Knossos Palace Tour and Lassithi Plateau

  • duration icon. 10 hours
  • location icon. Central Crete
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Description

Language Schedule

(Please write in checkout comments your preferred language based on the sheet below)

Monday: English, French, German.

Thursday: English, French, German.

Starting our trip from Hersonissos and driving south, the first highlight of our excursion is the historical Monastery of Kera Kardiotissa, a monastery inhabited and run by nuns, which is located in an idyllic landscape at the heart of Crete. Here you can witness the miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary, plenty of frescoes, and a variety of other icons, dating back to the 14th century.
Lassithi Plateau, our next destination, is situated 850m higher than the sea level. Surrounded by the Dikti Mountains and 18 quaint villages, it still retains the atmosphere of another era. You can admire the remaining famous windmills and the Venetian ditches, the drainage system of the plateau. The most famous village in the Lassithi Plateau is the village of Psychro. In this traditional village, we pay a short visit to a traditional potter’s workshop. This ancient ceramic art is more than 8000 years old. You will be able to watch the potters making masterpieces in just a few minutes.
Then we visit the Dicteon Cave, the longest in Crete, which is said to have been the birthplace of Zeus, the father of the Greek ancient gods.
Tzermiado, the next place we visit, is the capital of the villages on the Lassithi plateau. In the lovely village of Tzermiado, you can enjoy the natural beauty, the breathtaking views, and the traditional architecture, you can take pictures of the wonderful landscape, rest for a while, and enjoy a tasteful lunch in one of the local taverns.
Leaving the Lassithi plateau, heading west, we reach outside of Heraklion the impressive Knossos Palace which dates back to 2000 B.C. and was discovered in 1878 by Sir Arthur Evans.
The Minoan Knossos Palace is the landmark of Crete; no one should miss the opportunity to live its myth while on the island of Crete. Knossos used to be the capital of the Minoan state, one of the most powerful empires of ancient times. The civilization of the era was remarkable and has kept its features throughout time. Here in Knossos, you learn the history of King Minos, his daughter Ariadne, and of course, the mythical Minotaur that lived in a maze, the so-called Labyrinth. The marvelous architectural plan of the Knossos palace drawn up by Daedalus, the rare and luxurious materials, the advanced techniques of construction, the elaborate drainage system, and the size of the palace makes it one of the most amazing sights on the island of Crete.

Adult Price: 38€

Child Price (4-12 years): 19

Children 0-4 years old travel free of charge

Prices may vary for large groups of 8+ people. For special price quotations please contact us direct at info@tourscrete.com.

Things to Do and Things to See

- Enjoy a magical bus excursion from the busy tourist places in the mountains of Crete. Take photos of the breathtaking views.
- The Lassithi plateau is known for its thousands of windmills. They were used to pump water from the ground. This is the landmark of the Lassithi plateau. 
- Visit the cave of Psychro also called the cave of Zeus. An ancient Minoan sacred cave.  Psycho associates with the Diktean Cave, one of the putative sites of the birth of Zeus. 
- Think if you wish to take a ride with a donkey. Please note that it costs an extra 10 Euro or more and the entrance to the cave of Zeus is not included in the price.
- Visit for free a traditional pottery workshop, see how pottery is made by hand, and try yourselves to create your own masterpiece!
- We make a stop at the biggest town on the Lasithi plateau “Tzermiadon”. Here you can look around or even enjoy a wonderful meal in one of the best traditional restaurants in the area.
- Enjoy the famous Knossos Palace tour, a monument of high archaeological value not only for Greece but for the entire world with more than 1000 rooms connected by corridors. 
- Observe the enormous storage rooms with containers made of clay used to deposit grain, beans, olives, oil, and dried fish and meat.
- Take the one-and-a-half-hour guided visit to the Palace and see the courts, the central court, and the west court. Both areas were very important to the royals of that time.

- The royal rooms (one of the best things to see during this Knossos excursion), and the throne room.
Probably the most popular spot in Knossos, after the bull fresco, is the Throne Room, get ready to queue. Inside there is a stone seat and the wall, colored in vivid red and with frescoes, is lined with a continuous bench.
Other points of interest in Knossos Palace:
- Theater area. This open space resembles an amphitheater and it was probably used for public entertainment, dances, and representations. However, according to our guide, space would have been limited to such events, so it still remains one more of the enigmas of the Knossos Archaeological Site.
- The workshops,  where potters, artisans, and smiths worked and sold their products. 
- The drain system
- Just behind the theatre, the Royal Road leads to other small sites. The Little Palace is worth a visit for its Roman remains. If you can, visit the Villa Dionysios for its mosaics and the Royal Villa which faces the main complex of the north.

Tickets 
- Full €15, reduced €8.
- Reduced fees apply to:
- Greek citizens and citizens of other European countries over 65 years old (ID card or passport needed).
- Escorts on educational visits.
- University Students (high education institutes or equivalent, student ID card needed).

Is Lassithi Plateau and Knossos Palace Tour right for you?

- Part of what makes this excursion so popular is its archaeological and mythological aspects. It is a trip that brings you closer to how the first Greeks were ahead of time.
- You get to visit the most beautiful areas of Crete.
- Come prepared. Athletic shoes, sun lotion, a hat, and plenty of water.
- It's a full-day excursion. But with many stops for rest and exploring.
- This excursion is suitable for most ages. Please note that if you have serious health issues the Cave of Zeus is not recommended.

Below you can read the timetable and schedule of the activity you are viewing. We make everything in our power to be always on time and avoid any long delays.

Itinerary

07:30-09:00: Bus departure from Ammoudara/Heraklion/Gouves/Analipsi/Anissaras/Hersonissos/Stalida/Malia.

Stop at: Kera Monastery (30 min).

Stop at:  a traditional pottery workshop (30 min). Watch the craftsmen making masterpieces and you can try your potter’s skills.

Stop at: Psichro (1 hour and 15 min). Time to visit the Dicti cave/"cave of Zeus" or the theme Mythology Park.

Stop at: Tzermiado the capital of Lassithi Plateau (1 hour and 30 min).  Walk around the village, or rest and enjoy lunch, tasting traditional dishes of Cretan gastronomy.

Stop at: Knossos Palace. 1 hour and 45 min guided tour, by a professional authorized guide, around the Palace.

17:00-18:00: Approx return time back to Ammoudara/Heraklion/Gouves/Analipsi/Anissaras/Hersonissos/Stalida/Malia.

Different timetables apply for pickups in different areas like Heraklion, Ammoudara, Kokkini Hani, Gouves, Analipsi, Anissaras, Stalida, and Malia. Our search system will provide you with the correct times. If you have difficulty finding your pickup point, please contact us at info@tourscrete.com.

Click below for more info regarding each area pick-up service:

Knossos Palace and Lassithi Plateau Tour from Heraklion

Knossos Palace and Lassithi Plateau Tour from Malia

Knossos Palace and Lassithi Plateau Tour From Analipsi

Knossos Palace and Lassithi Plateau Tour from Amoudara

Knossos Palace and Lassithi Plateau Tour from Stalida

Important Pre-Departure Information for Knossos Palace and Lassithi Plateau

To help you prepare for your trip, please ensure you understand the following:

Tours are often the best days of your vacation. Most of our customers look forward to this day for weeks or months! That's why it is important that you mind some basic rules to keep the day trip safe and enjoyable for you and the other guests!

Be Smart

Bring comfortable walking shoes with rubber soles for good grip.
Be at the pickup point at least 10 minutes earlier. Check your ticket for the correct time.
Don’t bring too much money. Credit/Debit cards are accepted almost everywhere.
Limit your luggage. Too much weight is always a problem.
A hat, sunglasses, sun cream, are required in most cases.
Water, lip balm, insect repellent, and anti-bacterial hand wipes/hand sanitizer are sometimes essential.
Leave your valuables at your hotel.
Bring your personal medication and prescriptions.
You must always carry a copy of your passport with you. Although not required it's always a good idea.
Children must be accompanied by an adult.
The Tour to Knossos Palace and Lassithi Plateau is subject to weather conditions. If the tour is canceled due to bad weather you will be fully refunded, or you will be given the option of an alternative date.

 

The following list contains everything that is included in the activity you are viewing. Services and products included here are included in the price and no extra charge will occur.

Services and Products Included

-Hotel pick up & drop off by area: Heraklion, Analipsi, Anissaras, Gournes, Gouves, Hersonissos, Kokkini Hani, Koutouloufari, Malia, Piskopiano, Stalis.
-Transportation by modern air-conditioned buses.
-Professional tour guide (live) on the bus.
-Insurance cover
-Printed or mobile tour vouchers accepted
-Instant confirmation
-Easy cancellation (Cancel up to 24 hours prior to departure time and receive a full refund)

Everything that is not mentioned in the Included section is excluded. we have tried our best and we have succeeded in avoiding any hidden costs for our customers. In the event that any hidden costs appear through one of our suppliers please contact us and we will solve the matter with no discussion.

Services and Products Excluded from this Activity and payable if occur by the client

1. Entrance Tickets to Archaeological Sites or Places of Interest. 15€ per adult Entrance Ticket Knossos Palace / FREE for children under 18 years old - 2€ Audio Whispers
-(Optional) 6€ per adult Entrance Ticket to Cave of Zeus / FREE for children under 18 years old
-(Optional) 6€ per adult Entrance Ticket to Cretan Mythology Park / FREE for children under 3 years old
-(Optional) 2€ Entrance Ticket to Kera Monastery. 

2. Any meals & drinks.

3. Accommodation for tours and activities longer than 1 day.

4. Any other destination not mentioned in the itinerary.

5. Any services or activity charges other than those included in inclusions.

IMPORTANT: During the booking process you will be requested to add your hotel and its address. We understand that the names of hotels change every year and that many hotels don't even have an address. In such a case you can do the following:

1. Choose "Other" at Hotel 

2. Write "Unknown" at the Address

This way the system will allow you to proceed with your payment.

How to book your Knossos Palace Tour and Lassithi Plateau

In order to make your booking experience easier and more secure, we write below, our very simple way of booking your favorite Cretan tour, excursion, trip, or cruise.

Step 1: Choose Your Tour

Once you decide which Crete tour you wish to book online, you will have to check the availability of each tour. You only have to click on the “Date” box and there you can choose the date or day that is more comfortable for you. The Dates/days are highlighted. Prices are per adult.

After choosing your date of departure you add the number of adults and children. Please note the following:

Adults: 13+ years old

Children: 4-12 years old

Infants (free): 0-4 years old

You don't need to enter the infant numbers. Infants do not get a seat. The guardian is responsible for providing protection during the tour. 

Once you add the persons you press the ‘Search” button.

Step 2: Add to Cart

You press the “Add to Cart” button. The tour is now available in your purchase cart. You may book the same way two, three, or more tours.

Step 3: Visit the Cart

The cart is situated in the top right corner. Press on the “Cart” image. This will provide you with a list of the tours you have chosen. Check the total price, the number of persons, the name of the tour, and the date. If you wish, you may erase the tour by clicking the “X”(delete) button and restarting the procedure. When you are ready you press the “Checkout” button.

Step 4: Checkout

Here you will need to fill out the form with your details and press “Continue”. The personal information that we collect from you is stored by us, on databases protected through a combination of physical and electronic access controls, firewall technology, and other reasonable security measures. We will neither sell nor release your registration, personal, and usage data to outside organizations.

If you cannot locate your hotel name, please email us the name of your hotel and we will add it to our list. The hotel list includes the following areas of Crete: Hersonissos, Analipsi, Anissaras, Gouves, Malia, Gournes, and Kokkini Hani.

Step 5: Payment

 After pressing the “Continue to Payment” button you will be redirected to a secured Eurobank e-commerce environment. Here you fill in your card details. Once your payment is made, you will receive a confirmation of your payment and the tours you have purchased. Within 24 hours you will receive a boarding voucher/ticket for each tour in Crete you have purchased with all the details, including the exact pickup point with "Google map location" and time-based on your hotel selection.

In case you wish to know more about Knossos Palace Tour and Lassithi Plateau, please feel free to communicate with us before booking online. Our travel consultants will try their best to provide you with the correct answers to your questions. Send all Inquiries to info@tourscrete.com

If after receiving your voucher/ticket, you still have questions, or you wish to cancel or alter the date please call us at +30 2897021106 or email us at reservation@tourscrete.com.

If you are currently in Crete our travel shop is located in Hersonissos. Feel free to pass by one of them and get the answers to your questions and even more.

Serapis Travel Services

141 El. Venizelou Ave (main road)

70014, Hersonissos, Crete

Google Map Location: Click on this-link