Knossos Palace, Museum & Rethymno city Private Tour from Chania
Description
Step back in time on this unforgettable day trip as we explore the roots of European civilization. Our first destination is the legendary Palace of Knossos, the heart of the ancient Minoan civilization. Walk through the ruins of this grand archaeological site and hear the fascinating myths that surround it — from the Labyrinth and the Minotaur to the tale of Daedalus and Icarus. Next, we visit the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion, one of the most significant museums in Europe. Here, you’ll marvel at over 15,000 artefacts that bring the vibrant Minoan world to life — from frescoes and jewelry to tools and ceremonial items. To complete our day, we travel to the charming city of Rethymno, where you’ll have free time to wander through the narrow streets of the old town, discover its Venetian and Ottoman architecture, and enjoy the blend of history, culture, and Cretan hospitality that makes this city so unique.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Knossos, the heart of the Minoan civilization, lies 5 km southeast of Heraklion, in the valley of the river Kairatos. Crete’s most famous historical attraction, he site is considered to be the largest Bronze Age archaeological site on the island and is referred to as the oldest city in Europe. Knossos was first inhabited by a Neolithic settlement in the seventh century BC. It stayed inhabited for several thousands of years until it was finally abandoned in 1375 BC after its destruction, which marked the end of Minoan civilisation. In 1878, the first large-scale excavation was undertaken by the wealthy art-lover Minos Kalokairinos, while Crete was still under Turkish occupation. This was followed by the long-term excavations (1900-1913 and 1922-1930) of Sir Arthur Evans, who uncovered the whole surrounding area of Knossos.
The Archaeological Museum of Heraklion is one of the largest and most visited museums in Greece. It is also among the most important museums in Europe. It is home to artefacts from all the periods of Cretan prehistory and history. The exhibitions cover a chronological span of over 5,500 years from the Neolithic period to Roman times. The Minoan collection contains unique examples of Minoan art, many of them true masterpieces. The Archaeological Museum is located in the centre of Heraklion and was built between 1937 and 1940 by the architect Patroklos Karantinos. It was built on a site previously occupied by the Roman Catholic monastery of Saint-Francis which was destroyed by earthquake in 1856. The colors and construction materials used in the building, are similar to certain Minoan wall-paintings.
Rethymno is situated at the northern coast of Crete about in the middle between the two large cities Chania (58 km West) and Heraklion (79 km East). It is the only town on the island, which is built on a cape. There are two sides of Rethymno offering two styles of visit: the endless big beach and the old town with its mix of architecture and history. The large Venetian castle “Fortezza”, which dominates the city, countless orthodox and catholic churches, mosques, the old lighthouse, majestic mansions of Venetian architecture, arches and cobbled paths, which create a magical atmosphere, have inspired thousands of visitors to pause and take a picture.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Contact us to define your pick up location!
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- 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
Reviews(79)
We had an amazing private tour to Knossos Palace from Chania, and it was one of the best experiences of our trip to Crete. Christine was a fantastic guide! She is very knowledgeable, friendly, and passionate about the history of Knossos and Crete. We learned so much and never felt rushed, and she was happy to answer all of our questions. Our driver Thanos was incredibly kind, professional, and made the long drive comfortable and stress-free. We felt well taken care of from the moment we were picked up until we returned to Chania. If you're thinking about visiting Knossos from Chania, I highly recommend this private tour. Having Christine and Thanos made all the difference! They were a wonderful team, and they helped make our day truly memorable. We would definitely do it again!
Thank you so much Nikol for your wonderful review! We are truly delighted to hear that your private tour to Knossos Palace was one of the highlights of your trip to Crete. Christine will be thrilled to know that her passion for Crete made such a positive impression. She loves sharing the island's rich heritage, and it's always rewarding to hear that guests enjoyed learning and exploring at a comfortable pace. We are also very happy to hear your kind words about Thanos. Providing a safe, comfortable, and relaxing journey is something we take great pride in, and we're glad he helped make the long drive enjoyable. Your recommendation means a great deal to us, and we sincerely appreciate you taking the time to share your experience. It was our pleasure to be part of your visit to Crete, and we hope to have the opportunity to welcome you back for another memorable adventure in the future!!
I highly recommend a tour with Thanos and Christine. We learned so much about Crete culture and history and Minoan civilization. The ride to Heraklion from Chania was very comfortable as Christine shared with us about customs and traditions and food of Cretans. Most importantly, she was very receptive with all the questions. Thanks Christine and Thanos for a memorable tour.
Thank you so much Yen for your wonderful review and for choosing to tour with us! We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed learning about Crete’s rich history, Minoan civilization, and local traditions. Christine will be especially happy to know that her stories, recommendations, and conversations made the journey from Chania to Heraklion both comfortable and enjoyable. We always encourage questions, so it’s great to hear that this helped make your experience even more memorable. It was a pleasure having you with us, and we truly appreciate your kind words about both Christine and Thanos. We hope to welcome you back to Crete in the future for another unforgettable adventure. Safe travels!
Booked this private bus tour for my family and it was simply amazing. The driver and guide, Thanos and Christine, were very kind, polite and friendly. They took care of us all day and made sure We were comfortable the entire trip. The tour allowed us to see the ruins of Knossos, Museum, town of Rethymno and a local Oil factory. Everything was worth to be seen. Can only recommend this tour operator and his team.
Thank you so much Erik for your wonderful review! We are delighted to hear that you and your family had such an enjoyable experience with us. We are thrilled to know that our kindness, professionalism, and care made your day so special. It means a lot to us that you enjoyed every stop on the tour, from Knossos and the Archaeological Museum to Rethymno and the local olive oil factory. Your recommendation is greatly appreciated, and we hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you and your family back to Crete for another unforgettable adventure in the future!!
Christine & her team blew this tour out of the park for us! We enjoyed learning all about Chania & Crete. The private tour through Knossos was a huge plus & enjoyable, I’m glad we set up the agenda to go there before the museum because the history was so helpful! We opted to go on an olive oil mill tour and it was so interesting to taste & learn more about the process! This team was so easy & flexible to work with and after the tour Christine gave us delicious local spots near our hotel to try. If we visit Chania again, we will be using SeaByBus again!
Thank you so much for your wonderful review Gabrielle! It was truly a pleasure meeting you and showing you the history, culture, and flavors of Crete. We're so happy you enjoyed visiting Knossos before the museum—that combination really helps bring the Minoan history to life. It's also great to hear that the olive oil mill tour was a highlight and that you enjoyed learning about one of Crete's most cherished traditions. Thank you for your kind words about our team. We always strive to create flexible, personalized experiences, and we're delighted that our local recommendations added to your stay in Chania. We look forward to welcoming you back to Crete in the future. Until then, safe travels, and thank you again for choosing SeaByBus!
Our private tour to Knossos was one of the highlights of our trip. Hiring a private guide was absolutely worth it! They brought the history to life with fascinating stories and insights that we never would have gotten on our own. The experience exceeded all of our expectations, and we left with a much deeper appreciation for the site. We also visited Elafonisi Beach with a different tour company. While the beach itself was beautiful, after seeing the quality and service of SeaByBus, I wish we had booked our Elafonisi trip with them instead. Based on our experience, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend SeaByBus for anyone looking for a well-organized and memorable tour in Crete.
Thank you so much Angela for sharing your wonderful experience with us. We truly appreciate your kind words and are so happy to hear that your private tour to Knossos became one of the highlights of your trip. It is always our goal to do more than simply visit a place — we want our guests to feel the stories, understand the history, and connect with the spirit of Crete. Knowing that our explanations and insights helped bring Knossos to life means a lot to us. We also appreciate your trust and your recommendation of SeaByBus. Every tour we create is designed with care, attention, and a personal touch, so our guests can enjoy a relaxed and unforgettable experience. It was a pleasure having you and your kids with us, and we hope to welcome you back to Crete in the future for more beautiful discoveries!!
Christine and Thanos were excellent guides, we loved learning about Crete and touring Knossos and the Museum. We had a memorable trip, enjoyed our lunch and our time with our guides, and highly recommend this experience.
Thank you for your wonderful review George! We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed exploring Crete with Christine and Thanos. Sharing the island’s rich history, culture, and traditions is something we are passionate about, and we're so pleased that your visits to Knossos and the Heraklion Archaeological Museum were such memorable experiences. It’s also great to know that you enjoyed your lunch and the time spent with your guides throughout the day. Your recommendation means a great deal to us and motivates us to continue creating authentic and enjoyable experiences for our guests. Thank you for choosing SeaByBus, and we hope to welcome you back to Crete again in the future!
Well worth the road trip! We experienced history, culture and traditions of Crete. Our guide was very knowledgable and it was nice to have a separate driver so that she could focus on our interests and share information.
Thank you so much Megan for your wonderful review! We're delighted to hear that you found the trip well worth the journey and enjoyed experiencing the history, culture, and traditions of Crete. It's especially rewarding to know that your guide's knowledge and personalized approach helped make the day memorable. Having a dedicated driver allows our guides to focus fully on sharing insights and tailoring the experience to our guests' interests, so we're glad you appreciated that. We hope to welcome you back to Crete for another unforgettable adventure in the future! 😊
Palace of Knossos private tour was fantastic. Our wonderful driver picked us up from the boat port and took us to the site. Our tour guide was incredibly knowledgeable and fantastic. I am so glad I went. The company, Chania Private Tours, makes you feel safe and welcomed. One of the best vacation experiences I have ever had. I highly recommend them.
Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re thrilled you enjoyed your Knossos tour and felt safe and welcomed with our team. It was our pleasure to be part of your vacation, and we truly appreciate your recommendation. We hope to see you again in Crete!
We had an amazing day with Christine and Thanos. Our day was filled with Greek history and culture, and the tour was thoughtfully crafted with breaks along the way. Christine was a wonderful guide, and provided helpful context of Knossos palace, even though we didn’t book a guided tour. Her and Thanos provide welcomed knowledge of Cretan traditions, food, and culture along the way.
Thank you so much for your lovely 5-star review! It was such a pleasure spending the day with you. We’re really happy to hear that you enjoyed the balance of history, culture, and the relaxed pace of the tour with the breaks along the way. Your kind words about the experience at Knossos and the insights into Cretan traditions, food, and culture truly mean a lot to us. We always try to make each tour feel authentic and enjoyable. We’re especially grateful for your kind mention of us—it was wonderful meeting you, and we hope to see you again in Crete someday!
Fantastic - Christina and driver were ouatanding
Thank you so much for your wonderful 5-star review! It truly means a lot to hear that you enjoyed your tour of Knossos and the Archaeological Museum. I’m really glad you had a great experience exploring the history and stories of this incredible place. As locals, we always aim to make each tour engaging, informative, and memorable, so your kind words are very much appreciated. We hope to welcome you back to Crete again in the future!
