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Southern Crete: Coastal Views & Ancient Ruins
Explore Matala Beach, Phaistos ruins, and Zaros Lake. Discover Crete’s natural beauty, history, and culture with our expert guide. Book your private tour now.
Explore Matala Beach, Phaistos ruins, and Zaros Lake. Discover Crete’s natural beauty, history, and culture with our expert guide. Book your private tour now.
Duration:
7 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Archaeological Site of Phaistos - This significant archaeological site features the ruins of a grand Minoan palace, offering insights into one of the earliest advanced civilizations in Europe, and is home to the enigmatic Phaistos Disc.
- Matala Beach - Matala Beach, with its golden sands, turquoise waters, and ancient cliffside caves, exudes a…
- Archaeological Site of Phaistos - This significant archaeological site features the ruins of a grand Minoan palace, offering insights into one of the earliest advanced civilizations in Europe, and is home to the enigmatic Phaistos Disc.
- Matala Beach - Matala Beach, with its golden sands, turquoise waters, and ancient cliffside caves, exudes a laid-back, bohemian vibe reminiscent of its 1960s hippie days. Known for inspiring artists and musicians, the beach continues to radiate a sense of freedom and creativity. The breathtaking sunshine over the Libyan Sea, casting a warm glow on the cliffs, enhances its unforgettable charm. - Don’t forget to bring your swimwear, towel, and sunscreen!
- Matala Caves - Carved into the cliffs, these ancient Roman and early Christian tombs were later inhabited by 1960s hippies, creating a unique blend of ancient history and modern counterculture.
- Lake of Zaros Votomos - Located at the base of Mount Psiloritis, Zaros Lake is a serene freshwater lake surrounded by lush greenery, perfect for relaxing, hiking, and enjoying traditional Cretan hospitality.
Zaros Lake is renowned for its tavernas, which serves fresh fish caught directly from the lake. -A stop for lunch here is optional but highly recommended.
What's Included
- Onboard Wi-Fi and Fast Charger
- Olive Oil & Premium Local Products Tasting Fee
- Bottled water
- Fuel, Tolls, Taxes, and Fees
- Private Local Driver-Guide Fluent in English
- Hotel, Harbor, or Meeting Point Pickup and Drop-Off
- Hygiene Amenities and First Aid Kit
- Private Transportation in a Comfortable Van
- Onboard Wi-Fi and Fast Charger
- Olive Oil & Premium Local Products Tasting Fee
- Bottled water
- Fuel, Tolls, Taxes, and Fees
- Private Local Driver-Guide Fluent in English
- Hotel, Harbor, or Meeting Point Pickup and Drop-Off
- Hygiene Amenities and First Aid Kit
- Private Transportation in a Comfortable Van
What's Not Included
- Entrance fees
- Licensed Guide (multi-language, optional, extra charge)
- Winery Tour & Tasting of Indigenous Wines Fee
- Personal expenses, tips & gratuities
- Lunch is an Optional Experience
- Entrance fees
- Licensed Guide (multi-language, optional, extra charge)
- Winery Tour & Tasting of Indigenous Wines Fee
- Personal expenses, tips & gratuities
- Lunch is an Optional Experience
Additional Information
Unforgettable South Crete Private Tour: History, Coast & Culture!
Explore the diverse beauty of South Crete: the lively Matala Beach & Caves (famous for its hippy history!) and the ancient marvels of Phaistos. Additionally, tailor your adventure with options like a Scenic Lake + Olive Oil Tasting, a visit to a Signature Winery, a delightful lunch with…
Unforgettable South Crete Private Tour: History, Coast & Culture!
Explore the diverse beauty of South Crete: the lively Matala Beach & Caves (famous for its hippy history!) and the ancient marvels of Phaistos. Additionally, tailor your adventure with options like a Scenic Lake + Olive Oil Tasting, a visit to a Signature Winery, a delightful lunch with stunning views of the Libyan Sea, or exploring the ruins of Gortyn.
Perfect for families and adventurers!
Day Trip - Private Tour - Shore Excursion - Cruise Friendly - Heraklion Port - Crete - From Heraklion - Elounda - Ag. Nikolaos - Hersonissos
- Please note that only licensed guides are permitted to escort visitors inside archaeological sites. Our driver-guide is not licensed for this. If you’d like a licensed guide to accompany you, this can be arranged upon request
- Travelers from Cruise ships should take the earliest possible option
- Travelers should bring swimwear & a beach towel
- Travelers should wear suitable shoes & clothes
- We can accommodate big groups. For groups of 9 or more, please contact us directly
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(16 Ratings)
5 stars
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1 star
I4178pwrichardb
Jun 4, 2025
Perfect Day Out - We had a really lovely day with George, he arrived timely in a spotless vehicle. He brought supplies such as water and sun cream and added nice touches such as removing the headrests from the front passenger seating to provide a better view. George is a fabulous driver, driving carefully and considerately for both passengers and other road users. The trip is private so George is endlessly adaptable meaning the trip can be customised. He has some great stories to tell, and coming from Crete he knows his history well. I can thoroughly recommend him and his services.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Luzon25
Jun 2, 2025
Day to remember - We had a lovely trip today with Giogos. He took us to the hippy beach, an olive plantation to sample produce. A beautiful monastery also lunch at lake Zaros. He was informative and professional, whilst at the same time friendly and adaptable to suit what we wanted from our trip. Sunsud and his service was a brilliant personalised experience and I would highly recommend him. Jo (London)
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Skippingstonetravels
May 26, 2025
Wonderful day in Crete! - We had a wonderful tour with George of various places in Crete. Our group was supposed to visit Santorini but got diverted to Crete instead. We couldn't have been happier. George is an exceptional guide who provided everything and more that you would want on a tour. Matala Beach was beautiful, and our stop at a small production olive oil facility was fantastic. We learned so much about the area that we really would like to visit Crete for an extended period of time.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kimberlym492
May 23, 2025
The wonderful island of Crete - George was an amazing guide throughout Crete. He was extremely informative, letting our group design the tour around our interests.
Definitely recommend George great guy!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Culture37884561487
May 16, 2025
Wonderful day in Crete - George was an excellent guide with much knowledge and love of Crete. We thoroughly enjoyed our day with him and you will too. We highly recommend booking with him and he will tailor the tour to your preferences with a smile.
Scott & Brenda
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Brenda_s
May 16, 2025
Wonderful day with George - George was an excellent guide with much knowledge and love of Crete. We thoroughly enjoyed our day with him and you will too. We highly recommend booking with him and he will tailor the tour to your preferences with a smile.
Scott & Brenda
Review provided by Viator
Panos376
Jan 7, 2025
Discovering the Wonders of South Crete - The following day, we continued our journey through Crete’s wonders. We had heard about Phaistos and its renowned Disk, as well as Matala, famous for its connection to the Flower Children, which made exploring these places even more exciting. Our son, Alkis, wanted to spend more time at the beach, so we adjusted the itinerary to include a visit to nearby Komos Beach. The view from the taverna on the hill was absolutely breathtaking!
Yorgos, thank you for an extraordinary day!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Katt
Jan 4, 2025
Lovely Memorable Trip to South Crete - We had an incredible day exploring South Crete! Visiting Matala Beach with its iconic caves and the Minoan Palace of Phaistos. The olive harvesting experience added a wonderful cultural touch, giving you a glimpse into Crete’s rich agricultural heritage. A day filled with history, natural beauty, and local traditions—truly memorable!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Xtremekev
Jan 3, 2025
Explore Crete's history and beauty on an exceptional custom day trip - This was our second day trip in Crete with Sunsud Tours and George - this time to the stunning Minoan Festos Palace and Matara Beach - and finally safely took us to Chania. We're a family of eight, travelling with young children and a baby, and time management is always a challenge, but George makes everything look simple and easy. It is extraordinary that he has orchestrated a day trip that perfectly fits our diverse needs and interests.
The visit to Festus Palace is a fascinating experience. George's detailed explanations and fascinating story bring this ancient Minoan site to life, highlighting its historical significance and architectural splendor. His in-depth knowledge of the site's history and shared passion made the trip an unforgettable educational journey.
At Matara Beach, George made sure we had plenty of time to relax and enjoy the stunning views, including the iconic caves. His insights into the cultural and historical significance of the region add another layer of appeal to our experience.
George also exceeded our expectations by recommending family-friendly places to rest and take photos. A special highlight was witnessing local farmers harvesting olives and operating machines - an authentic experience of Cretan tradition.
George's professionalism, attention to detail and ability to connect with everyone on our team, from kids to seniors, make this day extra special. I wholeheartedly recommend George and Sunsud Tours to anyone looking for a tailored, enriching experience in Crete!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tutacapotuta
Dec 17, 2024
A memorable day in southern Crete - Following George's recommendation, we had another unforgettable adventure!
Matala Beach with its golden sand and caves wowed us, and the children enjoyed splashing around and exploring the area. Festos Palace mesmerized us with its ancient beauty. Lake Zaros was the perfect ending to the day: we enjoyed incredibly fresh trout, and the children were thrilled to feed fish and play by the water.
Southern Crete is forever in our hearts!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
