8 Off-Road Safaris in Rethymno, In Order of What They Give Back

1.Half-Day Quad Bike Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,444 reviews · 4 hours · from $70Our pick

From Rethymno, you’ll follow a guide into the Maroulas mountains by automatic quad, riding roads, dusty tracks, shallow water, and rougher mountain paths. Stop for views, Greek coffee at Café Gidospito above Lake Potami, and a snack in Prassies. Shared quads are standard, but you can book separately for one quad per driver.

“The way I would summarise this activity would be "amazing". I joined the group on our last full day in Crete on Saturday (28/09/24). On arrival they checked the driver in by showing the drivers license. As a driver you'll get a red braclet around your wrist to distinguish those from who were allowed to drive and those who were not. Before we hopped on the quad bikes, a brief instruction was given. Once we started the real fun could start. It was my first time driving a quad bike. Luckily they are automatics and very easy to handle. After getting a bit used on the normal eoad, they guide…”

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2.Cretan Safari – 4×4 Adventure to Preveli Beach with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 780 reviews · 7 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $113Top rated

Spend 7.5 hours exploring Crete in a Land Rover with a local guide. Stop at Spili, Karines, Prasses Gorge, Potamon Dam, Kourtaliotiko Gorge, and palm-fringed Preveli Beach. Lunch and unlimited red and white Cretan wine are included, with hotel pickup from selected resorts around Rethymno.

“Our guide was fabulous. Our group was a fun bunch and we thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of the tour. The pace was great with beach time and a leisurely lunch a big plus!”

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3.Half-Day Rethymno Quad Safari

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 494 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $72

Drive an ATV through mountain tracks, creek beds, villages, and viewpoints above Rethymno with a professional guide, helmet, water, snacks, and selected hotel transfers. Stops include Potami Dam Lake, Prassano Gorge, and a Cretan coffee stop. Nicholas and Harri are among the guides named in guest feedback, though assignments can vary.

“Really enjoyed our ride. Good equipment and company. The view from the top was awesome. Some part of the trip was a bit hard for me as inexperienced rider, but all went smoothly. Thanks a lot! Will ride with you again next time.”

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4.Full-Day Land Rover Safari from Rethymno with Lunch Swimming

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 215 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $113

Ride from Rethymno into Crete’s rugged interior in a small-group Land Rover. Stop at Prassano Gorge, Potami Dam, Spili’s 25-headed lion fountain, Kourtaliotiko Gorge, and Preveli Beach, with a three-course lunch and unlimited wine. English-speaking guides such as Giannis, Daryl, Michael, and Sam lead the route.

“Awesome Experience. Great tour guides! They were wonderful with my kids and explained things to them as well as to the adults. The places we visited were wonderful. We spent 17 days in seven cities in Europe and this was in the top two favorite things of my whole family. Highly recommend.”

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5.Sarakina Gorge, Forests, and South Coast Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 138 reviews · from $111

Ride in a small-group orange Land Rover through Crete’s inland roads, stopping for olive oil tasting, Kritsa, Kroustas Forest, a traditional taverna lunch, Sarakina Gorge, and a south-coast swim. Guides such as George, Michael, Panos, and Fabrice lead the day in several languages. Bring sturdy hiking shoes for the rocky gorge.

“Excellent day. The views throughout where gorgeous. Our guide Michael was very nice and knowledgeable, good driver. The Land Rover was comfortable. The stop for lunch was delicious and in a beautiful setting. The gorge is breathtaking. There definitely is rock scramble, and parts that require use of rope to help get up the rocks. Good sturdy hiking shoes are a must. The beach was nice, and the time for swim after the hike was lovely. One negative was there was confusion with my hotel pick up, as my hotel has 2 entrances and I was standing at reception and where the guide was waiting I couldn't see the vehicle.…”

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6.Half-Day Off-Road Buggy Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 133 reviews · 4 hours · from $100

You’ll drive a buggy from Rethymno into the mountains, cross shallow water, pause on Maroulas Mountain for wide town views, and stop at a traditional kafeneion above Potami Lake. A guide handles the safety briefing and route, with helmets, water, hotel transport, and sandwiches included. Drivers must be at least 21.

“Het was een super leuke off-road tour . Mooie plekken gezien , goede begeleiding . Kortom voor herhaling vatbaar”

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7.Bali & Panormo Rethymno:Quad Safari & visit Cave 57km 4hours

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 79 reviews · from $96

Start in Bali with a safety briefing and practice session, then follow country roads and off-road tracks through olive groves and traditional villages to Melidoni Cave. You’ll stop for photos, views of Psiloritis, water, and a sandwich. English-speaking guide Oswald has led several outings, and groups are limited to 10.

“Amazing experience with Oswald. He was a great tour guide and really made the experience amazing!! Would definitely come back to do his tour again.”

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8.South Crete: Sarakinas Gorge Hike, Swim & Jeep Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 39 reviews · 8.5 - 9 hours · from $108

Spend 8.5 to 9 hours exploring southeast Crete by jeep, with stops in Kritsa, Katharo Plateau, Selakano Forest, Sarakinas Gorge, and Voulisma Beach. Guides such as Alex, Janis, and Zacharias bring local stories, food, and island knowledge to the route. A meal, hotel pickup, and drop-off are included.

“Tolle Tour, super sympathischer Guide, viele interessante Infos über die Insel, gute Gruppengrösse - ein wirklich schöner Urlaubstag 👍👍👍”

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