Small Group Tour to Archaeological Sites of Gortyna and Phaistos

Overview

Meet with your guide at the terminal of Cretan Spiti Travel at 08.30, we drive to Gortyna, the Roman capital of Crete and Cyrenaica which was first inhabited around 3200 BC. After the visit of Gortyna, we drive through the 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 at Zaros, an 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.

Itinerary

1. Highlights of the archaeological finds here include the Odeon from 1st Century AD, the display of the Gortyn Law Code from 5th Century BC, and the Church of St Titus, dating from the 6th Century AD.

   1 hour 30 minutes · Admission not included
2. Archaeological Site of Phaistos

   This palace was built in the Dorian period and is home to some of the most beautiful frescoes in Greece. Phaestos is also famous for the “Disk of Phaestos”.

   1 hour 30 minutes · Admission not included
3. Matala

   Matala is a famous hippie destination as well as a super popular seaside resort on the southern coast, facing the Libyan Sea.

   2 hours
4. Lake of Zaros Votomos

   One of the best places to visit in Crete is the small town of Zaros, which is known for its natural beauty and traditional culture.

   1 hour

Meeting and pickup

Across from the entrance of the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, in front of Hari’s Creperie, Heraklion

Good to know

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Children must be accompanied by an adult
• Our company is not responsible for the client’s failure to appear at the meeting point for the booked tour or activity.
• Last minute cancellation of flights or inability to disembark from a cruise ship, is not our company’s responsibility, therefore any refund requests due to such incidents will not be accepted. Should the client be aware of such a change, he/she is requested to communicate with our company more than 24 hours before the tour or activity starts, in order to discuss possible date or time amendment (subject to availability)
• Refund requests for last minute cancellations (up to 24 hours before the tour or activity), for any reason, will not be accepted.
• Remaining time will be spent in transportation
• Not recommended for travelers with mobility impairments

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.