Crete Tours

Get ready to go off-road on this adrenaline-pumping 4x4 adventure that will take you well and truly off the radar. Explore the more rural parts of Crete and the beautiful nature as you voyage through the mountains on this small group tour.

It's all about Crete's wild side on this tour. You'll come face-to-face with monkeys, meerkats lemurs and more at Amazonas Park nature reserve and see a world below the waves with a glass-bottom boat trip. And in between, there's free time to chill out in Agios Nikolaos.Your destination for the morning is Amazonas Park, an animal refuge, where you'll get up-close to some of the world's most unusual, beautiful and endangered animals. You'll also find out about their rainforest environments, and how we can help with conservation efforts.At Agios Nikolaos town, you'll have a couple of hours to shop or grab lunch overlooking Mirabello Bay. Next, hop on to a glass-bottom boat for a trip in the bay. You'll glide out into the bay aboard a semi-submarine which features windows beneath the surface. Kids and adults will have a great time spotting the likes of loggerhead sea turtles and multicoloured fish darting around the rocks.

Go off-road on a 4x4 adventure that will take you well and truly off the radar. You'll bump down dirt tracks, bounce over potholes and drive through blink-and-you-miss-them villages. Plus, you'll tick off plenty of must-sees on the way. Your driver actually doubles up as a guide, giving you the insider's track on Crete's hidden gems as you go.

Those walking boots will get a good workout during this hike through the Samaria Gorge. This 16km-long ravine is the longest in Europe. So it's a serious – but spectacular – five to six-hour trek that's not for the unfit or faint-hearted.

Off-road adventures don't get more fun than this. On this evening tour, you'll buckle up for a thrilling ride through the Cretan mountains, taking in villages, landmarks and more. What's more, there'll be a traditional dinner at a local taverna waiting for you. Vaggelis, one of our local expert guides, says 'Lassithi Plateau was said to be the birthplace of Zeus, the king of the Greek gods. According to legend, his mother, Rhea, hid the newborn in a cave on the plateau to protect him from being devoured by his father. It's one of the best places in Crete to grab a bird's-eye view of the north'.It all starts the moment you hop aboard your 4x4 and head for the mountains. You'll stop by Aposelemis basin reservoir and ancient Roman aqueducts, before following the path to the village of Kastamonitsa. Here, you'll be greeted with a tipple of fiery raki. Vaggelis says, 'After the grape harvest, the leftover skins, seeds, and stems are fermented and then distilled to produce raki, a tradition that many Cretan families proudly maintain'.You'll continue along the Minoan path, taking in the wildlife and scenery while learning all about local mythology and history. You'll stop for a glass of sweet, sparkling wine and admire Lassithi Plateau, as well as its iconic views. And once you've built up an appetite, you'll head to a local taverna for a traditional Cretan-style dinner with unlimited wine. Finally, as night draws in, you'll head back down the mountain roads, taking in the moonlit coastline and the twinkling lights of towns and villages.

Pick your way along the challenging 8km route of Imbros Gorge, surrounded by wonderful fauna and the steep vertical walls of the ravine. There's also a refreshment stop in Komitades, and the opportunity for a swim in Hora Sfakion. As you stroll along, take in the views over the White Mountains as you head up to the starting point – the mountain village of Imbros. Here, you'll set off on your 3-4 hour hike, following pathways through wildflower meadows. The going never get too rough underfoot and the gradient is a gentle descent.Enjoy a well-earned break at the end of the trail, with plenty of free time to take a refreshing swim in the waters off Hora Sfakion's tranquil beach or grab a bite to eat.

This full day 4x4 tour is for designed especially for adventures. You'll journey along dirt roads, mountain passes and through Crete's charming villages as you explore the island's hidden gems and vast panoramic scenery.

This action-packed day brings the essence of Crete to life for all the family. Discover Greek mythology as you explore scenic mountain trails on an off-road adventure leading to the Lassithi plateau. There's a chance to have a go at making ceramics and a visit to the Mythological Park, too. Katerina, one of our expert local guides, enthusiastically says, ‘Lassithi plateau is a personal favourite on this tour. You'll be greeted by the sight of dozens of windmills that dot the landscape. They were built in the 19th century to grind grain, and are now a symbol of the region.'Kick off on an off-road trail which climbs into the mountains, following the ancient Minoan path. You'll have a break at a local shepherd's hut where you can try some of the home-made cheese and see various animals. From here we'll make our way to a viewpoint where we can see across the Lassithi plateau, a high, fertile plain that legend states was the birthplace of Zeus.Rumbling down to the plateau, we'll head to a ceramics workshop and olive oil producer. It's a fun stop for the kids who will have plenty of time to have a go at making their own pottery creations. Next up is the Mythological park, where you'll find out all about ancient Greek myths - the special lighting and sound effects alongside the audio tour make the park enjoyable for all ages. Round off the day with lunch in a taverna, before calling in at the village of Krassi, which is famous for a 2,000-year old plane tree and has a natural spring water source.

This sunset safari takes you off the beaten track in more ways than one. You'll follow scenic trails in your off-roader to explore hidden landscapes that few visitors see. Get ready for panoramic views of Rethymnon as you traverse traditional villages on the way to the Amari Dam reservoir. Eleni, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘Away from the coast, Cretan traditions are still strong, and many people make a living from the land. Olive groves, fields of vines and citrus orchards represent the most important crops – though avocados are now becoming a popular fruit on our farms.'Leaving Rethymnon, you'll soon be heading towards the hills. Rumbling through the tranquil hill villages of Pigi, Adelle, Saint Dimitrios and Harkia, we swap the bright lights for unpaved off-road routes, wild vegetation, and peaceful vistas. You'll get a close-up view of the real Crete, and gain insight into the heritage of the island. Eleni says, ‘Crete is one of the few islands in Greece that would still have a self-sufficient economy without tourism. Agriculture is still a very relevant industry here.'You'll climb further into the hills to a fabulous viewpoint where your gaze will sweep from the coast to the mountains, with a lovely view over Amari Dam reservoir just below. Sunset spots don't come much better than this. To round off your tour, you'll stop at a family-owned taverna, where you'll be able to try a platter of locally sourced Cretan meze specialities with a glass of wine.

There are plenty of ways to enjoy a Cretan sunset, but nothing quite beats a 4x4 safari into the White Mountains as day turns to night. You'll rumble down unchartered tracks to places few visitors go – stopping for plenty of photos along the way – and toast in the evening with a wine-tasting session in a winery.

Book this day trip to Richtis Gorge from Agios Nikolaos! Enjoy a swim under the waterfalls, a hike through the forest, and stop at the ruins of Azoria.

The rugged mountaintops, sun-kissed plains and rustic villages of Crete are the stars of this 4x4 tour. Go off-road with visits to a winery, Vosako Monastery and an olive oil producer. Katerina, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘A winery owner in Panormos will welcome you before leading a tour and tasting experience. You also find out about Cretan olive oil – another staple of local cuisine. Your hosts will help you unravel the secrets behind why Cretans live longer than the average Greek.'First up, we'll hop into our 4x4s and head to a family-run winery in Panormos. Enjoy a guided visit and learn about indigenous Cretan grape varieties such as vidiano, vilana and kotsifali. These grapes are well-suited to the island's climate and soil, resulting in unique flavour profiles. After a tasting, we'll rumble through the traditional villages of Dafnedes, Apladiana and Agridia towards Vosako Monastery. Steeped in history, it was once used as a refuge where Cretans could escape civil unrest. Panoramic mountaintop views make it a great place to snap some epic photos.The rest of the morning is spent driving by sprawling vineyards en route to visit a traditional olive mill. Learn all there is to know about the ancient versus modern harvesting and production of olive oil on the island, and try some for yourself. Finally, you'll experience Cretan hospitality with a meal of tasty local dishes in the village of Melidoni before heading back to Rethymnon.

Embark on a mountainous journey through Crete, starting out from our base in Rethymno. Along the way, we'll traverse natural gorges with impressive archaeological formations and cross shallow rivers. Keep an eye out for local wildlife and visit ancient Cretan villages that date back to the 11th or 12th century. Our safari includes several stops, including a visit to a traditional Cretan kafenion, or coffee house.

Buy this audio tour of Spinalonga Island downloadable on your smartphone! Explore at your own pace, listen to fascinating stories, and gain great insights into the island!

Falassarna isn't just a beach; it's a slice of paradise where relaxation isn't just promised – it's guaranteed. This sandy stretch is celebrated not only as the best beach in Crete but also as one of the top 10 best beaches in Europe. And on this night out you'll get to experience it in all of its glory. Take a stroll, watch a Mediterranean sunset, and tuck into dinner with a view at a beachside restaurant. What's not to love?

Combining inland Crete's rugged landscapes and ancient villages with a visit to a typical shepherd's hut, this small group 4x4 tour is for those who are wild at heart. You'll journey into the mountains to the Halepa Monastery from Rethymnon, venture off-road and stop to enjoy some typical meze. Georgios, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘The Halepa Monastery is thought to be the oldest on Crete, dating from the mid-16th century. Not only is it a special, spiritual place, but it boasts bird's-eye views over the valley of Mylopotamos.' Passing through areas of lush green landscapes and traditional villages such as Milopotamos, the tour gets off to a panoramic start. We'll wind our way up the slopes of Mount Psiloritis to Halepa Monastery, which was in ruins before the restoration works finished in the year 2000. The ruined structure used to be a refuge for Cretan rebels during past civil wars, but now it is as peaceful as it is beautiful. As you continue your off-road adventure, your guide will deepen your understanding of the history and the traditions of the island, introduce you to the locals, and point out the wildlife of Crete. Stop to see an original shepherd's hut – known as 'Mitato' – and taste local honey at a producer. Tracing mountain tracks, keep an eye out for wildlife such as eagles and wild goats as you rumble through the countryside. And with an appetite worked up, you'll take a break to munch on traditional meze.

This full-day guided tour is all about getting to grips with a few of Crete's most popular local products, olive oil and wine. You'll learn how both are made, and you'll get to sample some for yourself, all while travelling between stops in the back of a 4x4. Ioannis, one of our expert local guides says “in my opinion, there's no better way to understand the culture of a destination than by meeting the people who make local produce. They know the area better than anyone, and the produce is a reflection of the culture.”You'll kick things off at the Terra Creta Olive Mill. Here, you'll see how olives are turned into oil before a tasting session. Then, you'll be welcomed into a boutique winery for a tour of the grounds and, of course, to sample the wines produced here. You'll learn about the different grape varieties, including some experimental wines made from rare grapes. Next, you'll continue to the village of Ano Vouves, home to an ancient olive tree – it's thought to be between 2,000 and 4,000 years old, but it still produces olives to this day.Afterwards, you'll set off on an off-road adventure in a 4x4 towards the mountain village of Sebronas. As you zoom through the gorge, you'll see pretty chapels, vineyards and olive groves – and you'll have time to snap a few photos along the way. Then, once you've worked up your appetite, you'll stop for lunch at a small village tavern, where you'll tuck into some traditional dishes.

The rugged landscape and natural resources of eastern Crete make it both a nature-lover and a foodie's dream. Take a thrilling off-road safari along the region's dusty trails, visiting highlights like Lyttos, Aposelimi Dam and the Cave of Zeus. There's also cheese, olive oil and raki tasting, herb collecting in the mountains, and viewpoints across Lassithi Plateau's vast farms and windmills, as well as lunch included.

Southern Crete is awash with timeless villages, magnificent gorges and unspoiled countryside. On this off-road adventure, you'll rumble down country lanes to encounter rural traditions and experience the authentic Cretan life. Christos, one of our local guides, says “It's one of the most rewarding areas to explore in Crete. And with its privileged location off the tourist track, you'll almost have it all to yourself.”We start our journey at the Peristeronas Gorge, where red butterflies flutter amidst the flowers and bushes. From there, we'll meander through timeless villages where you can savour a coffee break with the locals in a traditional 'Kafeneion' in Oreino. As we continue, prepare to be dazzled by the views from the mountains. Take in a panorama of the South Cretan Sea, framed by rocky peaks and scented with wild thyme and sage.We'll also stop for herb picking so you can taste and learn about their healing properties. Next, a walk in the ancient Pine Forest of Thripiti, where some trees are up to 1000 years old. Relax over a traditional Cretan meal with unlimited wine at a local taverna before we continue to Agia Anna, a small church at the entrance of Ha gorge, one of the most striking landscapes in the area. Lastly, we'll stop for another spectacular view - this time of the North Cretan Sea - before making our way back to base.

Journeys on Crete don't get much more thrilling than this. Set off on a mountainous safari on an offroad quad bike. Along the way, we'll traverse natural gorges with impressive archaeological formations and cross shallow rivers. Keep an eye out for local wildlife and visit ancient Cretan villages that date back to the 11th or 12th century. Our safari includes several stops, including a visit to a traditional Cretan kafenion, or coffee house.