Experience the ultimate wine tasting adventure at Lyrarakis Winery on Crete Island. Indulge in exquisite local wines and immerse yourself in the rich winemaking culture of the region. Transfer included!
Experience the ultimate wine tasting adventure at Lyrarakis Winery on Crete Island. Indulge in exquisite local wines and immerse yourself in the rich winemaking culture of the region. Transfer included!
-
Heraklion Prefecture - The soap workshop is a delightful haven of fragrance and warmth, where traditional methods are cherished. Visitors enter a space where time is taken, and nothing is dictated by machines. Soap is crafted as taught by our grandmothers, using quality oil, patient hands, and a touch of Cretan pride that never compromises.
Guests…
- Heraklion Prefecture - The soap workshop is a delightful haven of fragrance and warmth, where traditional methods are cherished. Visitors enter a space where time is taken, and nothing is dictated by machines. Soap is crafted as taught by our grandmothers, using quality oil, patient hands, and a touch of Cretan pride that never compromises.
Guests witness the entire process: olive oil gently warming, herbs being crushed as they always have been, and mixtures stirred with the steady rhythm of someone who values tradition over trends. The scents of thyme, sage, and rosemary fill the air, offering the genuine aromas of the island. It’s a small yet enchanting experience that leaves a lasting impression. Visitors depart with clean hands, clearer minds, and a sense that perhaps the old ways were indeed the best.
- Heraklion Prefecture - The olive mill is a place where time seems to pause, observing the machines while old stories echo in the background. Visitors enter a realm where the revered Cretan olive still dominates, and everything is done with respect for the tree that sustained our ancestors. They witness the entire journey — from freshly picked fruit to the golden oil flowing warmly from the press, as it has for centuries, albeit with cleaner floors and fewer donkeys.
They hear the crunch of the olives, feel the warmth of the extraction room, and taste oil so fresh it still feels like an olive. No marketing gimmicks, no fancy tricks — just genuine craftsmanship, tradition steadfastly maintained, and that unmistakable aroma that assures you of being in a genuine place. It’s a simple visit, yet it reminds people why Cretans refer to olive oil as “liquid life.”
- Heraklion Prefecture - AFTERNOON BOOKING OPTION ONLY
The winery you’ll visit exudes a quiet dignity, never rushing to impress but allowing the land to speak for itself. Here, vineyards stretch across slopes that have endured sun, wind, and dedicated farmers for generations, with each bottle reflecting that character. Guests enter a cellar where the cool air is filled with the scent of oak, fermenting grapes, and a patience forgotten by the modern world.
You’ll taste 3–4 indigenous varieties — the proud representatives of Crete. Vidiano with its gentle fragrance, Liatiko with its earthy essence, Kotsifali that stands firm, and perhaps Mandilari, the dark, brooding one that takes its time to reveal itself. Nothing pretentious, nothing polished for show. Just authentic wines, poured by those who believe good things are cultivated, not manufactured. It’s a modest revelation, one that lingers long after the last sip.
- Heraklion Prefecture - AVAILABLE ON MORNING BOOKING OPTION
This small winery-distillery embodies the charm of a family craft passed down without shortcuts. Guests explore a humble cellar where barrels breathe quietly and local grape varieties reveal their true character without pretense.
Then there’s the raki corner, with copper stills that seem to have witnessed every harvest since time immemorial. Here, grape pomace transforms into the honest, fiery spirit Cretans cherish for celebrations, welcomes, and the occasional truth-telling. Simple, genuine, and rooted in tradition — precisely the kind of place where the old ways still prevail.

- Olive Mill tour with Olive Oil tastings
- Soap Workshop
- Door-to-door Pick-up Service
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Wine Tasting of 2 indigenous varieties
- Raki Tasting
- Small Group Shuttle Van
- Winery Tour
- Olive Mill tour with Olive Oil tastings
- Soap Workshop
- Door-to-door Pick-up Service
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Wine Tasting of 2 indigenous varieties
- Raki Tasting
- Small Group Shuttle Van
- Winery Tour
- Extra Beverages or Food cost
- Extra Beverages or Food cost
Crete’s authentic essence is found not on its beaches, but inland, where ancient olive trees murmur and the air is infused with wild thyme. Here, one encounters individuals who continue to work as their ancestors did, with careful hands and without haste.
The adventure starts at a family-run olive mill, where fresh oil is sampled directly from the press….
Crete’s authentic essence is found not on its beaches, but inland, where ancient olive trees murmur and the air is infused with wild thyme. Here, one encounters individuals who continue to work as their ancestors did, with careful hands and without haste.
The adventure starts at a family-run olive mill, where fresh oil is sampled directly from the press. Next, a quaint winery presents local varietals and the cozy atmosphere of its cellar. A raki distillery then welcomes visitors, demonstrating the creation of this spirited beverage and its connection to camaraderie. Finally, the serene allure of a handmade soap workshop is revealed, where olive oil is transformed into something both fragrant and simple.
Every stop provides stories, tastes, and glimpses into a slower, more rooted time. This journey is more than just sightseeing — it’s an immersion into the authentic Crete, leaving one with a heart full and a taste of its essence.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.