Crete is one of those paradisiac destinations in the Mediterranean where excellent climate, stunning landscapes, and delicious food combine resulting in a memorable travel experience. There are incredible dishes local to Crete, and arguably the best way to do so is by joining an organized food tour, no matter which region you’re visiting. Are you eager to discover the wonders of the Cretan diet? Then, you’ve landed on the right blog post that brings you the best food tours in Crete!
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Best Food Tours in Crete
Let’s Start by Getting Ready for Crete!
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Take your taste buds on a journey on these amazing food tours in Crete!
Check out the most interesting wine and food tours in Crete and decide which of them better fits your foodie needs!
Old Town Walking Tour with Meal & Phyllo Workshop in Rethymnon
It’s no secret anymore that one of the best places to visit in Crete for food tours is the city of Rethymnon, especially if you’re interested in learning about the secrets of baklava, kataifi, and paper-thin phyllo pastry.
You can read about our experience doing this tour here.
This walking tour with a local guide takes you to explore the corners of Rethymnon’s Old Town and its charming Venetian and Ottoman townhouses.
During the day, you will try a Cretan breakfast in a quaint café (or, better said, a Greek-style kafeneio), in the center of town, sharing a handmade Sfakian pita with cheese and honey.
Later on, watch how handmade phyllo is prepared at the seventeenth-century Venetian workshop of the last phyllo master on the island.
End up the experience with a traditional meal in a garden under the shadow of fragrant lemon trees. You will also learn how to sample olive oil and drink authentic raki like Cretan!
With your guide, you will discuss the historical sites in town but also learn about local traditions and customs, and how all these are connected to Cretan gastronomy.
The Terra Creta Olive Oil Experience Tour in the Chania Region
This is the perfect activity to learn about olive oil production (from harvest to bottling!).
During the experience, you will visit one of the most prestigious mills in the region of Chania, Terra Creta, where you will taste 3 different types of olive oil and sample local appetizers.
After checking out the process to produce extra virgin olive oil, you can head to their well-assorted shop to purchase local olive oil products at very affordable prices as well as balsamic vinegar, and Greek olives.
During the visit, you can take advantage of the knowledgeable staff to get information and tips regarding the best uses and storage suggestions for olive oil.
Cretan Food & Sightseeing Walking Tour in Heraklion
Home to fantastic street markets in the capital and incredible wineries close to the mountains, the region of Heraklion is perfect to experience the best of our Cretan cuisine.
This experience takes you to discover the world-famous Mediterranean diet with deep roots in the Cretan diet.
You will also uncover the secrets of Cretans’ longevity and have plenty of fun sightseeing in the historic center of Heraklion.
During the morning, you will be able to stop at a few different, hand-picked food stores for a taste of the most authentic products, including a family bakery to learn about traditional sweet and savory pies.
You will also discover everything about local herbs, taste a cup of Cretan mountain tea and stop at a dairy shop to taste local cheeses, natural yogurt, and honey.
The walking tour takes you to significant monuments while discovering the modern aspects of the Cretan diet and its connection to the city’s history.
Lassithi Plateau Guided Truffle Hunting Day Trip, from Heraklion
This is a great tour to explore the stunning Lasithi Plateau.
A day to be amazed at the landscapes, villages, and eateries in the area while experiencing the satisfaction of sourcing your own ingredients on a Cretan black truffle hunt with a local hunter.
You will also stop at the traditional village of Krasi and find the best spots to take pictures of the iconic plateau’s windmills, as well as venture into the heart of truffle country at the Lassithi Plateau with a guide.
Right after, you can dive into local flavors with a cooking demonstration at a family-run restaurant, gaining a deeper understanding of the relationship between recipes, people, and traditions.
Later on in the day, also check out the Cave of Zeus, a family-run pottery shop, and an ancient monastery.
Tour options include extras such as luxury vehicles (from 3 to 12 passengers), hotel pick-up and drop-off, WIFI/USB charging during the trip, complimentary mineral water and fresh fruit and snacks, and more.
Wine Tasting at The Cretan House of Wine in Rethymnon
If you are in Rethymnon town, you can join this tour and learn about the local varieties of wine at the prestigious House of Wine.
Taste 11 native varieties, 9 whites (Vilana, Vidiano, Thrapsathiri, Plito, Dafni, Moschato Spinas, Malavazia Di Candia Aromatica), 3 reds (Liatiko, Kotsifali, Mantilari), and sweet wines from Liatiko grape while checking out different grape varieties by tasting various vintages.
You will also enjoy a pairing of traditional food with wine, including local dishes such as apaki (smoked pork), dakos (local rusks), tomatoes, cheeses, fried pork (tigania), dolmades (vine leaves stuffed with rice), and kalitsounia (traditional herb and cheese pies) among others.
You will learn about Cretan Vineyards from a sommelier, and have fun during a blind wine-tasting game (the price is a bottle of wine!)
Sightseeing Day Trip with Cooking Lesson and Lunch from Heraklion
The best idea to discover the traditional Cretan life is this day trip to visit a farm, take part in a ceramic workshop, cook like a Cretan, and eat a delicious lunch!
While local chefs engage you with the secrets of local gastronomy, you will prepare a delicious lunch that you will also enjoy!
The trip also includes a fantastic off-road adventure through Embassa gorge and a visit to a local pottery workshop, to witness one of the oldest crafts on the island and create your own ceramic masterpiece.
You will also be able to sample different types of olive oils at an olive oil factory and learn how locals have been extracting olive oil since the Minoan times.
At the village of Krasi, you will marvel at the oldest plane tree in Crete which is over 2000 years old.
In the end, you will continue to the dam of Aposelemis which is the largest water supply project in Crete to see where the village of Sfendili is submerged in the waters of the dam.
White Mountains 4WD Safari with Lunch and Tastings in Chania
A day trip to discover Cretan villages and the stunning White Mountains and off-road locations on a 4WD tour from Chania with a local guide.
The guided jeep tour teaches you also about the historical and cultural details of Crete.
During the day, you will sample 5 local wines, olive oil, and graviera cheese at Anoskeli village, and then explore remote destinations accessible only to four-wheel drive vehicles passing through dreamy olive, orange, and lemon groves.
The experience also includes an off-road drive through Sebronas Gorge, approaching the Omalos Plateau at 1000 meters of altitude where the shepherds attend to their sheep and goats all year round.
Then, there will be a traditional lunch ready to enjoy together with scenic views and experience the cuisine, history, and culture of the island.
Explore the White Mountains area of Crete on a guided Jeep tour. Visit local villages and sample local products. Taste olive oil and 5 different wines, and savor a traditional lunch of Cretan products.
At the village of Ano Vouves, you will also admire a 3,000-5,000-year-old olive tree, see a typical farm, and enjoy a cup of coffee, mountain tea, or fresh orange juice.
Afterward, prepare for a more adventurous drive as your guide takes you on an off-road route. From Sebronas Gorge, approach the Omalos Plateau at 1000 meters of altitude where the shepherds attend to their sheep and goats all year round.
Stop for lunch and admire a magnificent view of Samaria Gorge and the highest summit of the White Mountains, Pachne Mount.
After lunch, drive to Chania and take in the spectacular views of the Aegean Sea from up high. The tour concludes with drop-off at your hotel.
Cooking Class in an Authentic Village House in Rethymnon
During this day you will learn the art of Cretan cooking and authentic local recipes to experience the traditional way of life, at a village house located in the heart of Crete.
The experience includes enjoying a full meal with drinks and having fun chatting with the locals.
You will start by visiting a traditional home in Vatos Village, where your local Cretan host will share all the knowledge of her family and traditional Cretan home.
The tour includes tasting freshly baked bread from a traditional oven as well as some traditional Cretan meze snacks, wine, and Cretan raki.
Afterward, in the kitchen, you will learn how to make traditional Cretan dishes from your host who will guide you through the whole procedure, allowing everyone to master their cooking skills.
Culinary Day Trip to the Lassithi Plateau with Dinner from Heraklion
Set out on a private luxury day trip to Lassithi Plateau departing from Heraklion, a forgotten country with small villages, emblematic windmills, and spectacular views.
Along the road, you will pass stunning windmills and the plateau’s fertile fields to learn about the archaic traditions of the area.
The plateau has been, since the time of the Minoans, the land of fertility and love for food, a rich Cretan land that reminds us how satisfying it is to source and cook your own ingredients.
The adventure includes a stop at the enchanting village of Krasi as well as a visit to the Panagia Kera Kardiotissa monastery located in one of the island’s most untouched escapes, a place where time has slowed down and history persists.
e Oil Factory Tour, Dinner & Traditional Dancing
Another great olive oil tour to spend a special evening with a local family on the grounds of their family-run olive oil factory to learn about Cretan olive oil, honey, and Cretan wine.
Then discover the origins of famous Cretan thyme honey with a beekeeping demonstration.
The experience includes also a hearty buffet dinner with live Greek and Cretan music and dancing and plenty of local wine.
Organic Winery Tour with Tasting in Vatolakkos, Chania
Discover an organic winery in Vatolakkos, one of the most famous ones in the region, to delight your taste buds as you try 5 delicious local wines paired with Cretan rusks (bread) and olive oil.
You will also admire the Cretan vineyards where local grapes ripen in the sunlight to produce our traditional liasta (naturally sweet) wines.
The visit includes access to the wine cellars to learn the secrets behind the winemaking process, right after, you will spend some time sitting at a table in the lovely Greek garden while your host guides you through the hand-picked selection of regional wines with cheese and snacks pairing.
During the visit to the winery, you will discover about how grape varieties are selected and cultivated following strict guidelines.
Then, you can explore the vineyards where varieties of Syrah, Grenache, and other native grapes are ripened to perfection.
Cruise to Spinalonga and Barbecue BBQ at Kolokytha from Agios Nikolaos
Cruise and enjoy a traditional barbecue in Agios Nikolaos during this fun-filled day trip that includes sunshine, swimming, and relaxation.
You will start by cruising to Spinalonga to learn everything about the tragic history of Crete’s former leper colony and explore the Venetian fortifications and the old homes of the victims of leprosy.
Right after, go back on board to explore the fantastic Kolokytha Bay and its beaches where you will fall in love with the pristine, turquoise sea and learn more about the history of the area.
Here, you can relax, swim, and sunbathe while the boat crew prepares a hearty barbecue. The lunch includes delicious pork chops, Greek salad, feta cheese, bread, wine, and seasonal fruits.
The cruise takes you on an incredible journey around Mirabello Gulf, one of the most exclusive areas on the northern coast of the island.
reakfast With The Nuns Private Wine Tour in Rethymnon
One of the most original food tours in Crete, this experience includes sharing a typical Cretan breakfast with the nuns of Agia Irini monastery, where you will also explore the nun’s workshops and learn about their monastic life.
The Holy Saint Irini Monastery sits on the northern side of Mount Vrisinas, on top of a rocky hill.
Over here, the nuns lead a tranquil, spiritual life surrounded by the peaceful mountainous landscape.
During the morning, let the nuns show you around their monastery, including the chapels, the museum, and the workshops where they create icons and art.
You will then taste the breakfast that the nuns will specially make for you.
Next up, there is a picturesque drive to a family-owned winery to learn about viticulture and the winemaking process and taste 5 different labels. You will end the experience with a traditional Cretan meze lunch.
Authentic Cooking Class in the White Mountains, Chania
Are you willing to learn more about the culture and cuisine of Crete? If the answer is yes, this unique cooking class in the White Mountains is just what you need!
The experience is perfect to discover how to cook and prepare traditional recipes, unveiling the secrets of the Mediterranean diet, and sampling local cheese and wine during a delicious lunch.
The experience is also perfect for families with kids who love picking vegetables from a garden to take them to the kitchen and learn how to prepare them!
The tour is ideal if you want to taste the authentic foods of Crete and cook using only healthy organic ingredients, such as extra virgin olive oil, local meats, aromatic herbs, and freshly picked vegetables.
You will also go for a walk in the mountains and learn from the shepherds about olive harvests and other local traditions.
Later on, back again at the house, you can sample some cheese and wine from Crete and prepare some appetizers such as dakos and tzatziki. The tasty lunch ends with mouthwatering traditional jar desserts.
Wine and Olive Oil Tasting Tour with Village Lunch in Rethymnon
Why not taste your way through the island with this tour of wineries and olive oil mills? Going through the regions of Rethymnon and Chania, the tour teaches guests about traditional Cretan olive oil and wine.
You will start the day at the Kanakis olive oil mill to witness the process to make olive oil. making olive oil in an informal chat with the experts, and then tasting their exquisite products.
Then you continue on to one of the best wineries in the region of Chania, Dourakis Winery to have a short guided tour to learn about the history, tradition, and production of Cretan wine.
You will also discover their ancient cellars, and then taste up to five types of Cretan wine in their charming garden.
Finally, end the tour with a visit to a traditional village to soak in the beautiful natural views and to eat a traditional Cretan lunch.
There’re plenty of possibilities in Crete to taste the best local recipes.
No matter whether you’re a vegetarian or not, the island is always ready to surprise visitors with its incredibly healthy and tasteful cuisine.
Which of these food tours in Crete are you ready to experience?
Let me know in the comments below!
You might also want to read these Crete blog posts:
Pin this Guide to the Best Food Tours in Crete to Spend a Super Tasty Day on the Island!
About the author of this blog:
Gabi has been living in Crete for the last five years. On the island, she juggles being a solo mom, hosting culinary tours in summer, translating, and freelance writing.
She’s written for Greek Reporter, published several travel guides about Greece, and had more glasses of frappe than any regular person would be able to handle.