2 Days Tour Experience Crete! Spinalonga, Archaeological Museum & Knossos Palace | Departure from Heraklion city center

Meet with your guide at the terminal of Cretan Spiti Travel, across from the entrance of the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, in front of Hari’s Creperie, Heraklion at 08:30. The tour starts by driving along the Northern coast of the island were we will visit the 12th century Byzantine church of Panagia Kera located 1km from the village of Kritsa. The church contains the finest-preserved Byzantine-era frescoes in Crete, and for that reason , has become one of the most culturally and historically significant churches on the island.

We continue our tour driving through the beautiful coastal road and village of Elounda, which lies 11 km north of Agios Nikolaos Town. Elounda retains its authentic character and offers a unique landscape with many coves and pristine beaches. One of them is the sea-front village of Plaka where we will board the boat to take us on the now deserted island of Spinalonga. Our guide will guide us through the ruins of what used to be a lepercolony from 1903 to 1957 where lepers could have a better life, medical help and economic support.

After our visit to Spinalonga, you will enjoy some free time to swim in the crystal clear waters of Plaka and optional lunch at Taverna Spinalonga (Plaka).

After we will visit Agios Nikolaos town, the capital town of Lassithi. Here, the bottomless salt lake Voulismeni dominates the area. A narrow channel of water connects the lake with the sea, while an imposing backdrop of red rock and trees adds to the natural beauty of the scenery. A small pine tree park lies above the lake, and a stone path leads to its southern section to a cute small harbour for fishing boats. The city boasts interesting Archaeological, Folklore, and Natural History museums, Byzantine churches, a well-organised marina, bustling pedestrian streets (ideal for leisurely walks), and traditional squares with buzzing cafés and restaurants. Late in the afternoon at 18:00, we return to Heraklion. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel the guide will pick you up at 08:30, and drive directly to Knossos Palace, the largest Minoan palace, built between 1700 and 1400 BC. The palace features advanced architectural techniques, with sections up to five stories high. Settlements in Knossos date back to the Neolithic period, around 7000 BC. Explore 1,300 rooms, corridors, storerooms, and a theater, and discover the ancient Minoan civilization. The site was discovered in 1878 by Minos Kalokairinos, with excavations starting in 1900 by Sir Arthur Evans, continuing for 35 years.

At approximately 11:30, return to Heraklion to visit the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, the second largest in Greece after the National Archaeological Museum of Athens. The tour includes the oldest findings of Crete from 6000 BC, the highlights of the Minoan palaces of Phaistos, Malia, and Zakros, and artifacts from cemeteries, shrines, and houses, concluding with the famous Minoan frescoes of Knossos. After the museum visit, we return at 13:30 and our tour ends