Best 148 Meet the Locals tours and activities on Crete Island

Start your day by meeting your guide at the farm, where you will have a cup of coffee before taking a basic riding lesson to make sure you feel safe and comfortable while riding a horse. Then, hop on your horse to begin your ride out into the mountains.

After riding for about an hour, you’ll arrive at the top of the Finikia mountains, where you’ll stop for a break. Help yourself to a soft drink, or fruit, and take a moment to admire the amazing views and snap a picture or two. In the distance, you can spot the nearby mountain of Archanes, the place where the Greek God Zeus is said to be sleeping.

Then get back on your horses and make your way back to the starting point. After riding for about another hour, you’ll arrive at the stables and then sit down in our lovely garden for a delicious traditional Cretan lunch/dinner, including homemade wine with an amazing horse view!

After lunch, have a seat out in the garden of the farm, help yourself to some more wine, or enjoy a few more minutes with our horses. At about 12:30 PM, you will head back to your hotel or apartment.

Explore Crete by Land Rover on a full-day adventure along the Minoan Path, and experience a blend of ancient myths, spectacular landscapes, and a barbecue lunch on the Lassithi Plateau.

Following a pick-up from your hotel, drive through spectacular mountains en route to the Aposelemis Basin Reservoir, and see an ancient aqueduct of the Roman Empire. Continue to the village of Kastamonitsa in the foothills of the Afendi Mountains. Stop for a Cretan-style breakfast and raki tasting.

Next, brace yourself for the dirt tracks of the Minoan Path. Drive through a stunning mountain landscape to see wildlife and the unbelievable scenery. Learn the myths and legends of Crete on the way to a shepherd’s mitato (mountain shelter).
Feed the animals as you watch the shepherds produce cheese according to traditional methods. Taste some of the fresh, rich cheese.

Enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the Lassithi Plateau and north coast. Continue to Dikteon Cave to marvel at the birthplace of Zeus. Work up an appetite before your lunch at a local taverna. Try a selection of traditional dishes (vegetarian option available) and a glass or two of wine.

Then, go to Lassinthos Eco Park to admire traditional handicrafts. Back on the Lassithi Plateau, experience a wilderness and farming land where time has stood still. See donkeys put to work to help farm the land. Then, go to Seli to take photos of the unique scenery.

Drive to the village of Krassi, famous for its 2,000-year-old tree and natural spring water source. Continue down the mountain roads, passing ancient olive groves before you reach the spectacular coastline and deep blue sea.

Hop in a Land Rover 4×4 vehicle for a full-day safari adventure and learn about Cretan traditions while indulging in delicious food. Tour the paradisical countryside and swim in the clear water of the South Cretan Sea.
Climb to an altitude of 1,100 meters and experience the quietness of the White Mountains and Cretan dances in a fascinating landscape. Keep an eye out for vultures that will take your breath away with their imposing appearance.
Visit an old village with a Byzantine Church and a café stocked with Cretan products, including herbs, raki, and honey. See a castle and swim in the pristine waters of the South Cretan Sea before heading to a tavern to try traditional dishes.
Discover the secrets of Creten olive oil at an old factory and learn how to identify various grades of olive oil.

Set out on a self-driving quad safari and explore the Cretan countryside with a guided tour with hotel transfers from Malia, Heraklion, Sisi, and surrounding spots. Drive to Milatos, featuring rock-hewn caves and a little beach. Visit an olive oil factory, and discover the Palace of Malia.
Before starting your quad tour experience, get acquainted with your ATV vehicle, including lessons for beginners, by an instructor. Begin by going uphill on off-road terrain to reach your first stop, the chapel of the Prophet Elias, where you will be greeted by panoramic views of the surroundings.
Descending through this lush place, hit an off-road route between the vineyards and olive groves to explore Cretan nature in all its glory. Stop at an olive oil factory to see how locals extract olive oil, followed by a brief tasting.
Continue on the dirt roads to Milatos to explore a series of caves hewn into rocks, surrounded by mountains, rich flora, and fauna. This is your chance to collect some local herbs and be one with nature.
After the hike on the path to Milatos cave, head to Milatos beach for a swim. Next, it’s time for a seaside safari tour through the narrow streets of the quaint fishing villages of Milatos and Sissi.
Then, we’ll drive through impressive off road around the picturesque countryside, where the Malia palace archaeological site once stood. Finally, unwind over lunch after a full day of adventure in Crete.

Travel through stunning natural landscapes up into the mountains of the Kissamos region on this 7-hour tour from Chania.

Stop at a traditional family winery, established in 1993, and learn about the varieties of wine they produce and their ideas for modern farming processes and wine production.

Taste award-winning local Vidiano, Muscat of Spina and some international varieties such as Grenache rouge, Syrah and Mourvèdre that each have a unique taste due the local terroir.

Next you’ll visit a traditional village and see the oldest olive tree in the world, with an estimated age of 3,000 years.

This is a day filled with tasting different wine expressions of noble grapes and a variety of delicious foods.

Head to another winery in the Kissamos region to taste a special local blend of white wines with Vilana, Vidiano and Assyrtiko varieties.

Walk through the idyllic landscape of the vineyards and visit the family’s olive oil factory. Learn about extra virgin olive oil production. The wine tasting here will be accompanied by a tasting of extra virgin olive oils and local pure products, creating combinations your palate will never forget.

You’ll also learn the Cretan way of saying goodbye drinking the award-winning Tsikoudia.

Indulge in the rich culinary heritage of Crete through our exceptional cooking class, where authenticity meets healthy organic ingredients. Immerse yourself in the flavors of the region, featuring extra virgin olive oil, locally sourced meats, aromatic herbs, and freshly harvested vegetables.

Begin your culinary adventure with a leisurely stroll through our vegetable garden, connecting with the raw produce and gaining insights into the diverse array of herbs. Discover the secrets of Cretan cuisine as you embark on the preparation of a traditional meal, guided by local expertise. Take a scenic mountain walk to a shepherd’s enclave, where the captivating story of olive harvesting unfolds.

Return to our culinary haven to savor the exquisite flavors of Cretan cheese and wine, setting the stage for the creation of appetizers like ntakos and tzatziki. Elevate your culinary prowess with a delightful dinner, skillfully paired with regional wines. Conclude this gastronomic journey with the sweet notes of traditional jar desserts, leaving your palate satiated and your heart filled with the warmth of Cretan hospitality. Immerse yourself in a truly authentic and memorable experience, where every dish tells a story of the vibrant culinary tapestry of Crete.

Take a trip to the Cretan Mountains as you ride a horse along the paths and hilltops of the mountains. Admire the panoramic view of Giouhtas mountain and Agios Silas village.

Start your day by meeting your guide at the farm. Take a basic training session to make sure you feel safe and comfortable while riding a horse. Then, hop on your horse to begin your ride out into the mountains.

Stretch your legs with a short break made during the trip with breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape of the mountains. Refresh yourself with a glass of orange juice and take amazing pictures of the beautiful scenery. Feel the fresh Mediterranean breeze at the top of the mountain.
Beginners & advanced riders are welcome!

Embark on a captivating journey through the heart of Apokoronas with our tour, featuring convenient pickup points in the Chania area. Traverse the picturesque landscapes and immerse yourself in the charm of authentic villages. Your adventure begins as you depart from Chania, setting the stage for a day filled with exploration and discovery across the diverse highlights of Crete. Pause to savor the rich flavors of a Greek coffee, unraveling the secrets behind crafting the perfect cup. A visit to a local cheese factory awaits, where you’ll indulge in the delectable tastes of graviera, mizithra, and an array of cheese varieties. Make a delightful stop at a traditional bakery to sample local culinary treasures. The tour culminates in an idyllic village, where you’ll relish a leisurely lunch at a traditional “kafeneio” or Greek café. Engage in conversations with locals, gaining insights into the rhythm of countryside life. This immersive experience offers a genuine taste of Cretan culture and hospitality. As the day concludes, return to your designated pickup point, cherishing the memories of a day spent exploring the hidden gems of Apokoronas.