Full-day southern Crete 4x4 tour with swim stop

Elafonisi Island tour with Agia Sophia Cave and monastery visit

The uninhabited island of Elafonisi may be tiny but it's bursting with personality. This journey to this islet off southwestern Crete is steeped in myths and legends and boasts historic buildings and amazing natural scenery – making it an ideal excursion for all the family.

Full-day southern Crete 4x4 tour with swim stop

Sun, scenery and off‑road adventure set the tone for this full‑day tour. You'll dive into Crete's wilder side in a 4x4 built for rugged terrain. The day starts at Kourtaliotiko Gorge, where some epic clifftop views are waiting, before heading up to Agios Paisios Chapel to look out over Damnoni and the south Cretan bays. Manolis, one of our local expert guides, says, “this route shows off a side of Crete most visitors never get to see, from dramatic gorges to coastal trails. The scenery keeps changing with every turn and every stop feels like a reward. This is Crete at its most natural.”After your stop at the chapel, you'll weave through peaceful backcountry roads lined with olive groves and rolling farmland until the landscape suddenly opens out at Kato Preveli. Then, the adventure kicks up a gear as you switch to true off‑road driving, following a rugged coastal track towards Triopetra, with rocky headlands and untouched scenery all around.The day wraps up at Mikri Triopetra, a tucked away slice of paradise with clear shallows, soft sand and a blissfully quiet setting. You'll have around two and a half hours to swim, unwind and soak up the sun here. Sunbeds, umbrellas and a shower are on hand, and there are tavernas nearby if you fancy something extra cold to drink. A typical Cretan snack rounds off the experience before you settle back into the 4x4 for a scenic ride back to your accommodation.

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.

Crete day tour with monastery, winery visit and cooking class

A chance to delve into Crete's culture and eat like an islander. On this full day tour inland from Chania, you'll visit a winery in Alikambos, explore a historic monastery, and take part in a hands-on cheese-making class. Joanna, one of our expert local guides, says, "this tour is the ideal opportunity to taste Cretan olive oil and wine, and to try local food that you'll get to prepare during a cooking lesson."After making your way through the scenic foothills of the White Mountains, you'll reach your first port of call – award-winning Dourakis Winery, a family-run business with decades of experience in winemaking and olive oil production. Enjoy sampling its organic Cabernet Sauvignon wines and olive oil before setting off into the countryside.Next, you'll head to the Monastery of St George. Set among sun-soaked olive groves in the village of Karydi, this early 17th-century retreat was restored after many decades of abandonment, though parts of it still retain a ruined air. You'll be able to explore the grounds and discover the remains of the old olive oil press. What's more, your visit directly contributes to the monastery's upkeep. Your final stop is Kefalas village where you'll partake in a cooking lesson to learn how to prepare a traditional dish. Then it'll be time to roll up your sleeves and have a go yourself. Prepare a meal using a recipe you can recreate when you get back home, and if you're feeling creative, you can even try your hand at making Cretan cheese.

Pirates of Crete half-day family boat trip

Pirate Tim and Calypso the Parrot need all hands on deck to help track down their long-lost treasure. But first, you'll have to be fully trained in all the skills you need to become a TUI pirate. Yannis, a local guide, explains that there's something for everyone on this trip, “it's full-on fun for the little ones, as the crew really get into character and bring energy and smiles as pirates. But you also get this wild, natural backdrop to the day as you sail past tucked away beaches and swim in sparkling clear waters under the towering cliffs of St Georges Bay.”Setting sail from Chersonissos Port, our shipmates will make sure you get into the pirate spirit, with face painting and exciting themed games for the little scallywags, and challenges for the older crew members. Plus, there's a treasure map and clues to follow, so make sure you have your sharpest seafaring instincts at the ready.Then, to take a break from all the swashbuckling fun, you'll drop anchor at St. George's Bay for a dip. This quiet spot is ideal for relaxing and soaking up the views of the sea caves cut into rocky cliffs and the surrounding greenery. It'll feel like you're a million miles from Malia. You'll have around an hour here to stretch out on the fine golden sand and swim in the calm shallow waters that make it a winner for families. You'll arrive back at the port in the mid-afternoon – with plenty of time still to chill by the pool after your pirating adventure.

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 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.

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.

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.

Guided tour to Preveli Palm Beach by boat with taverna lunch

Southern Crete's coastline is full of unexpected surprises and on this full day tour, you'll find yourself in one of the island's most impressive natural settings. We'll set off to Damnoni for a cruise along rocky coastline to one of southern Crete's most beautiful – and remote – beaches, Preveli beach. There's a beachside lunch to look forward to as well. Sofia, one of our expert guides, says, ‘Preveli beach is lovely, but don't forget to explore the palm forest behind. It's a really unusual ecosystem and the river is so refreshing. Bring your snorkel, too, the rocky headlands enclosing the beach are great snorkel spots.'Disembarking at Preveli palm beach before the crowds arrive, you'll be able to take in the wow-factor scenery in peace. The sand-and-pebble beach stretches across the mouth of a craggy gorge softened by palm forests and carved by a cool, clear river. The river broadens into a lagoon which trickles behind the sweeping beach into the bright blue sea. You'll have plenty of free time to stretch out on the shore or take a dip before the return boat trip.Back at Damnoni, a typical Cretan lunch at a beachfront taverna will be waiting for you. After tucking into fresh local dishes, you'll have free time to relax on and around the beach before heading back to base.