Rethymno: Walking Food Tour with Baklava Demo & Cretan Lunch

Summary

Baklava making in Rethymno old town and Cretan lunch under citrus trees

You’ll start your Rethymno walking food tour sipping Greek coffee in a peaceful square before tasting fresh-baked baklava made by a local master. Sample raki, olive oil and honey as you wander the old town with your guide, then unwind beneath citrus trees for a long Cretan lunch. Expect laughter, honest flavors—and maybe a new friend or two.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect breakfast to taste like honey and woodsmoke. We squeezed into this tiny kafeneio in Rethymno’s old town—our guide Maria waved us over, already laughing about something I’d missed. She ordered for us (I never get the coffee right), and we ended up with sfakianopita drizzled with thyme honey that stuck to my fingers. The square outside was so quiet you could hear someone sweeping two streets away. It felt like we’d wandered into someone’s morning routine by accident.

We walked through alleys that smelled like baking bread and oranges, Maria pointing out little details—she knew everyone, or at least it seemed that way. There was this moment at the old phyllo workshop where Giorgos (the baklava master) let us peek behind the counter. The air inside was warm and sweet, butter everywhere, and he spun the kataifi dough so fast I almost forgot to take a photo. He handed me a piece straight from the tray—still hot, cinnamon clinging to my teeth. I probably looked ridiculous grinning with my mouth full.

The tasting stop was more than just snacks—raki that burned a little going down (Maria said “it’s medicine!”), thick olive oil on bread, honey again but different somehow. We ended up in this garden tucked behind an old building—lemons overhead, orange blossoms somewhere close by. Lunch was noisy and relaxed; plates kept arriving until I lost count. At some point we started trading stories with another couple from Athens, and I realized how easy it is to feel at home here even if you barely speak the language.

I still think about that first bite of warm baklava—and how Maria kept refilling our glasses whenever she thought we needed more courage to try something new. If you’re looking for a walking food tour in Rethymno that feels less like a checklist and more like being invited into someone’s day, this is probably it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Rethymno walking and gastronomy tour

• Enjoy traditional Cretan breakfast
• Taste local olive oil, raki, honey
• Watch master prepare baklava and kataifi
• Relax and dine at Ali Vafi's garden

Top questions

How long does the Rethymno walking food tour last?

The exact duration isn’t specified but expect several hours including breakfast, tastings, walking time and lunch.

Is lunch included on this Rethymno gastronomy tour?

Yes, a full Cretan lunch is included in the garden taverna stop.

Are vegetarian options available during the food tour?

Yes, vegetarian options are available for lunch.

Will we see baklava being made on this tour?

You’ll visit Giorgos Chatziparaschos’ phyllo atelier where you may watch traditional baklava and kataifi being prepared.

Does the tour include drinks?

Yes, you’ll have Greek coffee or juice at breakfast plus tastings of raki and wine during lunch.

Is pickup included for this walking food tour?

No hotel pickup is mentioned; the tour starts in Rethymno old town within easy reach of public transport.

Is this small group or private?

This is a small group tour led by an English or French-speaking local guide.

What’s included

Your day includes all tastings—Greek coffee or juice with traditional snacks for breakfast, samples of olive oil, honey and raki along the walk—and ends with a full Cretan lunch (vegetarian option available) served with local wine under citrus trees. You’ll be guided throughout by a local expert; all taxes and fees are covered too.