What is the cancellation policy for this tour?

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

How long does this tour take?

This tour lasts approximately 10 hours.

Where does this tour start?

Meeting point details will be provided in your booking confirmation.

Greece

Knossos Palace, Museum & Rethymno city Private Tour from Chania

★★★★★ 5.0

10 hours

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Overview

Step back in time on this unforgettable day trip as we explore the roots of European civilization.

Our first destination is the legendary Palace of Knossos, the heart of the ancient Minoan civilization. Walk through the ruins of this grand archaeological site and hear the fascinating myths that surround it — from the Labyrinth and the Minotaur to the tale of Daedalus and Icarus.

Next, we visit the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion, one of the most significant museums in Europe. Here, you’ll marvel at over 15,000 artefacts that bring the vibrant Minoan world to life — from frescoes and jewelry to tools and ceremonial items.

To complete our day, we travel to the charming city of Rethymno, where you’ll have free time to wander through the narrow streets of the old town, discover its Venetian and Ottoman architecture, and enjoy the blend of history, culture, and Cretan hospitality that makes this city so unique.

Gallery

Knossos Palace, Museum & Rethymno city Private Tour from Chania — photo 1

Knossos Palace, Museum & Rethymno city Private Tour from Chania — photo 2

Knossos Palace, Museum & Rethymno city Private Tour from Chania — photo 3

Knossos Palace, Museum & Rethymno city Private Tour from Chania — photo 4

Knossos Palace, Museum & Rethymno city Private Tour from Chania — photo 5

Knossos Palace, Museum & Rethymno city Private Tour from Chania — photo 6

Knossos Palace, Museum & Rethymno city Private Tour from Chania — photo 7

What's Included

✓ Included

Private transportation
WiFi on board
Public liability insurance
Sandwiches, Cretan pastries in a snack box
Guided tour in the palace (if option selected)
USB charging ports in van
Air-conditioned vehicle
Cold soft drinks, juice, beer, bottled water

✗ Not Included

Gratuities
Heraklion Archaeological Museum
The Palace of Knossos

Itinerary

Stop 1

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.

Stop 2

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.

Stop 3

Rethymno is situated at the northern coast of Crete about in the middle between the two large cities Chania (58 km West) and Heraklion (79 km East). It is the only town on the island, which is built on a cape. There are two sides of Rethymno offering two styles of visit: the endless big beach and the old town with its mix of architecture and history. The large Venetian castle “Fortezza”, which dominates the city, countless orthodox and catholic churches, mosques, the old lighthouse, majestic mansions of Venetian architecture, arches and cobbled paths, which create a magical atmosphere, have inspired thousands of visitors to pause and take a picture.