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Crete Tour: Discover Knossos and Lassithi
5.0
19 Ratings
Knosos
Explore Knossos Palace, Cave of Zeus, and Lassithi Plateau. Enjoy local olive oil and rich cultural insights on this unforgettable private tour.
Explore Knossos Palace, Cave of Zeus, and Lassithi Plateau. Enjoy local olive oil and rich cultural insights on this unforgettable private tour.
Duration:
8 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Knossos Archaeological Site - Explore the ancient Minoan civilization through its stunning ruins and intriguing myths, making it an exciting destination for enthusiasts of ancient history and archaeology.
- Omalia Olive Press - Discover the production of ‘liquid gold’ from ancient times to today. The olive oil tasting experience will captivate…
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Knossos Archaeological Site - Explore the ancient Minoan civilization through its stunning ruins and intriguing myths, making it an exciting destination for enthusiasts of ancient history and archaeology.
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Omalia Olive Press - Discover the production of ‘liquid gold’ from ancient times to today. The olive oil tasting experience will captivate you with its delightful flavors. Purchasing products is optional.
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Platanus Tree - This plane tree, around 2,400 years old with a 24-meter perimeter, generously provides shade and coolness. Some believe it is haunted by the spirits of famous writers, historic agreements, and eternal oaths.
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Windmills Of Lasithi Plateau - The plateau is adorned with windmills, primarily used for milling grain. These majestic windmills have endured through time and the challenges posed by aspiring Don Quixotes.
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Lassithi Plateau - The journey through hidden villages leads to a tavern serving delicious local dishes. A lunch stop here is optional but highly recommended.
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Aposelemis Dam - As we leave the plateau, mesmerized by the panoramic views, we descend the mountain to the sunken village of Sfendyli in the Aposelemis Dam. A brief stop allows us to imagine life in the village, where one can almost see and hear children playing in what was once a lively community.
What's Included
- Bottled water
- Olive Oil & Local Products Tasting Fee
- Onboard Wi-Fi and Fast Charger
- Fuel, Tolls, Taxes, and Fees
- Private Local Driver-Guide Fluent in English
- Hotel, Harbor, or Meeting Point Pickup and Drop-Off
- Private Transportation in a Comfortable Van
- Hygiene Amenities & First Aid Kit
- Bottled water
- Olive Oil & Local Products Tasting Fee
- Onboard Wi-Fi and Fast Charger
- Fuel, Tolls, Taxes, and Fees
- Private Local Driver-Guide Fluent in English
- Hotel, Harbor, or Meeting Point Pickup and Drop-Off
- Private Transportation in a Comfortable Van
- Hygiene Amenities & First Aid Kit
What's Not Included
- Entrance fees
- Licensed Guide (multi-language, optional, extra charge)
- Personal Expenses, Tips & Gratuities
- Lunch Experience - Optional
- Entrance fees
- Licensed Guide (multi-language, optional, extra charge)
- Personal Expenses, Tips & Gratuities
- Lunch Experience - Optional
Additional Information
Immerse Yourself in Crete’s Timeless Wonders
Embark on an exclusive private tour where ancient legends, local customs, and breathtaking scenery come alive.
What You’ll Discover
- Knossos Palace: Delve into the legendary abode of the Minoans and the tale of the Minotaur.
- Lassithi Plateau: Enjoy the tranquil, elevated plain known as the…
Immerse Yourself in Crete’s Timeless Wonders
Embark on an exclusive private tour where ancient legends, local customs, and breathtaking scenery come alive.
What You’ll Discover
- Knossos Palace: Delve into the legendary abode of the Minoans and the tale of the Minotaur.
- Lassithi Plateau: Enjoy the tranquil, elevated plain known as the Homeland of Zeus.
- Olive Mill & Tasting: Discover Crete’s “liquid gold” and savor an authentic tasting experience.
- Traditional Villages: Immerse in local life, enjoy mountain vistas, and embrace Cretan charm.
Customize Your Day
- Enhance your experience with a Winery Tour, Monastery Visit, or Pottery Workshop for a richer cultural experience.
Your Experience
- Private, stress-free, and customized to your pace.
- Convenient door-to-door pickup from your hotel or Heraklion Cruise Port.
Thank you for choosing SunSud Tours!
Day Trip - Private Tour - Shore Excursion - Cruise Friendly - From Heraklion Port City - Crete - Zeus Cave - Lassithi Plateau - Homeland - Land - Birthplace - Territory - Elounda - Rethymno - Full
- According to Greek law, only licensed guides may conduct tours inside archaeological sites. Our driver-guide will be with you throughout the day, providing general information and assistance outside the sites. A licensed guide can be arranged upon request for a more in-depth visit.
- Travelers from Cruise ships should take the earliest possible option
- Travelers should wear suitable shoes & clothes
- We can accommodate big groups. For groups of 9 or more, please contact us directly
Location
Knossos Archaeological Site
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
(19 Ratings)
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Sandra_bilardi
Jun 21, 2025
Our wonderful June afternoon in Crete - Our afternoon tour into the heart of Crete was exceptional. We started at a local olive mill, learning about production and enjoying fresh tastings. Our journey then led us through a traditional village featuring a centuries-old tree, to a peaceful monastery, and even included picking fresh strawberries straight from the field.
Lunch at the plateau's finest tavern proved a real highlight, offering authentic Cretan flavors amidst a stunning backdrop. We concluded our day with an early evening visit to the Palace of Knossos, the ideal time to explore this historic site, avoiding both crowds and heat.
The entire experience was smooth and perfectly paced. George, our host and guide, was knowledgeable, caring, and his passion for Crete's beauty and culture truly shone through. For a relaxed and enriching Cretan adventure, SunSud Tours comes highly recommended!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Rolediaz
Jun 1, 2025
Great Sites to See - Countryside of Crete! Great Tour! - This tour lasted about 4 hours. George was great to work with. He always answered our emails with our detailed list of questions. He was very understanding of any concerns that we had considering this was our first cruise and our first excursion in Greece.
Dimitri was our tour guide. He was very helpful and at times informative with some areas of Heraklion. We visited at olive press factory (Omalia Olive Press). We even bought some olive oil for us and friends. We saw the Windmills on Lasithi Plateau. Boy, was it windy but a beautiful site to see!
We visited a strawberry field which we were able to pick some and eat. We stopped at a monastery and lunch afterwards. Dimitri stopped at locations for great photos. We briefly visited the little village of Ano Mera and saw the old Platanus Tree in Krasi, and saw the Aposelemis Dam.
We finally stopped at Knossos Palace where our licensed professional guide, Poppy, showed us around. She was a wealth of knowledge and certainly knows her history. She was very thorough and gave us suggestions where we should take great pics. She didn't rush us at all and when my son wanted to go back to the last stop to take pics, she patiently waited for him.
They returned us to the cruise ship on time. No rushing and we felt that we were able to really see a lot of the countryside of Heraklion/Crete. This was an amazing tour and we highly recommend using Sun Sud Tours for any of your private tours.
Each of the staff members were so helpful, thoughtful, informative, and knowledgeable: George, Dimitri, and Poppy. Thank you guys!!! Loved it!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Abbm4
May 24, 2025
A Truly Memorable Day with George!! Thank you❤️ - We had such a fantastic day touring Crete with George! Right from the start, he made us feel comfortable and welcomed. What stood out most was how he took the time to get to know us and then tailored the tour to match our interests t felt so personal and thoughtful, not just a cokie-cutter experience.
We started off at the Omalos Olive Press, which was such a cool intro to local traditions. Tasting the olive oil there set the tone for the day authentic, flavorful, and full of little surprises. We then stopped at a beautiful old platanus tree and got to see the iconic windmills at the Lassithi Plateau. The scenery was absolutely stunning, and George shared so many interesting stories and bits of history along the way.
Even though the Cave of Zeus was closed, it didn’t take away from the experience at all. George filled the day with incredible stops and local gems we never would’ve found on our own.
The highlight for us was how the day wrapped up in the charming Stilianou Winery, where we enjoyed some amazing wines and olive oils alongside Yaya’s homemade Cretan pies. It was so cozy and warm, like being invited into someone’s home for a true local meal. Just perfect.
George is more than a guide he’s a passionate storyteller and a genuinely kind person. This was one of the best days of our trip, and we couldn’t recommend him more highly. Don’t miss this experience if you're in Crete!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Katt
Jan 4, 2025
Great Tour Tailored to Family Needs. - George's explanation enhanced our understanding of the site, making the tour both informative and enjoyable. We have a great time with him. Highly recommended!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Getaway29373016851
Dec 10, 2024
An unforgettable day - A warm welcome from George in French, switching perfectly to English.
A tailor-made itinerary, perfectly adapted to our wishes. We explored its breathtaking views from the top of the mountains then the majestic Knossos, it was like a movie.
Delicious olive oils, carob honey and authentic local cuisine.
An exceptional professionalism that I highly recommend George and SunSud Tours!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
R113irmichaelm
Nov 17, 2024
One of the best adventures in Crete! - This was our second trip with George from SunSud Tours, and once again, he exceeded all expectations!
From the grandeur of Knossos Palace to the charm of old villages, every stop was thoughtfully planned and brought to life by George’s passion and knowledge. A highlight was the Greek coffee under a huge, 2000 + years old plane tree—a simple yet unforgettable moment of local tradition. The Cretan lunch in a cozy tavern was beyond expectations.
Each stop revealed a stunning side of Crete, blending breathtaking landscapes with vibrant culture. Experiencing the island through our guide’s eyes was truly special, and we can’t wait to book another journey with him next year! We couldn't have asked for more!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
H6012gt_
Nov 16, 2024
An amazing journey through Crete’s hidden gems! - From start to finish, this day trip was beyond exceptional! Despite the Cave of Zeus being closed for restoration, our driver and guide, George, tailored the experience with thoughtful alternatives that truly captured the spirit of Crete.
The visit to Vidiani Monastery was serene and inspiring. Inside, we discovered a remarkable icon surrounded by numerous offerings, believed to have therapeutic powers—a truly moving experience. The unexpected stop at a breathtaking viewpoint was another highlight, where George surprised us with chilled Cretan rosé wine and fresh strawberries, a touch of hospitality that left us speechless.
George’s knowledge, professionalism, and passion for sharing Crete’s treasures made this journey incredibly special. We couldn’t have asked for a better guide, and we’re so grateful for the memories he helped create.
We enjoyed it so much that we booked more journeys in the following days, listening to George’s excellent suggestions.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kounelos
Nov 7, 2024
A memorable journey to the realm of Myths and Gods - After marveling at the wonders of Knossos, we visited an olive mill, where we tasted the finest olive oil and a spectacular carob honey. As we ascended Table Mountain, we felt like modern-day gods returning to their natural domain. Exploring the Cave of Zeus and the timeless villages, followed by a tavern offering an array of delicious vegan dishes, left us thrilled.
Our driver, who also happened to be our travel agent, was absolutely amazing, tailoring every detail of the tour to suit our preferences. Thanks to George’s incredible service and insider knowledge, this was truly an unforgettable journey—we experienced Crete in a way that left us deeply moved!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Exploringnewplace
Nov 4, 2024
Great History & Mythology Tour - Our experience with SunSud Tours was absolutely amazing! This tour was everything we hoped for and more. The itinerary offered a perfect mix of history, culture, and nature. Walking through the legendary Knossos Palace was like stepping back in time, and the Cave of Zeus added a mythical touch that truly captivated us.
We were lucky enough to have George, the travel agent himself, as our driver and guide. His passion, knowledge, and enthusiasm for Crete made the trip incredibly special. The serene landscapes of the Lassithi Plateau were breathtaking, and the olive oil and honey tasting was a delicious and insightful experience.
The chosen taverna for lunch was fantastic, with outstanding Cretan food and a view that made the meal unforgettable. As a family, we all found something to enjoy—there was a balance of adventure, relaxation, and learning that made it ideal for everyone. This tour is perfect for anyone who wants a real taste of Crete. We’ll be back!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
521ioannisk
Oct 21, 2024
Unforgettable Family Experience with Customized Itinerary and Incredible Food! - Our family had an unforgettable experience on this tour! George, our driver/ guide, was amazing—his deep knowledge of the local history, and culture made every stop fascinating. Since we had already visited the Palace of Knossos on a previous trip with SunSud Tours, George kindly adjusted the itinerary to include Vidiani Monastery and a ceramic workshop, which was a wonderful addition. He went above and beyond to ensure we felt welcome and comfortable, sharing insider tips and local traditions. The mix of beautiful landscapes, delicious olive oil and honey tastings, and cultural sites was perfect for both adults and kids. To top it all off, we enjoyed the most delicious meal ever at a traditional tavern on Lassithi Plateau. Highly recommend for families and anyone looking to truly experience Crete!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
