Quad and Buggy Tours Around Heraklion: Agia Pelagia, the Backcountry and the Olive Mill
Updated October 8, 2026 · 6 min read
The hills behind the north coast of Crete are where the quad tours go: dirt tracks between olive groves, abandoned villages and, usually, a stop on a beach or at an olive mill. Most of the popular tours start in or near Agia Pelagia, a seaside village roughly 25 km west of Heraklion, and the five most-booked ones cost between €40 and €65 per person.
The short answer. For most people, the Agia Pelagia authentic backland quad bike tour: 3.5 hours, €42.50, 4.9 stars over 2,447 reviews. If you would rather sit beside the driver than behind them, take the buggy safari with olive mill, tasting and ghost village at €65.
Check dates and prices for the Agia Pelagia backland quad tour
Five tours compared
| Tour | Duration | From | Rating | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agia Pelagia authentic backland quad bike tour | 3.5 hours | €42.50 | 4.9 (2,447) | First-timers who want the classic route |
| Sunset or morning quad with local products tasting | 3 hours | €40 | 4.9 (2,063) | The cheapest of the five, with olive oil and tasting |
| Agia Pelagia sunset or morning quad tour with ghost town visit | about 3.5 hours | €44 | 4.9 (513) | Sunset plus an abandoned village and a shot of raki |
| Buggy safari: olive mill, tasting and ghost village | 3.5 hours | €65 | 4.9 (1,434) | Two people who prefer a seat to a saddle |
| Quad 4x4 safari with cave, lunch and hotel transfer | 5 – 5.5 hours | €62.50 | 4.8 (734) | A longer day with a cave and lunch, picked up at your hotel |
What actually differs
Quad or buggy. On a quad you ride astride the vehicle, and if you share one, the passenger sits behind the driver. A buggy is usually a two-seater with seats side by side, a roll cage and seat belts, which suits couples and anyone who dislikes being exposed to the dust. It also costs more, which is why the buggy is the €65 option here.
Sunset or morning. Both are offered on the Agia Pelagia tours. Morning is cooler and the light is clear; sunset gives you colour on the sea but a ride that ends close to dark. On a sunset slot, ask when the last quad comes back and whether the route is lit.
Cheap or longer. The €40 tour is the cheapest of the five and a solid first outing. The €62.50 safari is a different product: five hours or more, a cave, an olive oil factory, lunch and hotel pick-up. Decide whether you want the tracks or the day.
Questions to ask before you pay
The listings list the price per person, but quad operators often put two people on one vehicle. Ask on the booking page whether the price is for one rider or for one quad, and who pays if you want a quad to yourself.
Ask about the driving licence. Operators in Crete set their own rules for the driver’s age, the licence and how long it has been held. Do not assume yours qualifies; check the participation conditions on the page.
Ask what happens if the quad is damaged. A tour operator’s insurance often leaves an excess with you. We do not quote a figure because it depends on the operator, and a wrong figure here costs real money.
Check that helmets are included, and bring closed shoes. Long trousers are a good idea on a dusty track even in summer.
Children and passengers
Children usually ride as passengers, not drivers, and each operator sets a minimum age. We do not give an age because the operators differ and the booking page for the tour you choose is the only reliable answer. If your child is small, ask the operator whether the buggy or the quad is offered for your party size, and what the child sits in.
Heat, dust and who should skip it
A quad is a noisy, bumpy vehicle on open tracks, hot in summer and dusty at any time of year. If you dislike dust or a rough ride, a boat day or a guided walk through Knossos will suit you better. Choose the early or late slot in summer rather than the middle of the day.
Where else off-road goes
If you want the mountains rather than the coast, a Jeep or Land Rover day to the plateau is the other classic. Read about it in Lasithi Plateau and the Zeus Cave. The full range, from quads to Jeeps and buggies, is in our quad, Jeep and buggy tours category.
