Tours Crete | Mitos S.A.

Conference Organisation Meetings & Events Management Since 1988

Knossos Palace and Archeological Museum

(Full day from 35 Euro/Person*)

1.

Let us take you to a short drive from Heraklion city center to the Knossos Palace that dates from 2500 BC. A 2-3 hour guided tour will show you galleries and rooms where the great Minoan civilization thrived and developed during this period

Phaistos Palace – Gortis –Matala beach

(Full day from 45 Euro/Person*)

2.

Let us begin the journey driving you to the Central Southern Crete with our first stop to the Palace of Phaistos at the end of the Mesara plain.

Lassithi Plateau - Dikteon Andron cave

(Full day from 45 Euro/Person*)

3.

We will take you on a 1 hour drive from Heraklion city towards the Dikti Mountain for a memorable visit to the renounced Lassithi Plateau

Arkadi Monastery-Rethymno–Preveli Monastery & beach

(Full day from 45 Euro/Person*)

4.

This is a visit is to the north-west of the island. We will drive you to the impressive Monastery of Arkadi, a site not to be missed.

Chania-Gramvousa-Balos Lagoon

(Full day from 55 Euro/Person*)

5.

Chania is a city on the northwest coast of the Greek island of Crete. It’s known for its 14th-century Venetian harbor, narrow streets and waterfront restaurants and is the second largest city of Crete.

Omalos Plateau -Samaria Gorge-Sfakia

(Full Day from 55 Euro/Person*)

6.

The Samaria Gorge, the largest in Europe, is located in the southwest of Crete (Chania) and is one of the main sights of Crete.

* Minimum 4 Persons

To the north lies Psiloritis, the highest mountain in Crete (2,456m) and to the south of Phaistos are the Asterousia mountains beyond which lies the Libyan Sea. The palace of Phaistos and the city was one of the most important centres of Minoan civilization, and the most wealthy and powerful city in southern Crete. With a total area of 8400 m² Phaistos is the second largest palace of the Minoan world after Knossos. The remains of two palaces were discovered, two building phases, similar to Knossos. Nowadays parts of both palaces (first & second building phase) are visible (due to the different orientation of the new palace). The fact that few rooms or ruins of buildings of the old palace period are preserved give us interesting information about the architectural style, in some cases even better than Knossos.

We continue our trip to Gortys or Gortyna a municipality and an archaeological site, the Roman capital of Crete, a flourishing Minoan town between 1600-1100 BC and one of the strongest and most ancient towns of Crete. There is evidence of human occupation in Gortys as far back as the Neolithic era (7000 BC). The period of its great prosperity, however, coincided with the Hellenistic era. Gortys exceeded in force and prosperity the other cities of Crete and took the hegemony of the island, dominating the entire valley from Messara to Levina and later in the 2nd century after the destruction of Phaistos extended its power to Matala.

Now it is time for lunch and relaxation after a fast dive in the famous village of Matala & beach located at the exit of a small valley, where there is formed a large enclosed bay overlooking the Libyan sea. In front of the bay there is a wonderful sandy beach, with fine pebbles and crystal clear deep waters.

Although it has become a popular tourist destination it still retains the charm and character of the quiet fishing village it started as at the beginning of the 20th-century, and the laid-back lifestyle of the hippies of the 60’s and 70’s lives on. Half the beach is fringed by tamarisk trees, leading the eye on to impressive formations of sandstone rock cliffs with their famous caves sliding into the sea at an odd angle, creating one of the most unusual beachscapes on the island.

The safe natural harbor on the Bay of Matala is blessed with a gently sweeping sand and pebble beach, the place in legend where Zeus swam ashore in the guise of a bull with Europa on his back.

Tips: Wear walking shoes, trainers or flat shoes, a sun hat, have your swimming suit and a towel and don’t forget your sunscreen.

The city has two major gates: the airport in Akrotiri and Souda harbour, which is the biggest natural harbour of the Mediterranean.

Arriving at the city of Chania we will see the Cathedral of Chania, the Trimartiri the church of the Presentation of the Virgin Mary. By the sea at the port we will pass the mosque of Hassan Pasha and the lighthouse. A little further we reach the Fortetsa and along the old port where is the big Arsenal. Once it was a shipyard to which a second floor was added later on. Ascending we reach the Turkish sector of Splantzia. The lanes and a few of the houses are still there. At the square we will find the church of St. Nicholas which was converted from an old temple.

Consequently, we will walk with you to the nearby Public Food Market an impressive building, in the town center, built at the beginning of the past century (1911) and houses grocery stores, butchers’ shops, a fish market and numerous vegetable shops. There we will take time for shopping and lunch break in a traditional tavern. After that, we may take a short stroll to the Public Gardens, next to the Market, ideal for those in search of shade and tranquility. The old city has preserved to a great extent the distinctive atmosphere and charm of the Venetian, and Turkish periods.

We continue our journey on a 50 min driving west to Kissamos port were the boat to Gramvousa is waiting for us.

The island of Gramvousa with its pure and impressive scenery, the turquoise waters, the magnificent landscape, its long history and the Venetian fortress at the top of the island, which is a major attraction to visitors. The small harbor used to be the shelter of the Cretan Pirates. The Cape and the islets of Gramvousa host more than 100 species of birds and 400 species of flora the area is protected under the Natura 2000 program and staying overnight is not allowed. Once on the island we will have the time to visit the Venetian castle built on the hill of the mountain. Alternatively you can wander around the area, swim in the crystal waters of the western cove, near the church of the Holy Apostles. The beach with the fantastic turquoise color, has white sand and rocks in places. Some tamarisk trees are near the beach, offering natural shade. Close by is the small harbor of Gramvousa the Balos Lagoon were we will take a last stop. Balos is surely the mostly photographed beach in Crete, a very favourite subject of all tourist guides. It is also famous for its turquoise waters, the wild natural beauty and the beautiful exotic scenery. The natural beauty comprises a great variety of rare plants and animals which are unique in this part of the world. A significant distinctiveness of the lagoon is the seasonal fluctuation of the sea level and its salinity. The sea is very shallow and warm. In many places the sand has a lovely pinkish colour, because of millions of crushed shells. Beyond the rocks at the boundaries of the lagoon, the water is deeper and colder. The lagoon and the wider area, with rare species of flora and fauna, are protected under the Natura 2000 program.

Tips: Wear walking shoes, trainers or flat shoes, a sun hat, have your swimming suit and a towel and don’t forget your sunscreen.