Private Guided Tour to Knossos Palace, Arch. Museum & Heraklion
Description
Crete is an island full of treasures you need a lifetime to discover. It is also one of the safest places in the world. With this tour you get in touch with the rich Cretan History, the famous Cretan Hospitality, the local Culture, the Cretan Cuisine, which is the base of the Mediterranean Diet. This tour is suitable for visitors with the cruise ships also. It is a private tour and you can decide, where to stop and how much time to spend on each place. With the help of our Experienced Professional Licensed Tourist Guide, who will be with you during the whole tour, you will travel back in time, as far as the 7th Millennium BC, visiting the Palace of Knossos and the Archaeological Museum. Then you will explore the Old Town of Heraklion and admire the signs of all the different civilizations that stopped by the island through the ages. With this tour you take home nice feelings, beautiful impressions and you look forward to come back.
Tour Options
Itinerary
THE MAGNIFICENT PALACE OF COLOURS Wander in the footsteps of the Minoans, visiting the oldest and most important monument of Europe. The construction of Knossos Palace sets the pattern of organization in Crete and Greece too. It implies a peaceful period of great wealth, prosperity and concentration of authorities both political and religious. It was the center of administration of the entire island during Minoan times. Its position is such that allowed unprecedented growth and prosperity as witnessed by the plethora of storage magazines, workshops, and wall paintings. The elegant wall frescoes, which decorated the halls, speak of people who approached the subtleties of life and the splendor of nature with a joyous disposition. The Palace radiates a joyous exuberance through the elaborate architectural planes and volumes that were clustered around the central courtyard. Our Professional Licensed Tourist Guide will make this visit an unforgettable experience. Admission 20 euros
TRAVEL BACK IN TIME Let history unfold before your eyes visiting the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion with more than 15.000 exhibits. It is one of the oldest and the largest museums in Greece. Telling the story of Crete brings to life, a chronological span from the Neolithic period (7000 BC) to the Roman Empire (320 AD). It houses findings from all over Crete. It is among the most important museums in Europe and the whole world. It is also the best in the world for the Minoan Culture. It contains by far the richest and complete collection of Minoan masterpieces. The Minoan findings are unique. Wander through the 27 halls, with our Guide and learn about the evolution of local pottery from the Neolithic period to Minoan period elaborate forms, the every day life and their favorite sports. Admire the Kamares ware, the famous "LA PARISIENNE" and "LILLY PRINCE" frescoes. Discover the secrets of the King Minos ring, the Golden Bee etc. Meet the famous SNAKE GODDESSES and many more.
THE CITY THROUGH THE AGES It is not a coincidence that for centuries was the metropolitan city of the island and still holds the scepter. It has kept the tradition of one of the most attractive cities in Mediterranean. Due to its strategic location a lot of different civilizations have left their signs. The magnificent wall of the Venetian period was over 3 miles long. Its construction began in 1426 and it's the largest fortification project in the Mediterranean. The construction of the strong medieval fortifications that have survived to this day took over 150 years. The fortification had four gates. Loggia, Piazza Dei Signori, Morozini fountain, St Marcus Basilica, Ruga Maistra, Palazzo del Capitan Generale, Armeria, the Huge Walls of the Great Venetian Fortification, Efkafi, Behi Sekeria Mansion, Bon Marche, St Titus Church, St Minas Cathedral and many other beautiful monuments, standing until today, are waiting for you to admire while wandering around the old town with the guide.
Finally you will have free time to enjoy your visit in Heraklion city. The city is alive all year round, day and night. Offers many interesting activities and a pleasant every day life to all ages and interests. You can have Greek coffee at the nice coffee shops, taste the traditional bougatsa in the city center, have lunch at the nice fish tavernas by the old Venetian Harbor or at traditional restaurants, go for shopping in the rich market with plenty of shops around the city center. The market has almost everything. All local Cretan products are delivering outstanding results in health of the people all over the world. The Cretan cuisine holds one of the secrets of good health and longevity.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
We pick up all travelers from their location at the arranged time. Pick up travelers living outside the range of 10 miles from Heraklion city can be arranged at an extra cost.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- The tour is available for travelers on wheelchair except Knossos Palace where only part of the Palace is accessible to wheelchairs. The vehicles aren't configured for wheelchairs and any disability should be discused before booking the tour.
- The Professional Licensed Tourist Guide takes care for the tickets for you and you don't have to wait on the line for Knossos Palace and for the Archaelogical Museum.
- The tour can be arranged with an English or German or Italian or French or Greek speaking Professional Licensed Guide. Any other language upon request.
- The transportation is with a minivan up to 6 persons but can be arranged with a minibus for up to 11 persons at an extra cost
- This is a strictly private tour
- Any health problems or any disabilities should be discussed before booking the tour
Reviews(21)
Amazing guide Katerina. So much patience for our two kids (9 and 12) who are not used to walk around archeological sights and museums… she was so engaging and took good care of the family. Nikos was also great. Cold water waiting for us, very nice guy and helped move us around between locations. Thank you!
Thank you very much for your comments. You were person that appreciate our effort to have a good time and nice feelings out of this experience. We enjoyed your company. We hope t see you again.
The tour guide was excellent, very knowledgeable. The driver was very accommodating. It was a fantastic experience.
Thank you very much for your comments. You appreciate our effort to give you our best to remember. We hope to see you again.
Excellent tour guide-Katarina was very knowledgeable, fluent in English, and brought the history of Knossos to life. She also made the Herkalion museum interesting by ushering us through the important exhibits. Nickolas was an excellent driver, expertly maneuvering his pristine car through many tight spaces. So glad I booked this private tour instead of the crowded, expensive bus tours the ships put together.
Thank you very much for your kindness. You were wonderful also. We enjoyed your company very much. We were happy to meet you. We hope to see you again.
The most important part of our tour was our fantastic tour guides Nikos and Katarina. We felt like family with their hospitality, kindness, and warmth. Katarina’s knowledge was amazing and her excitement and passion for her Cretan culture was contagious. Our experience was a private tour of Knossos and the Heraklion Archeological museum; we were touring with scholars. For those looking for a deeper experience of Cretan history, in particular the Minoan civilization, we would highly recommend asking for Nikos and Katarina.
Thank you very much for your kindness. We were happy to meet you and made new friends. We enjoyed your company also. We hope to see you again, next time that you will be on Crete.
We had a fantastic experience today with Katerina touring the Knossos Palace and then the Archaeological Museum in Heraklion. Katerina was so very knowledgeable and really brought the history and importance of what we were seeing to life for us. Our driver, Nikos, was very kind and shuttled us between our places and even shared Kalitsounia treats as we will taking our break. Fantastic private tour and highly recommend!
Thank you very much for your nice comments. We enjoyed your company also. We were happy to meet you. We hope to see you again, next time you will be in Crete.
I highly recommend this tour. Marina and Nikos are wonderfully kind people who are very attentive to your needs. It was like exploring with good friends. Also Marina has extensive historical knowledge which made experiencing the sight highly educational (beyond just Konossos) and very efficient. She took us to a great place for lunch and we very much enjoyed her company. A private tour is more expensive that going with the masses, but worth every single penny.
Thank you very for your kindness. You were wonderful. We enjoyed also your company. We hope to see you again.
The guide was extremely informative and helpful. They made transportation easy and everything about the experience was pleasant.
Thank you very much for your comments. We also enjoyed the day. We were happy to meet you. We hope to see you again.
We spent a wonderful day exploring the palace of Knossos and museum with Katerina and Nikos. Katerina enjoys sharing her knowledge of the Minoan culture and history. The museum is well done and full of beautiful artifacts. Again, Katerina knew how to point out the highlights of the museum to get the most out of a short visit. The town of Heraklion is also so pleasant to stroll around. Nikos even brought us a sweet treat from the bakery so we could try a roll the Cretans eat at Easter time. The tour is well worth it!!
Thank you very much for your kind comments. We also enjoyed your company. We were glad to meet you. We hope to see you again.
It was a very full and enjoyable experience. Without the help of our guides, Eva and Niko, our Konosses experience would have been much less meaningful. There was a ton of information and many laughs too.
Thank you very much for your nice comments. You were a wonderful group carrying all the happiness of your big families. We all had a very good time. I was very happy to meet you. We hope to see you again.
This was a customizable private tour. We were picked up by our guide Maria and our driver Nicos. Maria was very professional and very respected by her peers as we could see in every sight we visited. She has a vast knowledge of the island and its incredible archeological sites. Our driver was an angel. Very kind and professional. Both made sure we had a great time. The highlights we the palace of Knossos, the museum and the food! This is a very interesting Greek island, it certainly surpassed our expectations. For a group of four, this tour was a great value in comparación to the tours offered by our cruise. Thanks to both for a wonderful time.
Thank you very much for your comments. You were a wonderful group and very pleasant company. We all had a very good time. I was very happy to meet you. I hope to see you again.
