Heraklion Full-Day Private Tour: Phaestos/Matala/Gortys - <p align="justify"><strong>This tour will take us 60 km (37 miles) to Phaestos (guided visit) and beyond it to Matala, a drive through perhaps the most beautiful countryside in Crete. On our way back, we will have a guided visit at Gortys.</strong></p>

This tour will take us 60 km (37 miles) to Phaestos (guided visit) and beyond it to Matala, a drive through perhaps the most beautiful countryside in Crete. On our way back, we will have a guided visit at Gortys.

Heraklio Phaestos Disk: Still a Mystery

We drive southwest of Heraklion, beyond the mountains and through Crete's unique scenery, the beautiful vineyards of the southern area of central Crete, to the plain of Messara, the largest plain in Crete. We go past Gortys to first reach Phaestos, as there is very little shade there and we want to avoid being at Phaestos at mid-day. At Phaestos, the second major Minoan site and situated overlooking the beautiful Messara plain, we can explore both the original complex destroyed by fire and earthquake and the complex that replaced it.

After our visit here we head for Matala, the port of Phaestos and Gortys in antiquity, a modern holiday resort today. We spend mid-day at Matala, having a swim in the bay that is protected by the small sandstone promontory with the famous Neolithic caves, and lunch (optional).

Please, do not forget to wear a hat and comfortable shoes, as we will have to walk through the archaeological sites under a hot sun. Bring along your cameras with lots of memory or film, as well.

Notes:

For rates please contact us, as they depend on the number of participants. The tour can be realized by taxi, mini van or bus of adequate capacity.

From:

Photo Gallery

Heraklion Matala Beach with Caves

Heraklion Matala Caves

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