Countryside in Crete

Agios Nikolaos Market & Amazonas Park Nature Reserve Tour

A trip that combines traditional Crete with its wild side. You'll drive through scenic landscapes and wander through the pretty harbour town of Agios Nikolaos – with an optional market visit. But then there's the twist to the tale with a visit to Amazonas Park nature reserve.After pick-up at your hotel, you'll head to Agios Nikolaos, where you'll have a couple of hours to explore on your own. Pick up tasty treats or souvenirs at the street market, stop for a drink in one of the waterfront cafés or gaze into Lake Voulismeni, which local legend says is bottomless.Next up, we'll head towards Mirabello Bay in the northeast of the island. Your destination is Amazonas Park, an animal refuge, where you will come face-to-face with 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.

Family tour to the mountains of Crete with Mythological Park

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 a trail which climbs into the mountains to reach the first stop at the Aposelimi Dam. 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 a late 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.

4x4 off-road tour of Crete’s mountains with taverna lunch

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.

Off-road Safari from Rethymnon

The rugged gorges of Crete's southern interior are a nature-lover's haven. Take a day-long 4x4 safari along the region's dusty trails, visiting the dramatic Agios Antonios, Kourtaliotiko and Kotsifou Gorges before refreshing sea swims at beautiful Preveli beach.

Apokoronas hidden roads van tour with cheese-making and tastings

Travelling in a nine-seater van, you'll roll through nine tucked‑away Apokoronas villages far from the tourist radar on this small‑group tour. The quiet backroads lead you past olive groves, vineyards and stone houses as you dip in and out of Armenoi, Neo Chorio, Pemonia, Fres, Tzitzifes, Nipos, Vafes and Vryses. It's a scenic journey that shows off the region's rural charm and slow‑paced way of life, all set against the backdrop of the White Mountains. Giorgos, one of our local expert guides, says, “Apokoronas is where you feel the real Crete – peaceful villages, warm people and unspoiled landscapes. It's the Crete we grew up with, still doing its thing.”Your next stop is the Holy Mary of Two Rocks Church, a tiny landmark hidden between two natural rock formations that most people never stumble across. It's a lovely spot to pause, soak up the countryside and enjoy the stillness before the route winds deeper into Apokoronas. The scenery then shifts from rolling farmland to rugged hillsides dotted with traditional homes and family‑run farms.Then, it's on to Arevitis for a proper taste of rural Crete. At a traditional sheep farm, you'll wander through a garden bursting with local produce before joining a hands‑on cheese‑making session with your hosts. You'll try the fresh cheese you've helped create, tuck into warm Cretan snacks and sip homemade raki – the island's traditional spirit – while hearing stories about the land, the animals and daily life in the mountains.

Full-day tour with Cretan caves, olive oil and pottery from Plakias

Get a glimpse of Cretan tradition on this full-day tour. You'll start your adventure at Melidoni Cave for a look around, before stopping for a coffee. Then, call in at an olive mill to learn all about how olive oil is made, from hand-picking to bottling. Plus, you'll get to taste different varieties and pick up some tips for your cooking. Swing by a honey museum afterwards for a tasting session, before wrapping up your tour in the village of Margarites, a pottery hub with Venetian roots that's known for its centuries-old ceramic-making heritage.

Private tour of western Crete's highlights from Chania

Discover Western Crete's highlights on a private tour. Explore Chania, Agia Triada Monastery, and Marathi Beach.

Full-day Crete wine-tasting and 4x4 off-road tour

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.

Southern Crete 4x4 tour with Sarakina Gorge visit

Bumping along the mountain tracks of Southern Crete, where the island's mythology, flora, fauna and local life come alive. This is a day with scenic trails, traditional villages and the natural wonder of Sarakina Gorge. Christos, one of our expert local guides, says "in local lore, the gorge is known as Sarandapichos, named after a giant from Greek mythology. Legend has it that Sarandapichos, while quenching his thirst from a mountain stream, accidentally split the mountain in two with his enormous beard, thereby forming the gorge."First up, we'll head to the Sarakina Gorge, where you'll have ample time to explore this natural wonder at your own pace. The gorge is up to 150 metres deep with smooth walls carved by the water, and it narrows to around three metres wide in places. Despite its small dimensions, it's a great example of nature at its finest. Next, we'll venture into the Selakano Forest, the largest remaining pine forest on the island, where the scent of fresh pine fills the air.After a quick stop at a local spring, we'll head to a viewpoint offering panoramic views of Mirabello Bay. After that, it's time to drive to Katharo where a traditional lunch awaits, complete with unlimited locally produced wine. The final leg of our journey takes us to Kritsa, a traditional Cretan village renowned for its award-winning olive oil. Here, you'll have free to explore the village life and culture that has remained largely untouched by time.

Sitia and Vai Palm Beach Tour from Southern Crete

Eastern Crete is awash with golden beaches, timeless villages and Medieval monasteries. Explore all of the east's knockout spots with this exciting tour. Highlights include the villages of Lithines and Sitia, Toplou Monastery and Europe's largest palm tree forest.Kick off with a stroll along the pretty streets in the whitewashed village of Lithines, complete with dinky chapels and churches. Next, head to Sitia on the north coast. You can opt to visit Kazama castle, the folklore or the Archaeological Museum, or just enjoy a leisurely coffee and take in the local atmosphere.You'll stop at the heavily fortified Toplou Monastery next. Stroll around and take some photos of this history-steeped 15th century retreat. We'll top off the day at the white-sand Vai beach, which is fringed by 5,000 palm trees. Take a dip or snorkel in the clear, turquoise waters. Or, if you'd prefer, you can visit a local taverna before heading back to your hotel.