Southern Crete Jeep Safari: Villages, Waterfall & Beach Swim

Drive the Cretan mountains to a waterfall, then swim in the sea

A full-day jeep safari through Southern Crete with an experienced driver, visiting traditional villages and craft workshops, walking to the Richtra waterfall, and swimming at Keratokampos beach with lunch. The route covers mountain views, an olive mill, a pottery workshop, and a stop for Cretan raki and appetizers in a village. Hotel pickup and return, lunch, and a 4WD vehicle with fuel are included. Maximum group size is eight travelers.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore villages, nature, and beach

• Stop at Afselemi dam viewpoint
• Visit traditional olive mill
• See pottery workshop in village
• Explore traditional village and taste raki
• Walk to Richtra waterfall
• Swim and lunch at Keratokampos beach

The experience

The day starts at the Afselemi dam, where you'll see the submerged village of Sfentyli before heading inland to an olive mill to watch how Cretan olive oil is made and see the by-products up close. From there, a pottery workshop in a traditional village shows you how the island's ceramics are produced by hand. You'll taste Cretan raki with appetizers in one of Crete's most beautiful traditional villages, walking its narrow streets and past its churches.

An off-road route through the mountains brings you to the Portela gorge, where a ten-minute walk reaches the Richtra waterfall: active with water depending on winter rainfall. The road then drops to Keratokampos beach on the south coast, where you swim in clear water and eat lunch by the sea before the drive back to your hotel. The entire route is covered in a 4WD vehicle with an experienced driver who speaks English, French, German, Russian and two additional languages.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and return.
• experienced driver speaking your choice of five languages.
• 4WD vehicle and fuel.
• lunch by the sea.
• entry to the olive mill and pottery workshop.
• Cretan raki and appetizers in a traditional village.

Before you book

Days and timesMonday, Wednesday and FridayDeparts at 08:00Last departure this season: 15 Nov

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (18 to 69 years) · Senior (70 to 75 years) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (1 to 12 years) · Infant (under 1): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, French, German, Dutch, Greek and Russian

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 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 3 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Go Crete Safari

Is this one for you?If your group speaks English, French, German, Russian or another of the five available languages, the driver's commentary makes the villages and craft traditions clear without needing a separate guide: groups stay under eight, so the jeep feels intimate rather than crowded.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, French, German, Russian, Greek and Dutch.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (1 to 12 years); Infant (under 1): free.

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 happens at the traditional villages on the Southern Crete jeep safari?

You visit a pottery workshop to see how Cretan ceramics are made by hand, and stop in one of the island's most beautiful traditional villages to taste Cretan raki with appetizers while walking its narrow streets and past its churches.

How long is the walk to the Richtra waterfall?

The walk to the Richtra waterfall takes about ten minutes from the Portela gorge, though water flow depends on winter weather conditions in Crete.

What's included in the price for this jeep safari?

Hotel pickup and return, the 4WD vehicle and fuel, lunch by the sea at Keratokampos beach, and an experienced driver are all included. You choose your guide's language when you book.

What should I bring for the Southern Crete jeep safari?

Walking shoes, sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, a jacket and water are essential. The waterfall walk and beach swimming mean you'll need footwear and sun protection for the full day.