Heraklion for Foodies Tour: Taste Traditional Cretan Dishes in Local Eateries
5.0
10 Ratings
Iraklio
Embark on a culinary adventure in Heraklion! Indulge in traditional Cretan dishes, sample local produce, and savor the flavors of Crete on this food tour.
Duration:
4 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
learn more
Highlights
- Itanou - Your fascinating culinary adventure will begin with a visit to Heraklion’s open market. Meet your licensed guide and let them walk you through the buoyant city of Heraklion city until you reach a traditional pastry shop for a taste of the renowned ‘bougatsa.’
The Old Market of the city will be your next stop, where you will indulge in a delectable cheese tasting. Revel in a selection of different kinds of Cretan cheese, and learn about the cheese tradition in Crete!
Next, we will take you to a small honey shop to learn about the art of beekeeping and taste two different kinds of local aromatic honey. You will also come upon unique traditional bakeries; time to indulge in delicious Cretan tidbits!
Learn about the different Cretan herbs and enjoy a cup of delicious tea in a local herb shop. Beware of leaving room for dessert, as afterward, you will taste the traditional dessert of ‘loukoumades,’ a doughnut-like delicacy drenched in honey or chocolate!
- Old Venetian Harbor of Heraklion - End your food-filled day in a cute restaurant by the Venetian Harbour of Heraklion, the best spot to catch the magnificent Cretan sunset. Watch the Aegean sea meet the sky in an explosion of colors, and enjoy local, homemade dishes such as ‘Dakos’, ‘Dolmadakia’ and fresh seafood! The traditional dessert and raki that will follow after your meal will be the perfect end to a perfect day!
What's Included
- All taxes and VAT included
- Expert guidance by a licensed guide
- Vegetarian food substitutions available
- Generous food and drink tastings (full lunch)
- Exclusive 4-hour private food tour in Heraklion
What's Not Included
- Private transportation
- Any additional orders or purchases
Additional Information
Discover the fruits of Crete’s earth and its celebrated Cretan culinary arts, as you savour a diverse array of hereditary flavours on our Heraklion culinary journey. Wander through the enchanting avenues of Heraklion city and uncover unique local dining spots, all while immersing yourself in the incomparable atmosphere of Crete. Dive into delightful Cretan pastries, indigenous cheese variations, customary Cretan meals, and sumptuous sweets, and attain an unfeigned Cretan encounter, just as the locals do!
- Adjustable to any food requirements you may have
Location
Morosini Fountain
Platia Eleftheriou Venizelou
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(10 Ratings)
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Kirstin
Apr 6, 2022
Must do! - We had the best experience and learned so much about the culture! We left full and sampled so many great foods! Would highly recommend!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jonasputseys
Oct 10, 2021
Food tour of Iraklion - We did the Heraklion food tour and it was perfect.
A lot of different things to try out from sweet pastry to salty fresh fish and real Cretan maindishes.
The tour guide was super nice and friendly down to earth which made it the perfect food experience in Iraklion!
One pro tip! Make sure you haven't eaten before starting the tour, there is so much to munch!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Myesha
Sep 24, 2021
Eating non-stop! - We went on the tour with Athena. It was a great tour to taste custom cretan dishes. Do not eat breakfast! We ate non stop for 3 hours. It was wonderful to visit locally owned shops with quality products. If you are looking for a personalized tour with great food, this is the one. Athena was great, felt like a friend walking you around the city.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tgrella
Jul 18, 2021
You won't go away hungry - Our Tour Guide was Athena. She was excellent. We began with breakfast types of items, and ended with a full lunch. All food was included. We visited many different vendors. They all seemed prepared for our visit, and provided samples, and some gifts to take home (such as jars of honey, and species). We were in Greece for ten days of touring. This was one of the best tours we experienced. I highly recommend it.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tiffany
Nov 8, 2019
Heraklion for Foodies - Best Food Tour in Europe! - Our group of 8, (4 adults and 4 children) took the Heraklion for Foodies tour with Athina the last week of Oct 2019. We've done many food tours in all the European cities that we visit and this was by far the best food tour we have experienced! Athina's English is excellent. We went to so many small places that we would have never found on our own. The food was all traditional Cretan food and it was so delicious! We picked the fish we wanted from the fish monger's stand and they cooked it right there for us. It doesn't get any fresher than that! The local honey shop was also a favorite as the thyme and rosemary honey was different than any we had ever tasted. We visited a few different types of bakeries and came home with plenty of sweets to enjoy the next day. Don't eat before the tour. We were so stuffed! The food was all delicious and we are so grateful to Athina for sharing her love of Iraklion and Cretan food with us. :-)
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sparkles1212
Jul 30, 2019
Amazing Food Tour must do - The tour was an amazing experience. We had a real in sight of many different tastes of different food. We loved the family businesses. Our guide Athena was amazing as well.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jd92660
Aug 21, 2018
Best Foodie Tour Ever! A Must Do Tour of Heraklion if you are on a Cruise and have 4.5 hours! - Athina was the best! She shared her passion for all of her favorite food stops in the Heraklion Center City. From the great bakeries to the cheese stop to the herbologist to a fantastic 9 best Cretan foods at a classic locals only restaurant, we loved every minute! Highly recommend this one. You will not be disapointed!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mateolevine_l
May 28, 2018
Wonderful, well-planned foodie... - <p>Wonderful, well-planned foodie walking tour. We meet conveniently in the center of town and walked to various boutique food venues to sample all included! Demetrius with Crista was our guide and he did a wonderful job in customizing the pace. ALSO, he had a great depth of knowledge around Cretan food and history. I recommend this highly!</p>
Review provided by Viator
Michael1289
May 21, 2018
Best foodie tour ever! - Our guide Athina was amazing. She was so passionate about the food and culture of Crete, and supportive of all the local businesses, has to be highly commended. She only took us to cafe's and restaurants that are her favourite destinations, and it showed with how warmly she was greeted by everyone.
We tasted so much of the local delights we were soon full to bursting, and then more food came.
With the Cretin tradition of providing complimentary desserts and the local wine Raki at the end of each large meal, to the fascinating local herbal apothecary, we cannot recommend this tour highly enough. We love foodie tours & have participated in many all over the world, but this one is the best by far
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Natelle_h
Mar 7, 2018
We have become food tour junkies and... - <p>We have become food tour junkies and Crete is our newest favorite place for interesting and tasty food. Athina, our guide on this gastronomical adventure, met us at the Lion Square and commenced our food tour with the taste of fresh bougatsa at Kirkors, a family own cafe. Athinas selection of stops for our tour had the general criteria of: local family owned businesses, uniquely Cretin foods prepared traditionally and deliciously, and servings in the style of true Cretin hospitality - meaning there was more food on the table than we could eat. Throughout the tour Athina explained the importance of fresh ingredients in all the food of Crete as well as some history of the treats and dishes we tasted. Every establishment that we entered for the tour greeted us warmly and truly made us feel special. We learned a little of about the businesses, the preparation of the different foods, and how Cretins like to eat and they do LIKE to eat. <br/>
We had interesting conversations with the cheese, honey, and herbalist vendors and learned the importance of pure and fresh ingredients this island has had organic food for thousands of years. We learned that the herbs and grasses used for food and teas are gathered fresh in the wilder areas of Crete, usually by women. <br/>
A food tour is to taste and experience new foods, however, it is the guide that creates the excitement and enjoyment of the tour and Athina is a professional in accomplishing these qualities. She is passionate about sharing her knowledge about food and Crete. We enjoyed her company and tour of Cretin foods in the center of Heraklion.</p>
Review provided by Viator
