Agia Pelagia Guided Quad Bike Safari Heraklion

Agia Pelagia quad base and the driving lesson

The safari starts at our quad base near Agia Pelagia, a small seaside resort about 20 km west of Heraklion. Before you ride, the guides give a safety briefing and a theory and practical driving lesson, so beginners feel comfortable and experienced riders can settle in with the group.

A Crete quad bike tour like this one is a guided group safari, not a rental, so the guide leads and sets the pace. You receive a helmet and protective hairnet, and everyone rides in single file on the tracks. Arrive 30 minutes before departure.

Achlada olive mill and olive oil tasting

One of the most interesting stops is a traditional olive mill at Achlada, where an olive mill tour explains how olive oil has been made in Crete from Minoan times to modern production. Olives are central to Cretan life, and the guide shows the presses and the process in about 20 to 30 minutes.

The visit ends with a free tasting of local olive oil and different kinds of local honey and products. It is a good chance to see the countryside from a cultural angle and to buy something local if you like it.

The ghost village in the Cretan backland

Away from the tourist coast, the route reaches a ghost village in the hills, a place that people left over the decades and where only a handful of residents remain. You park the quads and walk through quiet stone streets and old houses with a guide who tells the story of the place.

Ghost village Crete tours are rare, and this is one of the most atmospheric parts of the safari. The stop is short but memorable, and it gives you time to take photos of the ruined buildings and the mountain views.

Fodele and the birthplace of El Greco

The ride continues through olive groves and along dirt tracks to Fodele, a green village on a river surrounded by orange trees. Fodele is traditionally linked to El Greco, the famous painter, and you pass the memorial dedicated to him.

You have about 25 minutes of free time here for a break, photos, shopping for handmade crafts and a walk through the lanes. Then you ride back to the base, with views across the countryside towards Heraklion on a clear day. It is a relaxed stop after the riding, so use it to stretch your legs, drink some water and compare the day's best photos with your group.

Planning your quad bike safari: age, licence and what to wear

Drivers must be at least 18 years old and hold a valid driving licence that is at least one year old, so bring it with you. Children under 3 and pregnant women cannot take part, and a liability waiver is signed before the tour. The weight limit per quad is 190 kg.

The safari runs in light rain. Wear closed shoes, comfortable clothes and sunglasses; high heels, bare feet, alcohol and drugs are not allowed. Photos with your own camera are permitted only during the stops. If you are unsure whether you are fit enough to drive, ask us before you book and we will explain the ride in detail.