5 Lasithi Plateau Tours in Heraklion to Build a Day Around

1.Knossos, Lasithi, Lasinthos and Olive Farm Combo Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 351 reviews · from $50Our pick

Spend 10.5 to 11 hours exploring Crete from Heraklion. Visit Vidiani Monastery, Lasinthos Eco Park, Krasi’s ancient plane tree, an olive mill, and Knossos Palace with a live guide. The day includes hotel pickup, air-conditioned transport, and time for local food and shopping.

“Very interesting tour. Guide was very knowledgeable and at the Palace brought a guidebook to show us pictures of what the ruins would have looked like. The coach was full, and those who got on later seemed to struggle to sit together. It took an hour to pick everyone up, so we were on the coach for 1h30 before the first stop. The pottery workshop consisted of watching a potter for 5 minutes on his wheel (electric) creating a basic piece. Only the children were invited to have a turn afterwards-there were only 3 wheels, so no possibility of everyone having a go like the tour description had suggested, which…”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Knossos & Lasithi Plateau: Zeus Cave,Villages, Olive Oil Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 328 reviews · 7 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $127Top rated

Travel from Heraklion in a Wi-Fi-equipped minivan to an olive oil press, Krasi, the Lasithi Plateau, Zeus Cave, a mountain taverna, Mochos, and Knossos. Guides such as Marinos, Nikos, and Angie add local stories and flexibility. Zeus Cave is closed for restoration until summer 2026.

“An amazing small group tour across the mountain regions, a stop at an olive oil factory and a visit to Knossos Palace. Everything was relaxed and perfectly timed – we didn’t feel at all rushed. The beauty of this tour was that unlike larger tours, we were able to visit areas that coaches simply cannot access. The best part of the day was having Nikos as our guide – what a warm and friendly person with an hilarious sense of humour! Thank you, Nikos, for making this a truly unforgettable day”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Lasithi Plateau-Cave of Zeus for Cruises Heraklion Port

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 26 reviews · 7 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $132

From Heraklion port, you’ll visit Knossos and the Cave of Zeus, enjoy a traditional lunch on the Lasithi Plateau, taste olive oil and honey, and stop in Krasi. Expect about 7 to 8 hours, roughly 2.5 hours of driving, and a guide such as Kostas.

“Kostas was excellent. Helpful, knowledgeable, flexible, and entertaining. He also gave us homemade delicious treats.”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Knossos and Lasithi Plateau Full-Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.7 · 25 reviews · 7 - 8 hours · from $47Best value

Travel by bus from Heraklion-area hotels to Kera Monastery, Lasithi Plateau, Psychro, Tzermiado, and Knossos. A bilingual guide, such as Roxanna on some departures, explains Minoan myths and local traditions. Check the cave and museum arrangements before booking, since both have caused confusion.

“The trip was amazing. The views were incredible. The tour guide Roxanna was very informative. She had a passion for Greece and its history, very proud to share the culture, beliefs, traditions and customs of old civilizations and people. The visit to the monastery was breathtaking, the lunch stop at a local Lasithi restaurant on the plateau was beyond delicious. The proud host claimed that it was the best food in all of Crete, he told no lies. Butterflies were everywhere, making the feel at 900 meters above sea level feel magical. The afternoon brought us to the Palace of Knossos where we were greeted by a loud & boisterous…”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Zeus Cave -Olive Oil Factory – Traditional Villages

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 10 reviews · 6 to 7 hours (approx.) · from $167

Travel from Heraklion in a small group of up to eight with an English-speaking driver-guide. Visit an olive oil mill, Kera Monastery, Dikteon Cave, Lasithi’s windmills, Agios Georgios, and Krasi. Lunch, water, WiFi, and hotel-lobby pickup are included. Guide George is praised for his warmth and flexibility.

“This tour was on of the best excursions our family enjoyed while on holiday in Greece. Our tour guide, George, was extremely knowledgeable, extremely kind, a great conversationalist, and was a joy to be around. The mountainous scenery of Crete is jaw-dropping and some of the sites he took us to were unforgettable experiences! The lunch was also incredible!! Again, this tour is a must while in Crete!”

Check availability →Read our full review