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Full-Day Knossos and Heraklion Tour from Chania and Rethymno: Explore Ancient and Modern Crete
4.0
23 Ratings
Knosos
Embark on a comprehensive day-long excursion to the ancient Palace of Knossos, culminating at the city of Heraklion with the option to explore the Archeological museum, brimming with Minoan exhibits, at your leisure. Additionally, experience the contrast of old and new Crete with a sojourn in the city of Heraklion!
Embark on a comprehensive day-long excursion to the ancient Palace of Knossos, culminating at the city of Heraklion with the option to explore the Archeological museum, brimming with Minoan exhibits, at your leisure. Additionally, experience the contrast of old and new Crete with a sojourn in the city of Heraklion!
Duration:
11 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- The Palace of Knossos - Knossos is the site of the most important and better-known palace of Minoan civilization. According to tradition, it was the seat of the legendary king Minos. The Palace is also connected with thrilling legends, such as the myth of the Labyrinth with the Minotaur and the story of Daedalus and Icarus. The site was…
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The Palace of Knossos - Knossos is the site of the most important and better-known palace of Minoan civilization. According to tradition, it was the seat of the legendary king Minos. The Palace is also connected with thrilling legends, such as the myth of the Labyrinth with the Minotaur and the story of Daedalus and Icarus. The site was continuously
inhabited from the Neolithic period (7000- 3000 B.C.) until Roman times. After its partial destruction in 1450 B.C., Knossos was settled by Mycenaeans from the Greek Mainland. The city flourished again during the Hellenistic period in 67 B.C. It was captured by the Roman Quintus Caecilius Metelus Creticus.
Knossos was discovered in 1878 by Minos Kalokairinos. Arthur Evans conducted systematic excavations at the site between 1900 and 1931, bringing to light the palace, a large section of the Minoan city, and the cemeteries. The restoration of the palace to its present form was carried out by Arthur Evans. -
Heraklion - History is very much alive in the old town of Heraklion, just like in most Greek cities.From the old Venetian Harbour, the August 25th
Str., leads to the old town’s centre. The central square while surrounded by cafes, stores and restaurants, is dominated by the
fountain of the Lions, built by Morozini the venetian governor in 1628. You will also see “Eleftherias sq.” , Heraklion’s main square where the Archaeological museum stands and to the right ‘Kyrillou Loukareos Str” leads to Agios Minas cathedral and Agia Aikaterini Museum.The archaeological museum is considered to be one of the most famous museums all over Europe and definately worths a visit. If you wish you can visit by yourselves the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion as it is not included due to covid19 protocols
What's Included
- Visit to Knossos Palace
- Exploration of Heraklion city
- Luxury air-conditioned bus transport
- Whisper audio system in Knossos
- All taxes and VAT included
- Visit to Knossos Palace
- Exploration of Heraklion city
- Luxury air-conditioned bus transport
- Whisper audio system in Knossos
- All taxes and VAT included
What's Not Included
- Knossos Palace Entrance 15 euros
- Personal expenses, beverages or meals
- Customary tips to your driver and escort
- Combined ticket Knossos Palace+Archaelogical Musieum 20 euros per person
- Knossos Palace Entrance 15 euros
- Personal expenses, beverages or meals
- Customary tips to your driver and escort
- Combined ticket Knossos Palace+Archaelogical Musieum 20 euros per person
Additional Information
- Pick up/Drop off is conducted only is select spots in Chania. Depending on your location, you will be advised on the time and place after booking.
- Pick up/Drop off is conducted only is select spots in Chania. Depending on your location, you will be advised on the time and place after booking.
Location
The Palace of Knossos
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.0
(23 Ratings)
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Debbie_g
Oct 27, 2024
Excellent guided tour - This was a wonderful well organized tour and our tour guide was very knowledgeable and interesting. One of the highlights of our time on Crete.
Review provided by Viator
Scritchen
Apr 27, 2024
Great tour of Knossos - Great tour of Knossos and Heraklion from Chania. It took a while to pick up everyone from all the hotels, but the trip itself was excellent. The tour guide (can't remember her name) was excellent and very friendly and knowledgable. Timings were just right. The Heraklion archaeological museum was fantastic, definitely worth going. The bus was a 30 seater rather than a full size 50 seater, it was okay rather than luxurious.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Susan_w
Sep 24, 2023
Excursion to Heraklion and Knossos - Excellent excursion,albeit a very long day as we were first to be picked up and last to be dropped off, resulting in a 12 hour excursion.However our guide Katarina was very knowledgeable and spoke very good English and was very nice too.We sidestepped the museum in Heraklion in favour of seeing a bit of the city itself,perhaps could have done with another hour in Heraklion itself but due to traffic problems,we only had 2.5 hours there.Overall though, a trip well worth doing if you can cope with the long day.
Review provided by Viator
Clive_p
Sep 20, 2023
If You Like Your History... - Museum at Heraklion was very interesting if a bit crowded by tours downstairs. They didn't go upstairs though so that whole floor was easy to get around and I thought the better exhibits were there. Bought two site ticket to save time at the Palace.
Again this was busy but it's to be expected. However once inside it was easy to get around. Didn't have to wait long at the main points of interest. Guide Anna was very knowledgeable and showed us images of things found at the site which was had seen at the museum. Ruins are the best we've seen on a Greek island so far. Impressed. Long day but was back to our hotel just before the evening meal but we were one of the first pick ups. Recommended if you like your history.
Review provided by Viator
Eric_s
May 2, 2024
Good day out! - Very enjoyable and educational, the guide was excellent and we enjoyed the scenery on the coach journey there and back.
Review provided by Viator
Xsplored
Oct 29, 2023
A large old town - Chania was a short bus trip from hotel in Stalos...It's basically the cretan version of York England with harbour front too.We went several times due to there being plenty of streets to explore.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Laureen_s
Sep 27, 2023
Top notch tour guide "Katerina" - Katerina (hope I'm spelling it rigt), the guide was 10 out of 10. She was the most knowledgeable and pleasant person. She gave so much to us all with her vast understanding of the history and made it a pleasant experience. The downside was that it was too much to fit into one day. Our time in Heraklion was very limited for all you would want to see. The scenery was wonderful from the bus. I think they did their best to squeeze it all in. It was a 12 hr. tour with pick-ups, drop offs and traffic.
Review provided by Viator
Bequibar
May 1, 2024
It's an overpriced and overcrowded ride - I thought it would be a small group tour but it was a large, uncomfortable bus.
We spent considerable time picking people up in the morning, so your pickup time will be around 7:00 am. Considering you'll wake up at 6:00 am, drink your coffee and eat your breakfast prior to pickup because your only 20-min rest stop in this 11-hr tour comes around 9:00 am and, if you manage to purchase anything in under 20 minutes after queueing behind your own 45-people group, you'll need to gobble it up quickly because they don't allow snacks or even coffee on the bus.
They don't buy the museum or palace tickets ahead of time for the group either, so you'll also spend a large chunk of tour time queueing behind your own 45-people group and all the Viking cruise tours - not only at ticket booths but also at bathrooms.
Sticking to such a large group is onerous so I just went off on my own. From what I did get to hear narrated by our guide, I can tell you - you won't miss much information from the tour guide if you already read about Greek history and mythology on your own.
My recommendation: at Heraklion, visit the museum of ancient Greek technology as well as the archeological museum. If the archeological museum's line reaches the street, go to the technology museum first (it's an 8-min walk away) and return an hour later. There won't be anyone left and you'll have both museums all to yourself.
Review provided by Viator
Chloe
Oct 28, 2023
Overrated, disorganised, but fine if you want a basic tour - Pretty average experience. You’re essentially paying for the bus in and the history of Knossos. Our guide was very knowledgeable and nice but the whole thing felt disorganised.
A lot of the temple was shut for renovations as well which was disappointing.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jocelyn_m
Jul 7, 2024
Cruises ruin the experience - It was beyond hot. But I couldn’t hear our guide. They gave us these headsets but due to over crowding and pushing. We never could stay together. Other groups would ask our guide to follow along with us which she allowed or they would push us out of the way. Easily went though my water bottle. They should go when the crises aren’t there next time
Review provided by Viator
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