Minoan Crete: Knossos Palace, Winery Visit and Lunch at Peza in Heraklion, Greece
Heraklion, Greece

Minoan Crete: Knossos Palace, Winery Visit and Lunch at Peza

Outty Ranking 64 4.6 · 18 traveler reviews7 hoursFrom $220
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Outty Ranking

64/100

Solid Choice. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.6/5

Based on 18 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Minoan Crete: Knossos Palace, Winery Visit and Lunch at Peza worth booking?

Minoan Crete: Knossos Palace, Winery Visit and Lunch at Peza is a 7-hour experience in Heraklion, Greece, from $220 per person. It scores 64 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.6/5 rating across 18 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
64 / 100
Rating
4.6/5 (18)
Duration
7 hours
From
$220 per person

*** IT DOES NOT include tickets to the Knossos Archeological site or the cost of a Certified Guide to the Knossos Archeological Site. *** Experience the epitome of luxury and cultural immersion with our personalized chauffeured service in Crete. Our expert local drivers, well-versed in the region's history. Delve into the heart of Central Crete as we transport you to the enchanting Peza valley, a Minoan haven with olive groves and red soils. Indulge in a wine-tasting adventure at a local winery, savoring Cretan indigenous varieties with divine aromas. No visit is complete without exploring the magical village of Ano Archanes, a favorite of the current King of England Charles, where charming streets and old houses beckon. Immerse yourself in the local culinary scene, enjoying a carefully crafted meal in this enchanting locale. Our bespoke journey ensures you unravel the layers of Cretan history, culture, and gastronomy in the lap of luxury.

What you get

    About this experience

    *** IT DOES NOT include tickets to the Knossos Archeological site or the cost of a Certified Guide to the Knossos Archeological Site. *** Experience the epitome of luxury and cultural immersion with our personalized chauffeured service in Crete. Our expert local drivers, well-versed in the region's history. Delve into the heart of Central Crete as we transport you to the enchanting Peza valley, a Minoan haven with olive groves and red soils. Indulge in a wine-tasting adventure at a local winery, savoring Cretan indigenous varieties with divine aromas. No visit is complete without exploring the magical village of Ano Archanes, a favorite of the current King of England Charles, where charming streets and old houses beckon. Immerse yourself in the local culinary scene, enjoying a carefully crafted meal in this enchanting locale. Our bespoke journey ensures you unravel the layers of Cretan history, culture, and gastronomy in the lap of luxury.

    What's included

    Included

    • Lunch
    • Wine Tasting of 5 indigenous Varieties
    • Chauffeured premium vehicle at your disposal
    • In-vehicle air conditioning
    • Personal pick-up & drop-off
    • Winery Visit with Tour

    Not included

    • Any Personal Expenses
    • Tour Guide at Knossos Palace. There ae Tour Guides upon extra charge at the entrance of the Site
    • Admission fees

    What you'll see and do

    1. The Palace of Knossos

      Knossos is the main Bronze Age archaeological site at Heraklion, a modern port city on the north-central coast of Crete. The site was excavated and the palace complex found there was partially restored under the direction of Arthur Evans in the earliest years of the 20th century. The palace complex is the largest Bronze Age archaeological site on Crete. It was undoubtedly the ceremonial and political center of the Minoan civilization and culture. In order to purchase tickets online for the archeological site of Knossos visit the official e-ticketing service of the Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports at www.etickets.tap.gr

      120 minutes here · Admission not included

    2. Titakis Wines - Fabrika Wine Experience

      Visiting one of the oldest and most well-known wineries in Kounavoi Village, 30 kilometers from Heraklion city. Arriving at the winery a host of the premises will arrange for you to join the vineyard tour as well as the cellar tour and then will arrange you a private table to proceed with a tasting. The wine tasting will consist of five (5) indigenous varieties. A perfect place to relax with great views.

      90 minutes here · Admission included

    3. Archanes

      Archanes is a former municipality in the Heraklion regional unit, Crete, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform, it is part of the municipality Archanes-Asterousia, of which it is a municipal unit. It is also the archaeological site of an ancient Minoan settlement in central Crete. The discovery of ancient roads leading from Archanes to Juktas, Anemospilia, Xeri Kara and Vathypetro indicate that Archanes was an important hub in the region during Minoan times. Archaeological evidence indicates that ancient Archanes spread out over the same area as the modern town of Archanes. At this beautiful village, you will enjoy an amazing meal cooked with love and care at a local family tavern established back in the 1960s. Plenty of time to walk around the village and visit little stores or have an ice cream or a coffee.

      120 minutes here

    Where it starts and ends

    Hotel pickup

    Pickup is included for all travelers.

    Options you can book

    • Pick-up From Heraklion Area

      Pick-up Areas: Heraklion City Heraklion Port Passenger Station Amoudara Karteros Private Tour Duration: 7 hours Traditional Lunch: Four-course Menu at a local Taverna at Archanes Village Premium Vehicle: Mercedes MInivan Nissan X-Trail SUV Pickup included

    • Pick-up from Elounda

      Pick-up Areas: Elounda, Plaka, Agios Nikolaos Private Tour: Maximum 4 people in the Vehicle Duration: 7 hours Traditional Lunch: Four-course meal with wine at the beautiful village of Archanes Premium Vehicles Pickup included

    • Pick-up from Rethymno

      Pick-up Area: Rethimno and Bali Private Tour Duration: 7 hours Traditional Lunch: Four-course meal with wine at Archanes Village Luxury Vehicle Pickup included

    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
    Every day
    Group size
    Up to 7 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Heraklion Wine Tours

    Know before you go

    • Specialized infant seats are available
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

    Photos

    Minoan Crete: Knossos Palace, Winery Visit and Lunch at Peza in Heraklion, photo 2Minoan Crete: Knossos Palace, Winery Visit and Lunch at Peza in Heraklion, photo 3Minoan Crete: Knossos Palace, Winery Visit and Lunch at Peza in Heraklion, photo 4Minoan Crete: Knossos Palace, Winery Visit and Lunch at Peza in Heraklion, photo 5Minoan Crete: Knossos Palace, Winery Visit and Lunch at Peza in Heraklion, photo 6Minoan Crete: Knossos Palace, Winery Visit and Lunch at Peza in Heraklion, photo 7

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 18 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    Food and drink

    9 mentions

    The tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.

    The guide

    7 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    4 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    Value for money

    2 mentions

    Travelers feel they got more than they paid for.

    Pace and timing

    2 mentions

    Several reviewers comment on how the schedule is paced.

    Traveler reviews

    18 verified traveler reviews for Minoan Crete: Knossos Palace, Winery Visit and Lunch at Peza. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    14
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    Elizabeth_B · October 2025

    Knossos, Titksas Winery, Archanes

    We had a delightful 1/2 experience guide by Tony and exceptional tour guide. After a short self guided tour at the Knossos Palace we can continued a lovely countryside drive to Titksas Winery where Maria hosted an informative and fun tasting. We love the wine! From there we had the best meal of our 7 day journey in a farm to table restaurant in Archanes.

    Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your wonderful words! We’re truly happy to hear that your day with Tony was delightful from start to finish. It sounds like you embraced the spirit of Crete perfectly — a touch of history at Knossos, a glass (or two!) of local wine at Titakis, and a table full of real Cretan flavors in Archanes… that’s what we call *living like a local!* Your kind words will reach both Tony and Maria — they’ll be thrilled to know they helped make your journey memorable. Next time you visit, we’ll be ready with new tastes, hidden villages, and maybe a few more Cretan secrets to share. Until then, cheers to good wine and even better company!

    via Viator

    Joanne_G · October 2025

    Great day was had by all!

    Had a great day with Angela. Went to Knossos, a traditional olive grower and a winery. Finishing up at a traditional restaurant, the food was fabulous. She definitely went above and beyond.

    Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're delighted to hear you had a great day with Angela exploring Knossos, the olive grove, and winery. We're especially pleased that you enjoyed the traditional restaurant and felt Angela went above and beyond - she truly loves sharing the best of Crete with our guests. We'll be sure to share your kind words with her and hope to welcome you back for another memorable experience!

    via Viator

    mbwvt · September 2024

    Great combo day!

    Such a memorable day with Roula. We picked up a special guide at Palace of Knossos for 100 euros + tip. That made all the difference in understanding the importance of the site and moving efficiently past the lines. Totally worth it. The tavern lunch was unique and delicious. They were waiting for us with a special table. Just my husband and me on this tour. We love winery tours and we learned a few new things. Liked 4 of 5 wines, so that’s amazing. Our only challenge was coming up with a meeting point when arriving in the Port of Rethymno. The pick up point wasn’t in the pre-set list, so that made things a little frustrating for everybody. I did really appreciate their sending a car all the way to get us in rethymno. Roula stepped in at the last minute to lead us and she was a delight.

    Response from the operator: Thank you for your detailed review! We're thrilled to hear that you had such a memorable day with Roula on the Minoan Crete tour. It’s great to know that hiring a guide at Knossos enhanced your experience and made the visit more efficient—definitely a valuable tip! We're also happy you enjoyed the unique and delicious lunch at the taverna, as well as your time at the winery. We appreciate your feedback about the pick-up point, and we're glad that despite the initial challenge, the team arranged transport from Rethymno. Roula will be delighted to hear that she made a positive impact on your day. We hope to welcome you back for more wonderful experiences in the future!

    via Viator

    pizzanutNyc · August 2024

    Lovely easy tour and wine tasting for all ages.

    Lovely tour by Tony for our family of 4 from NYC. Tony was on time and very nice to chat with throughout the car ride to Knossos and to the winery for the tasting and taverna for lunch. The tour was well paced and most of it you are left on your own to tour Knossos. The winery tour is given by someone there which was really nice and not too long. The lunch at a taverna in Archanes was lovely too. Highly recommended if you don’t have your own car and want and easy day where everyone can do the wine tasting and not worry about driving.

    Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your lovely review! We're thrilled to hear that your family had an enjoyable and easy day on our Minoan Crete tour. It's great to know that Tony made the experience even more pleasant with his friendly company during the drive, and that you appreciated the relaxed pace of the tour. We're glad you enjoyed exploring Knossos, the winery visit, and the delicious lunch at the taverna in Archanes. Thank you for recommending our tour, especially for those who want to enjoy the wine tasting without the worry of driving. We hope to welcome you and your family back on your next trip to Crete!

    via Tripadvisor

    Danielle_B · July 2024

    A fun time!

    Though our guide was a little difficult to find at first (our internet was poor so we didn’t get meeting spot updates, perhaps a name sign would be helpful), Yanni was amazing. We didn’t need the full time at Knossos (plus it was darn hot), so we had the flexibility to choose a museum visit or visit to an olive farm (with tasting) to fill in some of the time we didn’t use at Knossos. We loved that! Wine was tasty and the lunch in Archanes was delicious and plentiful!

    Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your review! We're delighted to hear that you had a fun time on the Minoan Crete tour and that you enjoyed the flexibility of the itinerary. We apologize for any inconvenience finding the guide initially and appreciate your suggestion about the name sign – we'll definitely consider that for future tours to make the meeting process smoother. It's wonderful to know that Yanni made your experience memorable and that you enjoyed the options to visit the museum or the olive farm. We're also glad you loved the wine tasting and the lunch in Archanes. We hope to welcome you back for another adventure in Crete soon!

    via Viator

    Good to know

    Duration
    7 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Every day
    Price range
    $220 to $440
    Hotel pickup
    Included for all travelers
    Booked in 30 days
    6
    Verdict
    Solid Choice

    Who runs this experience

    Operated by Heraklion Wine Tours, who run 5 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 48.7.

    See everything Heraklion Wine Tours runs

    Why this scores 64

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)71
    Review evidence (18% weight)48
    Booking momentum (14% weight)39
    Value for money (12% weight)68
    Listing quality (10% weight)85
    Local standing (8% weight)50
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Minoan Crete: Knossos Palace, Winery Visit and Lunch at Peza: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Heraklion.

    How much does Minoan Crete: Knossos Palace, Winery Visit and Lunch at Peza cost?

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    Prices start at $220 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Heraklion usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.

    How long does Minoan Crete: Knossos Palace, Winery Visit and Lunch at Peza take?

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    Plan for about 7 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 Heraklion is not rushed.

    Is Minoan Crete: Knossos Palace, Winery Visit and Lunch at Peza worth it?

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    It holds an Outty Ranking of 64 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.6/5 across 18 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Heraklion, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule Minoan Crete: Knossos Palace, Winery Visit and Lunch at Peza?

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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 Minoan Crete: Knossos Palace, Winery Visit and Lunch at Peza suitable for kids and families?

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    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 7-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book Minoan Crete: Knossos Palace, Winery Visit and Lunch at Peza?

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    Around 6 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 Heraklion 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 Heraklion and add a light layer if any part of the 7-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Minoan Crete: Knossos Palace, Winery Visit and Lunch at Peza 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 Heraklion 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 Heraklion?

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    On Outty we rank every Heraklion experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Knossos - Zeus Cave - Old Traditional Villages-Olive Oil Factory, Knossos & Lasithi Plateau: Zeus Cave, Villages, Olive Oil Tour, Quad Safari: Off-Road Day Tour with Dinner & Transfers. 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 Heraklion?

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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 Heraklion?

    +

    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 Minoan Crete: Knossos Palace, Winery Visit and Lunch at Peza?

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    Included: Lunch; Wine Tasting of 5 indigenous Varieties; Chauffeured premium vehicle at your disposal; In-vehicle air conditioning; and Personal pick-up & drop-off. Not included: Any Personal Expenses; Tour Guide at Knossos Palace. There ae Tour Guides upon extra charge at the entrance of th; and Admission fees. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.

    Does Minoan Crete: Knossos Palace, Winery Visit and Lunch at Peza include hotel pickup?

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    Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 726 listed pickup locations in and around Heraklion. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.

    What languages is Minoan Crete: Knossos Palace, Winery Visit and Lunch at Peza 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 Minoan Crete: Knossos Palace, Winery Visit and Lunch at Peza?

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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 Minoan Crete: Knossos Palace, Winery Visit and Lunch at Peza wheelchair or stroller accessible?

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    The operator notes: Specialized infant seats are available. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.

    What happens to Minoan Crete: Knossos Palace, Winery Visit and Lunch at Peza if the weather is bad?

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    It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Heraklion. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.

    What do travelers say about Minoan Crete: Knossos Palace, Winery Visit and Lunch at Peza?

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    Across 18 reviews averaging 4.6 out of 5, recurring themes include food and drink, the guide, knowledge and storytelling. The tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers. One thing to know: Several reviewers comment on how the schedule is paced.

    What booking options are available for Minoan Crete: Knossos Palace, Winery Visit and Lunch at Peza?

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    There are 3 options to choose from, including Pick-up From Heraklion Area, Pick-up from Elounda, Pick-up from Rethymno. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.

    Ready to lock in your spot?

    Pick a date, choose your group, and see the exact price for Minoan Crete: Knossos Palace, Winery Visit and Lunch at Peza.

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