Zeus Cave, Knossos & Lassithi Plateau Private Tour with a Local
Recommended by 97% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Crete, Greece
- 7 to 8 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
With an ancient history spanning millennia to the time of the Ancient Greeks and beyond, exploring Crete is a great choice for history lovers. Explore sites such as Aposelemis Dam and the Windmills of Lassithi Plateau on this full-day private tour. Learn the island’s history and culture before a visit to the Palace of Knossos: the largest site of Minoan antiquity on Crete.
- Full-day tour of Crete’s historical and cultural tourist hotspots
- A chance to see ancient sites such as the Palace of Knossos
- Witness the 2,400-year-old Platanus tree in the village of Krasi
- You’ll have your guide’s sole attention, so ask lots of questions
What's Included
- Fully customizable itinerary based on your interests
- Private transportation in a modern, air-conditioned vehicle
- Professional local driver-guide (English speaking)
- Flexible pick-up & drop-off time from your location
- Bottled water for each guest
- USB charging ports & Bluetooth access onboard
- Child seats & boosters available upon request
- Assistance with skip-the-line entry at the Palace of Knossos
- Local product tastings (olive oil, honey, raki, where available)
- Photo stops at scenic viewpoints
- Entrance fees to attractions or sites (if applicable)
- Food & drinks at restaurants or tavernas (optional lunch stop)
- Licensed tourist guide inside archaeological sites (optional)
- Personal expenses
Meeting and Pickup
You can head directly to your preferred meeting point, or request pickup.
Itinerary
1
Aposelemis Dam
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
2
Assargiotakis Yannis Olive Oil S.M.P.C
45 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
Kera Kardiotissa Monastery (Pass By)
3
Windmills Of Lasithi Plateau
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Lassithi Plateau (Pass By)
4
Monastery Vidiani
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
5
Cave of Zeus
1 hour • Admission Ticket Not Included
Maison Kronio (Pass By)
6
Restaurant Tzanakis Michael
1 hour • Admission Ticket Not Included
7
Platanus Tree
20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Mochos (Pass By)
8
The Palace of Knossos
1 hour 15 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Near public transportation
- Infant seats available
- Most travelers can participate
- This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.9
based on 138 reviews
Lonnie_G, Apr 2026
What a wonderful tour! Even though it was the Greek Orthodox Easter Sunday and all historical attractions and most businesses were closed, Leonidas found much for us to do and see. From sweeping views of the countryside, visits to picturesque small towns, windmills, a 2,000 year old tree, aqua ducts, a stop at Zeus's Cave where we had freshly-squeezed orange juice, and a little known part of Knossos outside of the main area, to a family-run olive oil production facility that opened just for our tour, Leonidas's knowledge of Crete and his connections with the locals showed through. And, he knew the perfect place for an absolutely delicious lunch. It is easy to see that Leonidis enjoys giving tours. Our time with him flew by, and we were very satisfied with how it was spent!
Steven_S, Nov 2025
I usually don't like giving poor reviews, but we had such a poor experience, I felt that I needed to share this.
Our guide was not engaging at all. Maybe he was a substitute for someone else in his family, or maybe he was just having a bad day. If we didn't ask questions we would not have learned anything about the island. Even so, the information was limited and it felt like pulling teeth to get a response.
We were very disappointed, as all of our other tours booked through Viator more than met our expectations.
JudithA_M, Aug 2025
Lionitis shared his knowledge of the history of the region during the stops on the tour. We had a great time and we highly recommend this tour!
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Dear Judith,
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re thrilled to hear that Lionitis’ knowledge of the region’s history made your tour so enjoyable. It’s fantastic that you had a great time and would recommend the experience.
We would love to welcome you back to Crete for more unforgettable adventures!
Best regards,
The Crete Wanderer Team
Melissa_S, Jul 2025
Very enjoyable tour - worth it even without the Cave of Zeus. Appreciate learning about the crafts and animals of eastern Crete, the windmills, and the monastery with bees in the walls! The olive processing mill was a highlight. We were also able to pick up some great souvenirs to take home.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Dear Melissa,
Thank you so much for your lovely review! We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed your tour of eastern Crete and found the crafts, animals, windmills, monastery, and especially the olive processing mill so memorable. It’s wonderful that you were able to pick up some special souvenirs to take home as well!
We truly appreciate your kind words and would be thrilled to welcome you back to Crete for more unforgettable experiences.
Best regards,
The Crete Wanderer Team
Monica_H, Apr 2025
Great experience in Kotor! We really enjoyed viewing the sights on the island and checking the windmills and olive press. Lunch spot was an excellent choice! It was nice experience although I would have liked to have seen the palace.
Response from Host, May 2025
Monica, thanks a lot for the lovely review! It was a pleasure showing you around Crete. I'm glad you liked the tour and the lunch spot! Sorry we couldn’t fit the palace in this time—let’s make sure it’s part of the itinerary if you ever come back! 🍽️🏰
monicasurdu, Apr 2025
an excellent trip worth taking. wonderful panoramas, magical places, extraordinary guide. a day gained for us, an added value for our vacation
Response from Host, May 2025
Thank you so much for your wonderful words! I'm truly touched. It means the world to know the trip added value to your vacation and gave you such beautiful memories. It was a pleasure sharing these magical places with you! 😊🌄
Rebecca_N, Nov 2024
Know this is mostly a driving tour to the different sites. They do not go into Knossos and explain the ancient sight. Our guide gave us basic information about Crete but I would have liked to know more history and cultures. Combined with other couples for a discount so that was nice.
Response from Host, Apr 2025
Thank you for your feedback! We’re glad to hear that you appreciated the opportunity to combine with other couples for a discount. We do want to highlight that, as stated in the tour description, our drivers are not licensed guides, which is why they are unable to go inside sites like Knossos and provide in-depth historical explanations. We truly value your input on wanting more historical context, and we’ll definitely work on enhancing that for future tours. We hope to welcome you again soon for another experience in Crete! 😊
Patrick_S, Oct 2024
This is a great tour. Leonidas, our driver and host, was very informative and entertaining. Our favorite stops were the olive press company where we saw how olives are picked and processed for their oil and the lunch stop high in the mountains. The monastery was also very beautiful with all of its religious icons and the Palace of Knossos was fascinating. Be aware that the Cave of Zeus is closed for repairs for the next two years and is no longer a stop. All in all, this is a great tour to acquaint yourself with Heraklion and eastern Crete.
Response from Host, Mar 2025
Thank you for the great review! 😄 We’re so happy to hear that Leonidas made your tour both entertaining and informative, and that you enjoyed the olive press, mountain lunch, and beautiful monastery. We appreciate the heads-up about the Cave of Zeus closure and will share this info with others. We’re glad you had a fantastic experience and can’t wait to have you back for more amazing adventures in Heraklion and beyond! 🌿🚗✨
Lori_P, Oct 2024
Zeus' cave is a great experience. Good shoes are a must as you will climb up to the entrance and then down to the cave. Very cool cave! Beautiful Day. We enjoyed every moment. Very interesting. Highly recommend this tour.
Response from Host, Mar 2025
Thank you for your kind feedback! We’re so happy to hear that you enjoyed your visit to Zeus' Cave and found it to be such a fascinating experience. Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we look forward to offering you more great tours in the future!
Jennifer_J, Oct 2024
Leonidas was so wonderful and gave us the best experience. He was knowledgeable and answered all of our questions. We went with small children and he was so patient and kind. He went above and beyond. He also took us to one of the most beautiful and delicious local spots for lunch. We didn’t have much time on the island so we were able to do so much in a short period of time thanks to his expertise. We plan to reach out to him next time we go back. We highly recommend!!!
Response from Host, Mar 2025
Wow, thank you for the amazing feedback! It’s fantastic to hear that Leonidas made your trip so special, and that you had such a wonderful time with your family. We’re so glad he helped you make the most of your time on the island and that you enjoyed that delicious local lunch spot! We’ll be happy to host you again next time you’re back! 😊🍽
Pam_S, Sep 2024
We enjoyed the Olive Oil factory, the monastery, the Cave of Zeus and the Palace of Knossos. A special to Leon who came all the way to Agios Nicholas after a misunderstanding in our booking, returning us safely and on time in the afternoon. We saw more of Crete with Leon than any other tour groups.
Response from Host, Mar 2025
Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the Olive Oil factory, the monastery, the Cave of Zeus, and the Palace of Knossos—those are some of the best spots Crete has to offer! We’re especially glad that Leon was able to go the extra mile to make sure you had an unforgettable experience. It sounds like you saw so much more of Crete thanks to his dedication and expertise. We appreciate you sharing your feedback and hope to welcome you back for another adventure soon! 😊🌿🏛
Kyle_K, Sep 2024
Had a wonderful time! Leonidas told us the history of all the places we visited and stopped us at wonderful lunch spot. Highly recommend!
Response from Host, Apr 2025
So glad to hear you had such a great time! Leonidas is fantastic at sharing stories and history, and we love that he found you a perfect lunch spot too. Thanks a bunch for the high recommendation—it means a lot to us! 🙌
Michael_L, Aug 2024
Great experience for sure, Leonidas was the tour guide and everything went well from the start of the pickup point to the end. He showed us all the highlights of Crete/Heraklion (including Cave of Zeus) and ended with the Palace of Knossos which was great despite the heat in August. He’s a very humble and honest guy, I would book another tour with him if I’m back here Crete. Also, he got us back to our cruise ship port well within time (started at 0830 - 1430 but saw everything we needed to).
Response from Host, Apr 2025
Thank you so much for this fantastic review! We’re so happy to hear that Leonidas made your tour of Crete and Heraklion such a memorable experience. His knowledge and humble nature truly make every tour special, and we’re thrilled that you were able to explore the highlights, including the Cave of Zeus and the Palace of Knossos, despite the August heat! Your trust in booking another tour with him in the future means a lot to us. Thank you for sharing your experience! 😊
james_l, Jul 2024
Excellent tour. Leonidas and his Valium are awesome people. Genuine hard working. Understand the Greek policies on tours before writing something negative about these hard working people. They are not certified tour guides which is required by the government. They are informative in the locations but can not give personal tours. The restaurant for lunch was the best food we had in the two weeks in Greece. They never rush you on time and you go at your pace. Thank you to a wonderful family for such great hospitality.
Response from Host, Aug 2024
Thank you, James and Shannon, for your thoughtful review! We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed the tour and appreciated our dedication and hospitality. We’re glad you found the lunch spot to be a highlight of your trip. Thank you for understanding the nuances of Greek tour regulations and for your kind words about our approach and pace. It was a pleasure having you, and we hope to welcome you back for more memorable experiences in the future. Safe travels!
Tina_S, Jul 2024
The title and description of this tour is a bit misleading. I thought this includes a guide for Knosses but it does not. We essentially got a driver for the day. He dropped us off at Knosses and we were on our own. If we were to hire a guide onsite, it would be $100 for 1 hr, unless you find another group to split the bill with. We had 4 people, so 5 people with the driver. The car provided was a small 4 door sedan, so it was pretty crammed, and we're not big people. The only time the driver came down to explain anything to us was at the olive press, where he walked us to the stations and briefly explained each step. All the other stops were dropoff and pickup.
Response from Host, Apr 2025
Dear Tina,
Thank you for your feedback, and we sincerely apologize for any confusion or inconvenience you experienced during your tour. We appreciate the opportunity to address your concerns.
Regarding the guide at Knossos, the tour description does indeed specify that a professional guide for the archaeological site is available for hire, but it is not included in the tour price. We provide a knowledgeable driver-guide for the day who can share insights and information during the trip and while traveling between stops. However, as per Greek regulations, driver-guides are only permitted to provide information within the vehicle and not at archaeological sites.
As for the cost of hiring a guide at Knossos, the price of $100 for one hour is the standard rate set by the site, and unfortunately, it is not within our control. We understand that this might be an unexpected additional cost, and we always aim to provide clear information regarding available options.
Regarding the vehicle, we understand that the sedan may not have been as spacious as you had hoped. The sedan was the only available option for that particular day, but we also offer a minivan option for a bit more space, which could have been a better fit for your group. In the future, we recommend checking availability in advance to ensure you get the vehicle type that suits your preferences.
Once again, we apologize for any confusion or inconvenience, and we appreciate your understanding. We hope this explanation clarifies the situation, and if you have any further questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out.
Best regards,
Leonidas
Crete Wanderer
James_F, Jul 2024
I highly recommend this travel agency. We took the Full Day Private Adventure: Knossos, Zeus Cave & Lassithi Plateau.
Their customer service before the tour is very good. I emailed questions weeks before and received replies right away.
Leonitas texted us he was waiting for us holding a sign.
The company purchased tickets for attractions so we would not have to wait in line. Leonitas took us to all the attractions that were advertised on their website. As we drove to each place Leonitas talked about the history of the Greek neighbor hoods and the history of each place of interest.
In the middle of the afternoon we asked Leonitas to recommend a restaurant Paradosiaki Taverna Xylouris.
It is in a great location family owned good food at good prices.
I was completely impressed with Leonitas professionalism, knowledge and customer service.
Ask for Leonitas at Crete Wanderer Travel he is a great asset for the Company.
Response from Host, Jul 2024
Thank you for your wonderful review! I’m delighted to hear that you highly recommend our travel agency and enjoyed the Full Day Private Adventure. It's great to know that the customer service met your expectations and provided excellent communication as well as guidance throughout the tour. Im happy to hear you enjoyed every part of our tour like the historical insights and the tavern I recommended. Again thank you for your kind words, and we will be here for another adventure in the future.
Cathy_S, Jun 2024
Leonidas was a great choice for our first day touring in Crete. Personable, efficient, accommodating and knowledgeable! Highly recommend the personal touches and pace of a private tour.
Response from Host, Jun 2024
Thank you for your kind review! It was a pleasure to be part of your first day touring in Crete. I'm glad you appreciated the personal touches and pace of the private tour, as I always aim to provide this for my customers. Being efficient, accommodating, and knowledgeable are qualities I strive to bring to every tour, and it is wonderful to know that I have once again succeeded. Your recommendation means a lot to me. Looking forward to showing you more of Crete in the future!
Susan_N, Jun 2024
Leonidas was an excellent tour guide. He provided wonderful information, safe transport with amenities and many historical stops with shopping and food. Would absolutely hire him again.
Response from Host, Jul 2024
Dear Susan
Thank you for your glowing review! I’m thrilled to hear that I could provide you with excellent service as your tour guide. It's fantastic to hear your kind words about me, and that you like the flexibility of our tour. I would be delighted to welcome you back and assist with more memorable experiences in the future!
Susan_s, May 2024
What a great trip. Our driver, Leonidas, was great and very knowledgeable about the island. We were able to see many sites all in one day. My favorite part was Zeus’s cave. I highly recommend this trip.
Response from Host, Jul 2024
Dear Susan
Thank you for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear that you had a great trip. We are pleased we could satisfy you by showing you the various sites while sharing knowledge about our place.Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we appreciate you sharing your positive experience. We look forward to welcoming you back for more exciting journeys in the future!
Scott_F, May 2024
We spent 8 night in Greece. Unfortunately, we were only able to spend two day in Crete. On one of them we took this tour. It gave us a great insight into he island and all it has to offer. Leonidis, our guide, was excellent. He drove us to many different sights and explained their significance on the way. Numerous ones we had to view own our own, but it was a wonderful day. WE would recommend this trip to anyone visiting Crete.
Response from Host, Jul 2024
Thank you for your wonderful review! I'm so glad to hear that you enjoyed your brief time in Crete and that our tour provided you with great insight into the island and its many offerings. It was my pleasure to drive you to various significant sights and share their stories along the way. Although some sights were explored on your own, I'm thrilled that you found the day to be wonderful. Your recommendation means a lot, and I hope to have the opportunity to show you even more of Crete on your next visit!
Andrew_M, May 2024
This was a great tour! The guide was fun and took us to some great spots. We booked this as a couple, which would have been perfect. We were asked to share with another couple, which wasn't too bad, except for the vehicle size. It was a little snug for us four. With a bigger vehicle, it would have been great. Either way, I would recommend this tour for sure!
Response from Host, Aug 2024
Thank you for your feedback and recommendation, Andrew! I’m glad to hear you enjoyed the tour and had fun with our guide. I appreciate your understanding regarding the vehicle size. To make up for the snug fit, we provided a discount for sharing the car with the other couple. We’re also in the process of upgrading all our cars by the end of this year to better accommodate our guests' needs and ensure greater comfort. We hope to welcome you back in the future for an even better experience. Safe travels and thank you again for your understanding!
Amit_B, May 2024
We had a great time with our tour guide George who knew the area well and showed us some great spots in Heraklion. We would definitely recommend this tour!
Response from Host, Jul 2024
Thank you for your feedback! I'm delighted to hear that you had a great time exploring Heraklion with Mr. George and discovering some great spots! I'm glad your tour experience was enjoyable. Your recommendation is greatly appreciated, and we look forward to hosting you again for more memorable experiences in Crete!
Joseph_F, May 2024
Our driver Leonides was very personable, spoke excellent English, and kept us entertained between sites with stories about Cretan culture and his personal experiences. Highlight of the trip was the Knossos Palace. The whole trip took 7.5 hours as advertised. We would highly recommend this trip to anyone staying in Heraklion.
Response from Host, Jul 2024
Dear Joseph
Thank you for your wonderful review! I'm delighted to hear that you enjoyed your trip. It's great to know you had an amazing experience and that you enjoyed all the visits. I'm glad the Knossos Palace was a highlight for you and that the trip met your expectations. Your recommendation means a lot, and I hope to welcome you back for more memorable experiences in Crete!
Tanya_L, Apr 2024
Had a great day discovering Crete. Our private tour was perfect. We loved being able to play with the schedule at will.
Response from Host, Jul 2024
Thank you so much, Tanya, for your kind words! We're delighted to hear that you had a great day discovering Crete and enjoyed the flexibility of our private tour. It was our pleasure to ensure you had a perfect experience. We hope to welcome you back for more adventures in the future!
Donna_Y, Apr 2024
Very good English speaking tour guide, knowledgeable about the area and attractions. Comfortable, easy going and flexible.
Response from Host, Jun 2024
Thank you for your kind words, Dona! I'm glad to hear that you found my English clear and my knowledge of the area and attractions helpful. Making sure our tours are comfortable, easygoing, and flexible is a top priority for me. It was a pleasure showing you around, and I hope to have the chance to guide you on another adventure soon!
Mona_B, Apr 2024
We saw all the listed places.
When I booked this didn't realize that it was not a guided tour. We did t gey much information from our driver. There was a bit of a language barrier. Even though he knew english he didn't know enough to answer all our questions. All the places we went to, we had to read the literature posted to know what it was.
The tour lists as tickets not included to certain attractions and we were ok buying the tix, but just generally not too satisfied with the whole tour.
It was more like a full day taxi service.
Response from Host, Apr 2025
Dear Mona,
Thank you for your feedback, and we apologize for any confusion during your tour. We strive to offer clear and enjoyable experiences, and I’d like to take a moment to address the concerns you raised.
First, I would like to clarify that our drivers are "driver-guides" and not official licensed guides. This means they can provide information during the drive and within the vehicle, but they are not permitted to guide you at the attractions themselves. We understand that this may not have been clear at the time of booking, and we regret any misunderstandings that may have occurred.
All of our drivers are certified with an English language certificate, as required by Greek law, to ensure they are capable of communicating with our international guests. We apologize if there was a language barrier during the tour, and we will continue to work with our team to ensure better clarity in these situations.
Regarding the tickets, we clearly mention in the tour description that entry fees to certain attractions are not included in the price. We understand that purchasing tickets on-site may not be ideal, but we always aim to give our guests the flexibility to decide how they want to experience each stop.
Once again, we apologize if the tour did not meet your expectations, and we appreciate your understanding. If you have any further questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out.
Best regards,
Leonidas
Crete Wanderer
alison_y, Mar 2024
Leonidas is a great tour guide, he showed us around Crete and shared personal stories. We also had lunch in local restaurant.
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Thank you for your kind words! I'm thrilled to hear that you enjoyed exploring Crete with me and that you appreciated the personal touch I bring to my tours. Sharing stories and experiences is what makes the journey even more special. I'm glad you liked the local restaurant for lunch—it's always a pleasure to introduce visitors to authentic flavors. Looking forward to our paths crossing again for more memorable adventures!
Anne_R, Mar 2024
We had a wonderful day-long tour of Crete with Leonidas. He was punctual, accommodating, flexible, friendly, knowledgeable, and pretty much everything else you would want from a tour guide. He went above and beyond to make our entire day fun, interesting, beautiful and delicious.
We highly recommend hiring Leonidas for all your Crete tour guide needs!!
Response from Host, Mar 2024
Dear Anne,
Thank you so much for your glowing review! It warms my heart to hear that you had such a wonderful experience exploring Crete with me. It was truly a pleasure to guide you throughout the day, and I'm thrilled that I could make your experience enjoyable, informative, and memorable. Your kind words mean a lot to me, and I'm delighted that you found my services punctual, accommodating, and flexible. Crete is such a beautiful island with so much to offer, and I'm glad I could share its treasures with you. Your recommendation means the world to me, and I would be honored to welcome you back for another adventure in the future!
Warm regards,
Leonidas
William_C, Mar 2024
The cave was amazing! The windmills was cool! Our tour guide was amazing, very friendly and educated on his history!!
Response from Host, Mar 2024
Thank you for sharing your excitement about the tour! I'm thrilled to hear that you found the Cave and the windmills to be amazing experiences. Our goal is to provide memorable and insightful tours, and I'm glad that our guide could enhance your experience with their friendly demeanor and wealth of historical knowledge. Your kind words are greatly appreciated, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of your journey. If you ever find yourself back in Crete, we'd love to show you more of the island's wonders.
Warm regards,
Leonidas
Phumelele_M, Feb 2024
I loved the tour guide. He was super nice and showed us a lot of CRETE’s wonderful attractions. He was able to take us to other places which were easier for a child and an elderly mum to get around and enjoy their time.
Response from Host, Mar 2024
Dear Phumelele,
Thank you for your lovely feedback! I'm delighted to hear that you enjoyed the tour and found our guide to be super nice. It's wonderful to know that you were able to explore Crete's attractions comfortably, especially considering the needs of your child and elderly mum. Ensuring a pleasant and accessible experience for all our guests is very important to us, and I'm glad that our guide could accommodate your family's needs. If you ever plan to visit Crete again, we'd be honored to assist you in creating more unforgettable memories.
Best regards,
Leonidas
From $479.70
per group (up to 4)up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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