Crete & Tastes of Tradition: Meet the Cretans Who Keep It Alive

Overview

Available languages

English

6 hours

Mobile ticket

Spend the day with real Cretan families who still produce wine, olive oil, raki, and handmade soap the traditional way.

Taste the difference — from freshly pressed olive oil to home-distilled raki straight from the source.

Feel the rhythm of rural Crete, where hospitality comes naturally and every smile has a story.

Travel comfortably in a small group for a genuine, unhurried experience.

Savor a traditional Cretan meal in a village where time seems to have paused — just enough for a second glass of wine.

Additional Info

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What‘s Included

Olive Mill Visit with Tour and Olive Oil Tasting

Wine Tasting of 3 indigenous varieties

Visit a Micro-Winery & Raki Distillery

Traditional Light Lunch at a local tavern in Archanes Village

Air-conditioned vehicle

Visiting a Family Run Soap making workshop (Participate in Soap Making Demonstration)

Tasting of 1 Raki aged in a Barrel

Personal Expenses

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

What To Expect

There’s a heartbeat to Crete that you can’t hear from the beaches — you have to follow it inland, where the olive trees still whisper and the air smells of wild thyme and earth. This is where you’ll meet the locals who carry centuries of tradition in their hands. Your day begins at a family-run olive mill, where liquid gold flows as it has for generations. Taste it fresh from the press and feel the pride in every drop. Next, a small winery welcomes you for a sip of Cretan sun — local grapes, old vines, and laughter echoing through the cellar. At a raki distillery, you’ll discover how this fiery spirit is born — and understand that it’s not just a drink, but a ritual of friendship. Finally, the humblest yet most fragrant stop: a handmade soap workshop, where olive oil turns into pure, natural beauty. Every visit brings stories, smiles, and tastes that belong to another time — a time when people worked with their hands, shared with their neighbors, and never rushed through life. This tour is not about watching — it’s about connecting. You’ll leave with a full heart, a happy palate, and the feeling that you’ve met the real Crete.

Options

From Karteros to Malia

Pick-up Areas: Karteros, Kokkini Hani, Gouves, Analipsi, Anissaras, Hersonissos, Koutouloufari, Piskopiano, Stalis, Malia,
Small Group: Maximum 6-8 people per vehicle
Duration: 7 hours
Lunch: Traditional local Meze with Raki at Archanes Village
Premium Vehicles: 4WD SUV or Minivan
Pickup included

Elounda & Agios Nikolaos

Small Group
Duration: 8 hours
Lunch Included
Minivan
Pickup included

From Amoudara and Heraklion

Pick-up Areas: Amoudara, Heraklion city
Share Tour: Small Group (6-8 pax per vehicle)
Duration: 7 hours
Lunch: Traditional local Meze with Raki at tavern in Archanes Village
Premium Vehicles: 4WD SUV or Minivan
Pickup included

From Agia Pelagia & Lygaria

Pick-up Areas: Agia Pelagia, Mononaftis, Lygaria, Mades
Small Group up to 8 people max
Duration: 7 hours
Traditional Lunch: Traditional meze with raki at a local tavern in Archanes Village
Premium Vehicles: 4WD SUV or Minivan
Pickup included

Reviews

4.78

116 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

101

Great tour!!
Claire H,
Oct 22, 2025
- Viator
5.00
We had a fantastic day touring with Yanni as our driver! Every stop brought a new surprise and more fun experiences. We also enjoyed having the time to get to know the other travelers on the tour. I would highly recommend this tour!
Great tour
MJ G,
Oct 9, 2025
- Viator
5.00
Such a fun tour of small family owned businesses. Very informative and a small group setting is always more fun. Learned a lot about olive oil production, Raki production and wines. Also a great visit to a pottery place as well
Bikes instead
Lisa B,
Oct 9, 2025
- Viator
3.00
Operator cancelled last minute. Bummer. Instead, rented bikes and went around town ourselves. Perfect day
Great way to experience Crete!
Maxine F,
Oct 1, 2025
- Viator
5.00
Lovely tour! Our guide was wonderful! The tour included local wine and Raki tasting in a very intimate setting. The olive oil tour was informative and the oil was delicious. We enjoyed the pottery workshop, very skilled artisans. But the lunch was the highlight of the tour. The food was delicious and made you feel like someone’s YaYa had welcomed you into their kitchen for a home cooked meal. Worth every penny!
Great Excursion for Heraklion Area
Elizabeth K,
Sep 27, 2025
- Viator
5.00
Great itinerary, engaging local farmer & winery family businesses, excellent lunch, reliable transportation and hotel pick up was a real bonus. We also felt the tour was a good value. We would definitely recommend to others.

From €99.00