Crete Tour: Knossos, Zeus Cave & Local Delights

Embark on a journey of discovery through Crete’s majestic Knossos Palace and Zeus Cave. Immerse in the art of olive oil production, savor authentic local cuisine, and indulge in the finest flavors of Crete. Join us for an unforgettable day trip!

Duration: 8 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Knossos Archaeological Site - This excursion takes you to one of Greece’s most significant landmarks: the Knossos Palace. The tour starts with a visit to the Knossos Palace, the ceremonial and political hub of the Minoan civilization during the Bronze Age. Here, you will explore the magnificent palace complex, built for King Minos and recognized…
What's Included
  • Pickup and drop-off from your hotel, harbor, or designated meeting points
  • Private tour pickups: Heraklion, Agios Nikolaos, Elounda. Shared mini-group: Heraklion region only
  • Liability insurance
  • Bottled water, coffee
  • Private knowledgeable local guide
  • Transport by luxury air-conditioned minivan with free Wi-Fi on board
What's Not Included
  • Gratuities ( optional)
  • Official Licensed Tourist Guide at Knossos Palace (optional)
  • Lunch (optional)
  • Pickup from the Rethymno or Chania regions is available upon request with additional cost
  • Admission fees
Additional Information
  • Discover Knossos Palace, picturesque villages, and the breathtaking Lasithi Plateau.
  • Dive into Local Culture: Engage with Cretan traditions, enjoy authentic cuisine, and relish olive oil, honey, and raki, all with warm hospitality.
  • Unique Olive Oil Tour: Discover the craft of olive oil production and sample the island’s finest selections.
    -…
Location
En Plo
Egeou
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(222 Ratings)
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David_h
May 7, 2025
Great Orientation Tour With A Wonderful Guide - We were staying outside the Heraklion area, so we met up with our guide - Marinos - at a place in the city where we were able to leave our car for the day. We then picked up two other couples and started the tour. I should point out that the weather was absolutely horrendous - rain, clouds and lots of wind. So it wasn't possible to fully enjoy the scenery as we drove up into the mountains, but Marinos was very engaging, entertaining and informative all day long, providing lots of information about points of interest, Crete and the various places we were visiting. One of the highlights for us was the stop we made in a small village, where the owner made us mountain tea in her cozy cafe. The weather didn't cooperate at all while we were at the Lasithi Plateau. So Marinos had to improvise a bit and took us to a small cheese shop so we could see how the cheese was being made (They were washing the cheese wheels with a power washer!), and also to another place where they were making pottery. It's unfortunate that the weather was so bad, but we were able to make the best of it, thanks for Marinos. The final stop of the day was Knossos. The six people on the tour split the cost of private guide at Knossos. I definitely recommend doing that (as opposed to wandering around aimlessly or getting an audio guide. All in all, it was a great way to get oriented to Crete (it was our first day), and Marinos was filled with useful information and tips that we made the most of during the rest of the trip. Oh, almost forgot to mention that the Zeus Cave is currently closed. So going in is not an option. There is a path up to the cave from the parking area, where there is apparently a great view of the Plateau, but because the weather was so bad, we opted to have a tea and some cheese pies (which were great) in the cafe near the trail.
Review provided by Viator
Robin_h
May 7, 2025
Incredible guide in Heraklion - Nickolas was a terrific guide. He picked us up on time in a Mercedes van. He was flexible, friendly and very knowledgeable about Heraklion and took us to some beautiful places on the island. We had lunch in the mountains at a restaurant owned by friends of his. The food was fresh and delicious- best Greek salad I’ve ever had - and the location was peaceful and beautiful. I highly recommend him.
Review provided by Viator
Monica
May 6, 2025
A taste of Cretan country life - We had a wonderful private tour with Marinos as our driver and guide. He managed to provide us with a real taste of Crete - we found out about olive oil production, visited windmills and villages on the Lasithi Plateau, had a delicious cup of Cretan herbal tea in Krasi, as well as an impromptu taste of Greek yoghurt at a local cheesemaker's. Marinos is very knowledgeable on all aspects of life in Crete and we came away with a much better appreciation of this wonderfully varied island. Would highly recommend!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Dawn_d
May 4, 2025
Best tour of Crete - Wow! Marinos showed us the best of Crete on this tour. This ended up being a private tour for us, which was incredible. We moved at our own pace and Marinos was there the entire time and available when we were ready to go. We started at the Palace of Knossos, then toured the Olive Press. The press was not operational due to the time of year, but was still a highlight for me. we traveled many small villages and saw cheese and yogurt being made. We stopped at the Lasithi Plateau to take in the expansive views of Crete. We were unable to visit the cave of Zeus due to construction. We visited a monastery, too. Overall, this tour was a highlight from our trip to Greece and Marinos was the best guide. I highly recommend this tour.
Review provided by Viator
230madisonh
May 2, 2025
Amazing Experience - My husband and I had a fantastic day on our tour, and even though we were held back a bit due to unexpected weather, our driver, Nico, truly made the experience memorable. He was quick to adjust our itinerary and took us to some wonderful places. Despite the weather hiccups, Nico’s flexibility and knowledge made this a day we will never forget. We had an amazing time and would absolutely book with them again on our next visit!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Joshua_h
Apr 26, 2025
Must Do Experience - Marinos is from the area and it shows, he was able to take us to the local spots. Had a great time experiencing Crete like a local.
Review provided by Viator
Jeff_v
Apr 22, 2025
Unforgettable Tour with Nikos – A Must-Book Experience! - We had the absolute pleasure of touring with Nikos, and it was truly one of the highlights of our time in Crete. From the very beginning, Nikos brought a personal touch and a depth of knowledge that made every stop on our journey—from the olive oil factory to the stunning Lasithi Plateau and the legendary ruins of Knossos—come alive with history and heart. Nikos clearly loves what he does, and it shows. Everywhere we went, he was greeted like family and made sure we received VIP treatment. The experience felt tailored just for us—from the behind-the-scenes access to thoughtful touches like his homemade cookies (which were delicious, by the way). If you’re looking for a tour that goes beyond the guidebook and connects you with the true spirit of Crete, we can’t recommend Unique Tours—and especially Nikos—enough.
Review provided by Viator
Tiffany_s
Apr 14, 2025
An enjoyable leisurely day exploring Crete and the plateau - Nico and the team could not have been more kind and courteous to us from the moment of booking through to drop-off after our tour. The team provided advanced recommendations to make our day more enjoyable and Nico arrived promptly and offered a truly meaningful, customized experience. We moved at a leisurely self-directed pace and saw many sights in the area. A truly great day! Thank you to all the team members we met—especially Nico—our best to you on a prosperous upcoming season!
Review provided by Viator
Bethho8275rm
Apr 14, 2025
I highly recommend this company and Marino as a tour guide! We had a great adventure through the Laisithi valley! - Marino toured us around the Lasithi Valley and its surrounding villages. This tour included a lot of interesting information, great photo opportunities and a delicious traditional Greek lunch. It also included unique stops, like the one we made at a tiny village coffee shop, where we got to meet the matron of the shop and learn some interesting things about life in the small villages. I highly recommend the tour if you want to see some unique sites and learn about the island of Crete.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Krisztina_h
Apr 15, 2025
Great day trip with a local guide! - Comprehensive trip to small villages, Zeus cave, the plateau with windmills and the Palace of Knossos with a local guide giving you insights into local history and customs.
Review provided by Viator
From $118
up to 7 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).