Crete: Knossos Palace and Lassithi Plateau with Zeus Cave｜Greece

Join us on a full-day tour to explore the natural beauty, traditions, and history of Crete. This trip combines stunning landscapes, local culture, and the famous Knossos Palace, one of the most important archaeological sites in Greece.

Our first stop is the peaceful Kera Kardiotissa Monastery, where nuns still live today. Here, you can admire beautiful frescoes and the famous icon of the Virgin Mary, believed by many to be miraculous.

We then continue to the Lasithi Plateau, located 850 meters above sea level and surrounded by the Dikti Mountains. This area is home to 18 traditional villages that still keep their authentic Cretan way of life. You will also see the well-known windmills and old Venetian irrigation channels.

Next, we visit the village of Psychro, where you can explore the famous Dicteon Cave (optional visit). Inside the cave, you will see impressive stalactites and stalagmites. According to Greek mythology, this is the birthplace of Zeus. You will also have the chance to visit a local pottery workshop and see how traditional ceramics are made.

After that, we head to Tzermiado, the main village of the plateau. Here, you can relax, enjoy the views, and have lunch at a local tavern.

The last stop is the world-famous Knossos Palace, the center of the ancient Minoan civilization. With a guided tour, you will learn about King Minos, the Labyrinth, and the legend of the Minotaur. This is a must-see site for anyone visiting Crete.

Tour Schedule

07:00 – 09:20: Pick-up from your hotel

09:45: Arrival at Kera Monastery

10:25: Departure

10:45: Arrival at Psychro (Dicteon Cave visit)

12:15: Departure to pottery workshop

12:40: Departure

13:00: Arrival at Tzermiado (free time for lunch)

14:15: Departure

15:30: Arrival at Knossos Palace (guided tour)

17:30: Departure

17:45 – 18:45: Return to hotels

Tour Details

Route: 140 km

Duration: 10–11 hours (depending on hotel location)

Time at each stop:

Kera Monastery: ~30 minutes

Psychro & Cave: ~1.5 hours

Pottery workshop: ~20 minutes

Tzermiado: ~1 hour 15 minutes

Knossos Palace: ~2 hours (guided tour)

Important Information:

If the Dicteon Cave is closed for maintenance, the visit will be skipped. Extra time will be added to the other stops. The cave is officially announced to reopen in May.

Extra Costs:

Kera Monastery entrance: €2

Dicteon Cave entrance: €15

Knossos Palace entrance: €20

Free entrance:

Children under 18

EU citizens up to 25 years old

EU citizens over 65 receive 50% discount (from October to May)
(Valid ID or passport required)
This tour is organized and operated directly by TOURLINE, your local provider. Booking through this page means you're reserving with the official tour operator—not a third-party reseller.