Quad Safari Ierapetra Day Tour
This quad safari rides the mountain tracks of south-eastern Crete from a meeting point at Galini, between Ierapetra and Makrigialos. The route crosses olive groves and pine forest to a plateau with a 360-degree view taking in both the Cretan Sea and the Libyan Sea at once, and finishes with a Cretan lunch in a mountain taverna. SOUTHEAST CRETE IKE runs it over 5 hours 30 minutes from €195, with a 4.94 rating across 70 reviews.
What this quad safari actually does
The day starts with a briefing and ends with lunch, with five stops in between. The route is a loop from Galini back to Galini.
First is the 09:00 meeting and briefing, covering the vehicle controls and safety rules, followed by a test drive so you are comfortable before leaving. Second, the group heads into the southern mountains through olive groves, stopping at stalactite formations for photographs. Third comes a mountain village and a forest of Mediterranean plant species, then a stop above the Libyan Sea. Fourth, the track climbs past a sheepfold and an isolated Orthodox chapel to a plateau at around 1,500 metres, from there you see Mirabello bay, Agios Nikolaos and Elounda to the north, and Chrissi and Koufonisi islands to the south. Fifth is the descent to a mountain village for lunch, then the winding roads back to Galini.
You need a driving licence to ride.
Places this tour visits
The route stays in the mountains behind the south-east coast.
- Ierapetra, the meeting point at Galini sits between Ierapetra and Makrigialos, on the south coast of the Lasithi regional unit.
What’s included and what isn’t
The €195 covers the quad, the fuel, the guiding and the meal.
Included:
- Guide, in French and English
- Helmet
- Petrol
- Lunch at a mountain taverna
- Drinks
Not included:
- Transfer from your accommodation, available as an option
Bring your driving licence, it is required.
Why we recommend this experience
We recommend this one for the viewpoint, which is the single best argument any tour on this page has. Standing on a plateau at 1,500 metres where you can see the Cretan Sea and the Libyan Sea at the same time, Mirabello bay one way, Chrissi island the other, is something Crete offers in very few places, and almost none of them have a road.
At 4.94 across 70 reviews with a flat 5.0 for guiding, the delivery is as good as the route. The guide, Jürgen, is named in review after review by guests from Germany, France, the Netherlands, the UK and Austria, praised for speaking English, French, German and even Dutch, for explaining how the landscape and the island came to be, and for looking after small groups properly. One German couple were the only two on their tour.
The safety briefing gets repeated praise, which matters on a quad. A French reviewer described the instructions as very clear and said it let them ride with confidence. Another noted the staff explain the day’s schedule and the safety briefing before anything starts, and the test drive means nobody’s first time on a quad is on a mountain track.
The lunch is not an afterthought. Reviewers from France, Germany and the Netherlands all single it out, a family tavern, a typical Cretan meal, properly taken care of.
Two honest points rather than complaints, because this review record contains no criticism at all.
It is €195, which is at the upper end for a half-day activity in Crete. Value for money still scores 4.9, so people who paid it thought it worth it, but go in knowing the number.
Transport is extra. The meeting point at Galini is signposted from the main road, but if you are staying in Heraklion or Chania this is a long drive, and the transfer is a paid option rather than an inclusion.
CreteLocals insider tips
Bring your licence, ride the test loop properly, and take a layer for the altitude.
- Bring your driving licence, without which you cannot ride.
- Use the test drive fully, since it is the only chance to get comfortable before the mountain tracks start.
- Pack a light jacket, because the plateau sits around 1,500 metres and the temperature drops with it.
- Wear closed shoes and clothes you do not mind dusting, given the route runs on dirt tracks through olive groves.
- Book the transfer option if you are staying west of Ierapetra, as Galini is a long drive from the main resorts.
- Book ahead, since the tour is flagged as likely to sell out.
What to know before you go
The meeting point is at Galini, between Ierapetra and Makrigialos, marked by a large sign on the main road. The day starts at 09:00 and runs 5 hours 30 minutes.
Bring your driving licence. Transfer from your accommodation is a paid option rather than an inclusion.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Ierapetra quad safari?
The tour runs 5 hours 30 minutes, starting at 09:00 from the meeting point at Galini.
Do you need a driving licence?
A driving licence is required to ride the quad.
Is lunch included?
Lunch and drinks at a mountain taverna are included, and reviewers consistently rate the meal as a highlight rather than a filler.
What can you see from the top?
From the plateau you see the Cretan Sea with Mirabello bay, Agios Nikolaos and Elounda to the north, and the Libyan Sea with Chrissi and Koufonisi islands to the south.
Is it suitable for first-time riders?
A safety briefing and a test drive come before the route starts, and reviewers who had never ridden a quad describe feeling confident afterwards.
Is hotel transfer included?
Transfer is a paid option, not an inclusion. The meeting point is signposted on the main road at Galini.
Check dates and prices for the Ierapetra quad safari day tour.
Location
Quad Safari Ierapetra Day Tour is located at Ierapetra. The map below shows the exact spot; Google Maps and Waze give turn-by-turn directions.
