Pefki Gorge (10 km) in south-east Crete, read more.

25th Anniversary Parties

Friday 7 November 2025 – Zorbas 25th Anniversary Theme Party

A fun evening to celebrate Zorbas’ 25th anniversary, with old films, videos, Zorbas clips from the past 25 years and music.

Saturday 8 November 2025 – Zorbas 25th Anniversary Theme Party

Culinary grill evening with Zorbas specialities. Afterwards, we will hit the dance floor with a retro music evening with a 70s-80s theme. So come dressed up!

Harvesting olives on Crete

9 to 11 November 2025 – Olive harvest

On Sunday 9 November, we will start preparing for the olive harvest at around 10 a.m.

On Monday 10 and Tuesday 11 November, we will harvest the olives! Even if you don’t want to help with the harvest, there is plenty to see and do. We will visit the olive factory, have a barbecue in the field, sleep in the field (for those who want to), make a campfire and have breakfast there.

The time of olive harvesting in Crete has come again. From early November until the end of January, olives are taken from the trees all over the island for olive oil production. Crete is known for its high quality olive oil, Extra Virgin Olive Oil. At Zorbas Island, we use olive oil for all our dishes, which we produce ourselves every year. So it’s time again to put on work clothes and go out into the country with the whole Zorbas team. Guests help too! Want to harvest olives with us sometime? Please send us an email: zorbasisland@gmail.com.

25 years Zorbas

Wednesday 12 November 2025 – visit to Chrissi Island with overnight stay in Mirtos

We leave early in the morning for Ierapetra to board a fast, private boat to the beautiful Chrissi Island. Chrissi Island is a Natura 2000 area with beautiful beaches. There is a unique forest with cedar trees and an old chapel of St. Nicholaos. In the west of Chrissi, near the lighthouse, there are remains of a Minoan town from the Minoan period.

After visiting the island, we will leave for Mirtos to spend the night there. In the evening, we will have a culinary evening in the village.

Thursday 13 November 2025 – Unknown Crete on the south coast

We drive from Mirtos via the south coast back towards the north. We drive via Tertsa, Avli, Keratokampos and Tsoutsouras back to Zorbas.

Friday 14 November 2025 – The Zorbas Happy Train Tour

Everyone who has been here knows the little train that runs through the village, usually carrying tourists who don’t look too happy. We are going to change that. We will take the train (private) through the hinterland of Crete and visit the villages of Anopolis, Kainourgio Chorio, Aitania and Elia. Along the way, we will make several stops and visit kafeneions and ouzeries for a bite to eat and a drink. Our last stop is for a culinary meal in Elia. Smiling happily, we then drive back to Zorbas to end the season.

Saturday 15 November 2025 – Last day of the season

On this day, we end the season and our festive week, and all guests return home.

Season 2026

Our new agenda is ready with the excursions for 2026, including many new excursions. You are probably curious about the activities we will be organising at Zorbas in the coming year, and this agenda provides an overview of all the activities that will interest you. We will highlight special excursions and activities: Three multi-day E4 (New in Plakias). We will be island hopping in Karpathos in May and October. Several cooking workshops, and a two-day jeep safari. We also have a new, unknown South Crete tour (4 days).

Walking weeks are always possible on request.

Open from 3 April 2026 to 16 November 2026

6 to 9 April 2026 – Flower walks on Crete

The floral splendour of Crete: would you like to experience Crete in a unique way? Then join us on our special flower walks from 3 to 9 April 2026. This is when the island comes to life and is covered in a sea of flowers! During this period of the year, no fewer than 2,200 species of flowers, plants and herbs are in bloom. We will take you to the most beautiful places in Crete where you can admire rare orchids and magnificent irises, among other things. Read more

Sunrise walks on Crete: start the day with a magical walk and watch the sun rise over the breathtaking Cretan landscape.

Unknown Crete with flowers and nature: discover the hidden gems of the island and enjoy the most beautiful flowers and views. We will take you to the most idyllic places to enjoy nature at its best.

Greek Easter in 2026 – Easter in Crete – Easter holidays 2026

12 April 2026 – Greek Easter. 5 April 2026 is Catholic Easter

From Friday 10 April 2026, we have the Easter programme: On Friday (10 April 2026), we will take a tour through the interior of Crete with many Easter activities in non-touristy areas. We will visit a village where the crucifixion of Christ is re-enacted. This is a Greek ritual for Easter and symbolises the suffering of Christ on the cross. In the evening, you can join us in the mountain village of Anopolis, where an Easter procession takes place. The villagers walk from the church behind the symbolic tomb of Christ through the village streets.

Greek Easter 2026

On Saturday, 11 April 2026 in the evening, we will walk to the church in the village. There, we will collect the holy fire, which will be distributed by the priest and those present. At midnight, there will be fireworks and a Judas doll will be burned.

On Sunday, 12 April 2026 (Easter Sunday), we will have an elaborate Greek Easter barbecue at the end of the afternoon with Greek music. Read more

14 to 17 April 2026 – E4 walk Plakias

Welcome to our walking week (E4) in beautiful Plakias, located in the heart of southern Crete! During this unforgettable 4-day experience, you will stay 3 nights in the charming village of Plakias, which is the perfect base for breathtaking walks. We have put together a wonderful programme that will take you to the most picturesque spots in the region. This trip offers an ideal mix of exercise and relaxation, immersing you in the authentic atmosphere of Crete. Are you ready for adventure?

The following programme is subject to change:

Day 1: Walk from Mirthios via an old watermill to Plakias. Along the way, you will have beautiful views of Plakias Bay.

Day 2: Circular walk on the peninsula. We walk to beautiful Kalypso and then to a tunnel system from the Second World War, partly in a cave. Along the way, you will have beautiful views of the surrounding mountains and the bay of Plakias.

Day 3: Prevelli circular walk. From an old Venetian bridge, we walk to the palm beach of Prevelli. We walk into the gorge with the palm trees and a small river and then walk back to our starting point via small paths.

Day 4: Walk from Damnoi beach. Hilly walk with beautiful beaches along the way.

Cooking on Crete

20 to 23 April 2026 – Cooking week – Cooking course on Crete & Greek cooking workshop (4 days, including an excursion to Unknown Crete)

Greek cooking holiday: A complete week of cooking holidays on Crete, enjoying the outdoors. Cooking workshop on Crete, cooking with olive oil, cooking class on Crete, dish recognition, outdoor cooking. On this page, we give you an impression of a cooking holiday on Crete. The cooking workshops take place in our own olive grove and once at Zorbas by the sea. We also visit a local market. There is also a one-day excursion to Unknown Crete. Read more

April and May holidays 2026

25 April to 3 May 2026 – The May holidays in the Netherlands

Schools can extend the May holidays by one week. The Ministry of Education, Culture and Science has recommended the following dates: 18 April to 26 April 2026. Please check the school guide or the school’s website for the exact dates.

To Crete during the May holidays: Spring in Crete, Greece is particularly beautiful. Many flowers and herbs bloom in the mountains, and Crete has a wonderful temperature in spring. Various excursions are available, such as Unknown Crete, hiking, sailing, boat trips, cooking in the mountains, cycling excursions, mountain bike excursions, electric bikes, gorge hikes, jeep safaris and quad bike tours. Something different every day. Read more

Karpathos Island

5 to 8 May 2026 – Island hopping to Karpathos

Karpathos is an island located approximately 230 km northeast of Crete. From Heraklion, we will take the ferry via Dia, Sitia, Vai, Dragondad, Elasa, and Kassos (where the ferry stops) to Karpathos.

Karpathos – Discover undiscovered Greece: Karpathos, one of the most beautiful islands of the Dodecanese, is the perfect destination for those looking for authentic Greece. You can easily travel there by car, via a ferry from Crete. Once you arrive, you can explore the island by car, away from mass tourism. Here you will find a rugged landscape with breathtaking views, hidden bays with crystal clear water and traditional villages where time seems to have stood still. In the south of the island you will find beautiful sandy beaches, perfect for sunbathing and swimming.

But the heart of Karpathos lies in its charming villages. Visit the photogenic Olympos, where women still wear traditional costumes and the houses are built against the mountainside. Or explore Pigadia, the lively capital with its cosy harbour and tavernas. Karpathos is an island that you don’t just visit, but experience. It is a place where you can truly feel Greek hospitality, where the local cuisine will delight your taste buds and where every sunset creates an unforgettable memory.

The rest of the programme will follow.

Greek cooking on Crete

11 to 14 May 2026 – Cooking week – Cooking course on Crete & Greek cooking workshop (4 days, including an excursion to Unknown Crete)

Walking week

18 to 21 May 2026 – E4 walk Plakias

The following programme is subject to change:

Day 1: Walk from Mirthios via an old watermill to Plakias. Along the way, you will have beautiful views of Plakias Bay.

Day 4: Walk from Damnoi beach. Hilly walk with beautiful beaches along the way.

Cooking holidays

1 to 4 June 2026 – Cooking week – Cooking course on Crete & Greek cooking workshop (4 days, including an excursion to Unknown Crete)

Jeep safari – 2 days

8 and 9 June 2026: a 2-day jeep safari to southern Crete with an overnight stay there. This allows us to see many parts of Crete, driving mostly off-road and occasionally on asphalt.

7 July to 31 August 2026 – High season in Crete: During this period, we have an extensive family programme including football, visits to the water park, hiking, snorkelling, sailing, safari, diving, waterfall excursions, cooking and much more.

September 2026 – 2-day sailing trip to Dia and Paxomadi: We will sail from the Venetian harbour of Heraklion to the islands off the coast. There will be time for swimming and snorkelling. We will spend the night on Dia Island. The next day, we will sail back to Heraklion.

More information

Excursions on Crete 2025: The above agenda for Crete is only a small example of what can be done on Crete. Our range of excursions that we organize is very extensive. That way we can offer everyone something nice to do. On top of that, if you have special wishes, you can always contact us. We would like to know this well in advance though, so that we can adapt our excursion program. Just send us an email before you come to Crete on holiday.

Holiday information Crete Zorbas Island: For renting apartments and holiday homes, all your excursions and cheap flights to Crete. If you are looking for apartment rental and accommodation on Crete, you have come to the right place. We have a variety of apartments, suitable for families, singles, couples or more people travelling together. We can help you to organize your holiday on Crete Greece to your wishes. An active outdoor vacation, active holidays, a beach holiday, or a combination of both we can all realize for you.

In case you like more information, please send an email to zorbasisland@gmail.com