Join our small group tour and experience Knossos — now a UNESCO World Heritage Site — where history and myth intertwine. The palace's labyrinth-like layout brings the legend of the Minotaur to life, while the reconstructed frescoes — like the Prince of the Lilies and the thrilling bull-leaping scenes — capture moments frozen in time.

With a licensed guide, the ruins transform from silent stones into a vivid story. You'll understand the symbolism in the art, the purpose behind the palace's design, and how the Minoans lived over 4,000 years ago. It's like walking the very paths of Minoan royalty.

For the full Minoan experience, you can easily upgrade to include the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion walking tour — even at the last minute. Knossos shows you the ancient city; the museum reveals its treasures, from intricate artifacts to original frescoes found on-site. Together, they complete the story of Europe's first civilization.

Knossos Palace Skip-the-Line Ticket (Shared Tour Group)

Semi-Private Shared Tour (Up to 8 Guests)
Travel through Crete and visit the legendary Knossos Palace, the ancient capital of Minoan Crete. Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of the Minoan civilization—Europe's first advanced society.

Although sites like Knossos were excavated as early as the late 18th century, the secrets of this Bronze Age civilization remain hidden, woven into a labyrinth of myth and history.

The Minoans continue to captivate us with their refined aesthetics and mysterious legacy, making Knossos an unforgettable destination.

Please check your location before booking!
Knossos Palace is located in Heraklion, in the center of Crete.



Travel Crete - Visit Knossos palace (Semi Private - Shared Tour)

Absorb Minoan treasures and breathtaking views, hidden among olive groves on this self-guided driving tour. Experience the magic of GPS playback on this immersive drive from Malia to Agios Nikolaos.

The northwest part of Crete's Lassithi Province is known for its unique landscape, bordering one of Europe's most beautiful bays, Mirabello Bay. On this scenic driving tour, you'll discover Spinalonga island and the village of Milatos, parts of Crete that were heavily influenced by years of Ottoman occupation.

This four-hour tour departs from Malia Palace Archaeological Site, where I'll tell you about its history, dating back to the Bronze Age. From there, you'll drive through several traditional Cretan villages while gaining insight into local customs. I'll tell you how the Cretan government banished Mesquinis (lepers) to Spinalonga island, transforming it into a leper colony.

In Agios Nikolaos, you can enjoy a delicious drink at Lake Voulismeni in the centre of the city.

Historical Crete: Self-Guided Drive from Malia to Agios Nikolaos

This self-guided driving tour around the Kedros mountains in Crete introduces you to the island's rich history, charming villages, and traditions. Starting in the village of Spili, with its famous lion-head fountains, you'll visit monasteries, churches, and picturesque towns along the way. Highlights include learning about Cretan music and dance, visiting Ano Meres' village square, and experiencing the breathtaking views of the Melissa Cape Sandhills. The tour ends in the fishing port of Agia Galini, where you can enjoy local tavernas. Along the route, you'll explore mythology, history, and the world-renowned Cretan olive oil, making this a memorable journey through southern Crete.

Southern Crete Self Guided Drive from Spili to Triopetra Beaches

Meet with your guide at the terminal of Cretan Spiti Travel at 08.30, we drive to Gortyna, the Roman capital of Crete and Cyrenaica which was first inhabited around 3200 BC. After the visit of Gortyna, we drive through the valley of Mesara to visit the archaeological site of Phaistos and its palace, the most important center of the Minoan civilization, and the most wealthy and powerful city in southern Crete. 

After our visit to Phaistos, we drive to Matala where you will enjoy some free time to swim in the crystal clear waters and optional lunch. Finally, we arrive at Zaros, an attractive, refreshingly unspoiled village famous for its spring water, which is now bottled and sold all over Greece, and an ideal base for walkers to explore the beautiful nature. Zaros also has some fine Byzantine monasteries, and delicious farm-raised trout served up in tavernas around town and on emerald-green Lake Votomos which will be visited.

Small Group Tour to Archaeological Sites of Gortyna and Phaistos

The Tour starts by driving along the Northern coast of the island were we will visit the 12th century Byzantine church of Panagia Kera, 1km from the village of Kritsa. 
We continue our tour driving through the beautiful coastal road and village of Elounda. One of them is the sea-front village of Plaka where we will board the boat to take us on the now deserted island of Spinalonga. Our guide will guide us through the ruins of what used to be a leper colony from 1903 to 1957 where lepers could have a better life, medical help and economic support. 
After our visit to Spinalonga, you will enjoy some free time to swim in the crystal clear waters of Plaka and optional lunch.
After we will visit Agios Nikolaos town, the capital town of Lassithi. Here, the bottomless salt lake Voulismeni dominates the area. The city boasts interesting Archaeological, Folklore, and Natural History museums, Byzantine churches, a well-organised marina and traditional squares with buzzing cafés and restaurants.

Spinalonga Tour with Panagia Kera & Agios Nikolaos

Zigzagging uphill through predator's colonies, impressive land-forms, and cultural elements of mainland Crete. In the southwestern foothills of the massif of Psiloritis lies the Gorge of Platania offering a special tour. The marked path, bordered by vulture colony, climbs the hillside in a weaving, zigzagging manner crossing a scenery of unique land forms at the western boundaries of Psiloritis Geopark. The elevation of escalation is at the same time an entrance to the unknown world of birds of prey over the historical provinces of Amari and St. Vasilios, where the presence of even more rare big sedentary birds (predators and scavengers) has been recorded. Ideal place for bird watching raptors.

Trekking and observation of vultures at Psiloritis Geopark

Would you like to try roasting meat  using age-old techniques and bake bread using replicas of ancient  equipment? Would you like to learn about the ancient material culture and  the meaning of ancient cooking as physically experienced by the cook? 

The "Cooking in ancient Greece" lesson by Mariana- an experimental archaeologist - food historian, Gourmand World Cookbook Award winner-  deals with the culinary legacy of the ancient Greeks, offering seductive interpretations of ancient dishes while giving a glimpse into the lives of ancient cooks. 

It lasts 4 hours and  takes place in a 300 year old olive grove, 5 km from the city of Chania.

Cooking in Ancient Greece

Be a Local for a day. Enjoy a real Cretan eating adventure while strolling the beautiful streets of Heraklion with your private guide. On this tour you enjoy local products finger food, Raki and wine amidst Venetian monumental buildings. The best example of the world famous Mediterranean diet is found in Crete. Discover with us the secrets of Cretans longevity. Follow our 2 hours Heraklion Tasting and Walking Tour. Let's feed our body and mind. 
Next the Archeological Museum of Heraklion, one of the most important museums in Europe in its field. This museum provides a unique opportunity for the visitor to marvel at the remnants of the first of civilization in Europe, the Minoans. This tour will guide you through a period of time that extends over a 5000 years, from the Neolithic to the Roman era. Find out how Cretan people used to live, their occupation, religion, architecture, travel, arts and more.
Tour limited to 16 people. 


Ηeraklion Walking and tasting Tour with Archaeological Museum

We start driving to our first stop Zaros, an attractive, refreshingly unspoiled village famous for its spring water, and an ideal base for walkers to explore the beautiful nature. Zaros also has some fine Byzantine monasteries, and delicious farm-raised trout served up in tavernas around town and on emerald-green Lake Votomos which will be visited. Then we continue our drive to the traditional Cretan village of Vatos, a small village hidden in the green where we find all the elements of its tradition. We finish at a cauldron of the village where you make Raki (the famous alcoholic beverage of Crete). Spili is our next stop known for its Venetian snake with a long line of 25 stone lion heads that run cool water from their mouths. Optional lunch at Spili. Then we visit Lampini, the church and the museum of Panagia. Drive to Gorge of St. Antonios, walk through a very nice hiking trail in the gorge with super green and lush surroundings up to the cave of St. Antonios.

Cretan Villages with Patsos Gorge Tour

Visit the Heraklion Archeological Museum, the second biggest in Greece, after the Museum of Athens. The tour begin with introduction of the oldest findings of Crete from 6000 BC, then of the highlight Minoan palaces of Knossos, Festos, Mallia and Zakros. The tour continues with objects from cemeteries, shrines, houses and ends with the Minoan frescoes of Knossos.
After the museum tour, 5km to southeast off the city, visit the Knossos Palace which was built from 1700 to 1400 BC. Advanced architectural techniques were used in its construction, and sections of the palace stood up to 5 stories high. Settlements in Knossos date as far back as the Neolithic period. Neolithic remains from around 7000 BC are found throughout Crete. Explore the ruins of the ancient Minoan civilization. Knossos Palace featured 1300 rooms connected by corridors, and a theater and extensive storerooms, which held large clay containers of oil, grains, dried fish, beans and olives – often with gold hidden beneath.

Archaeological Museum and Κnossos Palace Guided Tour Half Day

Delve into the rich history and culinary delights of Crete on this exclusive 4-hour private tour. Begin at the legendary Palace of Knossos, exploring the ancient ruins and vibrant frescoes that tell the story of the Minoan civilization. Journey through picturesque Cretan countryside to a family-owned Olive Oil Mill, where you'll learn about the art of olive oil production and savor a guided tasting of local oils. The tour culminates at a boutique winery in the Peza or Archanes region, featuring a walk through the vineyards and a tasting of 5 premium wines, perfectly paired with traditional Cretan snacks.

- Visit the historical Palace of Knossos and explore ancient ruins
- Discover the olive oil production process at a family-owned mill
- Enjoy a curated wine tasting experience with local cheeses and rusks
- Private transportation in a luxury air-conditioned minivan

Heraklion 4 Hour Tour Knossos Olive Oil Mill and Winery

We start our tour driving to our first stop Margarites, a small traditional village located in the prefecture of Rethymno and known for its unique pottery tradition, its picturesque alleys, and its well-preserved architecture.Afterwards we reach the Arkadi Monastery, which constitutes a landmark of architecture and civilization considering the magnificent facade of the church, the highly developed spiritual tradition as well as the flourishing development of fine arts. However, the holocaust, which took place in 1866, gave the monastery an eminent place in history, elevating it to an eternal symbol of freedom and heroism, recognized worldwide. We will visit the picturesque old town of Rethymno and have lunch (optional). At the end we will visit the Venetian stronghold of Fortezza which is built on top of a low hill above Rethymno Town. This huge fortress, with its turbulent history, was built between 1540 and 1570 by the Venetian maritime power as a bulwark against Turkish pirates

Guided Tour in Rethymno with Arkadi Monastery and Margarites

We start our tour driving to the city of Souda, port of Chania, to visit the Venizelos Graves at the historical location of Profitis Ilias in Akrotiri where the tomb of Eleftherios Venizelos lays. We continue to the city of Chania where we will visit all the main highlights of the city, historic neighborhoods, churches and museums and take a walk to the beautiful Venetian Port with the Lighthouse Faros. During your tour of the picturesque alleys of the old town, you will come acrosss unique monuments such as the Rimodi Fountain, the Neradze Mosque (or Gazi Hussein) with its high minaret, churches and squares. Have lunch (optional) and free time for shopping. At the way back we will stop at the resort city of Georgioupolis, popular for its fine beaches, for a relaxing stroll and a coffee break.

Chania City Tour with Georgioupoli

Meet with your guide at the terminal of Cretan Spiti Travel at 08:30 and drive 5km to southeast off the city to visit the Knossos Palace which was built from 1700 to 1400 BC. Advanced architectural techniques were used in its construction, and sections of the palace stood up to 5 stories high. Settlements in Knossos date as far back as the Neolithic period. Neolithic remains from around 7000 BC are found throughout Crete. Explore the ruins of the ancient Minoan civilization. Knossos Palace featured 1300 rooms connected by corridors, and a theater and extensive storerooms, which held large clay containers of oil, grains, dried fish, beans and olives – often with gold hidden beneath. The site was discovered in 1878 by Minos Kalokairinos. The excavations in Knossos began in 1900 by the English archaeologist Sir Arthur Evans and his team and they continued for 35 years. After the visit of the site we return at the terminal of Cretan Spiti Travel at 11:30.

Car Tours in Crete