Windmills and wine in one long day. I like the way this route links quiet Cretan villages with the big views of the Lasithi Plateau, and I love the hands-on pottery lesson plus the olive oil, wine, and raki tastings. The trade-off is a full-day schedule and a few extra site fees once you start choosing optional stops like the Zeus cave or the mythology park.

This is built for people who want more than a checklist. Hotel pickup makes it easy, the group stays small (max 18), and the day moves at a pace that lets you actually see things—not just pass them. If your guide is Joseph (a name that comes up a lot), you’ll also get story-style explanations as you wind through the island.

And the value is real: lunch is included, and it comes with traditional Cretan food plus wine and raki. Just pack for a long day and expect some driving that feels more rugged than a city bus ride.

Key highlights you should care about

• Cretan tastings included: olive oil, wine, and raki at a family-run stop
• Wheel pottery lesson: you do it, not just watch it
• Lasithi Plateau choices: windmills plus optional Zeus cave or Greek mythology theme park
• Big views with less sitting around: photo stops and viewpoints timed for comfort
• Off-road style through Rozas Gorge: a rare-feeling way to see the interior
• Small-group feel: fewer people means the day stays friendly and flexible

A full-day Lasithi Plateau circuit from Heraklion

This tour runs about 7 hours, and it’s one of those days where the schedule looks busy on paper—but it flows because each stop has a reason to exist.

You start with pickup from your hotel and head out in an air-conditioned vehicle. WiFi is included on board, which is handy for map-checking or sending a couple of photos before the signal disappears. The tour is offered in English, and the group size tops out at 18, so it’s not the mass-coach vibe.

What I’d do before you go: wear comfortable shoes and bring a light layer. The plateau and gorge area can feel cooler or more breezy than Heraklion, and you’ll be walking a bit around viewpoints and village stops.

If you need something specific (like a baby chair), message the provider during booking so they can plan for it.

Mochos and Krasi: village life and a 2,000-year-old plane tree

Stop 1 is Mochos, a traditional village with an old church. This is the kind of place you visit to slow down for a moment. The photo opportunities are simple and real: stone, small streets, and the feeling that time moves at a different speed.

After Mochos, you drive through scenery toward Krasi. The tour doesn’t rush you through the area. Instead, it sets you up for a classic “wait, wow” moment.

Stop 3 is Krasi’s plane tree—an ancient giant listed as more than 2,000 years old. It’s not just a photo spot; it’s a good reminder that people have lived, worked, and celebrated here long before windmills were a tourist magnet. If you like practical travel moments, this one delivers.

Quick tip: if you’re the type who loves details, look around the tree’s surroundings. You’ll often see village life rhythms near these landmarks, not just the landmark itself.

Aposelemis Dam photostops and the scenic road toward the plateau

At Aposelemis Dam, you get a brief stretch to look out and shoot photos. The stop also includes viewpoints tied to Sincken and Avdou villages.

This portion of the day works like a breather. It breaks up the longer stretches of driving so the later plateau section doesn’t feel like one long grind. You’ll probably be glad for it when you reach the windmills, because that’s where the options and extra walking time can add up.

Windmills of Lasithi Plateau: your choices and what costs extra

This is the star area: the Windmills of Lasithi Plateau. But here’s the smart part—the stop is flexible.

You’ll have about 1 hour 10 minutes to choose how you want to spend your time at the plateau:

• Grab coffee and do a slower wander
• Shop around the area
• Visit the Greek mythology themed park (entrance is not included)
• Visit the cave of Zeus (entrance is not included)

The windmills themselves connect to the plateau’s identity, and even when you’re not going into every attraction, the views and the sheer oddness of the scene do the job. There’s something satisfying about seeing the windmills in context—high up, spread out, and tied to a landscape that feels built for weather and agriculture.

Cost consideration: the Windmills of Lasithi Plateau has an entrance fee of €6 per person, and both the mythology theme park and the Zeus cave are listed at €6 per person each (and they’re not included in the tour price).

Also note the timing pattern: there’s a second, shorter moment later for a photo stop at the windmills area. So even if you decide not to add the extra attractions during the main plateau hour, you’ll still get the classic windmill shots.

Practical advice: if you want the Zeus cave or the mythology park, plan your time carefully during the first plateau stop. You don’t want to feel rushed at the end of your day, especially with the later gorge drive.

Family Pitarokilis: olive oil, wine, raki, and wheel pottery

Stop 5 is where this tour becomes something more than sightseeing. You go to Family Pitarokilis for olive oil, wine, and raki tasting, plus a pottery lesson.

This is also one of the most praised parts of the day because it’s hands-on and family-run in spirit. The host style people describe here is warm and personal—less formal, more like you’re being shown how it’s done.

Here’s what to expect, practically:

• You’ll taste olive oil and also sample wine and raki
• You’ll get a pottery lesson on the wheel (so yes, your day includes something slightly messy—bring a smile)

The value angle is important. Many tours sell tastings, but you often get small pours and a quick walk-through. This one gives you a longer block (about 2 hours), so you can actually learn how the products fit into everyday Cretan life—and you get to do something with your hands.

If you’re worried about getting your clothes dirty: wear something that can handle a craft project. Shoes that won’t slip are a plus.

Tzermiado lunch with Cretan wine and raki

After the plateau choices and tastings, you head to Tzermiado for lunch. You get about 1 hour 30 minutes here, which is the right amount of time to eat without panic.

Lunch is included and described as traditional Cretan cuisine, and it comes with Cretan wine and raki. Translation: this isn’t a quick snack stop. It’s a full meal in a normal local rhythm, which makes the day feel cohesive instead of chopped into separate attractions.

If you’ve tasted oil, wine, and raki earlier, you might want to pace yourself at lunch. You’ll likely get more than one course, and it’s a long day overall. (Your future self during the gorge drive will thank you.)

Rozas Gorge off-road driving: getting the feel of the island’s interior

The final big physical moment is Rozas Gorge, where you do an off-road style drive through the gorge for about 55 minutes.

This is one of those segments that makes the tour feel different from the standard “stop, photo, leave” model. It’s not just the scenery—it’s the way the route moves. Off-road driving can mean a rougher ride, so if you’re sensitive to motion, sit where you feel most comfortable and keep your expectations in check.

What you’ll get out of it:

• A stronger sense of Crete’s interior
• A change of tempo right before the day ends
• More natural views than you’d get from a highway viewpoint

Bring sunglasses if you have them. Light and angles can shift quickly through gorge areas, and it makes photos easier without straining your eyes.

Price and value: what you’re really paying for

The price is $114.39 per person, and on paper it can look like a lot for 7 hours. But when you break down what’s included, the math starts to make sense.

You’re getting:

• Lunch (traditional Cretan cuisine)
• Olive oil, wine, and raki tastings
• Pottery lesson
• Air-conditioned vehicle and WiFi on board

What’s not included are key add-on site fees:

• Windmills of Lasithi Plateau entrance: €6 per person
• Greek mythology theme park entrance: €6 per person
• Cave of Zeus entrance: €6 per person

So the decision point is basically: do you just enjoy the windmills area, or do you add both the mythology park and Zeus cave?

If you’re excited about the food and pottery, this tour already justifies itself even if you skip one or both paid attractions. If you’re a mythology fan who wants everything, budget for the extra entrances and plan your time tightly during that plateau hour.

Also, this tends to be booked ahead (on average, about 35 days in advance). If your dates are firm, I’d reserve early so you don’t end up with a different pickup time or a less ideal schedule.

Who this tour fits best (and who should think twice)

This is a great match if you:

• Want Cretan food experiences, not just photos
• Like small-group touring (max 18) and a guide who talks through what you’re seeing
• Enjoy doing activities, especially the pottery lesson
• Want a mix of culture, scenery, and a little mythology

You might think twice if you:

• Get uncomfortable with long days (about 7 hours)
• Are sensitive to motion, since the gorge drive is described as off-road
• Don’t want extra costs later, because the windmills area and optional sites have €6 entrance fees

Families can often manage it because it’s built for most people, and pickup is from hotels—but if you have a mobility need, tell the operator so they can set you up right.

Should you book this Lasithi Plateau wine and olive oil tasting tour?

I’d book it if your ideal day in Crete includes real flavors and one or two memorable experiences you can’t get on your own in the same way. The combo of olive oil/wine/raki tastings, a pottery lesson, and the Lasithi Plateau windmills hits a sweet spot: food + culture + scenery.

Skip it only if you want long independent free time, or if you prefer a strictly low-activity format. This tour has a full schedule, and it’s designed to keep moving.

If you’re on the fence, here’s the simplest way to decide:

• If you’ll use the tastings and pottery, you’re already getting full value.
• If you want Zeus cave and the mythology park too, plan for the extra entrance fees and make your choices during the first plateau stop.

FAQ

FAQ

How long is the tour?

It lasts about 7 hours.

Where does the tour start?

It starts in the Heraklion area with hotel pickup. You’ll be picked up from your hotel.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, it’s offered in English.

What’s included in the price?

Lunch is included, along with WiFi on board, an air-conditioned vehicle, and the olive oil, wine, and raki tasting plus a pottery lesson.

Are entrance fees included?

No. Entrance fees are listed as not included for the Zeus cave, the Greek mythology theme park, and the Windmills of Lasithi Plateau (each listed at €6 per person).

What happens at the Windmills of Lasithi Plateau?

You’ll have time to choose how to spend it: coffee or shopping, or visiting the mythology themed park or the cave of Zeus (both have entrance fees).

Do I get a second stop for windmills?

Yes. After lunch and the longer plateau visit, there’s another shorter photo stop at the windmills area.

Is lunch and alcohol included?

Lunch is included and is described as traditional Cretan cuisine with Cretan wine and raki.

Is there free cancellation?

Yes. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience starts. If you cancel less than 24 hours before, the amount paid isn’t refunded.