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Rethymno Regional Unit Rainy-day activities

Our most recommended Rethymno Regional Unit Rainy-day activities

From Rethymno: Knossos Palace and Heraklion City Day Trip

1. From Rethymno: Knossos Palace and Heraklion City Day Trip

Take the hassle out of visiting Crete's capital and the Palace of Knossos with transport arranged for you. Relax on a day tour including hotel pickup, a transfer to the palace, then Heraklion, and drop-off back at your hotel in Rethymno. Take your time exploring the attractions at your own pace. After hotel pickup, head straight to the first stop, the Palace of Knossos. Marvel at the ruins of the neolithic settlement and explore the ceremonial and political center of the Minoan civilization. Discover where thrilling legends, such as the myth of the Minotaur and labyrinth, were born. Next, stop at Heraklion, where you will have 3 hours of free time to spend as you wish. Explore the city and visit the archeological museum. Buy some souvenirs. Grab a coffee, or tuck into a delicious lunch at a local restaurant. Then, climb back on the bus to be returned to your hotel in Rethymno.

Chania/Rethymno: Knossos & Heraklion Archaeological Museum

2. Chania/Rethymno: Knossos & Heraklion Archaeological Museum

Following pick-up from your hotel in Rethymno, travel along the northern coast of Crete by comfortable bus. Make your way to the archaeological site of Knossos, where King Minos built his palace. Get a 2-hour guided tour of the monument, designed by Daedalus in such an intriguing way that no visitor was said to find their way out without the help of a guide! Journey through the incredible history of King Minos and the Minoan civilization, and hear about some of the legends of Crete at what was once the island's largest palace. Then, drive to the ancient city of Heraklion to take a guided tour of the Heraklion Archaeological Museum. Learn more about the island at what is considered to be one of the finest museums in the world dedicated to Minoan art with its many galleries of historic frescoes, jewelry, statues and more. Get some free time for coffee or lunch, and shop for souvenirs in the city center before the return journey to Rethymno. 

From Rethymno: Full-Day Knossos and Heraklion Tour

3. From Rethymno: Full-Day Knossos and Heraklion Tour

Journey back in time and visit the Minoan palace at Knossos on a day trip from Rethymnon. Learn more about the ancient civilization at the Heraklion Archaeological Museum. Depart from Rethymnon, head eastwards along the north coast. Pass the city of Heraklion and continue towards the inland of Crete until you reach the tour's highlight – your visit to the Palace of Knossos. Later, continue towards the inland of Crete until you reach the tour's highlight – your visit to the Palace of Knossos. This is one of the most significant archaeological sites in the world, a cradle of European culture and the center of the Minoan civilization. Journey through the incredible history of King Minos and the Minoan civilization, and hear about some of the legends of Crete at what was once the island's largest palace. Hop off the bus and start your guided tour if you choose the guided tour option, or enjoy about two hours of free time through the detailed story of the Minoan period and hear about both the Minotaur and Ariadne.  Afterward, the bus brings you to the heart of the capital city of Crete, Heraklion. There you have the chance to visit the archaeological museum, where you can see and learn about the Minoan period while accompanied by your guide (if choosing the Heraklion tour option). Have two hours of free time in Heraklion. Board the bus again at 6:00 PM the bus will depart on its return journey to Rethymnon.

Heraklion, Malia, & Agia Pelagia: Day Trip to Knossos Palace

4. Heraklion, Malia, & Agia Pelagia: Day Trip to Knossos Palace

The most famous landmark of Crete, Knossos, is the absolute “must” for everybody who decides to spend his or her vacation on our beautiful island. On one of the most impressive archaeological sites in Greece, we find the center of one of the most powerful civilizations of the ancient world and through the excavations, the legends and the history of the place we learn about its settlers: the Minoan people, the rulers of the Mediterranean. With its small palace, the room of murals, the royal tombs and the royal mansion, Knossos is probably the most significant token of a civilization that left such marks in history that can never be erased. The intricate structure of the palace corridors gave it the name Labyrinth, where, according to the myth, the legendary Minotaur used to live. The marvelous architectural plan, the use of rare and luxurious materials, the advanced techniques of construction and drainage system and the massive size of the palace of Knossos make it, even today, the most amazing sight on Crete. We return to the city to visit the newly renovated Archaeological Museum, which exhibits traditional architecture and preserves exquisite and valuable ethnographic and historical material from the ancient period of Cretan history. A stroll in the city of Heraklion will end up a perfect day –shopping in its modern stores, enjoying our coffee or lunch in one of its many restaurants or just exploring its superb medieval buildings. 10:00 Arrival Knossos Palace 12:00 Departure from Knossos Palace 12:20 Arrival Heraklion – Visit to Archaeological Museum (optional) 15:30 Departure from Heraklion Duration: app. 7 hours Stay in Knossos: app. 2 hours Stay in Archeological Museum: app. 2 hours Stay in Heraklion: app. 1 hour

From Elounda: Crete Christian Landmarks Private Tour

5. From Elounda: Crete Christian Landmarks Private Tour

Discover the remnants of centuries-old Christian monuments in central Crete. Take a private day trip from Agios Nikolaos or Elounda to dive into the rich religious history of the island. Follow the path walked by Apostle Paul thousands of years ago and admire imposing monasteries. Get picked up from your Agios Nikolaos/Elounda hotel or villa and take a journey to central Crete from north to south. Explore the land where Apostle Paul found fertile soils with lavish vineyards and olive groves stretching toward the horizon. Allow your guide to take you on a journey through history. Explore the village of Agios Myron and its holy cave, as well as the Pailani and Odigitria Monasteries. Meander through the Minoan wonders of the vast Messara Plain to take in magnificent views of Phaistos Palace. Finally, visit the village of Matala to unwind at the typical fish tavernas on the waterfront.

From Chania: Knossos Palace, Museum, & Wine Private Day Trip

6. From Chania: Knossos Palace, Museum, & Wine Private Day Trip

Discover some of the highlights of Crete on a day tour from Chania. Travel in luxury in a private chauffeured vehicle. See the striking frescoes of Knossos Palace, explore Heraklion and its archaeological museum, and soak up the local wine and food culture with recommendations from your guide. After hotel pickup, travel to the Palace of Knossos. Use the luxury vehicle's free Wi-Fi, charge your phone, or tuck into snacks on the drive. On arrival, explore the ruins and frescoes of Knossos Palace with your local guide who specializes in history and archaeology. See where myths were born. Next, visit the heart of central Crete, a rich Minoan land of olive groves and wine-red earth. Visit boutique award-winning estates to sample Cretan vintages with divine flavors. Then, soak up the entire collection of unique artworks at the Heraklion Archaeological Museum at your own pace. In the evening, take a stroll through the fortified city of Heraklion. Get recommendations from your guide on where and what to eat and drink. Dazzle your senses with delicious aromas of garlic and basil pouring from superb restaurants with local cuisine. Finally, return to your hotel in Chania.

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What people are saying about Rethymno Regional Unit

A wonderful excursion. -Super organized! In Knossos (2h) and Heraklion (3h) you have enough free time to visit everything, to go shopping and to eat out. Anastasia has a lot of interesting facts about Crete ready and charms with her open mindedness, friendliness and laughter. Costas chauffeured us to all program points. The value for money is excellent. The excursion with this provider can therefore only be recommended. 1a!

Nice service with pick-up and drop-off at your own hotel in a comfortable bus. Really good guide (clear English/German speaking) Had an exciting and informative trip to Knossos and Iraklion on 30.09.2022 with plenty of time on my own. Can definitely be recommended.

It was so easy to book the excursion. Everything went smoothly and as planned. The guide was professional and so easy to follow and understand. We enjoyed our day so much!

The entire trip was well arranged and the guide was excellent and had good knowledge of the places we visited. Great and lovely experience!

Anastasia and Costas were fantastic tour guides. There were good amounts of time at each location and a great combination for a day trip.