Crete: Lassithi Plateau, Zeus Cave & Kera Monastery Tour

Duration9h

Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before

Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away

TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted

LanguagesEnglish

Group sizeUp to 46 travelers

Pickup offeredSee the meeting and pickup details below

Overview

Your day begins at the historic Kera Kardiotissa Monastery, a peaceful nunnery surrounded by dramatic mountain scenery and known for its miraculous icon and 14th‑century frescoes. You then continue into the Lassithi Plateau, an inhabited highland framed by the Dikti Mountains, dotted with traditional villages, old windmills, and fertile fields shaped by Venetian engineering. The tour includes the legendary Cave of Zeus near Psychro, mythological birthplace of Zeus, where impressive stalactites and stalagmites create a mystical atmosphere. In Psychro, you also visit a local pottery workshop to see traditional ceramics. Your final stop is Tzermiado, the plateau’s oldest village, where you can enjoy free time and optional lunch with fresh local produce. On the return, you visit a traditional olive oil factory to learn about production and taste high‑quality Cretan olive oil.

What's included

Live Tour Guide
Air-conditioned vehicle
Insurance

• Extras at coffee breaks, Lunch
• 2 € - Monastery
14 € Optional by reservation. The menu includes pork chop or chicken and potatoes cooked in the oven, Greek salad with feta cheese, tzatziki, bread, a glass of wine or a non-alcoholic drink
Entrance to the Cave of Zeus

What to expect

Kera Kardiotissa Monastery
45m · Admission ticket not included

Panagia Kera, which played a major role and suffered significant damage during the Cretan Revolt
Lassithi Plateau
30m · Admission ticket included

Pottery workshop, where you can watch the skilful craftsmen make beautiful ceramic pots.
Windmills Of Lasithi Plateau
Pass by

The whole Plateau was once covered with 10.000 windmills and it's considered as the biggest windmill park of the world. Today there are only a few left.
1h 30m · Admission ticket included

According to ancient mythology, this is the birthplace of Zeus, the father of the gods, hidden here by his mother Rhea to protect him from Kronos. A short uphill path leads to the entrance, where the temperature drops and the atmosphere becomes almost otherworldly. Inside, dramatic stalactites and stalagmites form natural sculptures shaped over thousands of years, creating a mystical setting that blends geology with myth. The cave’s depth, echoing chambers, and cool air offer a striking contrast to the bright plateau outside, making this visit a memorable highlight of the Lassithi region.
Psychro
20m

Traditional Pottery Workshop
The village of Psychro is known for its long tradition of handmade ceramics, a craft passed down through generations. During your visit, you step inside a local pottery workshop where artisans shape clay using time‑honored techniques. You watch the process from raw clay to finished piece, learning how everyday objects and decorative items are formed, fired, and painted. This stop offers an authentic glimpse into the craftsmanship that has defined the Lassithi Plateau for centuries and adds a cultural dimension to your journey.
Tzermiado
1h 15m

Tzermiado, the main village of the Lassithi Plateau, known for its traditional stone houses and beautiful mountain views. Here you will have free time to relax, stroll through the quiet streets, and enjoy lunch at a family‑run tavern. The dishes are prepared with fresh, locally grown ingredients—Lassithi is famous for its vegetables and authentic Cretan flavors—offering a genuine taste of village life.
Malia
30m

Olive Oil Factory Visit
The final part of your day includes a visit to a traditional olive oil factory at the foothills of the Lassithi area. Here you discover how extra virgin olive oil is produced—from the harvesting of local olives to the cold‑pressing methods that preserve their rich flavor and nutritional value. You follow each step of the process and learn what defines true Cretan quality. The visit concludes with a tasting of extra virgin olive oil and other local products, offering a delicious glimpse into the region’s agricultural heritage.

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

The pickup time is at 08.50 a.m. for hotels Chrissi Ammoudia, Cretan Garden, Villa Malievi, Mylos Appartments

Meeting point

Pickup at 7:30 a.m. at the bus stop Vagias the direction to Heraklion for all Hotels Neptuno Hotel, Georgias Garden, Vaya Suites

Meeting point

Pickup at 9:20 a.m. at the corner of the restaurant. Meeting point for guests from Aegean Sky, Aeolos Beach, Ammos Htl, Argo Studios, Dessole, Drossia Palms, Minoa Htl, Stelios Garden, Theodosis Apts, High Beach, Malia Beach, Malia Mare, Golden Bay, Triton, Ilios Malia, Malia Princess, Danaides.

Meeting point

Pickup time is at 7.45 am on the main road, in front of the Seefood Market.

Meeting point

Pickup time is at 7.45 am on the main road, opposite, in front of the entrance to the hotel.

Meeting point

Pickup time is at 7.45 am on the main road, in front of the entrance to the hotel.

Meeting point

Pickup time is at 7.45 am on the main road, in front of the entrance to the Museum.

End point

The pickup time is at 08.50 a.m. for hotels Chrissi Ammoudia, Cretan Garden, Villa Malievi, Mylos Appartments

End point

Pickup at 7:30 a.m. at the bus stop Vagias the direction to Heraklion for all Hotels Neptuno Hotel, Georgias Garden, Vaya Suites

End point

Pickup at 9:20 a.m. at the corner of the restaurant. Meeting point for guests from Aegean Sky, Aeolos Beach, Ammos Htl, Argo Studios, Dessole, Drossia Palms, Minoa Htl, Stelios Garden, Theodosis Apts, High Beach, Malia Beach, Malia Mare, Golden Bay, Triton, Ilios Malia, Malia Princess, Danaides.

End point

Pickup time is at 7.45 am on the main road, in front of the Seefood Market.

End point

Pickup time is at 7.45 am on the main road, opposite, in front of the entrance to the hotel.

End point

Pickup time is at 7.45 am on the main road, in front of the entrance to the hotel.

End point

Pickup time is at 7.45 am on the main road, in front of the entrance to the Museum.

Pickup details

Pick-up and drop-off are provided from the main road or designated hotel exits in the areas of Malia, Stalis, Hersonissos, Analipsi, Anissaras, Gouves, Gournes, Kokkini Chani, Heraklion, Ammoudara. Please mention your place of stay when booking so we can confirm the nearest available pickup point.

Additional information

Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Reviews

3.8 (12)