Chania private tour: Lake Kournas, olive oil factory, winery

Pedalo across Crete's only freshwater lake, then taste olive oil and five wines at a traditional winery.

A private half-day tour from Chania combines Lake Kournas, Crete's only natural freshwater lake, with stops at an olive oil factory and a family winery for tastings. You ride a pedalo across the lake, tour the olive oil production line and taste local oils, then move to the winery's botanical garden to see the wine storage and production areas before tasting five local wines. Hotel pickup is included, along with water and Greek snacks. The tour runs five to six hours and suits small groups of up to three or seven guests depending on the option you choose.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit lake, olive oil factory, winery

• Ride pedalo on Lake Kournas
• Relax and have coffee break
• Swim in the lake (optional)
• Tour olive oil factory
• Taste local olive oil products
• Visit traditional family winery
• Learn wine production and storage
• Taste five local wines
• Optional lunch at winery

The experience

Lake Kournas is the centerpiece: you arrive at Crete's only freshwater natural lake and spend time on a pedalo, paddling across the water and watching the ducks and turtles. A coffee break at a local taverna sits between the lake and the next stop, giving you time to settle before moving on.

The olive oil factory comes next with a detailed tour of how the oil is made, followed by a tasting of local products. Then you head to the winery, a traditional family operation with a botanical garden on the grounds. The guide walks you through the production and storage areas, explaining how the wines are made and bottled, before five local wines are poured for tasting. Lunch is available if you want it, though it is not included in the base price.

You travel in a VIP Mercedes V class or a Jeep Renegade depending on group size, with hotel pickup included. The tour is led by a live guide who speaks English or German. Water and Greek and Cretan snacks travel with you throughout the day.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup in a Mercedes V class or Jeep Renegade.
• bottled water throughout the day.
• Greek and Cretan snacks.
• olive oil factory tour with local product tasting.
• five local wines at the winery tasting.
• a live guide in English or German.

Options for this experience

2 options

Up to 3 per booking · Guide in EnglishNo fixed time

Up to 7 per booking · Guide in English or GermanNo fixed time

You pick the guide language when booking.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

GroupPrivate

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 due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on site€ 15

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats availablePets welcome

Operated by Your Cretan Local

Is this one for you?Book the smaller group if you're traveling with just a few people and want a private vehicle. Choose the larger group option if you're splitting costs across more travelers.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and German.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Lake Kournas like, and can I swim in it?

Lake Kournas is Crete's only natural freshwater lake. You can ride a pedalo across it, and swimming is possible for those who want to (you'll share the water with ducks and turtles), though it's optional.

How much wine tasting happens at the winery?

The winery tasting includes five local wines. You'll tour the production and storage areas first, learning how the wines are made and bottled, then sit down to taste them.

What's included in the tour price, and what costs extra?

Hotel pickup, bottled water, Greek and Cretan snacks, olive oil tasting, and the five-wine tasting at the winery are all included. Lunch and coffee or tea are available for an additional cost if you want them.

Do I need to be fit or athletic for this tour?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. Pedalo riding is the main physical activity, and it's optional. You can skip it and relax at the lake instead.