Crete Finikia and Giouchtas Mountains Horse Riding Tour with Lunch

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ An unforgettable experience with the most wonderful family! 🐴🌙🩷

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ An unforgettable experience with the most wonderful family! 🐴🌙🩷 We booked this tour as a family of six — four adults and two children — and honestly, it was one of the most amazing experiences of our holiday! A special mention to Irene, who I booked with and who made all the arrangements for us. From the very beginning, she was wonderful, and the care she took to make our experience so special meant so much to us. We were picked up and dropped off at our hotel by the lovely Gregory and Ava, and from start to finish, we felt so welcome. You can immediately see how much they love and care for all their animals, not just the horses. They are clearly treated with so much love and respect. We were each given our horses, all with hilarious names! My horse was called Love, and she was an absolute sweetheart. 🐴❤️ We rode up the mountain, surrounded by the most glorious views of olive trees, enjoyed a little feast at the top with juice and water, and then rode back down under the beautiful moonlight. It was truly magical! We were celebrating my little girl Sophie’s birthday while on holiday, and this was going to be our last day together as a family before heading home. Irene had thoughtfully arranged a birthday cake for Sophie, which was absolutely delicious! We then enjoyed wine, fresh fruit and raki, and all sang Happy Birthday together. We honestly cannot thank Irene, Gregory, Ava and their beautiful family enough for the memories they have given us. Sophie was absolutely over the moon with her birthday cake, and so were we all! 🥹❤️ It was such a thoughtful and unexpected gesture that made an already incredible evening even more special. The hospitality, kindness and genuine love your family shows towards both people and animals make this place truly special. It is clear that every animal is loved, cared for and treated wonderfully. This has been the absolute highlight of our holiday, and we will treasure these memories for a lifetime. Thank you for making our last day together so magical and for giving Sophie a birthday she will never forget. Irene, thank you for arranging everything so beautifully, and Gregory and Ava, thank you for making us feel so welcome and sharing your wonderful horses and home with us. What an amazing experience, what a wonderful family, and what a special place. We will most definitely be back! 🩷🐴🌙 Thank you all from the bottom of our hearts! ❤️

via Tripadvisor

Horseback riding in Heraklion

I really enjoyed my horseback riding experience! The lunch was also delicious.

via Tripadvisor

Fun experience

It was an unforgettable experience. All horses are calm and experienced. It was my first time riding a horse and I loved it. The food was delicious. The owners are very nice and welcoming. 100% reccomend for fun experience.

via Tripadvisor

Great for total beginners, about 2 hrs to n the saddle. Easy pace, great guide, great horses, and tasty food afterwards

Avoid sandals and any kind of open shoes, take sunscreen with you, don't need to take water or anything like snacks.

via Viator

So Much More Than a Horseback Ride

We came for the horseback riding, but it was the people, the laughter, and the animals that made the day unforgettable. It was one of those special days that stays in your heart long after your vacation is over. From the moment George picked us up at our hotel, we knew we were going to have a wonderful day. Along the way, he stopped to feed a group of stray cats, something he does several times a day simply because he cares about them. That small act told us so much about the kind of people we were about to spend the day with. George is also absolutely hysterical! He had us laughing throughout the entire car ride and made us feel completely at ease from the moment we met him. When we arrived at the farm, we were welcomed so warmly. There is such a genuine family feeling to the whole experience, and it is obvious how deeply they love and care for their horses and all the animals around them. Irene’s passion for animal welfare shines through in everything she does. She knows each horse’s personality and takes such care to make sure every rider feels comfortable, confident, and safe, regardless of their experience level. The ride through the Cretan mountains was absolutely beautiful and gave us a completely different way to experience the island. But as beautiful as the scenery was, it was the people who made the day truly unforgettable. Their kindness, warmth, and wonderful sense of humor made us feel less like tourists and more like friends being welcomed into their home. After the ride, we all sat together and enjoyed a delicious homemade Cretan lunch. It was the perfect ending to an already wonderful day—relaxed, personal, and wonderfully authentic, like spending the afternoon with a Greek family. We left with full stomachs, happy hearts, and so much affection for George, Irene, and all their animals. If you love horses, beautiful scenery, delicious food, lots of laughter, and genuinely kindhearted people, please do not miss this experience! It was truly one of the most special and memorable days of our time in Greece. ~The Girls from Maui, XO

Response from the operator: Dear Girls from Maui, Thank you for such a heartfelt review. Reading your words, it's easy to understand why this experience became one of the most memorable moments of your holiday. The beauty of the Cretan mountains, the special connection with the horses, and the genuine warmth of the people involved create something far beyond a simple excursion. We're especially touched by your comments about George, Irene, and their dedication to both animals and guests. The kindness, passion, and authenticity you described reflect the values that Cretan Holidays is proud to support through experiences like this. Thank you for sharing your story and for recommending this beautiful adventure so warmly.

via Tripadvisor