Knossos Palace & Heraklion Museum: Europe’s Oldest Civilization
Recommended by 96% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Crete, Greece
- 10 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Group discounts
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Discover several top attractions in Crete in one day on this private tour from Chania, Rethymno, or Heraklion. Start the day with a visit to Melidoni Cave or Zeus Cave. Afterwards, discover the treasures at the Heraklion Archeological Museum, before exploring the Palace of Knossos. Includes round-trip transfers in a private vehicle.
- Full-day tour of several top attractions in Crete
- Travel in comfort in a private, air-conditioned vehicle
- Relax with flexible departure and end times
- Pay just one price for a group of up to four people
What's Included
- Private Tour: Premium AC vehicle & English-speaking driver.
- Bespoke Itinerary: Customizable stops based on your interests.
- Skip-the-Line: Priority entry assistance at Knossos Palace.
- Door-to-Door: Flexible pickup/drop-off at your location.
- Onboard Comfort: Chilled water, USB ports & child seats.
- 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
Venetian Walls and Tomb of Nikos Kazantzakis
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
2
Heraklion Archaeological Museum
2 hours • Admission Ticket Not Included
3
Venetian Fortress of Koules
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
4
The Palace of Knossos
2 hours • 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
4.8
based on 68 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
Due to inclement weather, our cruise ship did not stop in Crete, and we found out the morning of the tour. We immediately contacted the operator Leonidas and offered to proceed with a partial refund that would cover all of his expenses and preparation. He refused, offering only a discount on an indeterminate future tour that we both know is unlikely to ever come up. Whether or not he had a legal right to refuse refund, I would want to book with an operator who is genial, empathetic, and collaborative, and Leonidas showed himself to be none of those things when he realized he could earn easy money without providing any service.
Response from Host, Apr 2025
Dear Robert,
Thank you for your feedback, and I am truly sorry that you feel dissatisfied with the situation. I would like to take a moment to explain why I followed the procedure as I did.
As a tour operator working with Viator, I am required to adhere to their cancellation policy, which clearly states that bookings canceled 24 hours or less before the tour are not eligible for a refund. I must follow this policy, just as I agreed to when partnering with Viator. I understand this may seem rigid, but it’s important that I follow the guidelines set by the platform I work with.
However, understanding your frustration, I suggested an alternative that was more than fair: a 25% refund, along with a 50% discount on any future booking. I thought this would be a reasonable compromise given the circumstances, but unfortunately, you did not find this satisfactory.
To clarify, I had already made preparations, including printing the tour receipt and driving for over an hour to reach the agreed-upon pick-up location, which was outside our usual range. I arrived to find that you wished to cancel the tour just 15 minutes before I arrived at your port. The 25% refund offered does not even cover the gas and taxes for the tour, let alone the time spent and potential bookings I lost due to unavailability for that day.
Once again, I am truly sorry that this situation has caused frustration. My intent was never to act unfairly but to find a solution that adhered to Viator’s policy while offering a reasonable compromise. I hope this explanation helps clarify the situation, and I remain available if you would like to discuss this further.
Best regards,
Leonidas
Crete Wanderer
The Museum in Herkelion is amazing. It is full of everyday objects and princely pieces all well organized and explained.
Clients should be aware that this adventure does not include guides, just a driver who is as personable but not an expert on the sites.
Response from Host, Apr 2025
Thanks so much for the wonderful feedback, Anita! We’re glad you had a great time at the Heraklion museum and that you appreciated the everyday objects and princely pieces on display. We also appreciate your understanding about the role of the driver. We hope to welcome you back for another adventure in Crete soon! 😊
Our tour guide Leo was very professional and knowledgeable about the Cave Zeus and Knossos Palace which was very helpful. In addition, Leo took us to a couple more destinations along the way, time permitting. The restaurant Leo recommended for lunch has excellent seafood which we requested. Overall, an excellent experience of Crete!
Leo also arrived on time and he is very friendly and professional.
Response from Host, Mar 2024
Dear Albert,
Thank you for your fantastic review! I'm delighted to hear that you found our exploration of Cave Zeus and Knossos Palace both informative and enjoyable. It's always a pleasure to share my knowledge of Crete's rich history and landmarks with my guests. I'm glad you appreciated the additional destinations we visited along the way, and I'm thrilled that you enjoyed the seafood at the restaurant I recommended for lunch. Your satisfaction is my top priority, and I'm pleased that everything met your expectations. It was a pleasure to spend the day with you, and I'm grateful for your kind words about my professionalism and friendliness. Thank you for choosing me as your guide, and I hope to have the opportunity to welcome you back to Crete in the future!
Best regards,
Leonidas
Met and returned on time and very pleasant day with nice driver.
Much appreciated from a doddery oldie
Response from Host, Mar 2024
Dear Camila,
Thank you for your kind words! I'm so glad to hear that you had a pleasant day with us and that our driver ensured you were met and returned on time. Your comfort and safety are always our top priorities, and I'm delighted that you found the experience enjoyable. It was a pleasure to have you on board, and I appreciate your appreciation. If you ever decide to explore more of Crete's wonders, we'd be honored to accompany you on your journey again.
Best regards,
Leonidas
We had an amazing tour!! Leonidas was an excellent guide and driver. He took us to the perfect lunch spot too. We debated renting a car and once we decided not to, we opted in for a full day tour instead. And I’m so glad we did that. Took away the stress of driving and we were able to explore more of Crete than just Chania, so worth every penny. Thank you, Leonidas!
Response from Host, Mar 2024
Dear Leah,
Thank you for your wonderful review! I'm thrilled to hear that you had an amazing tour experience with us. It was a pleasure to guide you and ensure that you had a stress-free and enjoyable exploration of Crete. I'm glad that our choice of lunch spot met your expectations and added to the overall experience. Opting for a full day tour was definitely a great decision, allowing you to explore more of what Crete has to offer without the stress of driving. Your satisfaction is our ultimate goal, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to have been part of your memorable journey. If you ever decide to return to Crete or explore other destinations, we'd be delighted to assist you again.
Warm regards,
Leonidas
Had a really great time on this tour. Our guide was friendly and knowledgeable. Got to see a wide area around Heraklion.
Response from Host, Mar 2024
Thank you for sharing your experience with us! We're thrilled to hear that you had a fantastic time on our tour exploring the beautiful surroundings of Heraklion. Our team takes great pride in providing friendly and knowledgeable guides who ensure our guests have an unforgettable experience. We appreciate your kind words and hope to welcome you back soon for another memorable adventure!
One of the worst tours on our cruise. Our guide was late and then we find out he was not a guide but a young man just filling in for his brother. He tried hard to answer questions but was not a guide and took us on a wild goose chase because the cave was closed and was not the cave we paid to see which we found out was open but our drivers decide was too far to drive to. Very disappointing and our money should be returned. Waisted day when we should have been enjoying a great island.
Response from Host, Apr 2025
Dear Pam,
First of all, we sincerely apologize for the negative experience you had on your recent tour. We understand your disappointment, and we truly regret that the tour did not meet your expectations.
Upon investigating the situation, we were not aware that the guide was filling in for his brother until you reached out to us. This was not something we had approved, and we’ve since taken the necessary actions to ensure this does not happen again in the future. Our team strives to ensure that only qualified guides lead our tours, and we deeply regret this oversight.
Regarding the cave visit, we did inform all guests prior to the tour that the cave would be closed on that day and offered an alternative stop. You agreed to this change at the time, but we understand that there may have been some confusion when you later saw that the cave appeared to be open online. Unfortunately, the schedule on the cave’s website was not updated, and we sincerely apologize for this miscommunication.
We always aim to provide a seamless and enjoyable experience for all our guests, and we regret that we fell short during your visit. Please know that your feedback is important to us, and we will be looking into all the issues you’ve raised to prevent similar situations in the future.
Once again, we apologize for the inconvenience caused, and we would be happy to discuss any further concerns or possible solutions with you. Thank you for your understanding.
Best regards,
Leonidas
Crete Wanderer
Overall the tour was great, but roundtrip travel to Heraklion from Chania is 4 hours, which is too long. Good thing our tour guide, Leonidas, suggested we go visit the Melidoni Cave and bee museum first. The local Taverna he suggested was awesome. Food was excellent, you can taste the freshness of ingredients. A truly Cretan meal! If you choose this tour operator, suggest you customize your trip and request Leonidas to take you around. Or, spend one night at Heraklion to visit Knossos Palace and the museum.
Response from Host, Aug 2024
Thank you for your thoughtful review, Maria! I’m glad you enjoyed the tour and the recommendations I made, including the visit to Melidoni Cave and the bee museum. I’m also thrilled that you enjoyed the local taverna and its fresh, Cretan cuisine. I understand that the roundtrip travel can be quite lengthy, and I appreciate your feedback. I want to assure you that our vehicles are designed for comfort, but I understand that travel time can still feel long. Your suggestions about customizing the trip or considering an overnight stay are excellent. Thank you again for your insights, and I look forward to guiding you on another memorable adventure. Safe travels!
We had a wonderful tour with Leonidas going to the Cave of Zeus, Palace, and Museum, along with a very delicious lunch. He picked us right up from the port terminal and off we went. The tour is flexible, in case you have preferences or avoidances, such as limited mobility.
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Thank you so much for sharing your experience, Vanessa! I'm thrilled to hear that you had a wonderful tour exploring the Cave of Zeus, Palace, Museum, and enjoying a delicious lunch along the way. Providing flexibility to accommodate preferences and avoidances, such as limited mobility, is always a priority for us. I'm glad you found the tour accommodating to your needs. If you ever want to explore more or have any other preferences, please don't hesitate to reach out. I'd be happy to assist you again! Warm regards, Leonidas
Wonderful guide and tour. Very kind and considerate young man. Crete is breathtaking. Highly recommend.
Response from Host, Oct 2023
Thank you for your kind words! I'm happy to hear you had a wonderful experience in Crete. Your recommendation is greatly appreciated. If you ever wish to explore more or have more to share, don't hesitate to reach out.
We saw these amazing sites and incredible vistas during the drive.
Our guide was very informative with lots of historical background.
Had a great lunch at a lovely taverna and as vegetarians we appreciated the effort to find us a nice place with food options that suited us.
Response from Host, Jul 2024
Thank you for sharing your experience! I'm thrilled you enjoyed the amazing and wonderfully visits that Crete has to offer. It was a pleasure to provide you with historical insights and find a lovely taverna that catered to your vegetarian needs. I'm glad you had a great lunch and a memorable day. Looking forward to guiding you on another adventure soon!
From $266.00
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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