What to expect

Exclusive to Solos
Enjoy a sociable atmosphere in a hotel reserved entirely for Solos guests—no couples or kids, just a small group of like-minded travellers.

Prime Location
Experience the best of Crete. You're just a short stroll from the Blue Flag beach and the village of Gouves.

Sole Occupancy Studio
Relax in a guaranteed private room with no single supplement. Enjoy socialising when you want to and privacy when you don't.

Optional Excursions
From the Palace of Knossos to market visits, join optional excursions to explore the island at your own pace and experience the local culture.
About this trip...
Discover Crete with our most popular holiday type for both first-time and returning solo guests. Our "Solos Exclusives" trips are small by design and high in demand—Iraklis Apartments is reserved entirely for our guests, meaning small groups, a welcoming Tour Leader, and the freedom to do your own thing—with other solo travellers just like you.
Located in the traditional resort of Gouves, Iraklis Apartments offers a blend of classic Greek charm and modern comfort. Relax by the pool, where a sunbed is always guaranteed, or take a short stroll to explore the local shops and sandy coastline. Whether you are discovering the ancient ruins of Knossos, swapping stories over authentic Cretan meals, or simply enjoying the peaceful, family-run atmosphere, you’ll experience the magic of Greece with a group that makes this holiday truly special.
Return flights- option to fly from your local airport
Airport transfers
Airport taxes & charges
Studio room for sole use (Apartments available at a supplement)
Solos Board; Breakfast daily & three on-site taverna dinners each week
Welcome drink & information meeting
Free Solos App with all your travel documents
Dedicated Whatsapp group for your trip
Accompanying Solos Tour Leader
Fully financially protected
- Insurance see here
- Climate Crisis Resilience Tax – €2.00 per night, payable locally
- Air Conditioning €7 per day, payable locally
- Apartment supplement from £75 per week
- Optional Excursions (See Essential Information for more details)
Crete Solos Exclusive

Our Exclusive Setting: Iraklis Apartments
Small by design. Exclusively ours. Unlike large resorts, Iraklis Apartments is reserved entirely for Solos. You’ll be surrounded by a community of 100% solo travellers in an uncrowded setting that feels more like a private club than a hotel.
- The Personal Touch: The Iraklis family are masters of Cretan hospitality. From the moment you arrive, you’ll receive the kind of undivided, personal attention that only a family-run property can provide.
- The Perfect Base: Enjoy the luxury of a guaranteed sunbed by our private pool, or take a gentle stroll to the sandy shores of Gouves. It’s a peaceful sanctuary designed for those who want to truly switch off without feeling isolated.
- Evening Vibes: Gouves comes alive at night with a relaxed, sociable energy. With a variety of authentic tavernas just a short walk away, the hardest part of your day will be deciding which local specialty to try for dinner with your group.

Is a Solos Exclusive right for you?
Our Solos Exclusives trips are our most popular holiday style—small by design and reserved entirely for our guests. You won’t be "one of the only" solo travellers in a big resort; you’ll be part of a small group of 100% solo travellers in a property that is exclusively ours.
Who this trype of trip is for:
- The First-Timer: Perfect if you’re looking to dip your toe into the world of group travel without the "what-ifs." This trip offers the ultimate safety net: we handle all the logistics from flights—including the option to fly from regional airports when available—to transfers to our hotel, so you can simply focus on the experience. Our experienced Tour Leader is on-site to ensure everything runs smoothly. It’s the security of a group holiday, but with the total freedom to spend your time exactly how you want. Be sure to check out our Newcomer's Week options!
- The Social Soul: For those who want the buzz of a group but the privacy of their own room. You’ll find a warm, easygoing atmosphere with plenty of opportunities to swap stories over dinner, all while enjoying the comfort of a private room with no single supplement.
- The Explorer: For travellers who want the freedom to choose between a quiet morning with a poolside book, a trek through the stunning Samaria Gorge, or a sunset boat trip to Spinalonga. You have total flexibility—join every excursion or simply enjoy the peace of the beach. You don’t just have to lie around the pool (unless you want to!).
- The Authentic Traveller: Ideal if you prefer family-run, intimate hotels over large chains. Our hosts at Iraklis Apartments treat our groups like family, offering a level of genuine Cretan hospitality and undivided attention you only get in a property exclusive to Solos.

The Location: Gouves, Crete
Based on the northern shores of the island of Crete, Gouves is one of those places you can kick back and relax along the sandy beach, stroll along the promenade at sunset or even work up an appetite with one of the land or water sports available. Pop into one of the souvenir shops or boutiques before taking in some delectable homemade sweets with a glass of tsikoudia.

Optional Excursions: Poolside Relaxation or Island Adventure
On a Solos Exclusive holiday, there is never a "set" schedule you have to follow. While Iraklis Apartments offers the perfect sanctuary for a lazy afternoon, you don’t just have to lie around the pool. Whether you’re looking for a cultural deep-dive or a journey into the past, our optional excursions allow you to be as active as you choose. Dive into the heart of Crete with your fellow travellers:
- The Palace of Knossos: Step back 4,000 years into the Minoan civilization. Explore the labyrinthine ruins of Europe’s oldest city and discover the myths of the Minotaur.
- Spinalonga Island: Take a boat trip to this captivating historic site. Wander through the Venetian fortress and learn the poignant history of the former leper colony.
- Heraklion & the Archaeological Museum: Use the convenient coastal bus service for a day trip to the capital to pair ancient history with vibrant city life.
- Gouves Local Market: Immerse yourself in Cretan life. Browse stalls filled with local produce, honey, and handicrafts—the perfect way to spend a sociable morning.
- Malia Exploration: Head along the coast to discover a different side of the island, from its archaeological sites to its famous sandy stretches.
Good to know: Excursions bookable in-resort through your Solos Tour Leader are subject to availability and payable in Euros (cash) only. For more details on how these work, including pricing guidelines, view the Optional Excursion section under Essential Information below.
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Dates & Prices
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Essential Information
To enter Greece mainland or the Greek Islands your passport must meet 2 requirements. It must be:
- less than 10 years old on the day you enter (check the ‘date of issue’)
- valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave (check the ‘expiry date’)
Check both the issue date and the expiry date in your passport. If you renewed your passport early, extra months may have been added to its expiry date. This could affect the requirement for your passport to be less than 10 years old.
A visa is not required by holders of passports endorsed “British Citizen” for stays of upto 90 days in any 180-day period. Please note that stays in other EU countries counts towards this 90 day period.
It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct visa, a valid passport and any other travel documents for your holiday. All information provided relates to British citizens who hold or are entitled to apply for a British passport. For the most up-to-date visa information please visit; Greece Foreign Advice
From the 12th October 2025 the EU is introducing a new European Entry System (EES) that will be phased in and fully operational by the 10th April 2026. Non-EU nationals including British passport holders will now be required to complete biometric checks on arrival and exit to Schengen countries, which will include facial recognition and fingerprints. There is no cost for this, and no action needs to be taken prior to departure.
If you are not a British citizen and do not hold a British passport, you must make your own enquiries as to the applicable requirements.
- Spinalonga and Agios Nikolaos from €60.00
- Samaria Gorge - price advised in resort
- Sailing in Hersonissos Bay from €85.00
- Knossos and Lassithi from €40.00
- Wine Tasting - price advised in resort



















