Full-Day Knossos and Heraklion Tour from Chania and Rethymno: Explore Ancient and Modern Crete

Immerse yourself in the rich history of Crete on this full-day tour from Chania and Rethymno. Explore the ancient Palace of Knossos, visit the Archaeological Museum in Heraklion, and experience the vibrant city life of modern Crete. Book now!

Duration: 11 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • The Palace of Knossos - Knossos is the site of the most important and better-known palace of Minoan civilization. According to tradition, it was the seat of the legendary king Minos. The Palace is also connected with thrilling legends, such as the myth of the Labyrinth with the Minotaur and the story of Daedalus and Icarus. The site was…
What's Included
  • Visit to Knossos Palace
  • Exploration of Heraklion city
  • Luxury air-conditioned bus transport
  • Whisper audio system in Knossos
  • All taxes and VAT included
What's Not Included
  • Knossos Palace Entrance 15 euros
  • Personal expenses, beverages or meals
  • Customary tips to your driver and escort
  • Combined ticket Knossos Palace+Archaelogical Musieum 20 euros per person
Additional Information

Embark on an unforgettable full-day tour from Chania to uncover the secrets of ancient Crete! Explore two of the island’s most renowned sites — the historic city of Heraklion and the legendary Palace of Knossos — and immerse yourself in a journey through mythology, history, and vibrant contemporary life.
Why Opt for This Tour?
✔️ Thorough and well-paced —…

Location
The Palace of Knossos
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
4.0
(30 Ratings)
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Ray_m
May 7, 2025
Excellent day out very... - Excellent day out very good guides. Due to cruise ships being in town we did the trip the opposite way visiting the city first then klossis in the afternoon seems better.
Review provided by Viator
Stacybran
Apr 23, 2025
Wonderful - Our tour guide was EXCELLENT! She was very friendly and knowledgeable’ Answered all of our questions even those that were not part of the trip
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Debbie_g
Oct 27, 2024
Excellent guided tour - This was a wonderful well organized tour and our tour guide was very knowledgeable and interesting. One of the highlights of our time on Crete.
Review provided by Viator
P2236ttpatriciam
Apr 22, 2025
Breath taking experience - This was an extraordinary, indeed once in a lifetime excursion. Our guide was so very knowledgeable, she was passionate, she was kind, she answered questions. I am disable and I never left rushed or left behind. I also have an UG degree in archaeology, and she perfectly melded accessible knowledge with new sophisticated critiques. The driver was safe and amazing too. I really loved today. It is my second day trip to Knossos but this was the better tour by far. My *only* criticism, which isn't the fault of the guide (who did everything she could to help) is that the ministry of tourism took my money for tickets and didn't issue them. so I am down 64 euros and in spite of them saying it would be refunded soon...nope. I suggest these tours include ticket prices, to avoid this kind of drama and the massive queues (I know Crete bureaucracy may prevent it, but paying twice almost prevented my trip).
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Eric_s
May 2, 2024
Good day out! - Very enjoyable and educational, the guide was excellent and we enjoyed the scenery on the coach journey there and back.
Review provided by Viator
Bonnie_g
May 9, 2025
Lots of bus time, limited city time but palace tour great! - Tour guide at the palace was great. More time on bus 7 hrs than on land 3.5-4 hrs Too many pickup stops and coordinating transfers. Bring your patience
Review provided by Viator
Joanne_p
May 7, 2025
Nice your but very long due to many drop offs - Once we got to Knossos we had a wonderful tour guide. The guide on the bus was pleasant but offered very little onsite during the trip. There were so many drop offs we could have cut the tour by one hour if they had less pick up drop off locations. The bus was comfortable. We left at 7:30am and arrived back at 7 pm
Review provided by Viator
Bequibar
May 1, 2024
It's an overpriced and overcrowded ride - I thought it would be a small group tour but it was a large, uncomfortable bus. We spent considerable time picking people up in the morning, so your pickup time will be around 7:00 am. Considering you'll wake up at 6:00 am, drink your coffee and eat your breakfast prior to pickup because your only 20-min rest stop in this 11-hr tour comes around 9:00 am and, if you manage to purchase anything in under 20 minutes after queueing behind your own 45-people group, you'll need to gobble it up quickly because they don't allow snacks or even coffee on the bus. They don't buy the museum or palace tickets ahead of time for the group either, so you'll also spend a large chunk of tour time queueing behind your own 45-people group and all the Viking cruise tours - not only at ticket booths but also at bathrooms. Sticking to such a large group is onerous so I just went off on my own. From what I did get to hear narrated by our guide, I can tell you - you won't miss much information from the tour guide if you already read about Greek history and mythology on your own. My recommendation: at Heraklion, visit the museum of ancient Greek technology as well as the archeological museum. If the archeological museum's line reaches the street, go to the technology museum first (it's an 8-min walk away) and return an hour later. There won't be anyone left and you'll have both museums all to yourself.
Review provided by Viator
Mexli
Apr 23, 2025
Do knossos on your own with audio on your phone - Tour of Knossos worth the visit, but the Tourism Website made it impossible to get tickets online,so we had to wait in the line to get in. Buy your tickets in advance, as the tourism rep what timeslot to purchase. Our guide talked nonstop. We are tourists not archeologists. We want key points to remember. Not the history of the mountains, birds, neighboring towns, the dirt,..... we ended up doing our own walk.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jocelyn_m
Jul 7, 2024
Cruises ruin the experience - It was beyond hot. But I couldn’t hear our guide. They gave us these headsets but due to over crowding and pushing. We never could stay together. Other groups would ask our guide to follow along with us which she allowed or they would push us out of the way. Easily went though my water bottle. They should go when the crises aren’t there next time
Review provided by Viator
From $62
up to 15 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).