Last updated on September 16, 2024 by Stefano Ferro, founder of MEL365, following extensive travelling in Crete

Self-drive Jeep Safari Tour in Crete

The self-drive Jeep Safari in Crete is a pretty unique way to explore and discover the less-visited part of the island, including the inland and the southern coast.

You will be given a jeep that you will drive on your own (in a group of 4) or share with another couple otherwise.

Qualified multi languaged guides will lead the group of jeeps and he will take you to some secret spots that you would have otherwise missed out. 

Small traditional villages, beautiful gorges, crystal clear beaches are just a few things that you will be able to experience in this Jeep Safari Tour

The big stop is on the south coast where you have the possibility to enjoy a swim in the Libyan Sea and taste a lovely home-cooked lunch in a traditional tavern (included in price). 

Plenty of fun, driving your own jeep, in a safe and guided way.

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The Self-drive Jeep Safari in Crete – In a nutshell

Location: Sofokli Venizelou st. 15 / Kavafi st. 3 (corner), Rethymnon

Pick up Area: the pickup from the Rethymnon area is included in the price

Typical duration: the tour starts around 9:30am and it lasts approx 8 hours. You will be back at your hotel around 5:30pm in the afternoon

Available Days: The tour runs every day

Languages spoken by the tour guides: The tours are run by multilingual guides, which is very handy. 

Available vehicle models: 4WD Suzuki 4-seats

Off-road experience: Half of the tour is off-road and half of the tour is on paved roads so there is the possibility to see and experience many beautiful places in Crete which are reachable only with a 4WD, which is great. 

Water/Lunch: a 1.5L water bottle is given to all the participants. A characteristic Cretan lunch is also provided in the price, with options for meat lovers and vegetarians too. Seasonal salads, tzatziki and bread are included as well.

Don’t forget: suncream, a hat, a towel and a swimming change as you will have the possibility to spend some time in the water. Gym/training shoes are recommended for the driver, suggested for everyone else.

Top 3 unmissable attractions in the tour: 

  1. St Antonios Gorge, about 40 min into the drive. This is a secret spot of Crete, only known by the locals. It’s a beautiful boutique gorge with waterfalls and a small little chapel carved into a cave dedicated to St Antonios.
  2. Palm Beach, a very unique place in Crete. Located next to a monastery and nestled between the sea and the Kissano Faraggi gorge and river where you will find an amazing palm forest, a real wild botanical garden totally unexpected in the otherwise dry area.
  3. The viewpoint to the Lybian sea is another highlight of the trip, along the drive that takes the tour to the south coast. Get ready with your camera, absolutely gorgeous view

Stops for swimming: the tour stops at the amazing Ligres Beach to have a swim and enjoy your lunch in a traditional tavern and relax for 2 hours. Bring your swimsuit and a towel

Children friendly: Families with kids of any age are welcome to join this tour, a good mix of sightseeing, walking and fun at the beach 

All drivers must be over 18 years old and owners of a valid driving license

Self-drive Jeep Safari in Crete – How to contact

Photos of the Self-drive Jeep Safari in Crete – what you should expect

The map of the jeep safari drive in Crete with parts of the roads sealed and others totally unsealed and accessible only by 4WD. A great experience in places otherwise unreachable
This is the map of the jeep safari drive in Crete with parts of the roads sealed and others totally unsealed and accessible only by 4WD. A great experience in places otherwise unreachable
The drive goes through the mountains and gorges between Rethymno and south coast of Crete. Once the main roads are behind, the landscape becomes suddenly dry and hilly. such a unique experience
The drive goes through the mountains and gorges between Rethymnon and the south coast of Crete. Once the main roads are behind, the landscape becomes suddenly dry and hilly. Such a unique area of the island
It's not uncommon to spot goats and shepherds along the drive. It's a bit like driving in an open-air museum with the local animals around LOL
It’s not uncommon to spot goats and shepherds along the drive. It’s a bit like driving in an open-air museum with the local animals around
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
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
A few sections of the drive are in the forest hidden right in the middle of Crete with an awesome landscape of pine trees and narrow off-roads
A few sections of the drive are in the forest hidden right in the middle of Crete with an awesome landscape of pine trees and narrow roads. Driving through this scenery is so much fun
You may be able to see the snow on the top of the Mount Ida, if you are doing the jeep safari in spring. Believe it or not, you can actually sky on it in winter, there is even a resort
You may be able to see the snow on the top of the Mount Ida if you are doing the jeep safari in spring. Believe it or not, you can actually sky on it in winter, there is even a resort.
Some of the roads drive along the coast with a spectacular view of the Mediterranean Sea, so magical
Some of the roads drive along the coast with a spectacular view of the Mediterranean Sea, so magical
There is also a stop at the Ligres Beach for a swim. The stop lasts about 2 hours, enough time for lunch as well as a swim and some fun.
There is also a stop at Ligres Beach for a swim. The stop lasts about 2 hours, enough time for lunch (included) as well as some sunbathing and fun.
Sometime the view is so amazing and unique that is hard to focus either on the front of the back. A 360 degrees experience
Sometimes the view is so amazing and unique that is hard to focus either on the front or the back. A 360 degrees experience. Again, the best of the off-road experience is that only a few locals actually make it to these places.
More driving along the coast, this time much closer to the sea
More driving along the coast, this time much closer to the sea
A sealed part of the road for some rest from the demanding, however fun off-road driving
A sealed part of the road for some rest from the demanding, however fun off-road experience
It's time to drive back to Rethymno
It’s time to drive back to Rethymnon
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.

2 thoughts on “Self-drive Jeep Safari Tour in Crete”

  1. Hello, I am Gilles from tour-operator Aventures & Cie and I search for our clients a stay in Crete of 8 days 7 nights B&B and 5 free (without guide) days of off-road itinerary with vehicle 4×4 driven by clients. Can you organize that sort of trip please ? Best regards and I hope for your ansxer asap.
    Gilles Guillemet
    Phone 00 33 6 74 87 30 47

    Reply

    • Hi Gilles, thanks for contacting me. Unfortunately I don’t have a travel agency and I do not have connections with anyone in Crete. Sorry about that
      Cheers

      Reply

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