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Knossos Palace & Zeus Cave: Mythical Crete Adventure
5.0
373 Ratings
Iraklio
Embark on a journey of discovery through Crete’s majestic Knossos Palace and Zeus Cave. Immerse in the art of olive oil production, savor authentic local cuisine, and indulge in the finest flavors of Crete. Join us for an unforgettable day trip!
Embark on a journey of discovery through Crete’s majestic Knossos Palace and Zeus Cave. Immerse in the art of olive oil production, savor authentic local cuisine, and indulge in the finest flavors of Crete. Join us for an unforgettable day trip!
Duration:
8 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Omalia Olive Press - Begin the journey into Cretan culture with an introduction to its renowned “liquid gold.” At a traditional, four-generation olive oil production facility, discover the rich history of olives, learn about harvesting methods from ancient times to today, and enjoy a tasting of premium-quality olive oil—an experience sure to…
- Omalia Olive Press - Begin the journey into Cretan culture with an introduction to its renowned “liquid gold.” At a traditional, four-generation olive oil production facility, discover the rich history of olives, learn about harvesting methods from ancient times to today, and enjoy a tasting of premium-quality olive oil—an experience sure to delight the senses.
- Krasi - The next stop is the village of Krasi, home to the famous plane tree of Krasi, which is over 2000 years old. There will be ample time to enjoy a coffee at one of the local kafeneios and capture unforgettable photos.
- Lassithi Plateau - The journey continues to the Lasithi Plateau, a captivating destination rich in natural beauty and ancient mythology. Surrounded by the towering Dikti Mountains, this fertile land is steeped in history and believed to be the birthplace of Zeus. Once home to the world’s first wind farm, the plateau still holds remnants of its past, with a few windmills dotting the landscape. As you explore this tranquil haven, immerse yourself in the stunning views and legendary stories that make this land so special.
- Dikteon Cave - Visit the legendary Cave of Zeus (Dikteon Andron), one of Crete’s most significant mythological sites. According to ancient Greek mythology, this is the cave where Rhea hid the infant Zeus to protect him from his father Cronos. Enjoy the scenic surroundings of the Lasithi Plateau and discover the fascinating history and legends connected to the king of the Greek gods. (Zeus Cave is closed on Tuesdays)
- Kera Kardiotissa Monastery - A 14th-century Byzantine gem, known for its beautiful frescoes and the legendary miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary. As you pass by, take in its stunning setting and hear about the monastery’s rich history and spiritual significance, offering a glimpse into a place of culture, faith, and serenity — even without a stop.
- Knossos Archaeological Site - On this excursion, visit one of the most important sights in Greece: the Knossos Palace. The tour begins with a visit to the Knossos Palace, the ceremonial and political center of the Minoan civilization during the Bronze Age. Explore the stunning palace complex, built for King Minos and considered the oldest city in Europe.
- Restaurant Tzanakis Michael - Here, stop for lunch, if desired, at a traditional tavern overlooking the Lassithi Plateau, where you can enjoy authentic local flavors, cooked in a wood-fired oven.
What's Included
- Private tour pickups: Heraklion, Agios Nikolaos, Elounda
- Shared mini-group: Heraklion region only
- Liability insurance
- Bottled water, Coffee, traditional snacks
- Private knowledgeable local guide
- Transport by luxury air conditioned minivan-free WI-FI on board
-
Licensed guide for Knossos Palace (included ONLY if this option is selected)
-…
- Private tour pickups: Heraklion, Agios Nikolaos, Elounda
- Shared mini-group: Heraklion region only
- Liability insurance
- Bottled water, Coffee, traditional snacks
- Private knowledgeable local guide
- Transport by luxury air conditioned minivan-free WI-FI on board
- Licensed guide for Knossos Palace (included ONLY if this option is selected)
- Pickup and drop-off from your hotel, Heraklion port or designated meeting points
What's Not Included
- Gratuities
- Lunch
- Pickup from the Rethymno or Chania regions is available upon request with additional cost
- Admission fees
- Entrance fees
- It is NOT suitable for cruise passengers docking in Chania (Souda Port).
- Gratuities
- Lunch
- Pickup from the Rethymno or Chania regions is available upon request with additional cost
- Admission fees
- Entrance fees
- It is NOT suitable for cruise passengers docking in Chania (Souda Port).
Additional Information
Embark on an unforgettable journey to Knossos Palace, the Lasithi Plateau, and the legendary Zeus Cave all in one day. Immerse yourself in authentic villages, mythology, and the traditions of Cretan olive oil.
• Tour Knossos Palace, Crete’s renowned archaeological site, with insights from local experts
• Discover the picturesque Lasithi Plateau and…
Embark on an unforgettable journey to Knossos Palace, the Lasithi Plateau, and the legendary Zeus Cave all in one day. Immerse yourself in authentic villages, mythology, and the traditions of Cretan olive oil.
• Tour Knossos Palace, Crete’s renowned archaeological site, with insights from local experts
• Discover the picturesque Lasithi Plateau and charming mountain villages
• Visit the legendary Zeus Cave (Dikteon Cave) — the birthplace of Zeus (Note: Zeus Cave is closed on Tuesdays.)
• Savor authentic Cretan olive oil with a tasting at a family-operated production
• Travel in comfort with air-conditioned transport, available in small-group or private options
• Enjoy a well-rounded tour that blends history, mythology, culture, and local traditions
• Led by passionate local experts providing insider knowledge and personalized service
*IMPORTANT LOCATION NOTICE
This tour is NOT suitable for cruise passengers docking in Chania (Souda Port).
Location
Heraklion Archaeological Museum
Chatzidaki
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
(373 Ratings)
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1 star
Alexandra_c
Jun 4, 2026
Apostolos was a great... - Apostolos was a great driver and guide, happily we ended up with a private tour and he was able to accommodate us with an itinerary change for the comfort of our group
Review provided by Viator
Hannah
Jun 1, 2026
Great day out - We had a great time on this tour! Our guide Apostolos was very friendly, knowledgeable and helpful and we had plenty of time at each stop. The olive oil factory was a fun first stop, and a great place for gifts, and we enjoyed the walk through the traditional Cretan village to see the plane tree, there were lots of lovely places to take photos. Lunch was tasty and reasonably priced, and Knossos palace was interesting. The walk up the hill to the Zeus cave is steep and quite challenging, particularly in the heat! The cave itself was very beautiful and we thought the walk was worth it, but those with limited mobility will find it very hard. Overall a very enjoyable day and good value for money.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Marcia_i
May 30, 2026
Travel junkie - Our guide spoke great English! He really knew the history and mythology. It was all day! But we had an amazing time. We gad coffee at a home in a village of 80 people, toured and tasted olive oil factory, visited a very small cheese factory in a village and gad the most amazing cheese, ate the best mousaka at a village family restaurant, and visited the temple of Konsos.
Review provided by Viator
Alecia_g
May 28, 2026
Cretan Experience - Great time! Was able to see and learn a lot about the historical and mythological Cretan sites. Had authentic village activities (coffee and pottery) and had a delicious Cretan lunch. Our guide did a phenomenal job!
Review provided by Viator
342helenc
May 24, 2026
Crete’s history, landscape and friendly people - My husband and I did the Knossos and Lasithi Plateau: Land of Zeus, villages and olive oil tour with Apostolus. He was thoughtful, entertaining and gave a wonderful tour. Every stop was fun and educational. We recommend Unique Crete V.I.P. Tours.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Raymond_g
May 23, 2026
Wonderful Overview of Crete - Our guide, APO, did an absolutely fabulous job today. Not only did he pick us up at a different location due to a hotel cancellation, but he treated us like family for the day. We visited an olive oil factory and received an educational tour of how olive oil was made in the past and today.
We drove into the mountainside and plateau region. We experienced " Greek Starbucks" coffee in a village, learned about culture and customs. Explored windmills, town wells, historic trees, learned about farming and plant life. Tasted fresh goat cheese and yogurt. A traditional wood stove cooked Greek lunch hit the spot- with a nip of raki to follow. We finished up with a trip to Knossos Palace. APO drove safely, answered all of our questions and went above and beyond to accommodate everyone! I highly recommend him as a tour guide and true gentleman. His friendly personality is infectious. This was one of the best ways to begin our Cretan vacation.
Review provided by Viator
Tcf25
May 18, 2026
A Taste of Crete - This tour provides a delightful sampler of Heraklion and the surrounding area. Marinos was a wonderful guide--very friendly and knowledgable. He drove us to a variety of places--from an olive oil manufacturer, which was very interesting, to a small village for tea with a local woman, to the amazing Knossos Palace. The scenery was gorgeous, escpecially at Lasithi Platea. We had several stops and many opportunities for great photos. He also took us to a beautiful restaurant for a delicious lunch. We highly recommend this tour with Marinos!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Marie_l
May 18, 2026
Visit to Crete! - Excellent experience with Apostolos, who provided us with a lot of explanations about life here through the various places visited during the day.
Activity in a small group and very friendly through the stops and the restaurants chosen for our group, but we really enjoyed doing this activity in the first days of our arrival.
Thank you!
Review provided by Viator
Christina_m
May 17, 2026
Amazing and knowledgeable... - Amazing and knowledgeable guide. Wonderful way to see everything in a small group. Lunch was wonderful.
Review provided by Viator
Fran_b
May 17, 2026
Exploring East of Heraklion - Itinerary a little misleading. We made 4 stops, not 7 or 8 and Cave of Zeus was not open. We had one hour at Knossos. However, very personable and knowledgeable driver/ guide named Manos and very small group of 4 made it a nice day to see the East of Crete.
Review provided by Viator
