Palazzo di Cnosso e Museo di Heraklion: la civiltà più antica d’Europa

Amazing private tour! Our cruise ship changed ports last minute and we needed to book a tour within 24 hours. Leonidas set us up with a full day with exactly what we wanted to see and more. Very professional. Although we did not have a professional guide, our driver and his helper (which both spoke English) were very knowledgeable and provided a lot of background and recommendations. Vehicle was also clean and comfortable. We could not have been happier. Thank you Leonidas!

We booked this full-day trip knowing we’d see Knossos and the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, but what we didn’t expect was just how smoothly everything would run. Our driver/guide was warm, friendly, and genuinely passionate about Crete — not just rattling off facts, but sharing stories that made the history come alive. Pickup was right on time, and the drive to the palace and museum never felt long because our guide pointed out little local spots and cultural tidbits along the way. Even small stops — like the viewpoints and photo opportunities en route — made the journey part of the experience, not just the destinations themselves. Once at the museum, we had plenty of time to wander the exhibits at our own pace, and it gave such valuable context for when we later explored Knossos. The palace itself was breathtaking — it’s easy to see why it’s so iconic — and having the explained background made the architecture and frescoes resonate much more than if we’d just wandered solo. What impressed me most was how relaxed and flexible the day felt. We weren’t rushed through anything, and our guide checked in often to make sure we had what we needed (water, tips on the best viewing spots, etc.). Lunch in Heraklion afterward was delicious and happened at a great local spot he recommended. All in all, this trip ended up being one of the highlights of our Crete adventure. It balanced the big historical hits with thoughtful pacing and real local insight — not something you get from a crowded bus tour. Highly recommended if you want substance and a personal touch.

Leonidas was so amazing and accommodating. He personalized our trip and was extremely knowledgeable. This tour is rich in antiquity.

Amazing experience! Tons of knowledge about Crete and Greece, and just generally fun guys to talk to. Honestly could have come to Crete, done this one tour, and then lied and said I was there for a week (with pictures to prove it)! Really fun, honestly this has been the best part of my trip. It was definitely the most authentic experience I’ve had here. Loved it!

We had an unforgettable day on our tour to Melidoni cave and Knossos. Sakis was our guide and he is awesome. He even took us for a quick stop at an olive farm after my husband was asking him questions about olives. He was friendly and gave us lota of information and tips. He never rushed us, he was a safe driver. We had a long drive as we were staying in Chania. On the way back we stopped at this fabulous deli/ice cream store. I would strongly recommend Crete Wanderer for anyone looking to explore the island.

Great private tour, we were picked up timely by our driver, Sakis who explained the day too us. We started with visiting the Melidoni cave, we then made a surprise stop to a local honey factory. We then visited the museum . After the museum, Sakis dropped us to a place that we could grab lunch. We then visited the Knossos palace. Before each stop, Sakis told us where to purchase tickets, where he would be after each stop and always made sure we were comfortable. It is a full day and from our hotel in Kaylves it is about a 2 hour drive but Sakis made it seem much closer.

This review is long overdue. When we first found Leonidas on TripAdvisor, he had an almost perfect rating. However, we noticed that most reviewers had only written one review, which made us a bit hesitant. Still, after looking around and not finding a clearly better option, we decided to go with Leonidas—and it turned out to be an excellent decision. We visited Crete just after the New Year, and two of the planned sites were closed. Leonidas quickly suggested alternative sites and explained why they were even more worthwhile than those listed on the website. He even accompanied our boys to the bottom of the caves and, when he learned they were interested in a site not on the original itinerary, he added it just for them. He picked us up early in the morning and dropped us off in the afternoon—well beyond what was originally stated. We had a truly wonderful time in Crete. The place he chose for lunch was also fantastic (though I regret I can’t recall the name). This is my first review on TripAdvisor (though I’ve written a few on Google and Yelp), but I felt I had to write something to thank him for his exceptional service.

Because Independent Day, All the museum and archeological sites are closed. We are visiting the outside. It will depends on the information from the guide. I am personally very interested in history. The local guide didn’t have a very systematic guide to us. However, he is very nice, responsible and he is maximizing all the time. He is doing his best bring us to the places we are interested in.

The driver arrived at our hotel door early, was welcoming and friendly. The car was comfortable and clean. The driver was knowledgeable about the area and able to respond to all of our questions. He took us straight to the entrance of each destination, helping us find the entrance and meeting us when we exited. He was friendly and interesting and generally fun to be around. He was a safe driver.

Let me start by saying Sakis was a great driver and very considerate and accommodating. We stopped at Kera Kardiotissa monestary, what a tranquil and peaceful setting with fantastic views. From there we moved on to Zeus caves. They are a nice attraction and a good walk up to see! We then saw some ancient windmills with an option to eat lunch there. We visited a nice olive processing facility where they had visualizations of the entire process. We moved on to our final stop of the day Knossos palace. We had all the time we wanted to explore all locations. Sakis was very patient! I want to add we stopped for a couple photo spots enroute and ice cold bottled water was provided throughout the tour. What a wonderful tour! Highly recommended. We wish Saki and the family all the best in the future! Definitely recommend.