Archaeological Beauties of Crete: Gortyna, Phaistos, Matala and Zaros from Heraklion - Full-Day Tour

Meet with your guide at the terminal of Cretan Spiti Travel, across from the entrance of the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, in front of Hari’s Creperie, where we drive to Gortyna, the Roman capital of Crete and Cyrenaicaand was first inhabited around 3200 BC.

After the visit of Gortyna, we drive through valley of Mesara to visit the archaeological site of Phaistos and its palace, the most important center of the Minoan civilization, and the most wealthy and powerful city in southern Crete. After our visit to Phaistos, we drive to Matalawhere you will enjoy some free time to swim in the crystal clear waters and optional lunch.

Finally we arrive to Zaros, attractive, refreshingly unspoiled village famous for its spring water, which is now bottled and sold all over Greece, and an ideal base for walkers to explore the beautiful nature. Zaros also has some fine Byzantine monasteries, and delicious farm-raised trout served up in tavernas around town and on emerald-green Lake Votomoswhich will be visited. Later in the afternoon we return.