The 4 Private Palace Tours in Heraklion We Would Buy a Ticket For

1.Private Tour-Knossos Palace Zeus Cave Olive Oil Mill & Wine

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 135 reviews · 7 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $151Our pick

Spend 7 to 8 hours with a local English-speaking driver-guide such as Spyros, Stavros, Dimitrios, or Mike, traveling by Mercedes van from Heraklion and nearby resorts. Visit Knossos, an olive oil mill, pottery workshop, mountain villages, old windmills, Krasi’s ancient plane tree, and a family taverna. Zeus Cave is currently closed.

“Wonderful tour with Ed. Very informative and made the tour fun! Loved seeing the mountain side and village stops. Excellent lunch stop.”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Knossos Palace and/or Zeus Cave + Olive Mill | Local & Private

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 21 reviews · 7 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $98Best value

Spend 7 to 8 hours with a local English-speaking driver-host exploring Knossos, an olive press, the 2,400-year-old Platanus Tree, Lasithi Plateau, Zeus Cave, and Aposelemis Dam. Choose the stops that suit you, enjoy a local tasting, and add lunch or a licensed guide if desired.

“George is an exceptional tour guide. He showed us all the highlights of Heraklion and it was interesting to hear the history of most of the sites. We all agreed this was one of our better tours we have been. George kept contact with me from beginning to end with what's app and he was always quick with his responses. We were on a cruise and he picked us up on time and dropped us back to port on time. Thank you George!”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Matala Beach + Caves, Phaistos Palace & Southern Charm | Private

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 18 reviews · 7 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $98

Spend 7 to 8 hours with an English-speaking driver-host such as George or Giorgos, traveling privately from Heraklion to Phaistos Palace, Matala Beach, the cliff caves, and Zaros Lake. Bring swimwear, a towel, and good shoes. Lunch is optional, and site admission costs extra.

“George was an excellent guide with much knowledge and love of Crete. We thoroughly enjoyed our day with him and you will too. We highly recommend booking with him and he will tailor the tour to your preferences with a smile. Scott & Brenda”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Private Tour-Knossos Palace Zeus Cave&Olive Oil Mill from Elounda

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 14 reviews · 7 to 8 hours (approx.)

Travel by private Mercedes-Benz van from Elounda or nearby resorts with an English-speaking driver-guide. Visit a fourth-generation olive press, Krasi’s ancient plane tree, Lasithi Plateau villages, a local taverna, Aposelemis Dam, and Knossos Palace. Zeus Cave is currently closed, so confirm the final route before booking.

“Amazing tour! Really showcases the part of Crete you didn’t realise existed. Eddie (our guide/driver) was fabulous! The trip with him was entertaining, knowledgable and engaging. The group size was small (4 on our trip but max 8) so it beats larger organised trips where you’re sat on a coach for hours upon hours plus there is the added bonus that there’s a little more flexibility with the time. The only way to access the mouth of the cave is by foot (or donkey at €10) but take it at your own pace and admire the views whilst you’re on your way up but the little trek is worth it.…”

Check availability →Read our full review