Operates every Tuesday from April till October
Total duration 11 hours approximately / Pick-up times 06:40 – 07:50 depending on accommodation location
Starting time 06:40 – 07:50 – Ending time 18:00 – 18:30
Stay in Heraklion 3 hours appoximately / Stay in Knossos 1 ½ hours
Knossos is the site of the most important and better known palace of Minoan civilization. According to tradition, it was the seat of the legendary king Minos. The Palace is also connected with thrilling legends, such as the myth of the Labyrinth with the Minotaur and the story of Daedalus and Icarus. The site was continuously inhabited from the Neolithic period (7000- 3000 B.C.) until Roman times. After its partial destruction in 1450 B.C., Knossos was settled by Mycenaeans from the Greek Mainland. The city flourished again during the Hellenistic period in 67 B.C. It was captured by the Roman Quintus Caecilius Metelus Creticus. Knossos was discovered in 1878 by Minos Kalokairinos. Arthur Evans conducted systematic excavations at the site between 1900 and 1931, bringing to light the palace, a large section of the Minoan city, and the cemeteries. The restoration of the palace to its present form was carried out by Arthur Evans.
Heraklion’s Archaeological Museum
The Heraklion’s Archaeological Museum is regarded as one of Europe”s most important museums. The present building was constructed between 1937 and 1940 to plans by P. Karantinos, on the site of the imposing Venetian Franciscan friary destroyed by an earthquake in 1856. The museum brings together archaeological finds from all over Crete, covering over 5500 years of the island”s history. Pride of place is given to the treasures of Minoan civilisation, the entire historical course of which can thus be appreciated. Justly regarded as the home of Minoan civilization par excellence, the museum houses the most important collection of Minoan antiquities the world over. The main building of the museum was closed for interior renovation from November 2006 to May 2013 with a small temporary exhibition remaining opened.
Indicative Time-Table:
| 06:40 – 07:50 |
Pick- up |
| 9:00 |
20 minutes stop for breakfast |
| 10:30 |
Arrival at Heraklion city (free time). If you wish, you may visit by yourselves the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion*** |
| 13:15 |
Departure from Heraklion city |
| 13:45 |
Arrival at Knossos Palace (Guiding)*** |
| 15:30 |
Departure from Knossos (departure time must be confirmed with the local guide) |
| 17:00 |
Coffee break for 20 minutes |
| 18:00 – 18:30 |
Arrival at your hotel |
|
***Due to high volume of visitors in high season, the group may visit at first Knossos Palace and then Heraklion city. |
The timing of the program will be approximate, depending on traffic and weather conditions as well as the unexpected overcrowding.
Included:
✅ Pick-up & Drop-off service (mainly from hotels at Agia Marina, Agioi Apostoloi, Chania City, Gerani, Halepa, Kalamaki, Kolymbari, Maleme, Platanias, Stalos, Tavronitis is provided. If pick up from your hotel is not possible you will be picked up from the closest pick up point)
✅ Transport by air-conditioned luxury bus
✅ Official english-speaking guide
✅ Whispers
Not Included:
❌ OPTIONAL & UPON REQUEST Pick-up and drop-off service from/to Kalyves area +10€ per person with a minimun number of 4 people – Paid upon booking
❌ Knossos entrance fee (20€ per person / free entrance for EU citizens up to 25 years and 50% discount from October 1st till May 31st for EU citizens over 65 years old. Only with valid ID or passport at the ticketing office.) – Paid on the spot in cash
❌ Personal Expenses
Discounts:
Children up to 4 years old free of charge and travelling on parents’ lap
Children 5 – 12 years old 50% discount
Cancellation policy:
For cancellation up to 2 days prior to arrival no cancellation fees
For cancellations 1 day prior to arrival 100% cancellation fees
Non-show 100% cancellation fees
Notes:
- Please contact us for exact schedule and pick-up details.
- For bookings 2 days before departure please contact us in order to check availability!
- Please provide fullname, telephone number (country code included), e-mail and accommodation details (hotel name & address) upon booking.
- Please arrive on time to the given pick-up point. Unfortunately, there is no option to wait for latecomers. In case of delay, missed pick-up, missed departure time, no refunds.
- The travel agency reserves the right to alter or cancel any tour due to adverse weather conditions or insufficient passengers number or force majeure 12 hours prior to departure time with a notification to the traveler.
Once your booking is confirmed, you will receive a separate e-mail from our team with your activity voucher and detailed pick-up information. Please remember to check your spam or junk folder as well.
For clarifications please send us a mail at online@travelid.gr or contact us at +30 2810 335 227
We are at your disposal from Monday to Friday 09:00 am till 20:00 pm and Saturday 09:00 till 15:00 pm
