Heraklion and Knossos

Upon disembarking from your cruise, you will be picked up at the port by our guide, identified by the Shore2Shore sign.

During this excursion, we will travel back in time, 4000 years, no less, to the era of the oldest civilization in Europe, the Minoan civilization.

The Palace of Knossos, the center of the Minoan civilization, will leave us speechless as we discover the most emblematic architecture of that period; it is the most important of the Minoan palaces in Crete. It was built around 2000-1900 B.C. and rebuilt after suffering two destructions around 1700 and 1450 B.C. Besides being the residence of the kings, it probably served religious functions and redistributed economic resources. The complexity of its structure and abundance of rooms and corridors has led some to identify it with the mythical labyrinth of Crete. Highlights include the central courtyard, the piano nobile, the dolphin fresco, the storerooms containing the giant jars (pithoi), the throne room, the hall of the double axes, the grand staircase, the south gate of the complex, and the north Propylea corridor with the fresco of the famous charging bull, a symbol of Knossos and Minoan culture.

After this fascinating tour, we will board our bus to head to the city of Heraklion, the capital and business center of Crete, a picturesque and lively place. We will take a panoramic bus tour of the city and the Venetian harbor, where we will see the Byzantine Church of Saint Titus, dedicated to one of the island’s patrons, and the Lions Square with the famous Morosini Fountain. The square has been the center of life in Heraklion for more than a hundred years. During Arab rule, this place was the largest slave market in the Eastern Mediterranean. Later, during the Byzantine period, it was the residence of the governor of Heraklion. Today there are no residences in Lions Square, but many cafés, bars, and taverns, making it a lively meeting place for tourists and locals alike.

Heraklion is also home to the Archaeological Museum, one of the largest museums in Greece, which guests can visit on their own during free time to see unique elements of Minoan culture, or they can spend some free time strolling through the city’s central streets.

At the end of the excursion, return to the port for farewell.

       GENERAL INFORMATION 

• DURATION: BUS AND GUIDE AVAILABLE FOR UP TO 4 HOURS
• THE SERVICE INCLUDES APPROXIMATELY 30-45 MINUTES OF FREE TIME THAT CAN BE ENJOYED AT THE END OF THE EXCURSION.
   

        SUPPLEMENTS to be paid with the reservation

• KNOSSOS PALACE: 20.00€
• Free: EU residents under 25 years old and non-EU residents under 18 years old
• Free: Disabled persons with more than 67% disability with one companion.
• It is essential to present documentation to justify age/disability, etc.
• MANDATORY HEADPHONES INSIDE THE PALACE 3.50 €  
• It is the client's responsibility to carry documentation proving their status to benefit from possible discounts on the entrance fee. Acceptance or rejection of this documentation depends on the monument and not on our company, as this is not a procedure done in advance during booking.

This rate is from SHORE2SHORE and includes our management fees as well as banking fees and exchange rates. No claims will be accepted after the visit to the center.

• CLOSURE DAYS OF KNOSSOS PALACE AND HERAKLION: January 1, March 25, May 1, Easter Sunday, December 25 and 26.

        SUPPLEMENTS to be paid on site (optional)

• ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM: 12.00 € REGULAR FEE

        ALTERNATIVE PROGRAM ONLY FOR 05/01.

   City tour; churches of San Minas and San Titos, free time in the city center, visit to the tomb of N. Kazantzaki where, due to its location, a large part of the city of Heraklion can be seen. Then, it will be possible to visit the village of Arxanes on the outskirts of Heraklion and visit the ceramic workshop located on its outskirts.

REMARKS

• Easy level / Panoramic / Cultural
• It is recommended to wear comfortable footwear.
• Access to Knossos is not recommended for people traveling with wheelchairs or baby strollers due to uneven terrain.
• Access to the museum is fully compatible with wheelchairs and also baby strollers.