Knossos & Archaeological Museum Shared Guided Tour from Chania

based on 36 reviews

Duration:10 hours to 11 hours (approx.)
Location: Crete, Greece

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During this day trip, we explore the oldest civilization of Europe, the Minoan palace of Knossos (guided tour), which is connected with thrilling legends, such as the myth of the Labyrinth with the Minotaur and the story of Daidalos and Ikaros. Our next stop is the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion, one of Europe’s most important museums, where we admire more than 15000 artefacts. Afterwards, we have the chance to wander around Heraklion and discover a Venetian fortress at the entrance of the harbor, gorgeous neoclassical buildings, Byzantine churches and many fountains.
SMALL GROUP up to 15 people!!!

WHAT'S INCLUDED

WHAT TO EXPECT

1. Knossos Archaeological Site
Knossos, the heart of the Minoan civilization, lies 5 km southeast of Heraklion, in the valley of the river Kairatos. Crete’s most famous historical attraction, he site is considered to be the largest Bronze Age archaeological site on the island and is referred to as the oldest city in Europe. Knossos was first inhabited by a Neolithic settlement in the seventh century BC. It stayed inhabited for several thousands of years until it was finally abandoned in 1375 BC after its destruction, which marked the end of Minoan civilisation. In 1878, the first large-scale excavation was undertaken by the wealthy art-lover Minos Kalokairinos, while Crete was still under Turkish occupation. This was followed by the long-term excavations (1900-1913 and 1922-1930) of Sir Arthur Evans, who uncovered the whole surrounding area of Knossos.
2. Heraklion Archaeological Museum
The Archaeological Museum of Heraklion is one of the largest and most visited museums in Greece. It is also among the most important museums in Europe. It is home to artefacts from all the periods of Cretan prehistory and history. The exhibitions cover a chronological span of over 5,500 years from the Neolithic period to Roman times. The Minoan collection contains unique examples of Minoan art, many of them true masterpieces. The Archaeological Museum is located in the centre of Heraklion and was built between 1937 and 1940 by the architect Patroklos Karantinos. It was built on a site previously occupied by the Roman Catholic monastery of Saint-Francis which was destroyed by earthquake in 1856. The colors and construction materials used in the building, are similar to certain Minoan wall-paintings.
3. Heraklion
Heraklion, the fifth largest city in Greece, is the capital of Crete. It is one of the most fascinating and vibrant cities of the Mediterranean Basin. The city is the birthplace of world-famous artists like El Greco and Nikos Kazantzakis. Due to its long history, the architecture of Heraklion has mixtures of many cultures. Not far from the heart of the city lies the Minoan Palace of Knossos, one of the most important archaeological discoveries in the world. Fine examples of Venetian architecture are the Venetian Fortress at the entrance of the port and the Venetian Loggia, where the Town Hall is housed today. Visitors have the chance to admire many Byzantine churches and monasteries, many fountains from the Venetian times, the Church of Saint Markus and numerous neoclassical buildings.

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Posted By : _G9509FR
The exceptional service provided by all parties during our excursion enhanced the experience, making it even more enjoyable and relaxing. The attention to detail, professionalism, and friendly demeanor of the staff truly stood out. This was undoubtedly one of the best-organized trips we have ever taken.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-06-30 03:43:32

Posted By : jaron_r
Love this tour operator. Christine's communication with us, from booking to pick up, was exceptional. The guided tour was well-paced and educational, as was the walk through the city. Our teenage children are still raving about what they learned and saw at the Palace of Knossos; it was their favorite part of our trip to Crete.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-06-24 16:07:41

Posted By : maryann_d
What an amazing trip! Our bus arrived on time and we were greeted by the most pleasant driver and tour guide. The bus was clean and well kept. Our driver, Thanasis was great. We felt very safe throughout the drive as he adhered to speed limits.
Our tour guide Christine was amazing. She was funny, informative and provided a thoughtful presentation regarding Crete. She gave an overview of the culture, foods, customs and the mythological history.
Once arriving at Knossos Palace, a tour guide walked our group through the palace and gave detailed information along the route.

This was an absolutely thorough guided tour. The tour guides provided cold water and snacks as well. I highly recommend this tour!
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2023-10-02 09:28:33

Posted By : Lindseypm
We were collected in Chania at a really convenient place near our hotel. Christine was our guide, and together with our driver, made sure the journey to Knossos went smoothly and enjoyably, making sure we had enough water and that we were always comfortable, as well as telling us more about Crete.

Our guide at the Palace at Knossos and at the museum in Heraklion was knowledgeable and so enthusiastic. I learned so much about Minoan history while also enjoying the beautiful weather. We had some free time in Heraklion which was much appreciated.

Overall, I would genuinely recommend this tour as a way to see Knossos and Heraklion.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2023-09-24 14:54:19

Posted By : pavp88
A well organised and informative tour covering the Minoan civilization. Our tour guide was excellent and I learned a lot. A great activity for those interested in learning about this civilization and seeing some spectacularly preserved ruins and artefacts.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2023-09-24 12:57:29

Posted By : shirleymQ8114VH
We highly recommend this trip. Great communication prior to trip from Christine and enjoyable information on the small, comfortable bus. We were part of a group of 10 which was perfect for getting around the amazing archeological site and the museum. We had a specialist guide for the Minoan history who gave us great insights into the stories. There is so much to see, our guide picked the really interesting points.
Christine looked after us from start to finish.
We have hired a car out for the second part of the holiday, however with the one way systems, narrow roads and limited parking, I think it is much easier to book trips. Seabybus were excellent and picked us up and returned us to our accommodation in Chania.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2023-09-24 11:54:43

Posted By : Neil_W
This tour is a must-do if you’re on Crete! Christine was amazing at handling our tricky logistics. The on-site tour guide for Knossos was passionate and knowledgeable. I could have easily spent two days at the museum.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2023-09-17 02:19:36

Posted By : 941neilw
We took the tour of Knossos and the Heraklion museum from Chania and it was amazing! Christine was super helpful with logistics, the tour guide at Knossos was experienced and passionate about the site. The tour group was small enough that our guide was able to shepard us around the palace to minimize waiting in lines and maximize the places we saw. This tour was one of the highlights of our two weeks in all of Greece!
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2023-09-17 02:14:43

Posted By : gilbert0j0rgec
The Palace guide was extraordinary and even told it slowly so that we could understand since we speak Spanish.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2023-09-16 12:12:38

Posted By : Mobile548621
Got this tour for my parents. They came back very happy and said the guide was excellent and would recommend
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2023-09-16 07:28:33