Crete Culinary – A Taste of Home Cooking

Crete Culinary is our shortest Crete tour – and therefore especially suitable if your ship is only in Heraklion for half a day. Rather than covering as many kilometres as possible, Cretan cuisine takes centre stage here: home-made dishes, selected wines and products from the family’s own production. This tour runs on Saturdays and Sundays only.

Cretan Cooking, Home-Made

What comes to the table here is not prepared in a restaurant kitchen but at home – fresh, on the day, for you. Several courses of Cretan specialities are served, from meze through vegetable dishes to a main course and a dessert. The Cretan diet is considered one of the healthiest in the world and has been the subject of medical studies for decades. Plenty of olive oil, wild herbs, pulses and cheese, and little meat – you will notice how good it tastes.

Wines Chosen to Match the Food

A matching Cretan wine is selected and explained for every course. The island has its own grape varieties such as Vidiano, Vilana, Kotsifali and Mandilari, which are barely known outside Greece – a good reason to try them here.

Tasting of Home-Made Products

Alongside this come products from their own production: golden olive oil, thyme and pine honey, olives, goat’s cheese, herbs, raki and home-infused liqueurs. You learn how they are made and how to recognise good quality.

Perfect for a Short Port Call

At around five hours this tour is considerably shorter than our full-day excursions – ideal if your ship sails early or you would rather not rush your day ashore. Vegetarian and vegan menus are possible; please let us know about allergies and intolerances in advance.

Tour Highlights

• Several courses of Cretan specialities, cooked at home on the day
• A matching Cretan wine explained with every course
• Native grapes: Vidiano, Vilana, Kotsifali and Mandilari
• Tasting of home-made olive oil, thyme honey, cheese and raki
• Only around five hours – ideal for a short port call

At a Glance

• Duration: approx. 5 hours
• Available: Saturdays and Sundays only
• Type: private tour
• Guide: English-speaking
• Start: pick-up directly at the Heraklion cruise terminal

Good to Know

• Pick-up at the Heraklion cruise terminal once your ship is cleared; we agree the exact time with you in advance.
• We plan around your ship’s actual port time and bring you back in good time.
• Bring sturdy shoes, sun protection and a hat in summer, plus a jacket in the cooler months.
• There is little walking involved – the tours work well with small children or limited mobility. A walking aid or rollator is no problem, just tell us when booking.
• Vegetarian, vegan and allergy-friendly meals are available on request.
• This tour runs on Saturdays and Sundays only.

Booking the Crete Culinary

Tell us which ship you are on and how long you are in port, and we will fit the Crete Culinary around your day ashore. You are under no obligation until everything is confirmed.

This tour is one of our shore excursions in Crete.