Best 13 UNESCO Sites activities on Crete Island

Explore the Labyrinth and Palace of Knossos. Skip the long ticket line upon arrival and you meet your own exclusive guide. This site is home to: the Minotaur, the oldest throne in Europe, elegant wall paintings that inspired art Nuevo works centuries later, huge clay earns, advanced draining systems, and quarters sunk into the earth. Together you will see the oldest civilization unfold before your eyes and you will be able to get the best out of your visit to this magnificent structure. Knossos, a complex of more than 1500 interlocking rooms, was an astonishing palace, built for a mighty king of the Bronze Age. As you wander through the labyrinthine ruins, you will have the chance to see the original throne of Minos, the mystifying sanctuaries, the luxurious domestic quarters of the royal family, that were, once upon a time, bursting with Crete’s treasures. Knossos is considered Europe’s oldest city. The first palace of Knossos was erected soon after 2000 BC. In 1700 BC, a catastrophic earthquake destroyed the Palace. A new palace was then immediately built and for more than 300 years it represented the pre-eminent center of power in Bronze Age Crete. The new palace was an imposing complex with important architectural innovations, splendid frescoes adorning the walls, hundreds of rooms distributed across four storeys, impressive storage areas, specialized workshops, and spacious courts hosting ceremonies and feasts.

You will begin your day by visiting the most important archaeological site on Crete and the second most visited archaeological site of the country, the Minoan palace of Knossos and the mythical Labyrinth of Homer. You will be visiting an amazing area which consists of 22,000 square meters. A prehistoric “city”, this is the place where the oldest European civilization started and flourished some 5,000 years ago. Following this, in the center of Heraklion Town, you will visit the biggest Archaeological collection of artifacts on Crete. You will explore these pre-hellenic artifacts, focusing on the Minoan period and going deeper into its significance and development throughout time.

Experience Ancient Crete at your own pace with a combined e-ticket for the island’s top two archaeological attractions, the Palace of Knossos and the Heraklion Archaeological Museum. Receive your ticket in a separate email from the activity provider. Then travel back in time to experience the grandeur of Crete from the Minoan period to Roman times. Discover the Palace of Knossos and its monumental Palace of Minos. Explore the exquisite artifacts exhibited in the Heraklion Archaeological Museum and its unique collection of Minoan artistic masterpieces.

From its jaw-dropping villages to its healthy Mediterranean cuisine, Crete is a feast for the senses. The stunning beauty of Samariá Gorge National Park is an important part of the island’s attraction. On this full-day excursion you’ll be picked up in Chania and travel by comfortable bus to the park. Get ready to be wowed by the gorge, as high limestone cliffs and quaint village create the background for a great hike. The walking tour from one end of Samaria gorge to the other is a challenging 18 kilometers. The terrain in the gorge is rough, rocky, and uneven and the hike is not suitable for anyone who has heart problems or is unfit, or for pregnant women. There are a number of stopping points along the route, where you’ll find toilets and drinking water. At some points the gorge is only 3 meters wide and you may have to climb over boulders. You’ll reach the end of the gorge at Agia Roumeli, and stop for a break and a bite to eat (the price of the food is not included). You’ll return by boat to Sougia where you’ll be picked up by the coach.

The province of Apokoronas stretches from the foothills of the White Mountains (Lefka Ori) to the northern coast of the island. Dynamic water routes form a region rich in vegetation of various kinds. Apokoronas has preserved the traditional character of its villages that constitute a living core of modern rural life. The whole history of its countryside, along with the history of Christian worship, is reflected in its churches that will be the focus of your tour. You will encounter exceptional examples of art and architecture situated in unique natural beauty. Your first stop will be a small Byzantine church in the middle of nowhere, almost caped by trees and plants around. It is located in a landscape of exceptional beauty, surrounded by vineyards and a rare Cretan oak. This type of the church is a typical example of pure Byzantine architecture and testifies to the radiation of the tradition of Constantinople even into the distant corners of the empire. You will also find traces of early worship in another church in a nearby village. Although the standing building dates back to the 15th century, the recent excavations inside indicate that worship began in the 8th century. See the excavation inside the church and discuss its relations with the great monasteries of Greece and the monastic tradition that was formed in the area. A symbol of the Cretan effort in their struggle against the Venetians is a glorious church at the foothills of the White Mountains. Its founder is the Emperor of Nicaea, John Vatatzis, who hastened to prevent the conqueror of the island. The exceptional frescoes within date back to the 13th century and represents a high quality example of painting. The tour will be completed in the exceptional beauty of a hidden church in one of the most charming villages of Apokoronas. Built in the 13th century, the church is a modern pilgrimage demonstrating that faith in this place is an ongoing feeling. Then, enjoy traditional local cuisine at a local kafeneion (tapas taverna) located in the unique square of a typical Cretan village, where you will find an expression of daily local life as the last satisfaction for your senses on this tour.

Starting from the traditional village of Plaka, you are taking a small traditional boat and enjoy a short boat trip to the beautiful island of Spinalonga, one of the most important historic sites of Crete. The island was turned into a fortress at the middle of the 16th century and constituted one of the best examples of the Venetian defensive architecture. On the island, you will enjoy an hour and a half-guided tour exploring its gems. After your guided tour on Spinalonga you will reach by boat the traditional village of Plaka.

Embark on a privately guided tour to one of the most important Archaeological sites of Crete and the second most visited Archaeological Site of the country, the Minoan palace of Knossos, the mythical Labyrinth of Homer. A prehistoric “city”, the place where the oldest European civilization started and flourished some 5.000 years ago! Let us take you on a journey to the Minoan Times through the ancient Myths, History and Arts and present to you what makes the Cretan Labyrinth truly unique. This tour approached the Minoan Civilization of Crete through images, sounds and feelings and makes it fun and easy to understand for Children. During the tour, you will be using 3D tablets with a virtual reality-based application which presents a three-dimensional recreation of the most important parts of the Palace. This is the funniest and most empirical way to time travel into the far past!

Discover the remnants of centuries-old Christian monuments in central Crete. Take a private day trip from Agios Nikolaos or Elounda to dive into the rich religious history of the island. Follow the path walked by Apostle Paul thousands of years ago and admire imposing monasteries. Get picked up from your Agios Nikolaos/Elounda hotel or villa and take a journey to central Crete from north to south. Explore the land where Apostle Paul found fertile soils with lavish vineyards and olive groves stretching toward the horizon. Allow your guide to take you on a journey through history. Explore the village of Agios Myron and its holy cave, as well as the Pailani and Odigitria Monasteries. Meander through the Minoan wonders of the vast Messara Plain to take in magnificent views of Phaistos Palace. Finally, visit the village of Matala to unwind at the typical fish tavernas on the waterfront.

Explore the eastern region of Crete on a guided private tour by luxury vehicle. Venture from village to village to see the island through the eyes of a local guide. Start with pickup from your accommodation in Elounda or Agios Nikolaos. Enjoy fresh fruit and snacks as you get off the beaten track and follow archaic trails across the Minoan mountains embraced by ancient forests. From a perfect mountainside peak, enjoy the bird’s eye panoramas of the Libyan and Aegean Seas. Then lose yourself in the ancient surroundings of the magnificent Sarakinas Canyon. Visit the Byzantine monastery of Kremasta with its distinctive fortified architecture. Travel to villages such as Krista and Kroustas and discover a slower pace of life. Revel in genuine tastes of Cretan cuisine with local cooking techniques on a wood oven or open fire, at your own expense. With your local guide, learn more about historic legends and culture as you explore the region. After a day of exploring, relax on your journey back to your accommodation.

Spend a day exploring Crete with a local guide, learn about local habits and secrets, and visit hidden gems. Visit Lasithi Plateau, at 835 meters above sea level, and be speechless with the villages’ beautiful surroundings and archaeological structures. Be brave to walk up the hill and Visit Psychro Cave, the birthplace of Zeus, and live the myth. Stop at Krasi Village and observe the oldest and biggest Platanus tree which according to local legend, is the oldest tree on the island. A true experience, a glimpse of local life, and myths from Greek Mythology