Knossos Palace & Lasithi Plateau: Villages, Monastery, Ceramic Workshop & Zeus Cave

This tour will give travelers the opportunity to explore many places at the Plateau of Lassithi such us the historical Cave of Zeus, the Monastery of Kera, and the traditional village of Krasi.

Participants will also attend a workshop and learn more about the making of the famous Ceramics aging back to the Minoan Civilization,as well as how local drinks (wine and raki) and olive oil are produced from locals. The day will continue in a traditional Cretan tavern where, people will enjoy a delicious lunch which will be prepared for our group. Our day will end with a guided tour at the word wide famous Archaeological Site of Knossos, the capital of  ancient Minoan civilization, the first in Europe.

Highlights

  • Get the most out of Lasithi Region
  • Visit the Village of Krasi with its water springs and home of the biggest tree of Crete and enjoy time in nature 
  • Visit the Historical Monasteries of Kera &Vidiani
  • Explore the birthplace of Zeus at the Dikteon Cave
  • Attend a Ceramic Workshop and create your own pot
  • Discover the Minoan Palace of Knossos and learn more about the most famous archeological site of Crete

Included

  • Transportation in Air-Conditioned bus
  • Professional Driver
  • Tour Guide
  • Ceramic Workshop
  • All the legal taxes
  • Liability insurance coverage by  ALLIANZ

Not Included

  • Monastery of Kera Entrance: 2€
  • Cave of Zeus Entrance: 6€
  • Knossos Palace Ticket: 15€
  • Lunch in Traditional Tavern

What to bring

  • Hat / Sunglasses / Sunscreen
  • Comfortable  shoes
  • Water

Know before you go

  • We offer pick-up from various points such us hotels and bus stops. As soon as you complete the booking, we will contact you in order to let you know the exact place and time of the Pick-up which is closer to your place of staying.
  • Passengers are required to bring and wear face masks in indoor places and while travelling by bus, as long as it is requested by the government covid regulation

Timetable Information

Total Duration of the tour: 10 hours

Start at: 8:00

Ends at: 18:00

Full Description

Morning Pick up

We will start collecting participants from pick-up points in the morning. 

Depending on the place of your hotel/apartment the bus drive will differ.

Bus Drive from the last pick up: 30 minutes

1st stop:Village of Krasi – 20 minutes

This little traditional village with the beautiful freshwater springs and the oldest and biggest tree on Crete, will be our first stop for about 20 minutes. Enjoy our time in Cretan nature!

Bus Drive: 10 minutes

2nd stop: Monastery of Kera – 30 minutes

Explore the Monastery dedicated to Virgin Mary that is situated near the village of Kera.

Bus Drive: 15 minutes

3rd stop: Vidiani Monastery – 25 minutes

A small, male monastery located at the foot of Louloudaki Mountain will be our next stop.

Bus Drive: 20 minutes

4th stop: Psychro Cave (Cave of Zeus) - 1 hour 10 minutes

Explore the mythical birth place of the king of gods Zeus. Admire the unique site decorated with impressive stalactites and stalagmites.

Bus Drive: 10 minutes

5th stop: Ceramics Workshop – 45 minutes

Our participants will enjoy aprofessional workshop tosee how traditional ceramics are made and why not try to create their own!

Bus Drive: 10 minutes

6th stop: Traditional Tavern for lunch-1hour 20minutes

There will be a big variety of local dishes made from local products of the Lassithi plateau, homemade wine and products from the surrounding mountains. (The meal is not included.)

Bus Drive: 1 hour 20 minutes

7th stop: Knossos Palace – 1 hour

Leaving the beautiful region of Lasithi behind, our day will end at the Historical Site of Knossos. There will be a guided tour for about 1hour as well as some free time to take photos of this unique archaeological scenery.

End of the tour – Return to resorts

Embarkation in the buses and drive back to the hotels where we gathered participants in the morning. 

Depending on traffic and on the pick-up places of each one, the time of journey back to the hotel will differ.

Bus Drive from Knossos: 1 hour