Top Heraklion Archaeology Tours

Avoid the stress of navigating Crete’s mountainous roads or coordinating multiple cultural stops on your own. This private or small-group experience from Crete brings together the island’s highlights in one seamless day, from the ancient Palace of Knossos to traditional villages and the Lasithi Plateau. Along the way, enjoy an olive oil tasting and authentic local stops, all with comfortable door-to-door transport so you can focus on culture, history, and food without planning hassles.

Check out two different historical regions of Greece in this day tour that takes you to explore the Lassithi Plateau and the Knossos Palace in Heraklion, plus much more. This is a group tour, so you’ll be keeping costs down. Your guide and driver will take care of all the logistics for you, so you can enjoy your full day exploring the history and local culture of the area.

Discover the Bronze Age city of Knossos and take a sightseeing tour of Heraklion. Knossos was once the capital of the Minoan civilization and is known to be Europe’s oldest city. Enjoy a guided tour of the labyrinthine palace and learn about its history. Then, visit Heraklion, the current capital of Crete, to discover its landmarks including the Lion’s Fountain.

Knossos was once the capital of the Minoan civilization, and a must-see site in Crete. Explore the landmark in the company of a guide, who can provide more insights than visiting on your own. Afterwards, enjoy a guided walk around central Heraklion and free time to explore afterwards on your own.

Travelers with a range of interests will enjoy this private full-day tour of Crete, including Knossos, the Lasithi Plateau Windmills, and the Cave of Zeus. History enthusiasts will love learning about the island’s ancient history, while nature lovers will enjoy the beautiful views. As this private tour, you can relax knowing that everything is taken care of by your English-speaking driver-guide.

Crete rewards those willing to venture beyond the resorts, but navigating between palaces, mountain plateaus, and villages on your own takes planning. This small-group tour with a private option handles logistics with a luxury air-conditioned Mercedes Benz and a local guide. You'll cover Knossos Palace, the Lasithi Plateau's windmills, the Psychro Cave, and an olive oil factory where you can taste local products and snacks.

Spinalonga, an island once used to isolate people suffering from leprosy, has become more popular since Victoria Hislop's novel The Island reimagined it. Visit this historic island, plus the Agios Nikolaos resort town with Lake Voulismeni, and Elounda, known for luxury hotels and beaches, on this guided day trip. Admission to Spinalonga is not included.

Knossos Palace Small-Group Guided Tour with Skip-the-Line & Heraklion Hotel Pickup. Unearth the rich history of the Minoan civilization at the legendary Palace of Knossos. With a knowledgeable licensed guide, delve into the fascinating stories of King Minos and the myth of the Minotaur while enjoying skip-the-line access for a seamless experience. This small group tour, limited to 12 guests, ensures personalized attention and includes headsets for clear communication. Plus, the convenience of round-trip hotel transportation from Heraklion makes it an ideal choice for history lovers seeking a hassle-free adventure. - Discover the archaeological wonders of Knossos with an expert guide - Small group size (max 12 guests) for a tailored experience - Skip-the-line entry to maximize your visit - Convenient round-trip hotel pick-up and drop-off included

Skip the stress of planning logistics and check off the best of Crete in one seamless day on this small-group tour. Begin at Knossos Palace (entrance extra), once the center of Minoan civilization. From there, head into the countryside for a behind-the-scenes look at a local olive oil estate. Continue to a family-owned winery and raki distillery for tastings. Finish the day at a traditional village taverna to dine on a typical Cretan lunch.

Spend the day exploring southern Crete with this full-day guided tour of Gortys (Gortyn) and Matala. After pickup from designated locations around Crete, travel by air-conditioned bus to the Gortys archeological park, the former Roman capital of Crete. Afterwards, head to the coast and Matala, where you will have four hours of free time to spend how want.

Don't lose time and money looking for a tour in Heraklion that is not going to offer to you, what this tour has to offer. In this small group tour, you'll visit and explore 16 Traditional Villages of Lasithi Plateau, Knossos Archaeological site and Palace, Wind Mills of Lasithi Plateau, a Pottery, an Olive oil mill, the stunning landscape of the area, Mochos village, the monumental Plane tree, olive groves and more. Explore 16 charming villages scattered across the plateau, such as Tzermiado, Psychro, and Agios Georgios. Each village has its unique character, with traditional Cretan architecture and friendly residents. A visit to the Lasithi Plateau and Knossos Palace, is a journey through a landscape rich in natural beauty and cultural heritage. Whether you’re exploring ancient myths, or simply enjoying the peaceful rural atmosphere, the Lasithi Plateau offers a memorable experience for all who venture into its captivating surroundings. Book this tour now and you'll never regret it.

See a side of Crete that many tourists miss with this private full-day tour to places off the tourist map. Head away from the island’s busy beaches to discover the real Crete, visiting an olive oil producer, traditional wind mills, and sleepy inland villages. The Cave of Zeus remains closed until the end of June. You have the option to enjoy a local lunch.

Visit Matala, on the southern coast of Crete, even if you don’t have a rental car, on this full-day tour. After pickup from designated locations around Crete, travel by air-conditioned bus through the Messara Plain to the former Roman burial site turned hippie enclave, where you will have free time to relax on the beach, swim in the ocean, explore the caves, stroll the shops, or grab a meal.

During this private -guided tour you will experience and understand not only the way of living but also the evolution of a civilization that has been described as the first urban-palatial culture in Europe. The museum houses representative artefacts from all periods of Cretan prehistory and history, covering a chronological span of over 5. 500 years from the Neolithic times to Roman period where the sculptures of that time have stories and myths to narrate us.

Go beyond Heraklion to visit the island of Spinalonga on a day trip by coach and boat. Offering an easy way to get from the city to the scenic Elounda Gulf area, this excursion covers transport direct from your hotel, a boat ride, and a barbecue lunch, along with ample free time to explore the island (entrance fee not included), Kolokitha Bay, Elounda, and postcard-perfect Agios Nikolaos.

Get more out of your time in Crete, and discover the history of the Minoan civilization on a tour of Knossos Palace and the cultural center of Heraklion. You’ll get the lowdown on the exhibits of the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, and discover one of the locals’ favorite spots for coffee in a cozy city café. Note that entry fees are payable on the day.

Step back in time and learn about Crete’s Minoan history on this private tour of Heraklion city and Knossos. Visit the archaeological site of Knossos to see the ruins of the great palace, temples, villas, and sanctuaries. Then, explore Heraklion’s Venetian walls, fortress, St. Minas Cathedral, and more with a private guide for a personalized experience.

With a minibus your Eye Travel guide shows you the Spinalonga island and other interesting places. Our first stop is in Agios Nikolaos where we have a fantastic view over the "Bottomless lake". You have some free time for a coffee, shopping and a stroll along the most eastern main city of Crete. After passing Elounda it is time for SPINALONGA, the last leper colony of Europe. A typical Cretan fishing boat brings you to the island, this takes no more than 10 minutes. On the island you make a tour. After finishing the trip on Spinalonga, a fishing boat brings you back to the small village of Plaka. Plaka is a tiny harbor, so the unique opportunity to eat fresh fish. After our lunch we are heading to an olive oil factory. You get a guided tour through the factory. All facts about olive oil, the pressing methods and grades of olive oil are explained. At the end of the tour you can taste different olive oils and other local products.

A Certified Guide for Knossos Palace is NOT INCLUDED What sets this tour apart is its **soul**—not just the stops, but the *why* behind them. In just one carefully crafted day, you get a full bite of Crete: its sacred flavors, its living crafts, its wine-soaked hospitality, and its ancient myths. We don’t rush. We don’t overpack. We do it the old Cretan way—slow, generous, and real. You’ll taste olive oil from groves where the trees are older than some civilizations. You’ll meet a potter whose hands remember secrets passed down for generations. You’ll drink wines born from volcanic soil and eat a village lunch the way locals do on a Sunday. And finally, you’ll walk in the footsteps of kings and legends at Knossos. No staged folklore, no touristy fluff—just the Crete we love, shared with you the way it was always meant to be: with heart, time, and good company.

Visit the former leper colony and Venetian fortress on Spinalonga Island during this private tour. Sail to this rocky island, and explore the streets, houses, and ruined Venetian fortifications where lepers were confined from 1903 to 1957. Then, relax with a swim stop and barbecue lunch before cruising back to port. Return coach transport, the boat ride to Spinalonga, and select hotel pickup and drop-off in north-coast resorts included.

Knossos was once the capital of the Minoan civilization, and a must-see site in Crete. Explore the landmark in the company of a guide, who can provide more insights than visiting on your own. Afterwards, visit a Minoan farm in Patsides. End the tour with a guided walk around central Heraklion and free time to explore on your own.

* Embark on this full day small group or Private tour so we can show you the real side of Crete . * Walk through the narrow streets of the old traditional villages , enjoy an iced coffee , mountain tea …… * Visit an olive oil factory , learn all about olive oil production and taste a few different ones . * Enjoy the ride with our comfortable air conditioned vehicles. * Taste a glass of Raki and some local wine while learning about local traditions, history, mythology and culture. * Visit The picturesque village of Krasi and the monumental Platanus tree . * Visit the Cave of Zeus , explore Lasithii Plateau, the Old Wind Mills and enjoy amazing views from the mountains. * Tasting a few local dishes is a must while in Crete .( OPTIONAL) * Experience the Greek Hospitality and create memories that will last a life time. * Pick up and drop off from your hotel or Heraklion cruise port .

The Palace of Knossos, mythical home of the Minotaur, is Crete's top ancient attraction. Pair it with the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, and the world's finest collection of Minoan art, on this full-day private tour from Heraklion with a stop at the Koules Fortress (Castello del Molo). Entrance fees are at your expense, and your driver is not licensed to accompany you around the sights.