Crete: Lassithi Plateau, Zeus Cave & Kera Monastery Tour
(11) Reviews
Heraklion
About
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 ...
Highlights
9 hours
Offered in German (Deutsch) & 2 Others
Free Cancellation
Mobile Ticket
9 hours
Offered in German (Deutsch) & 2 Others
Free Cancellation
Mobile Ticket
What's Included
Live Tour Guide
Air-conditioned vehicle
Insurance
• Extras at coffee breaks, Lunch
• 2 € - Monastery
14 € Optional by preservation The menu incl. 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
Meeting Points
Departure
The Big Blue
The pickup time is at 08.50 a.m. for hotels Chrissi Ammoudia, Cretan Garden, Villa Malievi, Mylos Appartments
Return
Important 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.
•
For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
•
Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
•
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
•
This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
•
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
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Crete: Lassithi Plateau, Zeus Cave & Kera Monastery Tour
(11) Reviews
Heraklion
Select Date & Travelers
From
$42.00
Price varies by group size
About
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 ...
Highlights
9 hours
Offered in German (Deutsch) & 2 Others
Free Cancellation
Mobile Ticket
9 hours
Offered in German (Deutsch) & 2 Others
Free Cancellation
Mobile Ticket
What's Included
Live Tour Guide
Air-conditioned vehicle
Insurance
• Extras at coffee breaks, Lunch
• 2 € - Monastery
14 € Optional by preservation The menu incl. 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
Meeting Points
Departure
The Big Blue
The pickup time is at 08.50 a.m. for hotels Chrissi Ammoudia, Cretan Garden, Villa Malievi, Mylos Appartments
Return
Items | Crete: Lassithi Plateau, Zeus Cave & Kera Monastery Tour
Itinerary
1
Kera Kardiotissa Monastery
Panagia Kera, which played a major role and suffered significant damage during the Cretan Revolt
45 minutes
2
Lassithi Plateau
Pottery workshop, where you can watch the skilful craftsmen make beautiful ceramic pots.
30 minutes
3
Windmills Of Lasithi Plateau
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.
4
Cave of Diktaion Andron
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.
1 hour and 30 minutes
5
Psychro
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.
20 minutes
6
Tzermiado
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.
1 hour and 15 minutes
7
Malia
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.