Off Road Tours in Crete

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.

Mountains of Crete 4x4 sunset safari with dinner

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.

Crete 4x4 Mount Psiloritis tour with traditional Cretan lunch

Combining inland Crete's rugged landscapes, ancient villages and a visit to a typical shepherd's hut, this small-group 4x4 tour leads you into the landscape surrounding Mount Psiloritis. You'll kick things off at Klados Winery, where the owner shares a few Cretan wine-making secrets before pouring two of the island's finest varieties for you to sample. Georgios, one of our expert local guides, says, “when you taste the wine and cheese where they're made, you understand them in a whole new way.” After this, you'll roll on to an olive oil mill in Melidoni for a tasting of the island's famous liquid gold and a look at how it's crafted, from tree to bottle. You'll then wind your way up the slopes of Mount Psiloritis to the ruins of Halepa Monastery, once a refuge for Cretan rebels but now a peaceful spot restored to its former beauty. As your off-road adventure continues, your guide will share the island's history and traditions, introduce you to the locals and point out the wildlife that calls this region home. You‘ll then pause for views over Axos Gorge, and if lucks on your side, you might spot eagles and wild goats nearby, too. Then, it's time to see an original shepherd's hut – known as ‘mitato' – where you'll watch a live cheese-making demo and enjoy fresh tastings. The day wraps up in the village of Axos where you'll sit down and tuck into a spread of authentic Cretan dishes at a family-run taverna.

Flavours of Crete 4x4 tour with olive oil mill and winery visits

Crete's rugged mountaintops, sun‑kissed plains and sleepy little villages take centre stage on this off‑road 4x4 adventure. You'll bounce between a winery, an ancient church, an olive oil mill and even a honey factory, getting a real taste of local life along the way. Katerina, one of our expert local guides, says, “the winery owner in Klados welcomes you in personally before showing you around and guiding a tasting session. You'll also learn why Cretan olive oil is such a staple of our cuisine – and why Cretans tend to live longer than the average Greek.”Your day starts with a 4x4 drive out to a family‑run winery in Klados. Here, you'll get the lowdown on indigenous grape varieties that thrive in Crete's climate and soil, giving the wines their unique character. After your tasting, you'll roll into the village of Garazo for a peek at everyday local life and a wander through a folk museum to check out traditional crafts and skills that have been preserved across generations. Then, it's back off‑road towards Halepa Monastery for a quick stop to soak up the peaceful surroundings and snap a few photos from the hilltop viewpoint.Your adventure continues at the Melidoni Olive Oil Mill, where you'll dive into the full journey of extra virgin olive oil – from ancient harvesting traditions to modern techniques, complete with tastings of the island's famous ‘liquid gold.' After that, it's on to a honey factory in Apithano to learn all about beekeeping and sample a selection of delicious local honeys. To wrap up the day, you'll head to the heart of Melidoni Village to tuck into a spread of classic Cretan platters at cosy taverna before heading back.

Cretan 4x4 tour of Lefka Ori mountains from Chania

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.

Southern Crete mountain 4x4 tour with lunch

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.

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.

Rethymnon 4x4 sunset safari with dinner at a traditional taverna

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.

Cretan villages 4x4 tour with lunch

The rugged hills, rolling olive groves and coastal trails of Crete are best explored in an access-all-areas 4x4 vehicle – and you can be behind the wheel. Head for the north coast of Crete, where you'll explore the countryside to rumble through hidden villages and travel down dirt tracks to discover a world untouched by time. Leave the hustle and bustle of Malia behind and start your day with a visit to Milatos Cave. As well as framing Cretan countryside views, it holds historical significance as a key site for villagers in the 1823 conflict, where many were killed. You'll find a small church built inside the cave to commemorate them. After a quick café stop, the real off-road driving begins as you head north to reach the abandoned Monastery of Xera xila for a quick tour. Then you'll start your descent to Mirabello Bay and stop for a swim at Vlihadia Beach while a delicious stone-oven-cooked lunch is prepared for you. Round off your tour in a traditional village where you'll taste local olive oil and honey. These are the true tastes of the island and you'll get to see the time-honoured ways these goodies are produced before heading back to Malia.

Sunset safari 4x4 tour in Crete

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.

Cretan 4x4 adventure from Rethymnon

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.You'll kick off this full day tour just as you mean to go on – driving along country roads and tracks to experience the real Crete. You'll head for the mountains first, stopping off for photos and a coffee in a village, before reaching Spili, home to the 25-head Lion Fountain and some gorgeous views.Now you'll really get to grips with the land as you go off-road towards the village of Kerame where you'll be treated views over the south coast. There's a beach nearby where River Kourtaliotis flows into the sea, Preveli Beach, which makes an idyllic spot to take a dip. A Cretan lunch then awaits before a walk between the vertical cliffs surrounding Kourtaliotiko Gorge.