4x4 Safari Rhodes North: Off-Road Mountain Route

Mountain roads only a jeep can reach, from the Aegean side to the west coast in one day

A full-day 4x4 safari through the mountainous north of Rhodes, traveling east to west on hidden off-road paths and German-Italian war routes with a professional driver-escort in each vehicle. The tour includes stops in traditional villages, a lunch break in Kritinia village square, and hotel pickup and drop-off, with guides speaking English and German.

Step-by-step itinerary

4x4 Safari exploring northern Rhodes

• Pickup from Rhodes centre
• Drive to Kolimbia village
• Coffee or tea stop in traditional village
• Follow German Italian war route
• Visit small villages, monasteries, chapels
• Explore off-road paths with driver-escorts
• Lunch in Kritinia village tavern
• Drive back to hotels via asphalt route

The experience

Eight hours of driving takes you across the non-touristic side of Rhodes, starting from the centre with a pickup and heading toward Kolimbia on the east side. Your first stop is a traditional village where you pause for coffee or tea, then the real route begins: narrow paths through dense vegetation that only a four-wheel vehicle can navigate, passing small villages, monasteries and chapels. The driver-escorts carry the history of the German-Italian war routes that crisscross these mountains, and they know the local life well enough to explain what you're seeing as you pass through.

Lunch happens in Kritinia, a small traditional village where you eat in a local tavern in the village square under plane trees. The meal is traditional food, and vegetarian alternatives can be arranged if you request them at booking. After lunch, the route back follows easier asphalt roads heading west, so the day ends less rough than it begins. Throughout, the jeeps stop every 30 to 40 minutes for photos and to stretch, and the panoramic views open up across the northern, eastern and western sides of the island.

Bring comfortable walking shoes, a camera and sun protection. In spring and autumn, add a jacket. The jeeps seat either seven or nine passengers, and each vehicle has its own driver-escort who speaks English and German. Children from age 3 can join if accompanied by an adult.

What’s included

• Multi-language group escort-driver in English and German.
• lunch with traditional food in Kritinia village.
• hotel pickup and drop-off.
• special equipped 4x4 jeep (7 or 9 seated) with driver for every vehicle.
• liability insurance and local taxes.

Before you book

Lasts 7h–8h, from € 115 per person, with a live guide in English and German, in groups of up to 6 and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesNext departure: 2 Apr 2027

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (7 to 12 years) · Under 7: can't be booked

GroupUp to 6

Live guideEnglish and German

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Cretan Holidays

Is this one for you?The guides speak English and German, so if you're comfortable in either language, you'll follow the historical and local context throughout the day. The jeeps stop every 30 to 40 minutes, which breaks up the off-road driving into manageable stretches and gives families with older children and groups of friends plenty of moments to step out and take in the views.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and German.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (7 to 12 years). Children under 7 can't be included in the booking.

What is the German-Italian war route you follow through the mountains?

The route traces historical paths connected to World War II operations in the region. The driver-escorts provide historical information and context about these routes as you drive through the villages and mountain passes where they run.

Can I arrange vegetarian food for lunch in Kritinia?

Yes, vegetarian alternatives can be arranged for lunch in the village tavern, but you must request them when you make your reservation. Food allergies can also be accommodated if you notify the operator in advance.

How often do you stop during the eight-hour tour?

Guided stops happen every 30 to 40 minutes throughout the day, giving you time to take photos, rest and absorb the panoramic views across northern, eastern and western Rhodes.

What size are the 4x4 jeeps, and how many people travel in each one?

Each jeep seats either seven or nine passengers and is driven by a multi-language escort-driver. Your group travels together in the same vehicle with the same driver throughout the day.

Does the tour go on unpaved roads the whole time?

The morning route follows hidden off-road paths through dense vegetation that require four-wheel drive. After lunch in Kritinia, the return journey follows easier asphalt roads heading back west toward your hotel.