Zeus Cave-Traditional-Villages-Old Wind Mills-Olive Oil Factory-Small Group
5.0
535 Ratings
Iraklio
Discover Crete's hidden gems: Zeus Cave, traditional villages, olive oil factory, and authentic Cretan cuisine. Book now for an unforgettable small-group adventure.
Duration: 7 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Omalia Olive Press - Visit the olive oil factory to discover how olive oil is produced using both modern and traditional machinery.
  • Gouves - Drive through without stopping, or it can serve as a potential pick-up point.
  • Malia - Drive through without stopping, or it can serve as a potential pick-up location.
  • Hersonissos - Drive through without stopping, or it can serve as a pick-up location.
  • Mochos - Stroll through the village’s old narrow streets and enjoy a coffee or fresh juice at the main square.
  • Windmills Of Lasithi Plateau - Observe the old windmills that once pumped water from underground to irrigate crops and those that ground wheat and corn into flour.
  • Platanus Tree - Visit the village of Krasi, wander through the stone narrow streets and old houses, and take photos at the oldest and largest Platanus tree in Crete.
  • Cave of Diktaion Andron - Explore the Cave of Zeus and enjoy a refreshing drink. Note: There is a 10-15 minute uphill walk to reach the cave, followed by around 100 steps down to explore the cave and search for Zeus. (I am still looking for him after many years).
  • Kera Kardiotissa Monastery - Drive through without stopping.
  • Stalis - Drive through without stopping, or it can serve as a potential pick-up location.
  • Aposelemis canyon - Stop to admire the stunning views from above the Aposelemi Dam, a perfect spot for photo enthusiasts.
  • Lasithi Mesa - Stop at a family restaurant on the mountain for lunch, but this is OPTIONAL.
What's Included
  • Liability Insurance
  • Water, coffee
  • Informative English-speaking driver guide
  • Olive oil and honey tasting
  • Small-group tour
What's Not Included
  • Zeus Cave , Diktion Antron ,entrance fee 6 Euro per person
  • Lunch
Additional Information

This is my favorite tour in Crete because you get to see the real Crete, away from tourist areas, the old traditional villages, visit an olive oil factory where we learn all about olive oil (CRETAN GOLDEN LIQUID), visit Zeus Cave where the king of all the Greek gods was born. (HE IS NOT THERE THOUGH …). Driving through the old villages on the Lasithi plateau you feel that you are traveling back in time, like time stopped long ago. After all the exploring it’s time to enjoy lunch at a family restaurant up on the mountain where you get to taste the Real Cretan food. We can pick you up from Heraklion - Malia - Sisi - Hersonisos - Gouves - Analipsi. We don’t pick up from Rethimnon- Elounda- Ag Nikolaous unless it’s more than 6 people or you book the private option not the shared one. Unfortunately we don’t pick up from Chania, Sitia and Ierapetra area.

  • Infant seats are available on request if advised at time of booking.
  • There is a 20 minutes walking up hill to the cave and then around 100 steps to enter the cave and then again 100 steps back out .
  • Walking to the cave is OPTIONAL, instead you can enjoy a drink at the many cafeterias that are there .
  • The hike is not advisable for anyone with health or mobility issues or not wearing suitable footwear.
Location
Capsis Astoria Heraklion
Plateia Eleftherias
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(535 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Amanda_d
Jun 11, 2024
This tour was the... - This tour was the highlight of our trip to Crete. Ed was amazing and full of energy and knowledge about his beautiful island. He will tailor the tour to your interests. I loved seeing parts of Crete that I never thought would be possible
Review provided by Viator
Colleen
Jun 11, 2024
Fun and fantastic - Micheal the guide was amazing and funny, well informed about history and traditions of Crete. Fantastic fun filled day.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lauren_p
Jun 2, 2024
Amazing real tour of Crete - Our tour guide was amazing. He showed us all of Crete and was entertaining and enthusiastic. We loved seeing the Cretan villages and coffee he treated us too. Highly recommend this tour over any other tourist tours in Crete.
Review provided by Viator
Nathalie_t
Jun 1, 2024
Definitely book it!! - Amazing day with Ed! He treated us well and was upbeat first thing in the morning and didn’t stop working hard all day to share his island with us. Each stop was wonderful. Definitely prepare for a steep hike at the cave of Zeus! Lunch was the best meal I’ve had in Greece and the small group size allowed us to connect with our tour mates, making the adventure so much more special. I would recommend this for anyone hoping to see more of the mountains and learn about Crete.
Review provided by Viator
R7485fndanielh
Jun 1, 2024
A day to remember! - A really incredibly beautiful day! We didn't lack anything! The mood of the group and Ed was great! Ed responded to our every wish! It started with a great welcome and pick-up at the hotel, the mood stayed with us all day with our small group (6 + Ed) We were able to see many incredibly beautiful villages where there were also drinks and other things. We had the opportunity to enjoy fresh strawberries straight from the field and much more At the end there was a great Greek dinner Definitely a booking recommendation! Probably the best tour on Crete
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lynette
Jun 1, 2024
Great introduction to Crete! - Fantastic way to visit Crete! Loved every stop on our way, but especially appreciated our guide, Mike, who was engaging, entertaining, and enthusiastic. He shared his knowledge not only of Crete, but also of Greek mythology, botany, and even the Olympics. The olive oil factory was educational and tasty , the hike to/from and into/out of Zeus cave was moderate, but well worth working up a sweat, touring the old villages and wind pumps was interesting, the lunch stop was delicious, and the views on the drive were spectacular. I would highly recommend this tour!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mitch_c
May 30, 2024
Fantastic trip well worth the time and Money - Ed, the driver, was a fantastic host. His safe driving on the mountain roads was reassuring, and he was both funny and informative about the local surroundings and history. We visited numerous places with only seven other guests in the minibus, making it easy to stop and explore quickly. We picked wild cherries and strawberries from the roadside and enjoyed wine—could it get any better than that? The lunch stop at a local restaurant was well worth it, with great food. Many thanks to Ed for a fantastic trip. Gail and I thoroughly recommend it!
Review provided by Viator
Jacob_d
May 28, 2024
Crete 2024 - Great tour, really authentic! The tour vives you a pretty comprehensive undestanding of the culture of this beautiful Island. The guide was really enthousiastic and friendly. He showed us a lot and does not cheap out on fun facts and crucial information.
Review provided by Viator
Melissa_t
May 27, 2024
“The best tour we’ve ever been on!” - “The best tour we’ve ever been on!” That’s what our college kids said. We were a group of 6 (2 moms and 4 young adults in college). We had the tour to ourselves and had the best time with Ed. It was the highlight of our trip to Greece. Ed picked us up in a very nice Mercedes van and had bottled water for us throughout the tour. He loves Crete (his home) and is passionate about sharing his knowledge of the island with others and does it in such a fun way. We went to many small villages along the way and got to see the “real” Crete. We loved getting to walk around the quaint villages and shop and sit and have coffee where the locals go. Ed shared so much information and his love for Crete was infectious. He took us to a wonderful restaurant along the way (we had the option to stop and have lunch) that was fantastic. It was a beautiful restaurant with beautiful views. We explored Zeus’ cave and rode donkeys which was so much fun. We mentioned to Ed how much we loved strawberries so he took us to a friend’s strawberry field and we picked strawberries! They were the absolute best strawberries we’ve had and we all had so much fun picking them. He took us to have “real” yogurt that was so creamy and delicious. We did so many things and learned so much that we would have never been able to do/experience on our own. If you want to experience the “real” Crete in a fun way then this is the tour for you. If I could give Ed more than 5 stars I would, the tour is that good.
Review provided by Viator
Francdu51
May 24, 2024
Discovery of the cave of Zeus - Beautiful sunny getaway to the cave of Zeus, one of the mythological spots of the Lassithi plateau. Not too many people going up to the site, after parking our rental car. Careful and refreshing descent into the two chambers of the cave, in a murky (green!) atmosphere giving the concretions and stalagmites/tites a beautiful appearance. A sign at the entrance, in Greek and English, provides information on the mythology of the site and the excavations carried out since the end of the 19th century. Price €6 per person, correct.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Select Date and Tickets
minimum 2 guests
-
up to 15 guests
2 Adult
June 2024
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Today