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Cretan Stories – A Journey Through History and Tradition

Recommended by 100% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Heraklion, Greece
  • 8 to 9 hours (approx.)
  • Pickup offered
  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English

Overview

This full-day private tour of Rethymno focuses on the history and traditional crafts of the area. Start your day by visiting the Monastery of Arkadi, one of the most important monasteries in Greece. Continue by visiting a museum with historical items from the era of Homer and a working pottery workshop. After free time and lunch in Margarites, explore Melidoni cave with its stalactites and stalagmites.
  • A full-day history and crafts tour of Rethymno
  • Visit the Monastery of Arkadi, Museum of Ancient Eleftherna, and more
  • Visit a working pottery workshop and the village of Margarites
  • Pickup and drop-off from Panormo, Skaleta, Rethymno, and elsewhere

What's Included

  • Air-conditioned vehicle
  • Pick-up & drop off in Bali, Panormo,Skaleta,Adele,Platanias,Rethymno,Atsipopoulo,Kavros,Georgioupoli
  • Entrance fees for ARKADI, ELEFTHERNA MUSEUM, MELIDONI
    €13.00 per person

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Pickup details

Please, wait outside of the reception of your hotel 10 minutes before the appointement The pick-up and drop off will take place in Bali, Panormo, Skaleta, Adele, Platanias, Missiria, Rethymno town, Atsipopoulo, Kavros and Georgioupoli.

Operating hours
.8:00 am

Itinerary

1

Monastery of Arkadi

1 hour Admission Ticket Not Included

2

Tsikalario cretan ceramics

40 minutesAdmission Ticket Free

3

Margarites

2 hours Admission Ticket Free

4

Melidoni Cave

40 minutesAdmission Ticket Not Included

Additional Info

  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Stroller accessible
  • Infant seats available
  • Most travelers can participate
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 50 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Reviews

4.7
based on 18 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Barbarians destroyed nature heritage!

Ruta_L, Jul 2024
he trip was interesting and useful to get new knowledge and understanding of life in Create. Only we were unpleasantly surprised by the barbaric treatment of natural objects in the cave. It is obvious that in order to beautify the cave and make it easier to access, many stalactites have been brutally cut down, probably with the money of European Union funds. Of course, this is done to increase revenue, but this is not the modern approach! Stone Age people treated nature with more respect!

Good day out

Chris_W, Sep 2023
Good day out. The only part that wasn't very good was the olive oil part. Could of had a better selection of oils to taste and olive oil products to buy. I understand there is another one in area that has everything.

Understand Crete better

Sandor_S, Sep 2023
The monastery and the related historic events are a must-see to better understand cretan people. Also, the pottery, the olive oil factory and the cave are interesting additions.

Good day out

Mary_L, Jul 2023
Chose this trip because I thought we might need a day out of the sun and it was very enjoyable. Loved the monastery, the caves and the pottery. Would have given 5 stars but the museum was a disappointment. As the most expensive site visited, I would have given it a miss with hindsight.

Recommended

Esther_M, Sep 2025
Very great excursion with many interesting excursion destinations. I booked my trip in German but only French and English were spoken. There was a lot of information going on for me.
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From $35.84

per person

up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)

Book ahead!
On average, this is booked 51 days in advance.

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