Private Tour - Palace of Knossos and the Heraklion Archeological Museum
Private Experience
This excursion is reserved exclusively for your travel party. No other guests will join your experience.
Tour Times: 8:30 AM, 9:30 AM
Don't Port,
Don't Pay Security
Back-to-Ship
Guarantee
Hassle-free
Cancellation
Book ahead!
On average, this booked 4 months in advance.
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup and Dropoff at the Cruise Port Included
Overview
Agios Nikolaos is a coastal town on the Greek island of Crete, lying east of the islands capital Heraklion. It is the most upscale of all locations on this island and a beautiful entry to Crete.
Your departure from the city is a lovely one. And the ride to Heraklion of about one hour will be an interesting one.
Mythology's birthplace is Greece. Crete's fertile soil and towering peaks witnessed the development of one of the earliest recorded civilizations on earth, the Minoan. Knossos was the court of the legendary King Minos, whose wife Pasiphae gave birth to the Minotaur, half-bull, half-man. The excavations on the site were begun by the English archaeologist Sir Arthur Evans and his team in 1893 and lasted 35 years.
Entering the Great Palace through the West Court, one can easily understand why the legend of the labyrinth grew up here. It takes about one hour and a half to walk around the site and explore all the parts of the Palace. During this walking tour, you may admire the superb Royal Quarters the Throne room with an Antechamber and main throne, and the Queen's Quarters whose wall above the entrance door is decorated with a copy of the famous dolphin frescos. Apart from the Royal Palace, there are also other buildings included on the site such as the Small Palace, the House of the High Priest, and the Caravanserai.
We shall continue our tour with a visit to the very interesting Heraklion Archeological Museum. It is one of the greatest museums in Greece and the best in the world for Minoan art, as it contains the most notable and complete collection of artifacts of the Minoan civilization of Crete. The structure that houses the collection has its own interesting story and the artifacts inside will deepen your understanding of Greece's history.
Your timely return to the cruise pier should give you some independent time to explore this lovely resort town on your own.
What's Included
- Air conditioned vehicle with driver
- Licensed English speaking guide
- Panoramic drive from Agios Nikolaos to Heraklion
- Guided tour of the Knossos Palace
- Visit to the Heraklion Archeological Museum
- All entrance fees
- Food and Beverages
- Tips/Gratuities
Itinerary
Meet and Greet at the Cruise Port
Tour Start
Driving 75 Minutes
To Knossos Site
Inside Visit 90 Minutes
Guided Visit of Knossos
Driving 15 Minutes
To Heraklion
Visit 75 Minute
Guided Visit Heraklion Archeological Museum
Drive to Cruise Port 75 Minutes
Tour End
Considerations
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Bring cash/local currency for any additional purchases on the day.
Special Instructions
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Wear comfortable shoes, there is considerable amount of walking as part of the tour.
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We recommend dressing in layers according to the seasonal time of your visit.
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Bring your sunglasses, sunscreen, sunhat and water bottle.
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It is recommended to drink plenty of water - it can get unseasonably hot.
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Bring your fully charged camera, to capture wonderful memories on the day
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