Last updated on September 18, 2024 by Stefano Ferro, founder of MEL365, following extensive travelling in Crete

Jeep Safari in Crete

A Jeep Safari in Crete is one of the best and most exciting experiences you can do on the island.

Why?

Because you can visit and experience places otherwise unreachable with a rented car, that normally cannot go on unsealed roads

But it’s not just about the vehicle. It’s also about having a local guide that will take you to secret spots and it will introduce you to the locals and the spectacular Cretan home food.

A real experience off the beaten path.

Without further ado, let’s get into the tours

You can read also

Best Jeep Safari in Crete – The unmissable tours

In this post, I have included five distinctive Jeep Safari of Crete that stands out for what they include in the tour, all different all unique

They all offer a mixed experience of fun and sightseeing, either with wine or oil tasting, historical routes, mountain trips, a self-driving tour or even a quad day out.

All of these tours offer free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance, which allows you to book it in advance with great peace of mind

I added also links to check the availability and a full review I wrote about it, with more photos as well.

Shepherd’s Hut Jeep Safari Tour 

Pickup: Chania area

This Jeep Safari starts from the Chania area and it will take you up to 1,400-meter high in the White Mountains.

You will be introduced to a local shepherd that will show you the local life in the mountains, besides tasting together the cheese that he locally produces.

You will then drive to the Historical Therisso Village, where the Cretan revolution started in 1905.

And best of all you will experience some of the most beautiful views of Crete, high up in the mountains.

Check Availability & Cost   Read full tour review

Sheperd’s Hut Jeep Safari Tour

Olive Oil and Wine Tasting Jeep Safari

Pickup: Chania area

I always suggest a wine tour in Crete. It’s actually amazing how much the wine has improved in the last decade on the island.

Local producers have really stepped up.

You can always rent a car and do it yourself, or join a wine tasting bus.

This Jeep Safari Tour leaving from the Chania area is, however, something else: a luxurious 4WD experience that will take you off the beaten path in style with a small group (up to 6 people).

It is a boutique experience where you will have a taste of the Cretan products, including olive oil and food, into remote places otherwise unreachable by rented car.

Check Availability & Cost   Read full tour review

Olive Oil and Wine tasting Jeep Safari Tour
Olive Oil and Wine tasting Jeep Safari Tour

Jeep Safari Tour of the Minoan Route

Pickup: Heraklion, Hersonissos, Mallia and other towns in the north-east coast

As the name suggests, this tour follows the Minoan Route where you will experience some amazing historical sites like the old Roman Aqueduct of Lyttos and the Dikteon Cave (the birthplace of Zeus according to mythology).

Another great stop is at the picturesque village of Kastamonitsa where you will also taste some Raki, a local spirit similar to the Italian Grappa.

And finally the unmissable Aposelemi Dam and the sunken village of Sfendili, a unique spot of Crete and Greece.

Check Availability & Cost   Read full tour review

Jeep Safari Tour following the Minoan Route
Jeep Safari Tour following the Minoan Route

Self-drive Jeep Safari Tour

Pickup: Rethymnon area

This tour takes the excitement to another level because you will be given a jeep that you will drive yourself (groups of 4) or share with another couple otherwise.

You will not only visit amazing places but also have the fun to drive yourself through some challenging off-roads, fully guided by a multilingual local.

The tour starts from the Rethymnon area and you will discover the unknown St Antonios Gorge, the unique Palm Beach and you will have a stop in a hidden beach on the south coast for a nice refreshing swim.

Check Availability & Cost   Read full tour review

Self-drive Jeep Safari Tour in Crete - A unique experience-min
Self-drive Jeep Safari Tour in Crete – A unique experience

Quad Safari in Crete

Pickup: Rethymnon area

For the most adrenaline-addicted people than a Quad Safari has to be.

This is a half-day activity (morning or late afternoon) full of action which is doable also safely with parents and kids.

You can also think to rent a buggy, which is still super-fun and more similar to a car.

You will wade across a river, ride up the mountain north of Rethymnon (the starting point) and drive around the Amari Dam Reservoir

You can rent a quad every second shop in Crete, however, in this tour, you will be guided to some spectacular parts of the island, unknown to the most, something you would not venture yourself alone.

Check Availability & Cost   Read full tour review

Quad safari in Crete - a fun tour-min
Quad safari in Crete – a fun tour

More photos of the Jeep Safari in Crete

The view from the peak is just spectacular, down to the sea. And in a few lucky days you may be able to even be above the clouds
Shepherd’s Hut Jeep Safari Tour  – The view from the peak is just spectacular, down to the sea. And in a few lucky days you may be able to even be above the clouds
Lunch at the old village of Theriso where you will have some time to explore around
Shepherd’s Hut Jeep Safari Tour – Lunch at the old village of Theriso where you will have some time to explore around
The view at Deliana gorge and the Aegean sea
Olive Oil and Wine Tasting Jeep Safari – The view at Deliana gorge and the Aegean sea
Anoskeli’s old olive mill and vineyards
Olive Oil and Wine Tasting Jeep Safari – Anoskeli’s old olive mill and vineyards
The small village of Sfendili is today empty. Based on the amount of water in the artificial lake, it can get partially if not all submerged.
Jeep Safari Tour of the Minoan Route – The small village of Sfendili is today empty. Based on the amount of water in the artificial lake, it can get partially if not all submerged.
Jeep Safari Tour of the Minoan Route – Part of the 22km long Roman Aqueduct built over 2000 years ago during the Roman Empire. Impressive and incredible that it’s still there
Some of the roads drive along the coast with a spectacular view of the Mediterranean Sea, so magical
Self-drive Jeep Safari Tour – Some of the roads drive along the coast with a spectacular view of the Mediterranean Sea, so magical
The great thing about this Jeep Safari is that you get to drive the car yourself. Going through the gorges can be a bit demanding and you need to take care in few spots but it's so much fun
Self-drive Jeep Safari Tour – The great thing about this Jeep Safari is that you get to drive the car yourself. Going through the gorges can be a bit demanding and you need to take care in a few spots but it’s so much fun
It's fun for everyone, both the adults that drive the quad and the kids on the backseat experiencing a motorbike trip, sometimes in the water
Quad Safari in Crete – It’s fun for everyone, both the adults that drive the quad and the kids on the backseat experiencing a motorbike trip, sometimes in the water
Part of the ride follows the tiny river from the Potami Dam and it goes across it in a few places. That's what takes this quad safari a step ahead from just renting your own quad. You get to visit places known only by the locals
Quad Safari in Crete – Part of the ride follows the tiny river from the Potami Dam and it goes across it in a few places. That’s what takes this quad safari a step ahead from just renting your own quad. You get to visit places known only by the locals

Read more about Crete

 

Stefano Ferro - MEL365.com Founder and Editor

About the Author

Stefano is a seasoned travel expert and the visionary founder of MEL365.com, a leading travel website with traffic across 6 continents. With a rich background in the travel industry, Stefano spent four pivotal years at Amadeus Travel Distribution System, gaining invaluable insights into travel technologies and distribution.

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