This significant archaeological site features the ruins of a grand Minoan palace, offering insights into one of the earliest advanced civilizations in Europe, and is home to the enigmatic Phaistos Disc.
Matala Beach, with its golden sands, turquoise waters, and ancient cliffside caves, exudes a laid-back, bohemian vibe reminiscent of its 1960s hippie days. Known for inspiring artists and musicians, the beach continues to radiate a sense of freedom and creativity. The breathtaking sunshine over the Libyan Sea, casting a warm glow on the cliffs, enhances its unforgettable charm. - Don’t forget to bring your swimwear, towel, and sunscreen!
Carved into the cliffs, these ancient Roman and early Christian tombs were later inhabited by 1960s hippies, creating a unique blend of ancient history and modern counterculture.
Located at the base of Mount Psiloritis, Zaros Lake is a serene freshwater lake surrounded by lush greenery, perfect for relaxing, hiking, and enjoying traditional Cretan hospitality. Zaros Lake is renowned for its tavernas, which serves fresh fish caught directly from the lake. -A stop for lunch here is optional but highly recommended.
Very good day out to southern Crete from Heraklion with George our driver and guide. We had plenty of time to see Gortyna and Phaistos. Also stopped at Matala to see the caves. Overall an excellent day and recommended to see the other important historical sites in Crete that can be easily reached from the Heraklion area.
This was a day full of interesting locations. Our host, George, shared a lot of information on the history of Crete and the greek language. He also knew the best place to have lunch with relaxing atmosphere and service where they greeted us like family. I highly recommend this tour of everybody, who wants to avoid tourist traps and enjoy the surrounding area of Heraklion.
Wonderful, informative tour with George! Highly recommend this southern tour of Crete. George was much more than a driver, very knowledgable and kept the tour stimulating.
I had a great tour with George. The archaeological sites were wonderful and I was able to enjoy them at my own pace. George was very knowledgeable and focused on providing the best experience. It was a very special day.
We set off early for our second day of exploration with George across southern Heraklion before reaching Knossos. George gave great advice in designing a perfect adventure for someone keen to see all the major representative archaeological sites within limited time - Caves and Matala Beach, Palace of Phaistos, Kalyviani Monastery, Gortyna Archaeological Site and Palace of Knossos - didn’t expect to be able to cover so much! Really delighted by the experience!!!
George took us to intimate, quite and lovely places, scenic views for rest and lunch, and intriguing situations such as the mysterious monastery Kalyviani deeply entwined in Greek politics and culture. His recollection of working in the olive groves for his family was vivid (how slippery the olive processing plants are and how hard it is to hold up an olive harvesting machine). We talked about the old stories and he noted (about myths) that on Crete they always produced more than they consume. At the end of the day we realized that George is now our friend in Crete. This is the guy you want to spend a day with.
We booked this tour for our first wedding anniversary in Crete and it was unforgettable. From the peaceful monastery to the Palace of Phaistos and the charming village of Matala, every stop was special and beautifully explained by our guide. The tour was flexible and we loved having two hours to swim and enjoy the crystal-clear waters of Matala beach. The highlight was our anniversary lunch at Vrachos Taverna with breathtaking sea views — the perfect way to celebrate. Highly recommended for anyone wanting an authentic and memorable experience of Crete.
We had a really lovely day with George, he arrived timely in a spotless vehicle. He brought supplies such as water and sun cream and added nice touches such as removing the headrests from the front passenger seating to provide a better view. George is a fabulous driver, driving carefully and considerately for both passengers and other road users. The trip is private so George is endlessly adaptable meaning the trip can be customised. He has some great stories to tell, and coming from Crete he knows his history well. I can thoroughly recommend him and his services.
We had a lovely trip today with Giogos. He took us to the hippy beach, an olive plantation to sample produce. A beautiful monastery also lunch at lake Zaros. He was informative and professional, whilst at the same time friendly and adaptable to suit what we wanted from our trip. Sunsud and his service was a brilliant personalised experience and I would highly recommend him. Jo (London)
We had a wonderful tour with George of various places in Crete. Our group was supposed to visit Santorini but got diverted to Crete instead. We couldn't have been happier. George is an exceptional guide who provided everything and more that you would want on a tour. Matala Beach was beautiful, and our stop at a small production olive oil facility was fantastic. We learned so much about the area that we really would like to visit Crete for an extended period of time.
George was an amazing guide throughout Crete. He was extremely informative, letting our group design the tour around our interests. Definitely recommend George great guy!
George was an excellent guide with much knowledge and love of Crete. We thoroughly enjoyed our day with him and you will too. We highly recommend booking with him and he will tailor the tour to your preferences with a smile. Scott & Brenda
George was an excellent guide with much knowledge and love of Crete. We thoroughly enjoyed our day with him and you will too. We highly recommend booking with him and he will tailor the tour to your preferences with a smile. Scott & Brenda
The following day, we continued our journey through Crete’s wonders. We had heard about Phaistos and its renowned Disk, as well as Matala, famous for its connection to the Flower Children, which made exploring these places even more exciting. Our son, Alkis, wanted to spend more time at the beach, so we adjusted the itinerary to include a visit to nearby Komos Beach. The view from the taverna on the hill was absolutely breathtaking! Yorgos, thank you for an extraordinary day!
We had an incredible day exploring South Crete! Visiting Matala Beach with its iconic caves and the Minoan Palace of Phaistos. The olive harvesting experience added a wonderful cultural touch, giving you a glimpse into Crete’s rich agricultural heritage. A day filled with history, natural beauty, and local traditions—truly memorable!
It's got everything I like. Great, simple food and drinks, rich history, great weather and people who are relaxed. The buses are a great way to travel, but timetables can be difficult to find
Our family’s second day trip with SunSud Tours was just as incredible as the first! This itinerary perfectly showcased the best of southern Crete’s beauty, history, and culture. Each destination was thoughtfully chosen—from the vibrant coastal views of Matala to the ancient wonders of Phaistos and the peaceful retreat of Zaros Lake. As a Liquor & Wine professional, I was thrilled that George added a stop at Zacharioudakis Winery, where we enjoyed exceptional wines and stunning vineyard views. At Zaros Lake, we savored the freshest brown trout we’ve ever had, and my son had the time of his life exploring the lake and watching the fish. George truly worked miracles for us—his knowledge, care, and genuine enthusiasm for Crete made the trip unforgettable. Huge thanks to SunSud Tours for another perfect day out. We look forward to many more adventures with them!
Absolutely breathtaking exciting day with Grecian coffee under the shade of olive trees in Gortyna. Out guide Giorgos, gave a fascinating account of the Minoan civilization of Phaistos as we walked amongst the pithoi and epistyle columns. Later we soaked up the Bohemian vibrations of Matala enjoying the sun and surf as well as ice cream and drinks. Winding through Cretan villages we enjoyed a wonderful afternoon in fresh fish and lamb chops at Zaros lake. Our guide provided a wonderful experience and provided an optional transfer to Chania with Venetian views and rich history. Highly recommend! 🌟
Immersed in ancient history and Roman trails with optional excursion to Gortyna in the morning complete with Grecian coffee. Our guide Giorgos provided fascinating history of the ancient Minoan site of Phaistos, replete with hieroglyphics and phithoi jars. Winding down at Matala we enjoyed the invigorating waves and relaxing Bohemian vibrations, catching waves and gourmet ice cream and drinks. Wi.ding through villages we arrived at Zaros lake for a hearty Greek style meal of lamb chops and fresh fish. Our guide Giorgois was very knowledgeable, humorous and hospitable, and even was available for transport service to Chania and provided excellent recommendations and fascinating conversations about Venetian and Grecian. Highly recommended!
This was our second day trip in Crete with Sunsud Tours and George - this time to the stunning Minoan Festos Palace and Matara Beach - and finally safely took us to Chania. We're a family of eight, travelling with young children and a baby, and time management is always a challenge, but George makes everything look simple and easy. It is extraordinary that he has orchestrated a day trip that perfectly fits our diverse needs and interests. The visit to Festus Palace is a fascinating experience. George's detailed explanations and fascinating story bring this ancient Minoan site to life, highlighting its historical significance and architectural splendor. His in-depth knowledge of the site's history and shared passion made the trip an unforgettable educational journey. At Matara Beach, George made sure we had plenty of time to relax and enjoy the stunning views, including the iconic caves. His insights into the cultural and historical significance of the region add another layer of appeal to our experience. George also exceeded our expectations by recommending family-friendly places to rest and take photos. A special highlight was witnessing local farmers harvesting olives and operating machines - an authentic experience of Cretan tradition. George's professionalism, attention to detail and ability to connect with everyone on our team, from kids to seniors, make this day extra special. I wholeheartedly recommend George and Sunsud Tours to anyone looking for a tailored, enriching experience in Crete!
Following George's recommendation, we had another unforgettable adventure! Matala Beach with its golden sand and caves wowed us, and the children enjoyed splashing around and exploring the area. Festos Palace mesmerized us with its ancient beauty. Lake Zaros was the perfect ending to the day: we enjoyed incredibly fresh trout, and the children were thrilled to feed fish and play by the water. Southern Crete is forever in our hearts!
For the second time, we trusted George of SunSud Tours with our adventures in Crete, and again he delivered an extraordinary experience. From Matala beach to Lake Zaros, every detail was spotless. George's expertise made the day extraordinary.
We were absolutely enchanted with the stunning landscape of southern Crete! The combination of the old Palace of Festo, the iconic caves and beach of Matala, and the serene Lake Zaros – where we tasted fresh trout – was the perfect adventure. Our driver, who was also our travel agent, arranged everything in the smallest detail, but still left room for spontaneity, allowing small surprises and “miracles” to happen throughout the day. It was a beautifully balanced journey that combined history, culture and natural beauty in a harmonious way! Highly recommended!
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