Private Tour
Knossos & Lasithi Plateau: Land of Zeus, Villages, Olive Oil Tour
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
-Explore Knossos Palace, charming villages, and the stunning Lasithi Plateau.
-Immerse in Local Culture: Experience Cretan traditions, authentic cuisine, and savor olive oil, honey, and raki with warm hospitality.
-Exclusive Olive Oil Tour: Learn the art of olive oil production and taste the island's finest offerings.
-Taste Local Delights: Enjoy traditional snacks such as homemade pastries and goat yogurt at a local cheese dairy, offering a true flavor of Crete.
-Comfortable Journey: Travel in a minivan with small groups or upgrade to a private tour with an expert guide.
-Pick-up and drop-off from your hotel, port, or designated meeting points.
Discover the Majesty of Crete: Our private or small-group tour reveals Crete’s hidden gems. Experience the magnificence of Knossos Palace, explore traditional villages, and visit the ancient Platanus tree in Krasi—symbolizing Cretan heritage. This journey combines culture, history, and gastronomy, creating lasting memories of Crete.
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Specialized infant seats are available
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Omalia Olive Press
Our journey into Cretan culture begins with an introduction to its famed "liquid gold." At a traditional, four-generation olive oil production facility, you’ll discover the rich history of the olive, learn about harvesting methods from ancient times to the present day, and enjoy a tasting of premium-quality olive oil—an experience sure to elevate your senses.
Krasi
Νext stop at the village of Krasi where stands the famous plane tree of Krasi which is more than 2000 years old tree. There you will enough time to have a coffee at one of the local taverna and take unforgettable photos .
What‘s Included
Licensed tour guide for the Palace of Knossos (available only if selected as an option)
Pickup and drop-off from your hotel harbor or designated meeting points
Private tour pickups: Heraklion, Agios Nikolaos, Elounda. Shared mini-group: Heraklion region only
Liability insurance
Bottled water, Coffee
Private knowledgeable local guide
Transport by luxury air conditioned minivan-free WI-FI on board
traditional snacks such as homemade pastries
(optional)
(optional)
Pickup from the Rethymno or Chania regions is available upon request with additional cost
Knossos Archaeological Site
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Options
SMALL GROUP + KNOSSOS GUIDE
Pick up areas : Ammoudara Heraklion,Kokkini, Gouves, Analipsi, Hersonissos, Anissaras,
License Guide At Knossos : With this option, you will have a licensed guide at Knossos Palace to guide you through the site.
Shared Option: This option involves sharing the minivan with other guests.
Duration: 8 hours
Pick Up: services outside of the designated areas are available upon request, subject to an additional fee.
Pickup included
SMALL GROUP-UP TO 7 PER GROUP
Pick-up areas : Available ONLY for Heraklion, Gouves, Analipsi, Hersonissos, Anissaras, Stalida, Malia
Shared Option: This option involves sharing the minivan with other guests.
Duration: 8 hours
Pick Up: services outside of the designated areas are available upon request, subject to an additional fee.
Pickup included
PRIVATE TOUR +KNOSSOS GUIDE
Pick up areas : Agia Pelagia Ammoudara Heraklion,Kokkini, Gouves, Analipsi, Hersonissos, Anissaras, Stalida, Malia, Agios Nikolaos, Elounda
License Guide At Knossos : With this option, you will have a private licensed guide at Knossos Palace to guide you through the site.
Duration: 8 hours: We can customize our program and duration to perfectly suit your needs, making it an ideal option for cruise ship passengers.
Minivan: Private Luxury Minivan – up to 7 guests
Pick Up:: Pick-up services outside of the designated areas are available upon request, subject to an additional fee.
Pickup included
PRIVATE TOUR UP TO 7 PER GROUP
Pick up areas : Agia Pelagia Ammoudara Heraklion,Kokkini, Gouves, Analipsi, Hersonissos, Anissaras, Stalida, Malia, Agios Nikolaos, Elounda
Duration: 8 hours: We can customize our program and duration to perfectly suit your needs, making it an ideal option for cruise ship passengers.
Minivan: Private Luxury Minivan – up to 7 guests
Pick Up:: Pick-up services outside of the designated areas are available upon request, subject to an additional fee.
Pickup included
PRIVATE TOUR + KNOSSOS GUIDE
Pick up areas : Agia Pelagia Ammoudara Heraklion,Kokkini, Gouves, Analipsi, Hersonissos, Anissaras, Stalida, Malia, Agios Nikolaos, Elounda
License Guide At Knossos : With this option, you will have a private licensed guide at Knossos Palace to guide you through the site.
Duration: 8 hours: We can customize our program and duration to perfectly suit your needs, making it an ideal option for cruise ship passengers.
SUV: Experience premium comfort with our private SUV service, accommodating up to 3 passengers.
Pick Up:: Pick-up services outside of the designated areas are available upon request, subject to an additional fee.
Pickup included
PRIVATE UP TO 3 PER GROUP
Pick Up Areas : Agia Pelagia Ammoudara Heraklion,Kokkini, Gouves, Analipsi, Hersonissos, Anissaras, Stalida, Malia, Agios Nikolaos, Elounda
Duration: 8 hours: We can customize our program and duration to perfectly suit your needs, making it an ideal option for cruise ship passengers.
SUV: Experience premium comfort with our private SUV service, accommodating up to 3 passengers.
Pick Up:: Pick-up services outside of the designated areas are available upon request, subject to an additional fee.
Pickup included
SMALL GROUP UP TO 7 PER GROUP
Pick-up areas : Available ONLY for Heraklion, Gouves, Analipsi, Hersonissos, Anissaras, Stalida, Malia
Shared Option: This option involves sharing the minivan with other guests.
Duration: 8 hours
Pick Up: services outside of the designated areas are available upon request, subject to an additional fee.
Pickup included
Reviews
324 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Excellent overview, comfortable pace
Madeleine H,,Nov 13, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00I had a wonderful day with a really small group. I feel like I got to experience so many parts of Crete that I couldn't have seen on my own. The van was very comfortable, the guide was excellent and spoke amazing English. The tip about using the free audio guide instead of a paid guide for Knossos was also great.
A Taste of Heraklion.
Kristina P,,Nov 2, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00We were visiting Crete on a cruise ship and wanted to see both the Palace of Knossos and the Lessitheau Playeau and the ship didn’t offer a tour to both places. Luckily for us, we found Unique Crete VIP Tours Marinos, the owner, picked us up at the port and off we went. It was a full day of seeing the local culture. So many stops, but one of our favorites was in a tiny village where a. Tea was made by a local villager. Stops included seeing how olive oil is made at a local press, the village of Krasnodar, a 2,000 year old sycamore tree, went inside a windmill, saw where they made cheese, Cave of Zeus which is closed but has great views of the Platesu, lunch at a local restaurant. ending at the Pslace of Knossos. Marinos was so informative and had a great sense of humor. He was always making sure we were enjoying our tour. This was an amazing day and we gave Marinos to thank for that. We highly recommend his company.
We had a fantastic time...
Nicholas D,,Oct 31, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00We had a fantastic time led by Niko who was an amazing guide. Fantastic views, food and experience and would recommend for anyone staying in Crete.
Crete Tour
Sikha N,,Oct 28, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Marinos was a wonderful guide; we felt the entire tour was authentic, interesting, and filled with local flavors. My entire family enjoyed our day in Crete with him, would highly recommend!
Unforgettable tour!
travelbuff1212,,Oct 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We have traveled extensively and this is the BEST tour we can remember! Niko was very knowledgeable, personable and fun! Since it is late in the season, we were lucky to be the only ones on the tour, and Niko was able to tailor it to our preferences. Niko knows all the local people and places which made this tour magical, since we were able to get a sense of real Cretan life. We visited several villages and met wonderful people along the way! We had homemade mountain tea and sweets from a woman who has been making it for 60 years. We had lunch where the delicious authentic food was baked in an outdoor oven overnight. We visited an olive oil factory and learned from Niko the best way to taste olive oil. We saw windmills, farms and gorgeous scenery along the way. We ended our day with fascinating Knossos in the afternoon to escape the crowds, a good call by Niko. This day was unforgettable and we feel so lucky to have had Niko to guide us through! Thank you Niko!
Exceptionally memorable tour
bbwex,,Oct 26, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Marinos was a fantastic guide. Although we did go to the archeological site, the rest of the day was spent far away from town. First a tour of an olive oil factory was fascinating. We had coffee and cookies, actually made by his wife, in a tiny village and a very tiny taverna. Then off to see the village of 10,000 wind mills. On the way back we had a very delicious lunch by the site of some very old windmills that the Nazis bombed thinking they were guns! Then more tiny villages on the way to the archeological site. If you have been to Ephesus and to the stadium and archeological site in Cyprus, not to mention one other mention the dig on another island that was all inside a large roof with wooden walkways, I would not bother with the one in Crete. Marinos created a day that was one exceptional tour!
Culinary Journey to the Mountains
Adam A,,Oct 26, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00We were picked up by car near the hotel.The guide was a friendly Greek who spoke English as well as perfect German.The olive oil factory was half museum half modern factory.Very interesting guide.Later we went to the mountains.The food in the inn by the windmills was from an old wood stove.We tried Zuchini blues for the first time.The terrace had a great view.You can definitely recommend the trip.
Martina and Ulli
j rgullrichr2023,,Oct 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was a great trip. Nico showed us a lot and explained. We learned a lot about the country and people. Thank you again.
Well beyond my expectations
Corey B,,Oct 23, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00What a fantastic day. Our guide was from generations of family from the area and it showed. He was knowledgeable, funny, personable and seemed to have a genuine love of sharing Crete with us. I was sad when it was over.
Great tour would definitely book again
Angela B,,Oct 21, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00This was a great tour. The perfect mix of seeing local cuisine and shops and tourist spot must sees. Marinos was an amazing guide. Our group of 6 loved it!
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Operated by Unique Crete Tours