Meet your guide at the terminal of Cretan Spiti Travel, across from the entrance of the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, in front of Hari’s Creperie. From there, drive 5km southeast of the city to visit the world-famous Knossos Palace, the heart of the Minoan civilization.
Built between 1700 and 1400 BC, the palace featured advanced architecture, with some sections rising up to 5 stories high. With its 1,300 interconnected rooms, storerooms, theater, and ceremonial spaces, Knossos brings to life the brilliance of Europe’s first advanced civilization.
Excavations, initiated in 1878 by Minos Kalokairinos and later extensively carried out by Sir Arthur Evans, revealed remarkable artifacts and stories dating back as far as 7000 BC. After exploring the palace ruins and uncovering the myths and history of King Minos and the Minotaur, return to the terminal of Cretan Spiti Travel.
Continue with your guide to discover the historic city center of Heraklion. Walk through its vibrant streets and monuments, exploring the city’s rich past and dynamic present. Learn about the 7th labor of Hercules, the birthplace of El Greco and Nikos Kazantzakis, and hear fascinating stories of Heraklion’s turbulent history.
Along the way, visit landmarks such as Saint Minas Cathedral, Lion’s Square (where you can taste traditional Cretan Bougatsa and local raki), Tito’s Church, Heraklion Town Hall, Kule Fortress, and other impressive Venetian monuments. Your journey concludes back at the terminal of Cretan Spiti Travel after a day full of mythology, history, and authentic Cretan flavors.
