Quad tour from Agia Pelagia to discover the authentic Crete

Off-road Safari from Rethymnon

The rugged gorges of Crete's southern interior are a nature-lover's haven. Take a day-long 4x4 safari along the region's dusty trails, visiting the dramatic Agios Antonios, Kourtaliotiko and Kotsifou Gorges before refreshing sea swims at beautiful Preveli beach.

Morning catamaran cruise to Chrissi Island with lunch – ticket only

From Ierapetra Marina, you'll cruise over to Chrissi Island for a leisurely day on the water. Onboard, you'll be welcomed with a tea, coffee, protein cocktail or detox water, plus a light brunch to get you started. Once on the island, the fun's all yours. You can swim, snorkel, paddleboard or even try your hand at fishing. There's loads of deck space to stretch out, too, with unlimited drinks and a fresh organic lunch to tuck into. And, with free onboard Wi-Fi, staying Instagram-ready is a breeze.

Afternoon catamaran cruise to Chrissi Island with dinner – ticket only

Departing from Ierapetra Marina, you'll sail to Chrissi Island for a leisurely afternoon on the water. You'll be greeted on board with a tea, coffee, protein cocktail or detox water, along with a light meal to ease you in. Once you reach the island, the fun's all yours. You can swim, snorkel, paddleboard or even try a spot of fishing. There's loads of deck space to unwind, too, along with unlimited drinks and a fresh organic dinner. Plus, you also get free onboard Wi-Fi, so staying Instagram-ready is an absolute breeze.

Pantheon Waterpark tickets in Crete with transfer

Open from May to October, this ancient-Greek-themed water world delivers fun for all ages. Pantheon Waterpark feels like stepping straight into a myth, with towering temples, statues of legendary figures and slides inspired by gods like Poseidon and Zeus. There are four play areas and 26 waterslides, including Pantheon Warzone – a 36-metre drop hitting seriously high speeds – plus kids-only towers, toddler zones, wave pools and chill-out spots for when you need a breather. To refuel, you'll find five snack bars serving gyros, pizza, hot dogs and more.

Pantheon Waterpark ticket only

Open from May to October, this ancient-Greek-themed water world delivers fun for all ages. Pantheon Waterpark feels like stepping straight into a myth, with towering temples, statues of legendary figures and slides inspired by gods like Poseidon and Zeus. There are four play areas and 26 waterslides, including Pantheon Warzone – a 36-metre drop hitting seriously high speeds – plus kids-only towers, toddler zones, wave pools and chill-out spots for when you need a breather. To refuel, you'll find five snack bars serving gyros, pizza, hot dogs and more.

Full-day southern Crete 4x4 tour with swim stop

Sun, scenery and off‑road adventure set the tone for this full‑day tour. You'll dive into Crete's wilder side in a 4x4 built for rugged terrain. The day starts at Kourtaliotiko Gorge, where some epic clifftop views are waiting, before heading up to Agios Paisios Chapel to look out over Damnoni and the south Cretan bays. Manolis, one of our local expert guides, says, “this route shows off a side of Crete most visitors never get to see, from dramatic gorges to coastal trails. The scenery keeps changing with every turn and every stop feels like a reward. This is Crete at its most natural.”After your stop at the chapel, you'll weave through peaceful backcountry roads lined with olive groves and rolling farmland until the landscape suddenly opens out at Kato Preveli. Then, the adventure kicks up a gear as you switch to true off‑road driving, following a rugged coastal track towards Triopetra, with rocky headlands and untouched scenery all around.The day wraps up at Mikri Triopetra, a tucked away slice of paradise with clear shallows, soft sand and a blissfully quiet setting. You'll have around two and a half hours to swim, unwind and soak up the sun here. Sunbeds, umbrellas and a shower are on hand, and there are tavernas nearby if you fancy something extra cold to drink. A typical Cretan snack rounds off the experience before you settle back into the 4x4 for a scenic ride back to your accommodation.

Apokoronas hidden roads van tour with cheese-making and tastings

Travelling in a nine-seater van, you'll roll through nine tucked‑away Apokoronas villages far from the tourist radar on this small‑group tour. The quiet backroads lead you past olive groves, vineyards and stone houses as you dip in and out of Armenoi, Neo Chorio, Pemonia, Fres, Tzitzifes, Nipos, Vafes and Vryses. It's a scenic journey that shows off the region's rural charm and slow‑paced way of life, all set against the backdrop of the White Mountains. Giorgos, one of our local expert guides, says, “Apokoronas is where you feel the real Crete – peaceful villages, warm people and unspoiled landscapes. It's the Crete we grew up with, still doing its thing.”Your next stop is the Holy Mary of Two Rocks Church, a tiny landmark hidden between two natural rock formations that most people never stumble across. It's a lovely spot to pause, soak up the countryside and enjoy the stillness before the route winds deeper into Apokoronas. The scenery then shifts from rolling farmland to rugged hillsides dotted with traditional homes and family‑run farms.Then, it's on to Arevitis for a proper taste of rural Crete. At a traditional sheep farm, you'll wander through a garden bursting with local produce before joining a hands‑on cheese‑making session with your hosts. You'll try the fresh cheese you've helped create, tuck into warm Cretan snacks and sip homemade raki – the island's traditional spirit – while hearing stories about the land, the animals and daily life in the mountains.

Sunset luxury catamaran cruise to Elafonisi Bay from Paleochora

Elafonisi Bay is known in Crete for its pinkish sands, bright-blue water and knee-deep lagoons. It's one of those really picturesque spots that people consider a real highlight to their holiday to Crete. And on this outing, you'll sail there in style on board a luxury catamaran. On board you'll have unlimited drinks to keep you cool and refreshed. Plus, a variety of Cretan snacks and sushi are on the menu. Throughout the trip, your skipper will also drop anchor so you can get plenty of swimming, snorkelling and paddle-boarding in – equipment for the latter two is included.

Luxury cruise to Elafonisi and Kedrodasos Bays from Paleochora

Elafonisi Bay is a spot that's known in Crete for its pinkish sands and knee-deep water, while Kedrodasos Bay is regarded as one of the island's best hidden beaches. You'll visit both of them on this day-long cruise on board a catamaran. At each place, you'll have time to swim, snorkel and relax. On board the boat, you can expect a health-focused menu to pick from for lunch – the whole thing's been designed by a certified nutritionist.

Sunset luxury catamaran cruise to Elafonisi Bay from Paleochora – ticket only

Elafonisi Bay is known in Crete for its pinkish sands, bright-blue water and knee-deep lagoons. It's one of those really picturesque spots that people consider a real highlight to their holiday to Crete. And on this outing, you'll sail there in style on board a luxury catamaran. On board you'll have unlimited drinks to keep you cool and refreshed. Plus, a variety of Cretan snacks and sushi are on the menu. Throughout the trip, your skipper will also drop anchor so you can get plenty of swimming, snorkelling and paddle-boarding in – equipment for the latter two is included.