Private Tour of Crete: Explore Knossos, Spinalonga & Agios Nikolaos

from $1,041

Duration

4 days

Type

Guided, Private

Difficaulty

Very Easy

Reviews

(4)

4.45 /5

About This Tour

An exceptional adventure to the land of Minos, Daedalus and Icarus, the Minotaur, Zorba, shining seas, starry skies, and gleaming beaches. Crete is the gem of the Mediterranean, meeting place of East and West. It is a sophisticated land of art and architecture.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Palace of Knossos: Get closer to the rich Greek past and visit the highlights of the Minoan civilization.

Heraklion city: Wander around the streets of Crete´s largest city and its administrative capital.

Agios Nikolaos: Agios Nikolaos is a charming coastal town, located close to the island’s capital, Heraklion.

Spinalonga: Enjoy a memorable boat trip to the magnificent island of Spinalonga and admire the impressive fortresses dating from the Venetian period.

Elounda: Unwind while visiting the picturesque fishing village in the lovely Mirabello Bay.

Destinations

Agios Nikolaos, Elounda, Irakleion, Kalydon

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:

3 nights' accommodation

ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS

Day 1-3 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:

3 Breakfasts
1 Lunch (non-exclusivity on a local tavern)
3 Dinners

TRANSPORT:

Air-conditioned private transportation (Day 2-3)
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)

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 – 8 hrs)

Indulge in a delicious breakfast at your selected hotel, getting ready for a memorable day. You will be picked up after breakfast, heading towards Spinalonga, one of the most famous parts of Crete. The beautiful island is known by many as the ‘island of tears’, gaining this nickname because of its past as a leper colony. It was initially a Venetian fortress, and it became the home for hundreds of Greece’s lepers who were shipped there and formed a colony. Arrive on the intriguing island and enjoy an interesting guided walk around the remains of the colony. Catch sight of its main street, still lined with the shops and houses where the lepers attempted to live ordinary lives. After getting in touch with the dark past of Spinalonga, sail back to Elounda to satisfy your taste buds with a typical Cretan lunch. After the delightful meal, explore the village on your own, luxuriate in some shopping, or go for a reinvigorating swim. The day ends with a transfer back to your hotel in Gouves or Chersonissos area. Lunch and dinner are included.Overnight in Heraklion.

Day 3 CRETE: THE PALACE OF KNOSSOS AND HERAKLION TOWN (42km – 7/8 hrs)

After the tasty breakfast served at the hotel, you will be picked up and transferred to the imposing Palace of Knossos. The landmark dates back to 1900 BC, and it was the hub of Crete’s Minoan civilization and the place where the fearsome Minotaur was said to have lurked in the labyrinth. Admire the treasures of this fascinating palace during an interesting tour, while your guide explains the myths surrounding it and its kings. Afterwards, visit lively Heraklion, see the Venetian lion fountain and the loggia that is now the Town Hall. The magnificent tour ends at the entrance to the old harbour, the place where you begin to explore on your own. If you want to get even closer to the stunning part of the Greeks, take advantage of the guided tour in the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion. Your day ends with a comfortable transfer to your hotel. Dinner included.Overnight in Heraklion.

Day 4 DEPARTURE CRETE (6km – 15 min)

Indulge in a delicious breakfast at your hotel, before hopping on the transfer to Heraklion airport.

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, sun glasses, a hat and mosquito repellent can be very useful during your stay.

Please Note

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

4.45/5

Wonderful

4 verified reviews

Location (4.75/5)

Amenities (4.5/5)

Services (4.25/5)

Price (4.5/5)

Rooms (4.25/5)

4 Comments

Carlos Knight April 4, 2023
4.6
- Location
- Amenities
- Services
- Price
- Rooms
The moment I stepped into the ruins of Knossos, I was completely transported back in time, feeling the weight of history around me. Exploring Spinalonga was equally captivating; the views from the fortifications over the sparkling sea were breathtaking and offered a moment of reflection. While my accommodations in Heraklion (Iraklion) were comfortable, I found the breakfast options a bit limited, but that didn’t overshadow the rich experiences I had each day, especially the strolls through Agios Nikolaos in the evenings.
Ava Petrov February 11, 2024
4.2
- Location
- Amenities
- Services
- Price
- Rooms
My time exploring the wonders of Crete was nothing short of magical, especially during my visits to Knossos and Spinalonga. Staying in a charming hotel in Heraklion (Iraklion) allowed me to delve into the local culture and cuisine after a day of sightseeing. The private nature of the tour made it easy to soak in the sights at my own pace, and the excursion to Agios Nikolaos was a perfect finish to each day’s adventure. However, I found the explanations at some sites a bit brief, leaving me wanting to learn more. Still, the stunning landscapes and rich history of the island more than made up for it!
SoloExplorer March 28, 2024
4.6
- Location
- Amenities
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- Rooms
We loved how this multi-day adventure allowed us to dive into ancient history while savoring the local cuisine. The stop at an island known for its haunting past was particularly captivating, offering a unique contrast to the vibrant markets of a charming seaside town where we enjoyed the freshest seafood. While the itinerary was packed with amazing sights, occasionally the pace felt rushed, but overall, we came away with unforgettable memories and a deeper appreciation for the area’s rich heritage.
Sky Brown August 13, 2024
4.4
- Location
- Amenities
- Services
- Price
- Rooms
Exploring the ancient ruins and vibrant towns during my four-day journey was truly a highlight. One unforgettable moment was wandering through the remnants of a grand palace, where the stories of the past came alive in every corner. While I appreciated the private aspect of the tour for its intimacy, I did wish for a bit more free time in the charming coastal town, as there was so much more I wanted to discover on my own.