Our Phaistos private tour takes you to the second largest Minoan palace of Crete, high above the Messara plain, with pickup from your hotel and a driver who waits for you.
Phaistos, or more correctly the Minoan Palace of Phaistos, stands on a ridge above the Messara plain in south-central Crete, 55 km south of Heraklion. After Knossos it is the largest Minoan palace on the island. The first palace was built around 2000 BC and was rebuilt after it was destroyed by an earthquake.
The famous Phaistos Disc was found here: a clay disc stamped on both sides with a spiral of symbols that nobody has been able to read to this day. It is now in the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion. The site is close to the archaeological sites of Agia Triada and Gortyna and to the beach of Matala.
Phaistos private tour by taxi
A private tour means the car is only for you and your group. You choose the pickup time, how long you stay and where you stop on the way, and your driver takes you back to your hotel at the end. There is no fixed timetable and no crowded coach.
We pick you up from your hotel or address in Kolymbari, Chania, Platanias or anywhere in western Crete. A taxi takes 1 to 4 passengers and a mini bus 5 to 8; for bigger groups, up to 20 people, we send more than one vehicle. Every vehicle has air conditioning and satellite GPS tracking, and our drivers are professional, certified taxi drivers who know the roads of Crete well.
Plan your day
Phaistos is in the south of Crete, so it is a long day from the west of the island. A good plan is to visit the palace in the morning, before the heat, and then drive a few kilometres to Matala for lunch and a swim. If you love archaeology, add Gortyna or Agia Triada, which are nearby.
Good to know
- The site is on an open hill: bring a hat and water.
- Combine it with Matala for a swim after the visit.
Questions about the Phaistos tour
Where do you pick us up?
From your hotel or address. Tell us where when you book.
How many people can join?
A taxi takes 1 to 4 passengers and a mini bus 5 to 8. For groups of up to 20 people we send more than one vehicle.
Can we stop on the way?
Yes. It is your private tour, so tell the driver where you would like to stop, for a photo, a coffee or a swim.
Can we combine it with another tour?
Yes. Many places in Crete combine well in one day. Tell us what you would like to see and we suggest a route that fits the time you have.
Can you take us to the airport at the end of the day?
Yes. If you fly out the same day, we can end the tour at Chania Airport or Heraklion Airport. Tell us your flight time when you book.
Do you drive at weekends and on holidays?
Yes, we work 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Book the Phaistos tour
Send us a booking request with the date, the pickup point and the number of passengers, and choose this tour in our booking form. We get back to you with the price for the day and confirm the details. You can also call us on +30 28240 84575 or email info@taxi-kolymbari.gr. Prices are per vehicle, not per person: see the indicative transfer prices on our price table.
Find the palace of Phaistos on Google Maps, or see all our private tours in Crete.
