Historical Heraklion City Tour with Knossos Palace & Old Market from Cruise Port

Heraklion, Crete's capital, offers a city tour with a guided visit to Knossos palace, exploring the old market and historic city center, then returning to the cruise port - an unforgettable mix of ancient and lively sights.

Highlights:

• Discover the Minoan Palace of Knossos
• Learn more about the most famous archeological site of Crete
• Explore the beautiful city of Heraklion on a walking tour by our Guide
• Wonder around its Venetian Harbor & lively streets in the Old Town
• Do your shopping at the lively and noisy old market of Heraklion

Includes:

• Pick-up and drop off from Heraklion Cruise Port (or Hotel)
• Transportation by Air-Conditioned bus with Professional Driver
• Guided tour in Knossos palace
• Walking guided Tour in the city
• All the legal taxes
• Liability insurance coverage by ALLIANZ

Not Included:

• Knossos Palace Ticket: 15 Euro
• Archaeological Museum Ticket: 12 Euro (Knossos&Museum combined ticket 20 Euro)
• Food and Drinks

Please note: We offer pick-up from various points such as Cruise port, hotels and bus stops. What to bring: comfortable shoes; water.

Itinerary:

Morning Pick-up: We will start collecting participants from pick-up points in the morning.

Bus Drive: 1 hour

1st stop: The Palace of Knossos 1 hour 20 minutes

Visit Knossos, the mythical labyrinth and ancient capital of Minoan Crete, 5000 years ago. Our participants will enter the Archaeological Site with our Representative in order to attend a Guided Tour for about 1 hour & 20 minutes and then enjoy some free time to take photos and admire the historic Minoan place.

People have to wait in line, in order to receive their tickets and enter the Palace. The waiting time is different during high-season months and peak times within the day.

Bus Drive to City Center: 30 minutes

2nd stop: City Center of Heraklion 3 hours

Walking Tour & Free time

Visit the capital of the Region and enjoy a guided tour in the center and the historical part of Heraklion, followed by 2 hours and 30 minutes free time at the old market, the city center or visiting the archaeological museum. Participants will have plenty of time to walk, do some souvenir shopping or just take photos.

Optional: Archaeological Museum of Heraklion

For those who wish to visit the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion, the choice is optional and will be without a guide as the Covid Regulation for visiting the museum as a group makes the procedure complicated and time consuming for the participants.

End of the tour Return to port/resorts:

Embarkation in the buses and drive back to the port and hotels where we gathered participants in the morning.

Bus Drive: 1 hour

Heraklion City and Knossos Palace Guided Experience

Knossos Palace tickets turn a visit to Heraklion into a layered experience that blends mythology, urban life, and deep history in one smooth tour. You get to explore Knossos Palace with a professional tour guide, walking through the legendary palace corridors linked to the Minotaur myth and the rise of the Minoan civilisation. This archaeological site feels different from many ruins in Crete, reconstructed enough to spark imagination yet authentic enough to feel ancient and real. After Knossos, the tour shifts pace in Heraklion, where a guided walk reveals Venetian walls, busy squares, and the old market. Compared to visiting alone with just a ticket and an audio guide, this guided flow adds context and saves time. It is a balanced experience, half ancient wonder, half modern city rhythm, all in one day.

Practical Tips Before You Go

A little preparation helps you enjoy both Knossos and Heraklion without stress.

• Wear sturdy shoes, paths at the palace are uneven
• Bring water, shade is limited at the archaeological site
• Expect queues for each ticket, especially in high season
• Morning visits are cooler and less crowded
• Keep your email confirmation handy for check in

With these basics, the tour feels relaxed and informative rather than rushed.

More Facts About This Experience

Knossos Palace is the most famous ancient site in Crete, dating back over 4,000 years and linked to the Minoan myth of the Labyrinth. Its bold red columns and frescoes inspired scenes in documentaries and historical films about early European culture. The site frequently appears in TV series focused on lost civilisations and archaeology. Heraklion itself hosts cultural festivals each summer, combining music, food, and history near the Venetian harbor. The contrast between Bronze Age ruins and lively city life is what makes this experience memorable and distinctly Cretan.

Complementary Experiences Around Heraklion

Travelers often extend their tour plans with nearby highlights. A day trip to Spinalonga Island and Agios Nikolaos from Heraklion adds moving history and coastal scenery. Nature lovers choose Balos Blue Lagoon and Gramvousa, famous for turquoise waters. For myth fans, Lassithi Plateau and Zeus Cave connect legends with mountain landscapes.

Who Would Enjoy This Experience

This experience suits first time visitors to Crete, cruise passengers, and travelers who enjoy guided storytelling. Couples and solo travelers appreciate the depth of the tour, while families with older children enjoy the myths of Knossos Palace. Anyone curious about history, cities, and culture will find this tour rewarding.