Private Gortys, Phaistos & Matala Daytrip from Heraklion
Overview
Discover Crete’s ancient heritage and southern coast on a private tour from Heraklion to Gortys, Phaistos, and Matala. Travel comfortably with your English-speaking driver/guide and enjoy a flexible itinerary at your own pace. Begin at Ancient Gortys, once a powerful city and Roman capital of Crete, where you can explore remarkable ruins and the Basilica of St. Titus. Continue to Phaistos, one of the island’s most important Minoan palace sites and the place where the mysterious Phaistos Disc was discovered. Finish in Matala, a picturesque coastal village famous for its rock-cut caves and hippie heritage. Enjoy free time to explore, have lunch, relax on the beach, or swim in the Libyan Sea before returning comfortably to Heraklion.
What's Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Fuel and Tolls
- Water
- WiFi on board
- Hotel or custom pickup and drop-off
- All taxes and handling charges
- Professional English-speaking local driver/informal guide
- Meals and beverages
- Tips and Gratuities
- Phaistos Archaeological Site
- Licensed guides available to accompany you inside the attractions
Meeting and Pickup
Your Welcome Pickups driver will be waiting for you at the selected pickup location and time.Before your ride, you’ll receive your driver’s details — including their name, phone number, and car information — so you can easily recognize them.Your driver will arrive on time and be ready to assist you and any special requests before starting your journey.Please note that our sightseeing tours does not automatically include airport pickup or drop-off. If you wish to start or end your tour at the airport, simply select the option with airport pickup included when booking if available.Kindly share any special requirements, such as traveling with a service animal or needing extra assistance, when booking your ride. This ensures a smooth and enjoyable experience for you.
What To Expect
Book Online
Safe & secure Easy breezy Hassle‑free
Heraklion
1 hour Admission Ticket Free
Gortys
2 hours Admission Ticket Free
Archaeological Site of Phaistos
2 hours Admission Ticket Free
Matala
3 hours Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Specialized infant seats are available
- For 1–4 people: A comfortable sedan will be assigned to your group.
- For 5-8 people: A spacious minivan will be assigned to your group.
- For 9-12 people: A private minibus will be assigned to your group.
- Throughout your ride, our drivers serve as informal local guides—sharing stories, history, and local tips at every stop. Please note that drivers are not permitted to enter museums or archaeological areas, but they’ll ensure you make the most of your visit with suggestions and background information before you explore on your own.
- Some stops on your itinerary may be closed on the date of travel due to public holidays, maintenance or special events. We recommend verifying opening hours on the attraction’s official website or contacting us before your tour. If a stop is unexpectedly closed, we will try to offer a suitable alternative.
Frequently Asked Questions (8)
Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Private Gortys, Phaistos & Matala Daytrip from Heraklion?
Cancellation Policy
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Activity code: C-117866P142
Traveler Photos
Reviews
Average 3.33 out of 5 stars based on 3 traveler reviews collected by Cool Shore Excursions and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor
Additional Info
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Frequently Asked Questions (8)
The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from Cool Shore Excursions customers.
Filter by:
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (EET).
- Hotel pickup and drop-off.
- Fuel and Tolls.
- Water.
- WiFi on board.
- Hotel or custom pickup and drop-off.
- All taxes and handling charges.
- Professional English-speaking local driver/informal guide.
- Meals and beverages.
- Tips and Gratuities.
- Phaistos Archaeological Site.
- Licensed guides available to accompany you inside the attractions.
This tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Apr 2025There is no minimum age for this tour, so bring your wee one along for an adventure..
Apr 2025If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.
If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.
Apr 2025Accessibility information for the Private Gortys, Phaistos & Matala Daytrip from Heraklion is as follows:
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Private Gortys, Phaistos & Matala Daytrip from Heraklion will be included in your confirmation email from Cool Shore Excursions. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!
Mar 2024Once your refund is processed, it usually shows on your card statement within 5–10 business days. The exact timing depends on your bank or card issuer.
Want it sooner? When you cancel, choose Receive a refund to my wallet instead. The credit is in your Wallet straight away and is applied automatically at checkout on your next booking when you’re signed in with the same email. You can see your balance any time in My Wallet.
If you paid part of your booking with Wallet credit, that part always goes back to your Wallet. Trip protection isn’t refundable.
Oct 2026What's Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Fuel and Tolls
- Water
- WiFi on board
- Hotel or custom pickup and drop-off
- All taxes and handling charges
- Professional English-speaking local driver/informal guide
- Meals and beverages
- Tips and Gratuities
- Phaistos Archaeological Site
- Licensed guides available to accompany you inside the attractions
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Specialized infant seats are available
- For 1–4 people: A comfortable sedan will be assigned to your group.
- For 5-8 people: A spacious minivan will be assigned to your group.
- For 9-12 people: A private minibus will be assigned to your group.
- Throughout your ride, our drivers serve as informal local guides—sharing stories, history, and local tips at every stop. Please note that drivers are not permitted to enter museums or archaeological areas, but they’ll ensure you make the most of your visit with suggestions and background information before you explore on your own.
- Some stops on your itinerary may be closed on the date of travel due to public holidays, maintenance or special events. We recommend verifying opening hours on the attraction’s official website or contacting us before your tour. If a stop is unexpectedly closed, we will try to offer a suitable alternative.
