Tastings · CRETE DRINKS TOURS
The 8 best crete drinks tours to book here, with what each pours, what it costs and how much of the day it takes. Number one is at the top for a reason; start there.
Spend seven hours in rural Crete with a local English-speaking guide, often Linda or Electra. Visit the ancient olive tree of Vouves, a bakery, cheese factory, honey and olive mill, and Pnevmatikakis Winery. Tastings include Cretan pastries, cheese, olive oil, honey, and as many as 18 to 20 local wines.
“Great trip, Linda was an excellent guide, I highly recommend it!”
Spend eight hours with a small group of up to eight, visiting an olive mill, organic family winery, raki distillery, village taverna, and pottery studio. Guides such as George and Antonis share Cretan food, farming, and family traditions in English or Greek. Expect generous tastings, a full lunch, scenic drives, and plenty of raki.
“It was one of the best food/drink/culture tours we’ve ever done. Our guide Antonis was very friendly, kind and knowledgeable. The small tour size was great too and we were lucky to have such a nice group of people with us. Every place we visited was excellent. If you want to see an authentic Cretan life/culture in a friendly and fun atmosphere, this is the tour.”
Spend eight hours exploring Crete’s wine country with Petros or Pierre, tasting up to 15 wines at two wineries, sampling olive oil and local foods, and enjoying a gourmet lunch. Groups are limited to six, pickup is offered across the Heraklion region, and tours run in English or French.
“We really enjoyed this tour. Our guide was excellent, a safe driver and provided a wealth of interesting information about both the wine and Crete. The minibus was very comfortable so much more so than the back of a Land Rover. We loved the first vineyard. Such a beautiful setting. The daughter of the owner treated us like honoured guests. We didn’t enjoy the second vineyard quite as much not least because it was quite busy. Our group were treated as well as the other groups there before we arrived. The wines weren’t as good either but we enjoyed comparing them. The choice of taverna for lunch was very good.…”
Spend 7 to 8 hours with a private driver-guide exploring Knossos, Zeus Cave, Mochos, Krasi, the Lasithi Plateau, and Aposelemis Dam. You will taste Cretan olive oil and raki, visit old villages, and stop for optional lunch. Guides such as Ed, Eddie, Nikos, and Mike have led this outing, though your assigned guide may differ.
“Phenomenal tour, can't express how excellent the guide was. The guide, Ed, couldn't be more fun. He was incredibly friendly and more than kind. His attitude made the day fantastic. Great pre-communication. We started with a clean, comfortable van. We went to the Olive Oil factory which was interesting and something I have never seen before. We then took an amazing dive to Zeus Cave. Once completing the crazy hike, we then needed a restroom. With it being off season, many shops were closed. Ed was able to convince a shop owner to open up. We were able to use the rest room and visit the cute shop. Throughout the…”
Spend about five hours on Mirabello Bay with swimming stops at Kolokytha Beach and Skistra Bay. You will cruise from Agios Nikolaos, enjoy around 75 minutes in the water at each stop, receive fruit and one cocktail or soft drink, and return to port around 15:45. Transfers are available outside Agios Nikolaos and Elounda.
“Really great boat tour! Beautiful scenery and lots of swimming time. Good value for money and affordable snacks and drinks on board. Would highly recommend!”
Spend time at Cretan Brewery near Zounaki, where guides such as Manos and Manolis explain how Charma beer is made before you taste a range of lagers, ales, Weiss, and Dunkel beers. Add Cretan meze or lunch, then relax on an open-air terrace among avocado, olive, and orange trees. The group limit is 10.
Spend about 8.5 hours with a private English-speaking guide such as Stavros or Spyros, traveling by air-conditioned vehicle through Crete’s villages and mountain country. Taste olive oil and raki, visit Knossos and Zeus Cave, stop at Lasithi windmills, enjoy an optional village lunch, and sample five local wines for €20.
“It was extremely knowledgeable and friendly. You made this a great experience for our four year old granddaughter and for us.”
At Douloufakis Winery in Dafnes, you’ll tour the production area and taste six wines, including Vidiano and Liatiko, with water and Cretan rusks. Guides such as Georgios and Catarina explain the grapes, cellar methods, amphora, barrel fermentation, and local wine culture. Allow about 80 minutes, without transportation to the winery.
The lists most people start from.
