Off Road Driving Experience · Heraklion
How to choose
8 off-road tours in Heraklion range from 89 € to 650 € and run between 5h and 8h. Budget group tours by Creta Quad Safari and Safari Experts Crete start at 89 € to 94 € and suit most fitness levels, from fully open to occasionally sporty. These cover iconic terrain like the Kourtaliotiko Gorge, Preveli Beach and Matala. Private full-day safaris by Explor.gr are priced at 650 € and tag every tour as open to everyone, meaning no physical threshold stands between you and Psiloritis, the Lasithi Plateau or the gorges of Agiofarago. If you're picking on budget, the group tours deliver solid coverage of central and southern Crete for under 100 €. If you want a private vehicle, a custom route and hotel pickup included, the 650 € private options are the only way to go.
8 offers available
Our picks
Jeep Tour from Karteros in Heraklion
At 89 €, this 5h group tour by Creta Quad Safari is the lowest-priced entry point in the lineup and welcomes all fitness levels.
Preveli Beach and Kourtaliotiko Gorge Waterfalls 4x4 Tour from Amoudara
Safari Experts Crete packs a gorge, a waterfall and a beach into 8h for 92 €, hitting the most natural landmarks per euro in the selection.
Private Jeep Safari around Knossos and Giouhtas with Wine and Olive Tasting, from Heraklion
The Lasithi Plateau safari by Explor.gr combines high-altitude terrain with a private vehicle and hotel pickup for 7h at 650 €.
Jeep Safari near the Lasithi plateau starting from Heraklion
Explor.gr's Psiloritis tour pairs rugged off-road tracks with a cooking lesson over 8h, rated open to everyone at 650 €.
Frequently asked questions
What's the most intense off-road terrain you'll hit on these tours?
The Kourtaliotiko Gorge and Agiofarago canyon routes involve the most rugged tracks, combining steep mountain passes with unpaved surfaces across southern Crete. The Lasithi Plateau tour also crosses high-altitude roads on the way up to the plateau.
Do I need off-road driving experience?
No. Every tour in this selection is either fully open to everyone or rated occasionally sporty, meaning the driver handles the technical parts. You're a passenger on most tours, not behind the wheel.
What's the difference between the group tours and the private safaris?
Group tours with Creta Quad Safari and Safari Experts Crete cost 89 € to 94 € and run on fixed routes with shared vehicles. Private safaris with Explor.gr cost 650 €, include hotel pickup, and give you an exclusive vehicle for the full 7 to 8 hours.
Which tour covers the most ground in a single day?
The Preveli Beach and Kourtaliotiko Gorge tour and the Matala Beach and Winery tour both run for 8 hours and cross a large chunk of central and southern Crete, including gorges, beaches and villages.
Are tours available year-round?
No specific season dates are listed for these tours, but Crete's dry, hot summers make off-road driving most popular from late spring through early autumn. Check availability directly when booking.
What languages are tours offered in?
All tours are available in Greek and English. The Jeep Tour from Karteros by Creta Quad Safari also covers German and Italian, making it the most multilingual option in the lineup.
Best time to go
| Month | Temperature | Rainfall | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 11.9°C | 50.6 mm | Good |
| February | 12.4°C | 57.2 mm | Good |
| March | 14°C | 54.5 mm | Good |
| April | 17°C | 14.8 mm | Peak |
| May | 21°C | 6.3 mm | Peak |
| June | 25.2°C | 2.4 mm | Peak |
| July | 27.5°C | 2.6 mm | Peak |
| August | 27.3°C | 2.3 mm | Peak |
| September | 24.4°C | 5.7 mm | Peak |
| October | 20.3°C | 34.2 mm | Peak |
| November | 16.6°C | 40.3 mm | Peak |
| December | 12.4°C | 82.9 mm | Good |
Practical info
Equipment
Wear light, breathable clothing and closed-toe shoes with grip. Tours run up to 8h on dusty mountain tracks, so bring sunscreen, sunglasses and a small daypack with water.
Getting there
Most tours offer pickup from hotels across the Heraklion region, including Amoudara, Malia, Chersonissos and central Heraklion, so no transport to a specific meeting point is needed if you book hotel pickup.
See also
Other activities in Heraklion
Updated March 2026