In the morning, we'll join our expert guide in Heraklion and take a short drive to the Palace of Knossos, a site that spans two ancient cultures: Minoan and Mycenaean. Centuries before Plato and Sophocles roamed Athens, an earlier culture thrived on Bronze Age Crete, Greece’s largest island. As we explore and discuss this unique site, we will learn about its foundations, the society that supported it, the world of the Bronze Age Mediterranean in which it flourished, and the story behind the original throne of "Minos". Leaving Knossos behind, we will drive back to Heraklion to spend some time in one of the most important museums in Greece, the Heraklion Archaeological Museum. It houses representative artifacts from all the periods of Cretan prehistory and history, covering a chronological span of over 5,500 years from the Neolithic period to Roman times. The singularly important Minoan collection contains unique examples of Minoan art, many of them true masterpieces.

After a morning well-spent in and around Knossos, we’ll take a break for lunch and a treat such as a Greek coffee and the renowned bougatsa pastry from Heraklion. Fueled by tasty Greek food, we’ll spend the last part of our tour exploring the charming capital of Crete, Heraklion, and its numerous historical monuments. From the cathedral of St. Minas to the impressive church of St. Titus to Lion Square and the local open-air market, our expert guide will add color and context to this historical center and architecture dating from the Venetian period (14th-17th century).

At the end of our full-day Knossos and Heraklion itinerary, we will have stitched together an Ancient Minoan, and Greek historical narrative. After having ventured together across a number of sites relevant to the archaeological identity of Crete, our full-day tour will leave us with a deeper sense of the importance of this small Greek island.

NOTE: This tour includes a car service that will pick you up at your accommodation. We are able to accommodate tours starting from Heraklion, Chania or Elounda. Please tell us your hotel or apartment address in the 'Additional Details' box while adding the tour to your shopping cart and select the correct car service at check out.

Your expert guide will select a typical local restaurant for lunch but the cost of the meal is not included in the tour price.  

 

Our tours happen rain or shine. Our guides are great at adapting their route during changes in weather. 

 

Although it might be a long day for younger learners, we can adapt this day to be more geared towards families. 

 

The tour starts and ends at your accommodation in Heraklion. Due to the geography of the island, please let us know where you are staying so we can arrange a transfer for you. 

 

We are able to accommodate transportation from Heraklion, and Chania or Elounda for an extra cost. You can select the correct car service at check out and leave us a note about your hotel address.

If we are staying in Heraklion are we able to start this tour earlier?
Yes, from Heraklion we can start the tour at 9 am if you'd like to begin earlier. If you'd like to do the 9 am start time you can write it in your order details and we'll make that change noting you are staying in Heraklion.

 

This tour is accessible for wheelchairs and people with mobility issues with some adjustments. A part of the Knossos Palace Archeological Site is not accessible to wheelchairs, but the Archaeological Museum is completely accessible. If you have mobility concerns, please feel free to contact us after booking so we can coordinate with our guides to accommodate your needs. 

 

What other tours do you offer in Crete? 

Check out our Crete Full-Day Tour: Chania and Agia Triada Monastery.