Quad Safari Crete: Small-Group Adventure to Achlada Ghost Village

You reach places no car can get to.

A half-day quad biking adventure in Crete where small groups ride backcountry tracks to the clifftop village of Achlada, the orange groves of Fodele, and mountain passes inaccessible by road. A driving lesson and helmet are included. You need a valid license to ride. The guide speaks English, French, German or Arabic and shares local history and connections to traditional Cretan life along the way.

The experience

The day starts with a short theory session and practice run to get comfortable on the quad before the route begins. Once you're ready, you head out on lonely tracks away from the main roads, climbing toward a cliff path that runs along the sea. The terrain shifts as you climb into the heights of Achlada, where the view opens across the surrounding mountains and valleys. This is where most quad tours stop, but this one continues into the village itself, a place abandoned decades ago except for a handful of residents who still live there. Walking through Achlada on foot, you hear the history directly from someone who knows it, and the isolation of the place makes the traditional Cretan way of life tangible in a way a passing glance never could.

From the heights, the route descends through mountain passes in natural surroundings toward Fodele, a working village known for its orange groves and as the birthplace of El Greco. Here you have time to explore on your own: browse local handicrafts, visit the museum or the orthodox churches, or simply sit with a fresh orange juice. The whole experience runs about three and a half hours, structured as a half-day trip so families with younger children can join without the commitment of a full-day excursion. Groups stay small by design, which is the whole point: you're riding with a local who knows the back routes and the people, not following a convoy of twenty bikes.

Arrive 30 minutes before the departure time listed in your booking. You'll need a valid driving license to operate a quad, and the guide will confirm your comfort level before you leave the practice area. Helmets are provided. If you're pregnant or have concerns about the physical demands of riding, check with the operator before booking.

What’s included

• Driving lesson and practice session.
• helmet.
• all fees and taxes.
• small-group route with a local guide speaking your language.
• access to the ghost village of Achlada and the village of Fodele.

Options for this experience

2 options

Guide in 5 languages09:30 and 14:30

Guide in 5 languages18:00

You pick the guide language when booking. Options with the same name differ in details you'll see when you pick a date.

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:30, 14:30 and 18:00

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.Operator's directions: “Come to the Hotel Peninsula Resort and Spa in 71500 Agia Pelagia, we are located on the parking. For Hotels in Agia Pelagia it's possible to ask for a pick-up.”

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

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelers

Operated by Quad Safari Peninsula

Is this one for you?Choose the half-day option if you want the backcountry experience without committing a full day, or the sunset trip if you prefer to ride in the late afternoon and end with views from the heights. Either way, the small-group format and local guide mean you're not following a convoy. You're riding with someone who knows the routes and the people along them.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, French, German, Arabic and Greek.

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 24h before the start.

Can I ride a quad in Crete if I've never done it before?

Yes. The Quad Safari Crete includes a driving lesson and practice session before the route starts, so you learn the basics on the bikes you'll ride. The guide assesses your comfort level and the route is designed to be accessible to all fitness levels.

What is the ghost village of Achlada actually like?

Achlada is an abandoned hilltop settlement where only a few residents remain. You ride the quads to the heights, then walk through the village on foot to see the traditional houses and learn the history from someone who knows the place. It's not accessible by car or on any standard tour route.

Is this tour suitable for families with children?

The Quad Safari Crete is organized as a half-day trip specifically to make it work for families. Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller rather than on a quad, so the whole family can join without a full-day commitment.

Do I need a driving license to go on this quad safari?

Yes, a valid driving license is required to operate a quad on the Quad Safari Crete. If you don't have one or prefer not to ride, check with the operator about other options before booking.

What's included in the price?

The Quad Safari Crete includes the driving lesson, helmet, all fees and taxes. You pay one price and there are no hidden charges. Lunch and drinks are not included, though you'll have time to buy fresh orange juice in Fodele.