6 h. tour (Private tour)
(transportation from Heraklion and back + guided tour of Knossos + guided tour of Heraklion Museum + city tour of Heraklion + free time)
For those of you with more time at their disposal, this is the ideal tour to explore not only Knossos, the center of the Minoan civilization, but also Heraklion, one of the largest cities of Greece, with one of the most important archaeological museums, which was recently totally renovated. Your tour will begin as soon as you get off your cruise ship. Your tour guide will wait for you at the port with a sign with your name on it and you will board your private vehicle. The drive from Heraklion to Knossos is approximately 20 minutes.
You will visit the archaeological site of Knossos, the capital of the Minoan Crete, where you will enjoy a private guided tour. There you will be able to experience the majesty of a palace grander, more complex and more flamboyant than any of the other Ancient Greek palaces known to us.
Leaving Knossos you will drive to the center of the city of Heraklion, where you will visit the Archaeological Museum. There you will enjoy a private guided tour and you will be able to see among other exhibits the famous Phaestos Disc, the Snake Goddess, the Bull Leaper, frescoes from the Palace of Knossos and a collection of Minoan pottery, jewelry and weapons.
After the visit of the archaeological museum, you will board your private vehicle and enjoy an approximately 30 minute city tour during which your guide will be able to present in more detail the of the city of Heraklion and will be pointing out points of interest such as the Venetian city walls and the fort. Your city tour will continue getting off the vehicle and enjoying an approximately 20 to 30 minutes walking tour in order to see the Venetian fountain of Morozinis, the Cathedral of St. Titus that St. Paul mentions, the Venetian Lodga that now houses the city hall etc. If your time allows it, you can also have a quick walk through the open market that is consisted by grocery stores and fresh fish and meat stores. Next to it are also located many traditional small tavernas that are really worth a quick stop for a bite.
After the end of the tour you will return to the port on time to get on board your ship.
