Top Crete Lunch

Getting to grips with Cretan cooking is hard from a recipe alone, especially without someone to walk you through the techniques and why the dishes matter. Join a hands-on class near Chania, starting with cookies and Greek coffee before you cover the Mediterranean menu together. Make several traditional dishes across starters, mains, and desserts, then sit down to eat what you've cooked with local wine.

Elafonisi sits at the far southwest tip of Crete, a long drive on winding roads that puts many self-drivers off. Get driven there and back instead, with the route handled so you can spend the day on the beach rather than behind the wheel. Walk the pink-tinged sands and swim in the shallow, clear water of this protected reserve.

Immerse yourself in the heart of Cretan gastronomy with a hands-on cooking class nestled in an ancestral olive tree garden. Local woman from the historic village of Kritsa guide you through preparing traditional dishes passed down through generations. Enjoy the freshest ingredients sourced from nearby farms while sharing captivating stories and creating authentic flavors. Dine under the shade of ancient olive trees, savoring your culinary creations paired with a glass of local Cretan wine, all in a unique and relaxing atmosphere that captures the essence of local life.

Immerse yourself in Cretan cuisine with a private cooking class in Arolithos Traditional Cretan Village. Enjoy a small tour of the museum and two old houses. Afterwards, learn to make several traditional Cretan dishes, including starters, mains, and desserts, which you get to enjoy together afterwards. Includes local wine and mineral water and dinner.

Ozlem has Cretan, Turkish and Venetian roots, which has greatly influenced her cooking style. Her passion for food started when she was young, she was always curious and would follow her grandmother around the kitchen with a basket gathering wild greens and herbs. Her grandmother taught her to cook using all her senses – smell, sight, taste, feel. She works as a personal chef, participates in festivals, organizes workshops, is a speaker on panels and seminars, and also writes for newspapers and magazines. Apart from cooking, Ozlem also works as a translator and an interpreter, she has translated 19 books so far! - Home cooking class in Crete with a local expert - Learn to cook traditional Greek food using family recipes - Enjoy a traditional Cretan meal inspired by memories of family gatherings - Get insight into Greek history and culture through the food

The "Wine and Food of Crete" tour offers an exceptional opportunity to immerse yourself in the rich culinary heritage of Crete. As you explore the island, you'll be treated to a variety of local meze dishes, each meticulously prepared with fresh, high-quality ingredients. This tour not only allows you to indulge in the exquisite flavors of Crete but also provides a chance to learn about the region's culinary traditions and practices. The warm and inviting atmosphere of this tour ensures that you'll leave with lasting impressions of Cretan cuisine and a newfound appreciation for its unique offerings.

Visit the family home of a local Cretan for an evening of cooking, eating, and cultural exchange. Begin your visit in the vegetable gardens, where you harvest ingredients to use in your recipes. Learn traditional dishes from your hosts, hear the stories behind each, and taste local cheeses. Enjoy views of the Aegean Sea and the mountains, then sit down to a meal you helped prepare, paired with local wine.

Immerse yourself in the rich culinary heritage of Crete as you embark on a gastronomic journey like no other. Chrysoula, a passionate cook and proud native of a charming Cretan village, invites you to her Home, to discover the secrets of traditional Cretan cuisine using fresh products sourced from her family's farm or local farmers.

Instead of tying yourself to a large group tour with a rigid itinerary, take your time exploring the ancient Minoan capital of Knossos with this private audio tour. Visit the remarkable Palace of Knossos and many other highlights of this archeological site, including South Propylaeum and the West Magazines. Leave the guidebooks behind and learn about the culture and lifestyles of people living in Minoan Crete from your audio guide.

Discover ancient Minoan history, Cretan farming culture, and magnificent island views on this full-day off-roading adventure from Heraklion. Travel in a rugged Land Rover along historic mountain trails, stopping along the way to visit the mythological Diction Cave, shepherds’ villages, the scenic Lassithi Plateau, and an eco park where traditional ways of life are still practiced. Replenish your energy with an included lunch and taste of ‘raki’ liqueur at a local tavern.

Immerse yourself in Crete’s crystal-clear seas with ease and without the expense of a private charter on this sail-and-snorkel trip from Hersonissos. Board a traditional wooden boat and cruise the waters of St. George’s Bay and Stalis. Visit two snorkel hotspots that would be hard to access independently, snorkel and swim at each, and enjoy a BBQ lunch and fruit platter on deck. Snorkeling gear is provided for your use, so there’s no need to bring your own equipment.

Each picnic features a handpicked selection of vegetarian dishes, to showcase the freshest, highest-quality Cretan specialties and local produce. The menu includes a delightful balance of savory and sweet offerings, complemented by a variety of refreshing drinks, to ensure a comprehensive taste of Crete’s rich culinary landscape. As your host I will welcome you. Meeting new people is something that I love, everyone is different and has their story to tell. I will make sure everyone feels part of the gathering.

Authentic local experience – Visit family estate, raki distillerie, and olive oil producer where traditions are still passed down through generations. Indigenous Cretan varieties – Taste wines made from local grape varieties you won’t easily find outside Crete. Meet the producers – Speak directly with the people behind the wine, raki, and olive oil and hear their personal stories. Educational but relaxed – Learn how to taste wine and olive oil properly in a friendly, easygoing atmosphere. Small groups – A more personal experience with time for questions and interaction. Cultural insight – Discover how wine, raki, and olive oil are deeply connected to Cretan history, cuisine, and everyday life. Off-the-beaten-path locations – Enjoy tastings in beautiful countryside settings away from crowded tourist spots. Yamas-Cheers!

Immerse yourself in the Aegean Sea with this 3-hour guided snorkeling trip from Chania. All equipment is provided. Swim in the crystal blue waters in Almyrida Chania and explore reefs, caves and see the Elephant Cave of Crete.

This private day trip stands out by visiting Knossos, a local winery, and the village of Archanes—a rare combination. Tour the Knossos Archeological Site with a guide, gaining insight into the history of the former heart of the Minoan Civilization, taste local wines at a family-owned winery, and have lunch of Cretan dishes in a traditional tavern before returning to your accommodations.

Getting to know the real Chania isn't always easy—but on this private, half-day tour, your guide will help you discover its local charms. Enjoy a cafe visit with a view; next, head to a winery for a sommelier-led indigenous wine tasting. Then it's on to Old Town Chania, where you'll go for a walking tour, visit a local restaurant, and enjoy a range of Cretan delicacies, from breads and cheeses to pastries and beyond.

With traditional villages and plenty of warm Mediterranean sunshine, the Samaria Gorge is the longest of its kind in Europe—but it’s also a challenging and rewarding hike, considered by many to be among the toughest in Crete. This adventurous full-day combination bus and hiking tour from Chania takes you deep into the gorge itself, where large boulders lie beneath soaring limestone cliffs. Follow a 10-mile (16-km) route though the Samaria Gorge and experience the best of the Crete countryside with a guide.

Discover the smells and flavors of Cretan cooking when you book this private cooking class during your Greek vacation. Meet your host and learn about the important ingredients that make up Cretan cuisine—herbs, fruits, fresh meat, milk, greens, and olive oil. Learn how to prepare traditional dishes such as tzatziki and mousaka, and then enjoy the fruits of your labor at the end.

Follow the lead of this excursion on the way to Ierapetra by bus, accompanied by the morning sun. Soon after embarking in the boat, enjoy the trip in the Libyan sea on your way to Chrissi island where you will taste the natural beauty of a unique and protected by “Natura 2000” golden beach.

Homemade lunch cooked from captain's wife. Snacks, refreshments, beers, wine, fresh local fruits included. Swimming, snorkeling and have fun with different activities the yacht has. Feel the Cretan hospitality from the local Captain and the crew.

Joining this trip will guarantee you the sight of a true piece of paradise. The natural lagoon is a perfect place to shoot pictures in beautiful nature. Snorkeling to and around the waterfall is an exciting activity. The walk covers area with rare flora and fauna. It's safe and fun for the entire family and everyone can participate at their own level. This well-guided trip by our professionals is a combination of walking, easy climbing, swimming, and snorkeling. Along the way you see incredible things and you might even spot some aquatic life that lives down here. You will also have a chance to "touch the waterfall" and even swim behind it. The delicious Cretan lunch in our olive garden afterwards is the perfect way to relax and relive the trip while watching the professional pictures taken by your guide.

Explore the Fantastic Unspoiled Beaches in South Crete! Crete is one of the five most prominent islands in the Mediterranean and it’s divided in half by high mountain ranges. In the north, crowded beaches are perfect for active holidays and fun. The southern coast of Crete, instead, has some of the most spectacular and solitary beaches on the island. A land of isolated traditional villages, and impressive landscapes. Come with us on a day trip with no planned destinations and let us explore together the hidden gems of this magnificent part of Crete!

Go to hidden-away corners of Crete few travelers get to see with this guided all-terrain vehicle tour. Follow your guide off-road to quiet tracks far from the traffic and crowded resorts. Explore the near-abandoned ghost village of Achlada, where only a few locals still live, and Fodele, the birthplace of El Greco.