Lassithi Plateau & Knossos Palace! Tour from Heraklion
Description
Nestled amidst the Dikti Mountains, the Lasithi Plateau stands as a unique Mediterranean region, characterized by its permanent inhabitants living at an altitude exceeding 800 meters. This enchanting locale invites visitors to experience its multifaceted beauty through scenic drives that meander through 18 quaint villages, each preserving an atmosphere reminiscent of a bygone era. The Lasithi Plateau is a haven for outdoor activities, offering nature walks that traverse its lush landscapes, dotted with remnants of iconic windmills and Venetian ditches. These trails provide not only a refreshing escape but also a chance to immerse oneself in the plateau’s rich biodiversity. Knossos palace, the center of the Minoan civilization, the first in Europe. You will have a guided tour and learn about King Minos, the Minotaur, the Labyrinth, and many other fascinating myths. This is one of the most important places to visit in Crete.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Our first stop is at the historical monastery of Kera Kardiotissa, a monastery inhabited and run by nuns, which is located in an idyllic landscape. Here you can admire the miraculous icon of Virgin Mary, plenty of frescoes and a variety of other icons, dating back to the 14th century.
Renowned for its handmade pottery and you can visit a local workshop to see these beautiful ceramics being crafted. It is also home of the famous Dikteon Cave (closed since September 2024 for maintenance) filled with stunning stalactites and stalagmites and where Zeus was born according to legend.
During our stay in Psychro we will visit the famous Dikteon Cave with its stunning rock formations.
Tzermiado, the main village of the plateau, will impress you with its natural beauty, traditional houses, and breathtaking views. Here, you can take a break and enjoy a delicious lunch in a local tavern.
Our final stop is the palace of Knossos, the center of the Minoan civilization, the first in Europe. You will have a guided tour and learn about King Minos, the Minotaur, the Labyrinth, and many other fascinating myths. This is one of the most important places to visit in Crete.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
At the time of booking please mention your hotel name and address. You will be notified by e-mail about the pickup point and time (mainly from hotels at Ammoudara, Analipsi, Anissaras, Chersonissos, Gournes, Gouves, Heraklion city center, Karteros, Kokkini Hani, Malia, Stalis is provided. If pick up from your hotel is not possible you will be picked up from the closest pick up point).
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(3)
We were picked up first at 7.30am from our hotel. Then began a long journey of driving, stopping and picking people up. (47 in total) At 10.00h! we finally started the program. The program was okay, nothing but praise for the 2 guides. They had a lot of information about the plain of Lassithi and Knossos. At the end of the day the group was divided into 2 buses, this was nice because this way we were quickly back at our hotel. Our advice is to also do this at pick-up so that the travel time in the morning is significantly reduced.
Thank you for your thoughtful review and for taking the time to share your experience with us. We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed the program and that our guides made a great impression with their knowledge of the Lassithi Plateau and Knossos. We truly appreciate your feedback regarding the morning pickup process. Please allow us to explain a bit about how this is handled: Due to the wide area we cover and the number of guests joining us from different locations, the morning pickups are arranged in a way that ensures everyone can be accommodated efficiently and safely. Unlike the return trip—where the group is often split between buses for a quicker drop-off—coordinating multiple buses for pickups in the early morning can be more complex due to route planning and timing constraints, especially with local traffic and hotel accessibility. Thank you again for your kind words and helpful suggestions. We hope to welcome you again in the future!
It was an excellent excursión. I would Say the Visit of the last monastery is not necesary. The guide was great. And the driver too!
Dear Jose, we are very grateful for your kind words and your 5* review. It gives us more power to offer even better experiences to our clients! Kind Regards The Travel ID Team
