Cave Of Zeus
- 6 hours
- Free cancellation up to 24h before
- 5 languages
- Instant confirmation
Highlights
Embark on a captivating journey that begins in the cosmopolitan town of Agios Nikolaos and leads to the traditional village of Kritsa, rich in history, myths, and Byzantine charm. Wander through its picturesque alleys and visit an olive oil factory where you’ll enjoy a guided tour, learn about the production process, and taste local olive varieties. Continue through the serene landscapes of holm oaks and the ancient Cypress Forest of Minos as we ascend to the Katharo Plateau at 1250m, a place of natural beauty and home to fossils of the extinct Cretan dwarf hippopotamus. Next, explore the breathtaking Lassithi Plateau, said to be the birthplace of Zeus, once home to over 10,000 windmills and one of Europe’s earliest wind farms. Discover the region’s ancient pottery traditions by crafting your own clay creation to take home. Our final stop is the peaceful village of Krasi, where we admire the monumental 2,400-year-old plane tree beloved by Cretan author Nikos Kazantzakis.
Inclusions
What's included
- Bottled water
- Lunch
- Air-conditioned vehicle
What's not
- sightseeing entrance fee
Itinerary
The traditional village of Kritsa, a historic village rich in legends, gorges, archeological and religious monuments and monuments.
The Lower Plateau (altitude 1250m), a plateau famous for the Cretan dwarf hippopotamus fossils found in the area. The plateau has a wonderful landscape surrounded by many legends and stories dating back to the Ottoman era.
Lassithi Plateau (altitude 1150m). More than 10,000 traditional windmills operated in the area until a few decades ago. In the 1950s and 1960s, the Plateau was actually one of the first wind farms in Europe. The Diktaio Cave, that is, the birthplace of Zeus, is located in the village of Psychro (altitude 840m).
As we descend, we make a short stop in the village of Krasi and photograph the favorite plane of the famous Cretan writer Nikos Kazantzakis. The perimeter of the plane tree is about 24 meters and is estimated to be 2400 years old. It is also said that each measure of its perimeter corresponds to the age of 100 years.
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.
Reviews
4.8
- 542
- 42
- 31
- 22
- 10
Ratings come from 47 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.
Know before you go
- Pickup
- Pickup is included for everyone.
- Ticket type
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Group size
- Up to 10 travellers
- Operated by
- Safari Crete Experience
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
How it compares in Agios Nikolaos
- Its from-price is 27% below the median of the 25 day trips we list in Agios Nikolaos.
- Its length is typical for the group.
- By number of reviews it ranks 7 of 25.
- The operator lists free cancellation on it.
About Agios Nikolaos
Agios Nikolaos is a harbour town on Crete's Gulf of Mirabello, built around a small round lake and a ring of cafés, with Spinalonga island nearby.
Agios Nikolaos wraps around a hillside above Mirabello Bay in eastern Crete. At its heart is Lake Voulismeni, a small, almost circular pool linked to the harbour by a narrow channel and ringed by cafés and tavernas. Fishing boats and yachts fill the marina, and the town's small beaches, folk museum and archaeological museum lie within a short walk.
Top-ranked sights in Agios Nikolaos: Spinalonga, Katharo Plateau, Mirabello Bay.
Special offers in Agios Nikolaos
Was/now prices come from the operator, never from us.
