Minoan Crete
A crossing of Crete from Knossos to the remote, unrestored palace at Zakros in the far east, with the Heraklion museum taken first so the sites read clearly.
- Length
- 6 days · 5 nights
- Months
- March – May, October – November
- Stops
- 3
The route on a map
1 · 2 nights
Heraklion
Base for Knossos and the Archaeological Museum's Minoan collection.
2 · 1 night
Phaistos / Matala
The second Minoan palace, on a hilltop above the Mesara plain.
3 · 2 nights
Kato Zakros
The least visited of the four palaces, beside a quiet eastern cove.
Day by day
Day 1
Arrival and the museum
Sleep · Heraklion
Arrive and spend the afternoon at the Archaeological Museum.
Day 2
Knossos
Sleep · Heraklion
A full morning at the palace before the coach groups arrive.
Day 3
South to Phaistos
Sleep · Matala
Across the island to Phaistos and neighbouring Agia Triada.
Day 4
East to Zakros
Sleep · Kato Zakros
A long drive via Sitia to the remote palace of Kato Zakros.
Day 5
Zakros and Vai
Sleep · Kato Zakros
The palace ruins in the morning, the palm beach at Vai in the afternoon.
Day 6
Departure
Departure
Return drive to Heraklion for departure.