Palace of Knossos (Skip-the-line) with Wine Tasting and Lunch

• Duration: 5 hours
• Tour Type: Private (min 2 people)
• Ages: All ages
• Activity Type: Art & architecture, Culture, Food, Iconic sites, Wine
• Time: 9.00AM
• Language: English

Highlights

• Walk through the ancient architectural wonder of the Palace of Knossos with an expert guide
• Visit a family-run winery and taste award-winning Cretan wines
• Tuck into a delicious mezze-style lunch at a traditional tavern
• Explore village life in Archanes and learn about the region’s history from your local guide
• Indulge in local flavors like a meze platter and raki or wine.

Meeting point:

Departure Point, Traveler pickup is offered. We will pick you up form your Hotel or Cruise Ship.

Pick up from Heraklion hotels is included in the tour price. We can offer pick up/drop off transfer to any other location at an extra charge.

Full Itinerary

Begin your journey of Knossos by meeting your guide at your hotel in Heraklion, where you will be greeted by your guide who will take care of you throughout the day.

Head straight to Knossos, where you will visit the ancient Minoan Palace, an important city in antiquity that supported continuous life from the Neolithic era to the 5th century.

According to tradition, Knossos was the seat of the wise king Minos. Learn about the archeological site’s fascinating myths, including the famous labyrinth and the minotaur legend, and that of Daedalus and Icarus.

Next, head into the Heraklion mainland, which is known for its vilana, kostifali, and vidiano indigenous Cretan grapes. Crete’s winemaking tradition dates all the way back to antiquity, and Cretan winemakers have consistently produced outstanding, award-winning wines.

Taste some of these flavorful wines at a family-owned organic winery, where you’ll enjoy six different wines along with local nibbles.

Next, tuck into a delicious local lunch in a cozy, traditional, family-owned tavern that serves home-grown and freshly made delicacies from farm to table. This is your chance to sample truly authentic Cretan cuisine.

Then, explore a typical village in Archanes as you wander its narrow lanes, and discover a world concealed from time. Here, savor the local liqueur called raki before heading back to your accommodation in Heraklion.

At the end of the tour, we will drop you off in the city centre or back at your cruise ship. Your local guide will give you tips and suggestions for local joints and current festivals to check out.