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Knossos Palace & Heraklion Museum: Europe’s Oldest Civilization

66 Reviews 4.88 out of 5 stars Based on 66 reviews collected by City Balloon Tours and TripAdvisor |
Recommended by 98% of reviewers
98% of reviewers gave this experience a rating of 4 or higher.
|
Badge of Excellence |Badge of Excellence This experience is highly rated by travelers and has met our top quality standards. Crete, Greece
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from $85.14 per person

Lowest Price Guarantee
Palace of Knossos
Knossos Palace & Heraklion Museum: Europe’s Oldest Civilization Image 2
Palace of Knossos
Palace of Knossos
Archeological museum Heraklion
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 32 (0) days in advance.
10 hours (approx.)
Hotel pickup offered
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English
Instant confirmation

Overview

Explore Knossos Palace, Heraklion Archaeological Museum and the Venetian city on a private day tour with an air-conditioned vehicle and an English-speaking local driver. Discover Minoan collections, the Venetian walls and the harbour around Koules Fortress. Plan the order and balance of your visits within the booked duration and site opening hours. Admission tickets are paid separately. Visits inside the sites are independent unless a licensed guide is separately arranged in advance at an additional cost. Your driver provides commentary during the journey and handles transport and logistics. Entry remains subject to ticket availability and site procedures.

What's Included

  • Onboard Comfort: Chilled water, USB ports & child seats.
  • Bespoke Itinerary: Customizable stops based on your interests.
  • Door-to-Door: Flexible pickup/drop-off at your location.
  • Entrance fees to attractions or sites (if applicable)
  • Food & drinks at restaurants or tavernas (optional lunch stop)
  • Personal expenses
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Meeting and Pickup

Pickup point
Pickup details

Pick-up from Chania, Rethymno, and Heraklion regions is included for free.

OR
Meeting point
End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

What To Expect

Book Online

Our secure website provides real-time availability, instant confirmation, and free, no-hassle cancellations up to 24 hours before your tour begins.
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Safe & secure Easy breezy Hassle‑free

Venetian Walls and Tomb of Nikos Kazantzakis

Discover Heraklion from above as you drive along the monumental Venetian Walls — one of the largest fortification systems in the Mediterranean. Your private driver will drive you through the historic city gates, giving you a sense of how travelers, merchants, and armies once entered the ancient capital. The route continues to the Tomb of Nikos Kazantzakis, beautifully placed on the highest point of the walls, offering sweeping views over Heraklion and the sea. Here, you’ll have time to walk around, take photographs, and reflect on the writer’s famous words engraved on his tomb. This elevated vantage point provides the perfect, calm introduction to the city — a moment of history, culture, and panoramic beauty before exploring the rest of Heraklion’s landmarks at your own pace.
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30 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Heraklion Archaeological Museum

Explore the world of the Minoans inside one of the most important archaeological museums in Greece. The Heraklion Archaeological Museum gathers masterpieces from palaces, sanctuaries, and settlements across Crete, allowing you to see the art, beliefs, and daily life of Europe’s earliest advanced civilization. Highlights include the mysterious Phaistos Disc, delicate gold jewelry, vibrant frescoes, and the famous Snake Goddess figures — symbols of elegance and spiritual power from over 3,500 years ago. Your visit is flexible and unhurried, with time to move at your own pace and focus on what interests you most. While guided interpretation is not included, your private driver will assist with ticket purchase and timing to help you avoid long lines, making your experience smooth, relaxed, and truly memorable.
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2 hours Admission Ticket Free

Rocca a Mare Fortress

Continue your journey at Heraklion’s historic Venetian Harbor, once a bustling maritime crossroads of merchants, sailors, and explorers. Your private driver will bring you right to the waterfront, where the impressive Koules Fortress stands guard at the entrance of the old port. You’ll have the option to stroll along the scenic harbor walkway and, if you wish, enter the fortress to explore its stone corridors, upper battlements, and views across the sea. Whether you choose to simply enjoy the atmosphere or step inside, this stop offers a peaceful moment to connect with the city’s maritime past. Enjoy the fresh sea breeze, admire the fishing boats, and capture iconic photos of one of Heraklion’s most recognizable landmarks — a place where history, culture, and the Mediterranean horizon meet.
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30 minutes Admission Ticket Free

The Palace of Knossos

Step Into the Heart of Minoan Civilization: End your tour at the legendary Palace of Knossos, the ancient Minoan palace that inspired myths of King Minos, the Minotaur, and the labyrinth. You’ll visit at the least busy time of the day, avoiding crowds and enjoying a more relaxed experience. While tickets and palace guides are not included, your private driver will walk you to the entrance, show you the ticket booth, or (if there is a line) provide a link to purchase skip-the-line tickets on the spot, ensuring you can enter without waiting. Once inside, explore at your own pace or hire a guide at the palace to uncover the secrets of the frescoed walls, grand staircases, and ceremonial halls. This private, flexible experience allows you to immerse yourself in over 4,000 years of Minoan history, culture, and mythology — a truly unforgettable highlight of your Crete adventure.
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2 hours Admission Ticket Free

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Additional Info

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Specialized infant seats are available

Frequently Asked Questions (7)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Knossos Palace & Heraklion Museum: Europe’s Oldest Civilization?

A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (EET). Read more Apr 2025

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

Still have questions?

We're here to help.
Activity code: C-362650P2

Traveler Photos

Reviews

4.88
66 reviews

Average 4.88 out of 5 stars based on 66 traveler reviews collected by City Balloon Tours and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

5 stars
61
4 stars
4
3 stars
0
2 stars
0
1 star
1
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 32 (0) days in advance.
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Frequently Asked Questions (7)

Activity name

The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from City Balloon Tours customers.

Filter by:

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Knossos Palace & Heraklion Museum: Europe’s Oldest Civilization?
A:
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.
  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (EET).
Apr 2025
Q: What's included in the price?
A:
The following is included:
  • Onboard Comfort: Chilled water, USB ports & child seats.
  • Bespoke Itinerary: Customizable stops based on your interests.
  • Door-to-Door: Flexible pickup/drop-off at your location.
  • Private Tour: Premium AC vehicle & English-speaking driver.
  • Skip-the-Line: Priority entry assistance at Knossos Palace.
The following is NOT included:
  • Entrance fees to attractions or sites (if applicable).
  • Food & drinks at restaurants or tavernas (optional lunch stop).
  • Personal expenses.
  • Licensed tourist guide inside archaeological sites (optional).
Apr 2025
Q: What is the minimum age for this tour?
A:

The minimum age to participate is 1..

Apr 2025
Q: My date is not available in the calendar, I am just checking to see if it is available?
A:

If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.

If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.

Apr 2025
Q: Is this an accessible tour?
A:

Accessibility information for the Knossos Palace & Heraklion Museum: Europe’s Oldest Civilization is as follows:

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Apr 2025
Q: Where is the meeting point for this activity?
A:

Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Knossos Palace & Heraklion Museum: Europe’s Oldest Civilization will be included in your confirmation email from City Balloon Tours. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!

 

 

Mar 2024
Q: How long does a refund take to reach my card, and can I get it faster?
A:

Once your refund is processed, it usually shows on your card statement within 5–10 business days. The exact timing depends on your bank or card issuer.

Want it sooner? When you cancel, choose Receive a refund to my wallet instead. The credit is in your Wallet straight away and is applied automatically at checkout on your next booking when you’re signed in with the same email. You can see your balance any time in My Wallet.

If you paid part of your booking with Wallet credit, that part always goes back to your Wallet. Trip protection isn’t refundable.

Oct 2026

What's Included

Activity name

  • Onboard Comfort: Chilled water, USB ports & child seats.
  • Bespoke Itinerary: Customizable stops based on your interests.
  • Door-to-Door: Flexible pickup/drop-off at your location.
  • Private Tour: Premium AC vehicle & English-speaking driver.
  • Skip-the-Line: Priority entry assistance at Knossos Palace.
  • Entrance fees to attractions or sites (if applicable)
  • Food & drinks at restaurants or tavernas (optional lunch stop)
  • Personal expenses
  • Licensed tourist guide inside archaeological sites (optional)

Additional Info

Activity name

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Specialized infant seats are available

Report Product Issue

Activity name