
Knossos & Heraklion Tour with Professional Certified Guide
Traveler rating
4.7/5
Based on 36 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Knossos & Heraklion Tour with Professional Certified Guide worth booking?
Knossos & Heraklion Tour with Professional Certified Guide is a 10-hour experience in Chania, Greece, from $34 per person. It scores 74 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.7/5 rating across 36 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 74 / 100
- Rating
- 4.7/5 (36)
- Duration
- 10 hours
- From
- $34 per person
We start from Rethymnon around 8:00 am with comfortable transportation and a certified professional guide. Our first stop is the Palace of Knossos, inhabited since Neolithic times and the seat of the Minoan dynasty. Discover its fascinating history and legends, including the Labyrinth and the Minotaur. Please note the entrance fee is not included (15€ for Knossos or 20€ combination ticket with the Museum, payable in cash). Next, visit Heraklion, with 4 hours of free time to explore at your own pace. Enjoy the Archaeological Museum, shop for souvenirs, have lunch, or relax with a coffee. Return to Rethymnon around 6:00 pm after a day full of history, culture, and unforgettable experiences. Note: Bring 20€ in cash for Knossos and 12€ Museum entry.
What you get
About this experience
We start from Rethymnon around 8:00 am with comfortable transportation and a certified professional guide. Our first stop is the Palace of Knossos, inhabited since Neolithic times and the seat of the Minoan dynasty. Discover its fascinating history and legends, including the Labyrinth and the Minotaur. Please note the entrance fee is not included (15€ for Knossos or 20€ combination ticket with the Museum, payable in cash). Next, visit Heraklion, with 4 hours of free time to explore at your own pace. Enjoy the Archaeological Museum, shop for souvenirs, have lunch, or relax with a coffee. Return to Rethymnon around 6:00 pm after a day full of history, culture, and unforgettable experiences. Note: Bring 20€ in cash for Knossos and 12€ Museum entry.
What's included
Included
- In-vehicle air conditioning
Not included
- Entrance Fee to Knossos Archaeological Site only (€20)
- Entrance Fee for Museum (€20)
- Food and Drinks are not included.
- Gratuities
What you'll see and do
Heraklion
Visit the capital of Crete Heraklion. Explore the Knossos Palace. Visit the archeological museum in Heraklion.
240 minutes here
The Palace of Knossos
Explore the archeological place of Knossos with a skip line ticket
120 minutes here · Admission not included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Chania
Hotel pickup
Pickup is available for selected locations. Pickup begins about 60 minutes before departure.
Ends at
Returns to the starting point
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Wed
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Markidis Travel
Know before you go
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 36 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
10 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Organization
6 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Knowledge and storytelling
3 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Value for money
3 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Food and drink
3 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Pace and timing
3 mentionsSeveral reviewers comment on how the schedule is paced.
Traveler reviews
36 verified traveler reviews for Knossos & Heraklion Tour with Professional Certified Guide. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Good opportunity to see some sights
We went on this trip from Rethymnon beach to Knossos palace and then on to Heraklion city. The tour operator was super organised, we had our exact pickup time confirmed the morning before we went (8.30am) and the tour guides were lovely and very well educated on the history of Crete and Greece. It was around a 1.5hr from pickup to get to the first stop, and then 15mins onto the city and around 2hrs back when we were leaving at 5pm. Knossos palace itself was quite crowded with lots of guided tour groups which made it quite slow and difficult to move around. It was a nice historical spot to see but you don’t really need a lot of time here (one hour is plenty). This particular trip also gave you the chance to have a group guided tour if you’d prefer that but we made our own way around. Heraklion was much more city vibes. We didn’t actually go to the archeological museum and chose instead to go to the fortress on the Marina which was 10€, small again but some really interesting history around the fall of Crete under the Venetians to the Ottoman Empire. Do take plenty of water as it gets quite hot walking around the dusty archeological sites and city!
via Tripadvisor
Good trip overall
Our tour guide was wonderful and picked us up on time with great communication before hand and provided interesting information along the way. Unfortunately we only had 1 1/2 hours at Knossos instead of the planned 2, which made it very rushed and needed to skip things since we did not have enough time. If we were short on time I would have preferred less time in the city. Also, you are on your own to get tickets for the archaeological museum. We needed to wait in line for 30 minutes, which if I knew in advance I would have order in advance.
via Viator
Knossos and Heraklion tour
Anastasia was a amazing guide very helpful it was nice to go at your own pace around Heraklion 4 hours seems plenty of time to get food chill go to the museum and some shops didn’t need to rush The tour offers pick up and drop of but because the steeets can be tight in areas and one way systems we had to walk 5 minutes to a restaurant to be picked up witch was totally fine we had a phone call and a email to clarify pick up point (very reassuring) which was nice Knossos palace is amazing kept us intregued the whole time. remember to bring cash I recommend 70 if your doing the museum too Totally worth it
via Tripadvisor
First Trip
First trip of the season.It was that good we have booked to go again Saturday. Anastasia was the tour guide. She made it fun while entertaining. She was very knowledgeable and switched from English to German smoothly. A very good tour. The coach was comfortable and Kostas the driver was first class. Highly recommend.
via Tripadvisor
Good trip
Good full day tour, good value. I liked that it took us direct to the sites but then we had free time at each rather than a guided tour. Sufficient time in each place. Good guide Anastasia gave plenty of information while on the bus and a good driver. Nice to be given a town plan for Heraklion. Additional entry fee for Knossos worked easily with us paying the guide and then she went to buy tickets, although a bit of a wait but probably better than queuing individually. Museum in Heraklion was fantastic too, well worth visiting.
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 10 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Wed
- Hotel pickup
- Available for selected locations
- Booked in 30 days
- 13
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Who runs this experience
Operated by Markidis Travel, who run 9 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 70.8.
See everything Markidis Travel runsWhy this scores 74
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Knossos & Heraklion Tour with Professional Certified Guide: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Chania.
How much does Knossos & Heraklion Tour with Professional Certified Guide cost?
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Prices start at $34 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Chania usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Knossos & Heraklion Tour with Professional Certified Guide take?
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Plan for about 10 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Chania is not rushed.
Is Knossos & Heraklion Tour with Professional Certified Guide worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 74 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.7/5 across 36 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most popular in Chania, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Knossos & Heraklion Tour with Professional Certified Guide?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Knossos & Heraklion Tour with Professional Certified Guide suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 10-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Knossos & Heraklion Tour with Professional Certified Guide?
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Around 13 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Chania can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Chania and add a light layer if any part of the 10-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Knossos & Heraklion Tour with Professional Certified Guide start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Chania within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Chania?
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On Outty we rank every Chania experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Cretan Safari – 4x4 Adventure to Preveli Beach with Lunch, Elafonisi & Falasarna Small Group Tour from Chania w/snacks, Half-Day Rethymno Quad Safari. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Chania?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Chania?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Knossos & Heraklion Tour with Professional Certified Guide?
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Included: In-vehicle air conditioning. Not included: Entrance Fee to Knossos Archaeological Site only (€20); Entrance Fee for Museum (€20); Food and Drinks are not included; and Gratuities. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Knossos & Heraklion Tour with Professional Certified Guide include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered, or you can meet at the start point instead from 361 listed pickup locations in and around Chania. Be ready about 60 minutes before the start time. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.
What languages is Knossos & Heraklion Tour with Professional Certified Guide offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Knossos & Heraklion Tour with Professional Certified Guide?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Knossos & Heraklion Tour with Professional Certified Guide wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Knossos & Heraklion Tour with Professional Certified Guide if the weather is bad?
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This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
What do travelers say about Knossos & Heraklion Tour with Professional Certified Guide?
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Across 36 reviews averaging 4.7 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, organization, knowledge and storytelling. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works. One thing to know: Several reviewers comment on how the schedule is paced.
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