The Minoan Tour of Knossos Palace & Museum
*Choose between a shared or private option
Why choose this tour?
Value for money
Either you book the shared or the private option the huge history of Minoan civilization will surprise you without breaking your bank.
A unique experience
Explore Europe’s oldest city & discover the greatness of the ancient Minoans. Experience tour of Knossos & the Museum with a local guide.
You can't miss this place
A must-do of a visitor of Crete is the Knossos Palace tour. The ancient Minoan city and the archaelogical museum of Heraklion won't dissapoint you.
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Private tour overview
Tour Highlights
- Explore Europe’s oldest city
- Walking in Heraklion city centre
- Unique museum exhibits and artefacts
- Learn everything from a local licensed guide
- Interactive guiding with educational material
- Learn about the Minoans and their every-day life
- Analytic descriptions for the ancient history of Crete
- Discover the secrets of the most ancient civilization in Europe
Description
Follow us and explore the oldest city of Europe and the first organized human civilization, the Minoans. Discover the greatness of the ancient Minoans and walk around the old stone-paths of Knossos, the cradle of Minoan civilization.
The palace of Knossos, the centre of Minoan civilization, was constituted the main force of the island’s population during the Bronze Age. Their society and the palace were possibly destroyed at the explosion of the Santorini Volcano. The excavation conducted by Arthur Evans 1900-1913 and 1922-1930 brought to light the grand palace of Knossos, along with other significant findings of immense importance concerning the culture and the life of the Minoans, which are, as of yet, kept at the archaeological museum of Heraklion.
In this private tour, you’ll have the chance to explore the most important monuments of the site such as The Palace of Knossos, the Little Palace, the Royal Villa, house of the Frescoes, Caravanserai, the “Unexplored Mansion”, the Temple Tomb, the House of the High Priest, the South Mansion, the Villa of Dionysos etc.
The trip starts from Chania (or any other region of Crete upon request). The pick-up is from your hotel’s lobby. Heading to Heraklion, which is approximately 2 hours away, you’ll enjoy the route and beautiful surroundings. The first stop is the palace of Knossos, and a tour by a professional licensed local guide is following. After the palace tour, you’ll reach the centre of Heraklion, and the tour of the archaeological museum starts. You’ll also have plenty of time to eat and shop. After approximately 3-4 hours stay in Heraklion, we head back to Chania (or any other Crete region).
Inclusions
- Hotel pick up and drop off
- Bottled water per person
- English speaking, local driver
- Licensed and professional local guide
- Ancient city and museum entrance fees
- Transport by air-conditioned minibus/minivan
- All taxes, fees and handling charges
- Private tour
Exclusions
- Gratuities (optional)
IMPORTANT NOTE FOR PICKUPS
In our small-group and group tours we are picking up our guests from selected meeting points in Chania area and accecible by our vehicles hotels. Please select your pick up point according to your hotel’s location and don’t hesitate to contact us for any further clarification
Shared tour overview
Tour Highlights
- Discover the first civilization of Europe
- Explore one of world’s msot famous sites
- Live guiding experience by a local expert
- Learn about the ancient history of Crete
- Unique museum exhibits & descriptions
- Walk in Heraklion & Rethymno city
Description
Explore the oldest city of Europe and the first organized human civilization. Discover the greatness of the ancient Minoans and walk around the old stone-paths of Knossos, the cradle of Minoan civilization.
The palace of Knossos has constituted the main force of the island’s population during the Bronze Age. Their civilization, as well as the palace, was destroyed at the explosion of the Santorini Volcano. The excavation conducted by Arthur Evans in the early 20th century brought to light the grand palace of Knossos, along with other significant findings of immense importance concerning the culture and the life of the Minoans. Most of them are as of yet kept at the archaeological museum of Heraklion.
The trip starts from Chania (or Rethymno). Picking you up from your hotel or a meeting spot, we begin driving to Heraklion (duration: 2.5-3 hours). On the way to Heraklion, we stop near Rethymno for a few minutes (WC-food-water stop). Then, the guided tour is starting from the palace of Knossos. You will explore the “Little Palace”, the “Royal Villa”, the “House of the Frescoes”, the “Caravanserai”, the “Temple Tomb, the “Villa of Dionysos” and a lot more exciting spots inside the palace.
Subsequently, we head to the centre of Heraklion to visit the archaeological museum. Your guide will explain the history of the museum artefacts, and you will admire up close murals and objects from the palace you have just visited.
After the museum guided tour, you have plenty of time for shopping or lunch in the city centre. In Heraklion, you will spend approximately 4 hours. On our way back to Chania, we’ll stop by Rethymno city for a short stop again. Finally, after an 8-9 hours trip, we return to Chania, dropping you off at the pick-up spots & hotels.
Inclusions
- Hotel pick up and drop off
- English speaking guide
- Air-conditioned bus transportation
Exclusions
- Gratuities (optional)
- Entrances fees of the Museum and the Palace (20€ per person)
