Private Tour of Crete: Explore Knossos, Chania & Rethymnon's History

from $1,396

Duration

5 days

Type

Guided, Private

Difficaulty

Easy

Reviews

(5)

4.48 /5

Crete Through the Minoan, Byzantine & Venetian Ages, Private Tour

About This Tour

Discover the beautiful west side of Crete, full of history and great scenery! Visit the three of Crete’s cities Chania, Rethymnon, and Heraklion with its fascinating mix of Byzantine and Venetian influences with the picturesque harbour fronts. Visit Crete’s most famous Palace of Knossos, the seat of the legendary King Minos, enjoy the unique atmosphere of the monastery Ag. Triada, the traditional pottery-making in the village of Margarites and the workshop of Mr. Chatziparaschos , one of the only pastry makers in Greece!

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

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

Chania: The town with the influence of many civilizations. This beautiful city managed to present its original colours and historical character.

Rethymnon: a blend of modern and old-time dignity and charm, during the Byzantine period the town continued to be inhabited, and parts of Roman and Byzantine mosaics have been found.

Destinations

Chania, Irakleion, Rethymno

Activities

Accessibility

Language

English, French, German, Spanish

Themes

Arts / Culture, Short break

Max People

Operator

Destination Services Greece

Inclusions

TOUR GUIDE:

Operated with English-, French- or German-speaking local guide during the scheduled activities (Day 2-4)
Spanish-speaking guide available upon additional supplement

ACCOMMODATION:

4 nights' accommodation

ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS

Day 1-4 Chania:

Standard Hotel Category = Hotel Arkadi or similar 3*

OPTIONAL EXTRA:

Pre/post - Night in Chania:

Standard Hotel Category = Hotel Arkadi or similar 3*

MEALS:

4 Breakfasts

TRANSPORT:

Arrival private transfer from Chania International Airport (Day 1)
Private transportation during some of the scheduled activities (Day 3, 4)
Departure private transfer to Chania International Airport (Day 5)

ENTRANCE FEES AND ACTIVITIES:

All entrance fees and activities mentioned in the itinerary: Chania town walking tour (Day 2); Monastery of Agia Triada, Margarites Village, Rethymnon (Day 3); Palace of Knossos, Heraklion (Day 4)

OTHER:

Meet & Greet
Headset per person during the guided activities (Day 2-4)

Exclusions

Visa fees
Domestic flights
International flights
Drinks during meals (unless specified otherwise)
Optional tours (if any)
City tax not included, payable on the spot
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.

Tour Plan

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1 ARRIVAL CHANIA, CRETE (15km – 20min)

Welcome to Crete! Upon arrival at Chania International Airport, hop on a private taxi transfer to your hotel in Chania town for check-in.
Overnight in Chania.

Day 2 CHANIA

Breakfast at your hotel. Meeting with your local guide at the hotel for a walking tour. Begin the guidance of the town. Chania, the capital of the prefecture and its administrative, economic, commercial, and transportation centre. Since ancient times, the city of Chania has faced many conquerors and the influences of many civilizations through time, evident on the city monuments. The beautiful city of Chania managed to preserve its original colours and historical character, despite the fast-growing tourist industry. It is considered one of the most beautiful cities of Greece and the most picturesque city of Crete. The remainder of the day is at leisure.
Overnight in Chania.

Day 3 CHANIA – MONASTERY AGIA TRIADA – MARGARITES VILLAGE – RETHYMNON – CHANIA (200km – 3.5hrs)

Breakfast at your hotel. In the morning, visit the Monastery of Agia Triada (Holy Trinity). It is located in the northwest part of the Akrotiri peninsula, 16km from Chania, and it is placed in green. Although the community decreases the old buildings are gradually restored and the monastery is still active with an excellent library. Afterwards drive to the traditional colourful Margarites Village, a wonderful journey into Minoan past, in which the people in this area were engaged in the art of pottery. On the way back, we will visit the town of Rethymnon. Rethymnon is a blend of modern and old-time dignity and charm, during the Byzantine period the town continued to be inhabited, and parts of Roman and Byzantine mosaics have been found. The Venetian period, also, was a time of great prosperity for Rethymnon, as the Venetians used its harbour as an intermediate stop between Heraklion and Chania, and as an administrative centre for the area. Enjoy free time to explore the winding back streets! A day full of discovery, beautiful scenery, and history. Return to your hotel in Chania for a well-deserved rest. Overnight in Chania.

Day 4 CHANIA – PALACE OF KNOSSOS – HERAKLION – CHANIA (290km – 4hrs)

Breakfast at your hotel. Visit the most famous and popular of all attractions in Crete, the Palace of Knossos. Join your expert guide on a journey back 5000 years into myths and legends and learn secrets of the oldest civilisation in Europe, the Minoans. Hear all about the legendary labyrinth and the Minotaur, the half-human monster. This day brings history and legend to life and is a must-see on any visit to Crete. Heraklion is the largest city and the administrative capital of the island of Crete, Greece. It is one of the largest cities in Greece and the capital of Heraklion regional unit. Return to your hotel in Chania.
Overnight in Chania.

Day 5 DEPARTURE CHANIA, CRETE (15km – 20min)

After one last breakfast at your hotel, bid farewell to Crete as you hop onto a comfortable transfer to Chania International Airport, where you will catch your flight to your following destination. We hope the memories of this trip will stay with you for a lifetime – have a safe journey!

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

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
In many hotels in Greece, the triple rooms are double room with an additional bed or sofa bed.
No refund for unused services. Splitting of the package is not allowed
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

4.48/5

Wonderful

5 verified reviews

Location (4.6/5)

Amenities (4.8/5)

Services (4.2/5)

Price (4/5)

Rooms (4.8/5)

5 Comments

Michael Martin March 20, 2023
4.6
- Location
- Amenities
- Services
- Price
- Rooms
Our group had an amazing time touring Crete, especially visiting the ancient site of Knossos which brought the fascinating history to life. Chania’s charming streets were perfect for leisurely strolls, and we found some unforgettable local food spots that served delicious Cretan dishes. Rethymnon’s architecture also captivated us, though the time spent there felt a bit rushed. One minor drawback was the logistics of the private tour; it sometimes felt less organized than we expected. Overall, this trip was a fantastic way to explore the beauty and culture of the region.
Priya Gold March 19, 2024
4.2
- Location
- Amenities
- Services
- Price
- Rooms
Our journey through Crete was a captivating experience, especially the private tour that took us to the storied site of Knossos and the charming streets of Chania and Rethymnon. Each day, we savored delicious local meals, with the fresh seafood in Chania standing out as a highlight. While the historical insights were enriching, we did find the pace sometimes a bit rushed, making it challenging to absorb everything, but overall, the trip was a memorable blend of exploration and culinary delight.
Backpacker March 26, 2024
4.4
- Location
- Amenities
- Services
- Price
- Rooms
From the moment we started our journey, we appreciated the intimate feel of our private tour, allowing us to delve into intriguing historical sites without the usual crowds. The highlight for us was exploring ancient ruins, where we could almost hear the whispers of the past, and the local meals we enjoyed were a delightful experience, bursting with flavors that truly reflected the region’s essence. Although some days felt a bit packed with activities, we still left with unforgettable memories and a deeper appreciation for the area’s rich heritage.
Michael White June 7, 2024
4.6
- Location
- Amenities
- Services
- Price
- Rooms
Exploring the rich history of Knossos and the charming streets of Rethymnon’s was a highlight of my trip, with each day packed with fascinating stories. While the private aspect allowed for a personalized experience, I found some meals were a bit rushed, leaving little time to savor the local cuisine in Chania.
Moon Brown July 8, 2024
4.6
- Location
- Amenities
- Services
- Price
- Rooms
Our group loved diving into the fascinating history of Knossos and wandering the charming streets of Rethymnon, though we found our accommodations in Chania a bit basic for our tastes.