Private Tour of Crete: Explore Ancient Sites, Spinalonga & Zeus Cave

from $1,402

Duration

5 days

Type

Guided, Private

Difficaulty

Easy

Reviews

(4)

4.6 /5

About This Tour

To Greeks, Crete is the Megalonissi (Great Island), a hub of spectacular ancient art and architecture. Fabled is the land of King Minos, it is a unique world where civilization is counted by the millennium. From every point of view, travellers discover landscapes of amazing variety. Mountains split with deep gorges and honeycombed with caves, rise in sheer walls from the sea. Snow-capped peaks loom behind sandy shorelines, vineyards, and olive groves. Miles of beaches, some with a wealth of amenities and others isolated and unspoiled, fringe the coast.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Palace of Knossos: Knossos is the largest Bronze Age archaeological site on Crete and has been called Europe's oldest city.

Lassithi Plateau: the tranquil Lasithi Plateau, 900m above sea level, is an arrestingly beautiful expanse of green fields interspersed with almond trees and orchards.

Spinalonga: boat trip to the magnificent island with fortresses dating from the Venetian period.

Elounda: visit the picturesque fishing village in the lovely Mirabello Bay.

Destinations

Elounda, Irakleion, Kalydon, Knosos

Activities

Accessibility

Language

English, French, German

Themes

Arts / Culture, Short break

Max People

Operator

Destination Services Greece

Inclusions

TOUR GUIDE:

Operated with English or German or French-speaking local guide (Day 2, 3) on a private basis

ACCOMMODATION:

4 nights' accommodation

ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS

Day 1-4 Heraklion:

Standard Hotel Category = Hotel Olympic Heraklion or similar 3*

Superior Hotel Category = Hotel Olive Green Heraklion or similar 4*

OPTIONAL EXTRA:

Pre/ Post-stay in Heraklion, on a half-board basis:

Standard Hotel Category = Hotel Olympic Heraklion or similar 3*

Superior Hotel Category = Hotel Olive Green Heraklion or similar 4*

MEALS:

4 Breakfast
2 Lunches (non-exclusivity at local taverns)
4 Dinners

TRANSPORT:

Air-conditioned private transportation (Day 2-4)
Inbound/Outbound air-conditioned private transfers from/to Heraklion Airport

ENTRANCE FEES AND ACTIVITIES:

All entrance fees and activities mentioned in the itinerary: Spinalonga island tour & Elounda Port (boat trip on shared basis) (Day 2); the Archaeological site of Knossos and Heraklion Museum (Day 3); Land Rover tour and the birthplace of Zeus (Day 4)

OTHER:

Meet & Greet

Exclusions

Zeus' cave entrance fee
Visa fees
Domestic flights
International flights
Drinks during meals (unless specified otherwise)
Optional tours (if any)
Any visit not mentioned in the program
Porterage and gratuities
Expenditures of a personal nature, drinks and meals or items not stated explicitly in the program
Any alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, mineral water, camera/video camera fee (if any)
Travel Insurance or any loss or extra cost arising due to unforeseen circumstances such as flight delays, accidents, etc.
Overnight city tax for the hotel overnights effective from January 1st 2018. Clients will have to pay the TAX on the spot at the hotels
Please note that the inbound and outbound transfers are included only as part of the package or if pre and post-night stay is booked as an extra. Otherwise, additional transfers should be purchased separately

Tour Plan

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1 ARRIVAL CRETE (6km – 15 min)

Arrive at the airport, where our representative will meet and greet you. Then transfer from Heraklion airport to the hotel. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure, exploring the delightful surroundings on your own. Dinner is included.Overnight in Heraklion.

Day 2 CRETE: BOAT TRIP TO THE ISLAND OF SPINALONGA (130km – 8hrs)

After a tasty breakfast, you will be picked up at your hotel to start discovering the hidden treasures of Greece. Spinalonga is one of the most famous spots in Crete, and sometimes called the ‘island of tears’ due to its past as a leper colony. It was initially a Venetian fortress, it became the home for hundreds of Greece’s lepers who were shipped there and formed a colony. Once there, you’ll take a guided walk around the remains of the colony. See its main street, still lined with the shops and houses where the lepers attempted to live ordinary lives. Later, you’ll sail back to Elounda, where you’ll have a typical Cretan lunch and have free time to walk around, do some shopping or go for a swim. Lunch and dinner are included.Overnight in Heraklion.

Day 3 CRETE: PALACE OF KNOSSOS – HERAKLION TOWN (42km – 8hrs)

After the delectable breakfast served, you will be picked up at the hotel and transferred to the imposing Palace of Knossos. The landmark dates back to 1900 BC, it was the hub of Crete’s Minoan civilisation and where the fearsome Minotaur was said to have lurked in the labyrinth. Your guide will explain the myths surrounding the palace and its Kings as they lead you around its treasures. Then, visit Heraklion, see the Venetian lion fountain and the loggia that is now the Town Hall before finishing up at the entrance to the old harbour. Here, the time’s your own to explore. Take advantage also of the guided tour in the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion. Your day ends with a comfortable transfer to your hotel. Dinner is included.Overnight in Heraklion.

Day 4 CRETE: LAND ROVER TOUR – EXPLORE THE BIRTHPLACE OF ZEUS (120km – 8hrs)

Enjoy a delicious breakfast at the hotel and head towards the central part of Crete to learn about its mythology, culture, and local life, while having lots of fun. Your day starts from the moment you meet your drivers, who will take you to your first stop, the Potamies Reservoir water dam. Continuing our journey through mesmerising paths and olive trees, we reach the ruins of the Roman aqueduct of Lyttos. Admire the beauty of the site and continue towards the quaint village of Kastamonitsa, where we join the locals for a coffee break in the traditional cafeneion. Afterwards, the real off-road adventure begins! We will Climb high into the mountains and follow the ancient minaon path that leads us to the cave of Zeus (entrance not included) where, according to mythology, the father of all the gods was born. Then, you have the chance to take some memorable photographs of the Lassithi Plateau, before we drop down to the plateau for a delicious BBQ lunch with unlimited wine! The journey continues with a stop at Lassithi plateau, where time has virtually stood still and the local people are mainly farmers. We continue the adventure until we reach the village of Krassi our last stop of the day. Catch a glimpse of the 2,000-year-old plane tree and learn about its natural spring water source. End this thrilling day with a transfer back to your hotel. Lunch is included with wine and bottled water.Overnight in Heraklion.

Day 5 DEPARTURE CRETE (6km – 15 min)

Begin your day with a rich breakfast at the hotel. Then, enjoy a transfer to Heraklion airport and continue with your travel arrangements.

Meeting / Pickup

Pick-up only: Customers must be picked up from selected pick-up locations.

What to Bring

Comfortable and light clothing is the most suitable for travelling in Greece. Visitors should not wear sleeveless shirts, shorts, short skirts or skimpy clothing when visiting temples, religious or official buildings. Sun protection, sunglasses, a hat and mosquito repellent can be very useful during your stay. Walking shoes recommended for Zeus Cave visit.

Please Note

Day 4: Long walks and climbs require appropriate shoes
Private group transfers require all participants to arrive and depart with the same flight/time or same boat/time
We reserve the right to change itineraries and activities due to weather conditions, technical problems or security reasons
Early check-in, late check-out, connecting or adjoining rooms in the hotel are subject to availability and not guaranteed
No refund for unused services. Splitting of the package is not allowed
In many hotels in Greece, the triple rooms are a double room with an additional bed or sofa bed. Their comfort conditions are lower than the international standards of the triple room
Please note that the inbound airport-hotel transfers are included only as part of the package and if pre and post-night stay is booked as an extra. Otherwise additional transfers should be purchased separately.

Cancellation Policy

We will charge a cancellation fee of 100% if booking is cancelled 7 days or less before the event
We will charge a cancellation fee of 50% if booking is cancelled 20 days or less before the event
We will charge a cancellation fee of 30% if booking is cancelled 30 days or less before the event

Reviews

4.6/5

Wonderful

4 verified reviews

Location (4.5/5)

Amenities (5/5)

Services (4.5/5)

Price (4.25/5)

Rooms (4.75/5)

4 Comments

Yuki Martin-Wilson May 14, 2023
4.6
- Location
- Amenities
- Services
- Price
- Rooms
Our family had a fantastic time exploring Crete’s rich history over five days, with the ancient sites and the stunning Zeus Cave being personal highlights. The private tours allowed us to dive deep into each location, and we loved the delicious local meals that were thoughtfully arranged throughout our journey. While the pace was occasionally a bit brisk for our young ones, the beauty of Spinalonga and the fascinating stories behind each site made it all worthwhile!
Wolf Diamond October 15, 2023
4.6
- Location
- Amenities
- Services
- Price
- Rooms
Exploring ancient sites during my five days was a journey filled with unexpected wonders, especially when venturing into the cavernous depths that spoke of legends. The accommodations were comfortable, but I would have appreciated a little more local flair in the dining options. Discovering the tranquil yet haunting beauty of the island fortress and its rich history was unforgettable, though I did wish for more time to soak in the surroundings at each stop.
Willow Harris December 26, 2024
4.8
- Location
- Amenities
- Services
- Price
- Rooms
Our family found ourselves captivated by the blend of history and breathtaking landscapes during our multi-day journey. One of the standout moments was our visit to a secluded cave, where we felt a profound connection to the legends surrounding this mythical land. While the itinerary was packed with memorable experiences, we felt a bit rushed at times, which made us wish for a little more leisure to soak it all in.
Wren January 29, 2025
4.4
- Location
- Amenities
- Services
- Price
- Rooms
Our five-day adventure allowed us to delve deep into the rich history of ancient sites, and the excursion to the island fortress was truly a highlight that left us in awe. We had the chance to explore the cave associated with Zeus, which was both serene and surprisingly magical, although the trek there was a bit more challenging than we anticipated. Accommodations were comfortable and well-located, making it easy to unwind after our daily explorations, though the breakfast options could have offered a bit more variety.