Private 6-Hour Tour: Lassithi Plateau, Kera Monastery & Optional Cave of Zeus

Quick info

Location: Lassithi
Tour highlights:
  • Scenic drive from Heraklion to the Lassithi Plateau (~2700 ft above sea level)
  • Visit Kera Monastery, dedicated to the Virgin Mary
  • Admire Byzantine icons, 14th-century frescoes & carved altar screens
  • Panoramic views of Mount Dikte, Pediada Valley, and the sea
  • Optional guided hike (~30 minutes) to the Cave of Zeus with stalactites & stalagmites
  • Learn the myths of Zeus, Cronos, and the goat Amalthea
  • Explore traditional Cretan villages along the way
Duration: 6 hours
Languages: English

What to expect

Your guide will greet you at Heraklion port with a sign, and you’ll board a private air-conditioned vehicle for a scenic mountain drive. As you ascend to the Lassithi Plateau, enjoy views of fertile fields, traditional villages, and remnants of thousands of white windmills that once powered the area.
Arrive at Kera Kardiotissa Monastery, where you’ll enjoy a guided visit highlighting its important Byzantine icons, frescoes, and wood-carved altar screens. The monastery also offers sweeping views across Crete’s mountainous landscape.
If you wish, continue to Dicteon Cave (the Cave of Zeus), where mythology places the birth and upbringing of Zeus. Reaching the cave involves a ~30-minute uphill hike and descending into a cavern filled with stalactites and stalagmites. This option requires good physical condition but offers a rewarding adventure.
The tour concludes with a scenic return drive to Heraklion, arriving back at the port on time for your ship’s departure.

Private 6-Hour Tour: Lassithi Plateau, Kera Monastery & Optional Cave of Zeus

This full-day excursion blends natural beauty, Byzantine heritage, and Greek mythology. Travel through winding mountain roads to the fertile Lassithi Plateau, once dotted with 10,000 iconic windmills. Visit the Kera Kardiotissa Monastery, renowned for its Byzantine icons and frescoes, before choosing whether to continue with a rewarding hike to the Cave of Zeus (Dicteon Cave), where legend says Zeus was hidden and nurtured as an infant. An experience of both cultural depth and adventurous spirit.

  • Private luxury vehicle with professional, non-smoking driver
  • Licensed professional guide for the full duration
  • All fuel, tolls & taxes
  • Personalized itinerary with flexibility
  • Liability insurance coverage for all guests
  • Entrance fees (Monastery ~€2, Cave of Zeus ~€6)
  • Meals & personal expenses
  • Gratuities (optional)

Itinerary

Why choose us

  • Expert Guidance – Licensed guides share the history, art, and mythology of Crete
  • Comfort & Safety – Modern air-conditioned vehicles, professional drivers
  • Customizable – Adjust pace and itinerary to your group’s preferences
  • Authentic Insights – Learn myths, legends, and traditions beyond the guidebooks
  • Cruise-Friendly – Guaranteed return to your ship on time, or all costs are covered

Useful Info & Extras

  • Total travel time: ~3 hours (round trip)
  • Walking distance: ~800m minimum; Cave visit requires extra uphill hiking (~30 mins)
  • Total steps: 420 (Cave of Zeus)
  • Restrooms available at the Monastery & Cave area
  • Shopping opportunities in nearby villages
  • Photography: No restrictions
  • Credit cards accepted at most stops
  • Recommended: comfortable shoes, sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, and light summer clothing
  • Private tours fully customizable to your interests and pace
  • Flexible timing to avoid peak crowds
  • Strenuous activity if visiting the Cave of Zeus (steep paths & uneven terrain)

Our Commitment to Quality Travel

  • Reduce single-use plastics during tours
  • Support local monasteries, artisans, and family-run businesses
  • Offset part of our carbon footprint through eco-initiatives
  • Promote responsible tourism at cultural and natural heritage sites

Booking

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