Knossos & lasithi plateau villages,Zeus's cave&olive oil Mill
Description
Explore authentic Crete in luxury via an air-conditioned Mercedes Benz. Led by expert driver-guides, this tour blends history, mythology, and local culture. Visit a renowned olive oil factory to learn traditional production and sample "liquid gold" with local snacks.Journey to the Lassithi Plateau to discover the legendary Cave of Zeus, the mythical birthplace of the King of the Gods. Wander the narrow streets of historic villages, see the monumental ancient plane tree in Krasi, and admire the iconic Lassithi windmills. Experience the majesty of Knossos Palace and breathtaking plateau views. You’ll have the chance to unwind in picturesque squares with an iced coffee and opt for a traditional Cretan lunch at a local gem. A perfect, comprehensive journey through Crete’s unique heritage.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Visit an olive oil factory to learn about olive trees and olives and their connection with Crete and about olive oil making the modern but also the old way.
See the old windmills that used to pump out the water from underground to water their crops and also the others for grinding grains in order to produce flour.
Visit and explore the authentic village of Krasi ,walk around the stone paved narrow streets ,meet the Cretan traditional architecture of houses ,see the oldest and biggest Platanus tree as well as the old aqueduct
We stop near the Aposelemi dam to take some photos and enjoy great views
We pass by this beautiful and old monastery it takes about 7 minutes from our previous stop at krasi village
Pay a visit to this old village of Mochos with it's beautiful church and square .
Step into the heart of Greek legend with a visit to the Psychro Cave (also known as the Diktaean Cave), the mystical birthplace of Zeus, the King of the Gods. Perched high above the stunning Lassithi Plateau, your journey begins with a scenic ascent—either by a paved path or a traditional donkey ride—offering breathtaking panoramic views of the valley’s iconic windmills and rugged peaks. As you descend into the cool, atmospheric depths of the cavern, you will: Marvel at Ancient Wonders: Wander through five illuminated chambers filled with a high density of dramatic stalactites and stalagmites formed over millions of years. See the "Mantle of Zeus": Admire the cave's most spectacular formation—a massive, curtain-like stalactite that hangs like a chandelier over a hidden underground lake. Touch Living History: Explore the very site where ancient Minoans once left offerings to the gods, a place so magical that it was once called the "Bethlehem of the Ancient World".
Our last stop is Knossos palace archeological site where you can explore it on your own or we can arrange for an official guide with extra charge. After that we drop you off at your pick up point.
We stop for lunch at the local restaurant with traditional food.(lunch is not included)
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
> For Hotels: The Pick-up point is right in front of your reception area. > For Cruise Passengers: Your guide will meet you at Heraklion port, holding a sign with your name at the shuttle drop-off point. Pick-Up Areas: > Private edition: Heraklion, Gouves, Analipsi, Hersonissos, Anissaras, Stalida, Malia, Agios Nikolaos, Elounda and Plaka. > Semi private edition: Heraklion, Kokkini Hani,Gouves, Analipsi, Hersonissos, Anissaras, Stalida, Malia. We can pick you from Agios nikolaos and Elounda/Plaka If there are more than 4 people ,if not we can set up a meeting point . Other Locations: For areas outside the listed pick-up zones, we can arrange a meeting point in Heraklion region. You'll receive the details after booking.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- our fleet of minivans are wide enough for stroller accesibility but not so for wheelchairs
- For any further information about accessibility, please don't hesitate to reach us we will be more than happy to help you ,just call the number below +30 6974724839
- For tours departing after 09:00 AM, the itinerary may be adjusted to ensure guaranteed on-time return to your cruise ship. Depending on your ship's schedule, you may need to skip a site. Your guide will customize the route according to your personal priorities.
- There is a hike uphill about 15 to 20 minutes to the entrance of Zeus Cave of a moderate level as well as soon as you reach it 180 steps down to the cave with handrails..
- Guaranteed On Time return to your Cruise Ship
- Please Note: Mountain temperatures can be significantly cooler than the coast. A jacket or warm layer is highly recommended for tours operating in the spring, autumn, and winter seasons.
- Zeus's cave is closed every Tuesday
Reviews(111)
Please hear me when I say, even though you will read countless reviews of how great Mike is as a host & guide, none of them do proper justice to how truly impressive he is during this excursion. The whole itinerary is packed with incredible sightseeing, delicious foods, and fun learning experiences, but without feeling overwhelming or tiring. The transportation is very comfortable, and Mike fills the driving time with encyclopedic knowledge applied to the day’s agenda. As a tour guide, Mike was punctual, very friendly, and deeply insightful. He has an endless first-hand knowledge and enthusiasm for the local Cretan history, culture, food, economy, etc. Mike was also engaging and asks questions along with answering all of our questions. The lunch break at Tzanakis Michael was one of the best meals we had on our entire trip, while also providing beautiful views overlooking the plateau. The personal walking tours through smaller villages and a coffee break were an added bonus to an already stacked itinerary. I cannot recommend this excursion enough, it was a truly delightful way to spend a day on Crete.
Dear Jules, Thank you so much for taking the time to share such a detailed and glowing review of your day with us! Reading your words truly made our day. Mike is deeply passionate about Crete’s rich history, culture, and traditions, and he takes great pride in giving our guests an authentic, unforgettable experience—from the ancient stories to the quiet village coffee breaks and, of course, the amazing local food at Tzanakis Michael. Knowing that this was one of the best meals of your entire trip (and one of your favorite days on the island!) means the world to us. We are so glad the comfortable ride, carefully paced itinerary, and local insights made your time on Crete so special. It was a absolute pleasure hosting you, and we hope to welcome you back for another Cretan adventure in the future!
This is a full day tour that provides a flavor of what Crete is all about. You will see the Knossos Palace archeological site, cave of Zeus, mountain region, and explore the native olive trees, plants, and fruits that this region is known for. Lunch at a family Greek taverna. Michael, our guide, is proud of his heritage and gave us great insight into the culture and history of Crete. The tour went until after 6pm because he wanted to show us a small Crete village for some afternoon coffee….it was a true highlight. One of the best tours I have ever been on. Thank you Michael!!
Thank you so much for the glowing review! We are thrilled to hear that this tour gave you such a memorable flavor of Crete. From Knossos and Zeus’s Cave to our mountain landscapes and olive groves, sharing the authentic essence of our island is what we live for. Michael is deeply passionate about Cretan culture, history, and hospitality, and he will be delighted to know how much you enjoyed his insights (and that special coffee stop in the village!). Thank you for letting us share our island with you, and we hope to welcome you back to Crete again soon!
Our tour guy Mike was fantastic. He made the day great with his knowledge and information about the area and the places we were going to see.
Thank you very much for your feedback! We're thrilled to hear that our guides were able to turn a busy, challenging day into such a positive experience for you.
We had a wonderful day with our guide, Mike. He was extremely knowledgeable and accommodating. Walking through the villages and discovering local plants was an unexpected highlight. I would highly recommend this tour.
Thank You for Exploring Crete with Us! We are absolutely thrilled to read your wonderful review. It is often those quiet, authentic moments—like learning about wild Cretan herbs and taking in the slow pace of mountain village life—that leave the most lasting memories. We are so glad you got to experience that side of our beautiful island alongside the famous historic sites! We will absolutely pass your kind words along to Mike. He has a deep passion for Crete's rich history, mythology, and unique flora, and he always goes the extra mile to make our guests feel comfortable and accommodated. Knowing he made your day so memorable means the world to him and the rest of our team. Thank you again for highly recommending our tour to fellow travelers. We hope your journey home was wonderful, and we would love to welcome you back for another Cretan adventure in the future
Mike was a fantastic driver and very knowledgeable of the Greek and Cretan history. Van was very clean and comfortable. Food stop at Seli Ambelou was amazing!! Would recommend this excursion to family and friends.
Thank you so much for the wonderful recommendation! We are absolutely thrilled that you had such a great time exploring Knossos and the Lasithi Plateau with us. Mike is a fantastic guide with an incredible passion for Cretan history, and we will happily pass your kind words along to him. It's also wonderful to hear you enjoyed the comfort of the van and that amazing food stop at Seli Ambelou—those views and flavors are hard to beat! We hope to welcome you, your family, or your friends back to Crete for another adventure in the future. Safe travels!
The cave of Zeus is about 90 min drive and a steep hike to reach it , but certainly worth the drive. The Knossos palace is worth a visit, given the different building style of most archaeological sites in the area. The olive oil factory was very educational. Bottom line: Very interesting excursions, but 50% of your day will be driving around.
You are absolutely right that this comprehensive itinerary involves a significant amount of driving—it takes about 60 minutes just to drive directly up from the port. Because Crete's remarkable historical sites and geographical wonders are spread across a massive, mountainous island, traveling between them naturally takes time, especially when managing a tight schedule to ensure a seamless, on-time return to your cruise ship. To make the day as enjoyable as possible, we carefully pace our itinerary and divide the travel time into shorter segments between each location, ensuring you are never sitting in the van for too long at a single stretch. Furthermore, to make these journeys as relaxing as possible, we prioritize using premium, air-conditioned Mercedes Benz vehicles for all of our tours. We hope this allowed you to sit back in total comfort and fully enjoy the beautiful Cretan landscapes rolling by between our stops! Thank you again for your valuable feedback, and we wish you many more wonderful travels ahead.
Mike was great company and so full of knowledge. The private tour is the way to go and worth every penny. He timed things perfect to avoid crowds and the heat. We learned so much about the area and history of Crete. We got to see and do so much in 1 day.
Thank you so much for the wonderful review, and we are thrilled that choosing a private tour allowed Mike to perfectly customize your day, dodge the crowds, and share the very best of Crete's history at your own relaxed pace!
Our tour guide was wonderful Mike he was informative and very engaging. The Olive Oil mill was wonderful visit.
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We are thrilled that you enjoyed exploring Knossos, the Lasithi Plateau, and the traditional olive oil mill with us. Mike will be delighted to hear your kind words—he always loves sharing the history and heritage of Crete with our guests. Thank you for choosing Luxury Crete Tours, and we hope to welcome you back again someday!
We had a great guide, thanks to Mike for this beautiful day
Thank you so much for your wonderful review and for choosing Luxury Crete Tours! We are absolutely thrilled to hear that you had such a great day exploring with Mike. He always goes above and beyond to share the very best of Crete with our guests, and we will be delighted to pass your kind words along to him. We hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you back for another unforgettable VIP experience in the future!
Mike was keen on having us see as much as possiible before our cruise ship left. He does a great job!
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience with us! We are absolutely thrilled to hear that you had such a wonderful time. Mike always goes above and beyond to ensure our guests experience the very best of Crete, even with limited time. Managing a tight cruise ship schedule can be stressful, but our priority is always to maximize your sightseeing while ensuring you return to the ship completely relaxed and right on time.
