Crete · FARMS
This is the shortlist you would send a friend: 9 farm visits worth the money, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the one thing to know before you commit.
Travel by air-conditioned bus from selected Crete resorts to Vidiani Monastery, Lasinthos Eco Park, Krasi, and an Olive Mill Farm. Guides including Soula, Tania, Carine, and Eirini lead the day in English, French, or German. Some versions also include Knossos or Zeus Cave, so check the selected option carefully.
“Best day! Tania was such an amazing guide! We loved everything!”
Spend 10.5 to 11 hours exploring Crete from Heraklion. Visit Vidiani Monastery, Lasinthos Eco Park, Krasi’s ancient plane tree, an olive mill, and Knossos Palace with a live guide. The day includes hotel pickup, air-conditioned transport, and time for local food and shopping.
“Very interesting tour. Guide was very knowledgeable and at the Palace brought a guidebook to show us pictures of what the ruins would have looked like. The coach was full, and those who got on later seemed to struggle to sit together. It took an hour to pick everyone up, so we were on the coach for 1h30 before the first stop. The pottery workshop consisted of watching a potter for 5 minutes on his wheel (electric) creating a basic piece. Only the children were invited to have a turn afterwards-there were only 3 wheels, so no possibility of everyone having a go like the tour description had suggested, which…”
At Cretan Vibes near Moires, Marianna and her mother, Mama Stella, guide you through a hands-on three-course meal using farm ingredients. You will taste premium olive oil, see a harvest video, eat with local wine, and take home recipes and leftovers.
“Absolutely amazing! The sweetest mother daughter duo taught us all about Crete culture and we made the best meals. And they were able to accommodate food allergies and allow all guests to still have amazing meals!!!”
At Kleanthi Family Olive Farm near Heraklion, guides including Mary, George, Yannis, and Theodora lead you through the olive grove and mill before a generous tasting of olive oils, bread, cheese, fruit, honey, herbs, and other Cretan foods. The visit lasts about 75 minutes.
“Absolutely fantastic experience!! The kids loved it! Delightful tour with lots of delicious food. One of our favorite memories in Crete. Thank you Yannis!”
Ride from Rethymno in a small-group 4x4 to Klados Winery, Melidoni Olive Oil Mill, Halepa Monastery, and a mountain mitato. Meet local producers, watch cheese-making, taste Cretan specialties, and finish with lunch in Axos. Guides speak English or German.
“if you want to get under the surface of Crete, this is the way to do it. Small groups great transport and an amazing guide. Meet local people and find out what makes Crete such an unique place. this has been the highlight of our holiday.”
Spend about five hours with Sofia, Nikos, and their family farm in Stylos Village. Milk goats, learn about olives and wine, make a Cretan meal with garden produce and homemade cheese, then eat with wine, raki, stories, and traditional music.
“This was our favorite day in Crete . From the moment we met this wonderful family we felt as though we had known them a lifetime. Sofia was a fabulous chef and taught us how to make an incredible dinner. We all had a hands on experience with cooking dinner, touring there incredible farm, milking goats, visiting there Yia yia and friends, dancing and singing. I can not say enough. It was a magical night . It is a must do in Crete. Beautiful people, every one of them and fabulous food . 5 stars”
You’ll visit a family farm near Sisi for hands-on workshops about olive oil, honey, raki, and soap, then eat a Cretan dinner from a wood-fired oven. Add local wine by the glass, a Greek music show, dancing, and time to shop for farm products. Pickup is offered from resorts east of Heraklion.
“There is a lot of information to take in, and it can get a bit noisy when there are a lot of people on the tour. Be prepared to spend lots of money on the amazing products available in the gift shop. The buffet dinner was out of this world, and the music and dancing afterwards was great fun.”
Meet the Cretan Vibes family near Moires for a three-hour walk through olive groves and greenhouses, followed by olive oil tasting, Mama Stela’s cheese-making demonstration, homemade Cretan food, raki, and local juices. Groups are limited to 12, with a meeting-point start and finish.
“Excellente expérience à vivre. On ressent clairement la passion pour leur terroir. Guide très accueillante et très attentive envers ses "invités", le repas dans le champ d oliviers est un "must" c est une histoire de famille : on se promène dans les cultures de l oncle, la mère et la grand mère sont au fourneau et notre guide nous emmène avec de nombreuses explications en restant très vivantes. À recommander absolument !!!”
Visit Knossos, hike into Zeus Cave, see Krasi’s 2,400-year-old plane tree, and taste olive oil, honey, and wine at a working olive mill. Private transport, hotel pickup, and an English-speaking driver are included. Ask about adding a guide.
“The driver Zisis was great, it was so nice to not have to worry about driving, parking, or directions. I just got to enjoy my time and the sights.”
Pick a coast, a gorge or a kitchen.
