2 Days Tour Experience Crete! Archaeological Museum, Knossos Palace & Archaeological and Natural Beauties of South Central Crete | Departure from Heraklion city center

Every Monday from March till November 

Duration 2 days / 1 overnight

Day 1: Meet with your guide at the terminal of Cretan Spiti Travel at Eleftherias Square in front of Astoria Capsis Hotel at 08:30 to start the visit of the Heraklion Archeological Museum, the second biggest in Greece, after the Museum of Athens. The tour begin with introduction of the oldest findings of Crete from 6000bc, then of the highlight Minoan palaces of Knossos, Festos, Mallia and Zakros . The tour continues with objects from cemeteries, shrines, houses and ends with the Minoan frescoes of Knossos.

When we finish with the visit of the Archaeological Museum, at approximately 10.30, we will drive 5km to southeast off the city to visit the Knossos Palace which was built from 1700 to 1400 BC. Advanced architectural techniques were used in its construction, and sections of the palace stood up to 5 stories high. Settlements in Knossos date as far back as the Neolithic period. Neolithic remains from around 7000 BC are found throughout Crete. Explore the ruins of the ancient Minoan civilization. Knossos Palace featured 1,300 rooms connected by corridors, and a theater and extensive storerooms, which held large clay containers of oil, grains, dried fish, beans and olives – often with gold hidden beneath. The site was discovered in 1878 by Minos Kalokairinos. The excavations in Knossos began in 1900 A.D. by the English archaeologist Sir Arthur Evans and his team and they continued for 35 years. After the visit of the site we return to the hotel at 13:30. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Heraklion.

Day 2: After breakfast at the hotel, at approximately 08.30, we drive to Gortyna, the Roman capital of Crete and Cyrenaica and was first inhabited around 3200 BC. After the visit of Gortyna, we drive through valley of Mesara to visit the archaeological site of Phaistos and its palace, the most important center of the Minoan civilization, and the most wealthy and powerful city in southern Crete. After our visit to Phaistos, we drive to Matala where you will enjoy some free time to swim in the crystal clear waters and optional lunch. Finally we arrive to Zaros, attractive, refreshingly unspoiled village famous for its spring water, which is now bottled and sold all over Greece, and an ideal base for walkers to explore the beautiful nature. Zaros also has some fine Byzantine monasteries, and delicious farm-raised trout served up in tavernas around town and on emerald-green Lake Votomos which will be visited. Late in the afternoon at 17:00, we return to Heraklion at the terminal in front of Astoria Capsis Hotel.

Cancellation Policy:

For cancellations up to 8 days prior to departure date, no cancellation  fees

For cancellations 7 day prior to departure date, 100% cancellation fees

Non-Show, 100% cancellation fees

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