Be the Soapmaker: Private Workshop in Crete | by Helleo
Overview
Be the soapmaker — not just a visitor. Step into Helleo, a small family-run soap lab, founded by Manos and Stelios, and discover their world of olive oil, botanicals, handmade craft and creative experimentation.
Just 7 km from Heraklion, 5 km from Knossos and 5 km from Archanes, Helleo is an easy addition to your day in Crete. Meet the people behind the brand, discover how their family’s fresh extra-virgin olive oil, herbs, fruits, clays and fragrances become handmade soaps.
In this private, hands-on soapmaking workshop, choose the ingredients, textures and scent you love and create your own blend. Give your soap its own identity, make it with your own hands and take it home together with your personal Soapmaker’s Card.
And the journey can continue after you leave: share your creation and its story with Helleo, and it may become part of the Helleo Soapmakers’ Collection — giving your creation the chance to go further.
Come as a visitor. Leave as a soapmaker!
What's Included
- Snacks Some light local refreshments including local teas and coffee to be offered throughout the workshop
- Bottled water
- All Fees and Taxes
- English, Greek Guide
- Alcoholic beverages Alcoholic Beverages
- Carbonated beverages Soda/Pop
- Private transportation
Meeting Location
Leof. Eth. Antistasis 136
Vasilies 715 00, Greece
Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.
This activity ends back at the meeting point.
What To Expect
When you arrive at Helleo, you’ll meet Manos, Stelios and their team and get a short introduction to the lab and the soapmaking process.
You’ll see the tools and ingredients they use — from their family’s extra-virgin olive oil to herbs, fruits, clays and fragrances — and discover how these become handmade soap.
Then it’s your turn.
Choose your ingredients, texture and fragrance, mix your blend and pour it into your mould, with the Helleo team guiding you through each step.
Your soap is ready to take home at the end of the workshop, together with your personal Soapmaker’s Card and Blend ID.
Before leaving, you can browse the Helleo concept store, featuring handmade soaps, natural fragrances, ceramics and other creations made at the lab.
And if you’d like to take it one step further, scan your Soapmaker’s Card and submit your creation to the Helleo Soapmakers’ Collection.
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- For any allergens on ingredients or scents please let us know
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Please note: The workshop takes place in our production area in the basement, accessible by stairs.
Frequently Asked Questions (7)
Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Be the Soapmaker: Private Workshop in Crete | by Helleo?
Cancellation Policy
Still have questions?
We're here to help.
Activity code: C-5495830P1
Traveler Photos
Reviews
Average 5.00 out of 5 stars based on 20 traveler reviews collected by Cool Shore Excursions and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor
Additional Info
Similar Tours & Activities
Escape to paradise with this private cruise. Whether you're traveling with family, friends, or celebrating a special occasion, this exclusive getaway offers ultimate comfort, privacy,...
$2,009
Elafonisi is an oblong, which often”breaks” in two parts by water giving the impression of being a separate island and a “Natura 2000” protected area....
$46
Get introduced to Chania beyond the monuments on a relaxed craft beer & food tour made for guests who want Crete without stress. Walk through...
$92
Discover Crete’s ancient heritage and southern coast on a private tour from Heraklion to Gortys, Phaistos, and Matala. Travel comfortably with your English-speaking driver/guide and...
$93
Escape to paradise with this private cruise. Whether you're traveling with family, friends, or celebrating a special occasion, this exclusive getaway offers ultimate comfort, privacy,...
$2,009
Elafonisi is an oblong, which often”breaks” in two parts by water giving the impression of being a separate island and a “Natura 2000” protected area....
$46
Get introduced to Chania beyond the monuments on a relaxed craft beer & food tour made for guests who want Crete without stress. Walk through...
$92
Discover Crete’s ancient heritage and southern coast on a private tour from Heraklion to Gortys, Phaistos, and Matala. Travel comfortably with your English-speaking driver/guide and...
$93
Travelers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought
Safari Club: Minoan Route with Lunch
Join this 8-hour guided excursion through the Cretan mountains and discover the wonders of the Minoan Route. Stop at historic sites including an ancient Roman aqueduct...
$98
Troy Dinner-Show
A dinner-show for all the family! Heroes, Gods and Goddesses of the most famous event of Greek Mythology will come alive in front of your...
$40
Discover the beauty of western Crete on a comfortable day trip from Chania. Travel in a modern, fully air-conditioned coach with a professional driver and...
$32
Enjoy a hassle-free visit to Knossos Palace, one of the oldest and luxurious palaces in the world, provided by a skip-the-line ticket that comes with...
$14
Join this 8-hour guided excursion through the Cretan mountains and discover the wonders of the Minoan Route. Stop at historic sites including an ancient Roman aqueduct...
$98
A dinner-show for all the family! Heroes, Gods and Goddesses of the most famous event of Greek Mythology will come alive in front of your...
$40
Discover the beauty of western Crete on a comfortable day trip from Chania. Travel in a modern, fully air-conditioned coach with a professional driver and...
$32
Enjoy a hassle-free visit to Knossos Palace, one of the oldest and luxurious palaces in the world, provided by a skip-the-line ticket that comes with...
$14
Frequently Asked Questions (7)
The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from Cool Shore Excursions customers.
Filter by:
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (EET).
- Snacks. Some light local refreshments including local teas and coffee to be offered throughout the workshop.
- Bottled water.
- All Fees and Taxes.
- English, Greek Guide.
- Alcoholic beverages. Alcoholic Beverages.
- Carbonated beverages. Soda/Pop.
- Private transportation.
The minimum age to participate is 3. This tour requires at least one adult to accompany children..
Apr 2025If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.
If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.
Apr 2025Accessibility information for the Be the Soapmaker: Private Workshop in Crete | by Helleo is as follows:
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- For any allergens on ingredients or scents please let us know
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Be the Soapmaker: Private Workshop in Crete | by Helleo will be included in your confirmation email from Cool Shore Excursions. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!
Mar 2024Once your refund is processed, it usually shows on your card statement within 5–10 business days. The exact timing depends on your bank or card issuer.
Want it sooner? When you cancel, choose Receive a refund to my wallet instead. The credit is in your Wallet straight away and is applied automatically at checkout on your next booking when you’re signed in with the same email. You can see your balance any time in My Wallet.
If you paid part of your booking with Wallet credit, that part always goes back to your Wallet. Trip protection isn’t refundable.
Oct 2026What's Included
- SnacksSome light local refreshments including local teas and coffee to be offered throughout the workshop
- Bottled water
- All Fees and Taxes
- English, Greek Guide
- Alcoholic beveragesAlcoholic Beverages
- Carbonated beveragesSoda/Pop
- Private transportation
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- For any allergens on ingredients or scents please let us know
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Please note: The workshop takes place in our production area in the basement, accessible by stairs.
