Full Day/Half Day Tour Lasithi Plateau & Knossos Palace

Overview

See central Crete’s religious, mythological, and archaeological highlights in a single shared tour. Visit Kera Kardiotissa Monastery, the windmill-dotted Lassithi Plateau, and a traditional pottery workshop before exploring the Greek Mythology Park with wine and olive-oil tasting. At the Palace of Knossos, a guided visit introduces the 5,000-year-old Minoan civilization, legendary labyrinth, and Minotaur. The itinerary includes views over the Pediada Plain and time for an optional lunch in a traditional village tavern.

Itinerary

1. Kera Kardiotissa Monastery

   After 1 hour we are ready for the first stop on the scenic route towards central Crete is the Monastery of “Kera Kardiotissa”. It is dedicated to Virgin Mary; it is run by nuns and is locally known as Little Lourdes, with people making pilgrimages to pray for relief from their sins.

   45 minutes · Admission not included
2. Lassithi Plateau

   Then we drive south and reach the Plateau of Lassithi, which may have been the crater of an ancient volcano. It numbers nearly ten thousand windmills. The Plateau is a wonderfully cool and fertile area where you will see small towns and a very warm welcome. After the lunch break in one of the local villages in Lassithi, we will visit the Dicti Cave where Zeus, the father of Greek Gods, was born.
   
   While crossing the villages of the Plateau, we pay a short visit at a traditional potter’s factory, seeing an ancient ceramic art, which completes today more than 8.000 years of history. Leaving the Plateau we will see the views down to Pediada Plain which are truly magnificent.

   3 hours
3. Greek Mythology Thematic Park

   Enter an old era and be enchanted by the great stories and myths greek mythology has to offer .

   1 hour · Admission included
4. Lassithi Plateau

   A short visit to a potters work-space , learning about this ancient and local art of 5.000 years .

   40 minutes
5. The Palace of Knossos

   Last but not least after we will visit the most famous and popular of all the attractions in Crete, the Palace of Knossos. Join your expert guide on a journey back of 5000 years into myths and legends and learn secrets of the oldest civilisation in Europe, the Minoan. Enjoy a guided tour of the historical site that covers an area of 22.000m2 on 5 floors with 1.300 rooms, hear all about the legendary labyrinth and the Minotaur (the half-human monster). This day brings history and legend back to life and is a must see on any visit to Crete.

   2 hours · Admission not included

Meeting and pickup

Pickup is available from the main road, partly from the exit of hotels from Sissi , Malia, Stalis, Hersonissos, Analipsi, Anissaras, Gouves, Gournes, Kokkini Chani, Karteros(Pick-up from Heraklion City and Ammoudara is available upon request.) The activity provider will contact you 24 hours before the excursion with a detailed description of your pickup point and time. If you don’t receive the mail, please check your spam/junk folders.

Good to know

• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

Cancellation policy

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