TAXI TOURS
ALLOW US TO BE YOUR GUIDE
Need a lift? We can help.
Crete's most reliable taxi service since 2005
We provide airport & port transfers, private excursions and personal driver services for more than 15 years. Our fleet of luxurious Taxis and professional drivers make your holidays in Crete safe & enjoyable! Taxi Crete guarantees high quality Taxi services in South and the island of Crete!
TAXI TOUR Gortys - Phaistos/ Phaistos - Matala
About 40 minutes drive south of Heraklion, in the plain of Messara, at the side of the main road, we find the archaeological site of Gortys. Also known as Gortyn or Gortyna is one of the most important cities in Crete with an unbroken history of 6,000 years and one of the most extensive archaeological sites in Greece.
The site is the first human habitation of Crete at the end of the Neolithic period (5th millennium BC).
We will visit the church of St Titus, the Odeon, the room of the Law Code and of course the plane tree of Zeus and Europa. The Law Code of Gortys treats matters of civil law, with no clauses on criminal or commercial law. Laws for marriage, divorce, theft, property of slaves and their condition, inheritance, etc are treats in 630-640 lines of which 605 are preserved.
The laws are strikingly liberal and progressive. They are not simply the laws of a Cretan city-state; they form the oldest Greek law code and are therefore considered the greatest contribution of Classical Crete to world culture!
Some kilometers west of Gortys we find the hills where is situated Phaestos Palace or Phaistos (the second major Minoan Palace in Crete after Knossos). Phaistos was the centre of religious and economic activities and his importance lies not only in its size but also in the fact that we have there a clear stratigraphical sequence of two successive palaces.
A destructive earthquake around 1700 BC brought the old palace to an end. Rebuilt, Phaistos continued to flourish during Archaic, Classical and Hellenistic times. It was destroyed by the Gortynians during the 3rd century B.C.
In the afternoon, we continue for Matala, ancient port of Gortys and Phaistos at the Libyan Sea. The artificial caves, carved into the north face of the coast, have been probably used as prehistoric dwellings and places of worship, while during the 1st-2nd century were used as tombs.
Later, during the 60's the caves were hosting a hippie commune and today, they are protected by the Archaeological Service.
The magnificent inlet of Matala features one of the best beaches in Crete. The turquoise blue sea invites you to sink and the charming village with the picturesque local taverns is waiting you to taste the local dishes.
Our tours are personal, interesting, and offer the best value for money. You can choose one of the suggested tours, or you can design your own customized tour. Of course, even our suggested tours can be customized, based on your interests and the time you wish to spend.
Pickup is included with both our private and small-group tours, and we will take you to wherever you want to go at the end of the tour.
Taxi Crete gives you the chance to visit Crete and discover her beauties as you deserve. Professionals, friendly and experienced drivers with proficient knowledge of the island’s destinations can stand up to your expectations for a safe comfortable travel.
Popular Destinations for Taxi, Matala, Kamilari, Kalamaki, Sivas, Pitsidia, Kommos, Kala Limania, Agia Galini, Lentas, South Crete, Mires, Tymbaki, Phaistos, Gortys, ports and airports in Crete.
Plan a tour with one or more destinations and enjoy pleasantly and without anxiety the beauty of Crete. For example, you can combine a tour of archaeological interest such as Phaistos Palace – Knossos Palace - Archaeological museum of Heraklion or religious interest such as Monasteries like Arkadi, Odigitria, Kalyviani or any other sights of Crete you wish. Traditional villages, water parks, cooking lessons, winery tasty tours etc are some of many places you can visit with us in Crete.
Alternative Taxi Tours
TAXI TOUR /South Crete to Heraklion Town - Agios Nikolaos - Elounda - 9 Hours tour/ ALLOW US TO BE YOUR GUIDE
TAXI TOUR / South Crete to Heraklion Town and Knossos Palace - 4 Hours tour/ ALLOW US TO BE YOUR GUIDE
TAXI TOUR / South Crete to Spili – Rethymno town - 6 Hours tour/ ALLOW US TO BE YOUR GUIDE
Heraklion airport “Nikos Kazantzakis” or Heraklion International airport, is the second busiest airport in Greece. Heraklion International Airport (IATA: HER, ICAO: LGIR) serves Heraklion and the municipalities of Aghios Nikolaos, Malia, Hersonissos, Stalida and Elounda in the island of Crete, being its main international gateway along with Chania Airport. Heraklion Airport is located 5 kilometers east of Heraklion city centre, nearby the town of Nea Alikarnassos.
Chania Airport has the airport code of CHQ and is officially known as the “Ioannis Daskalogiannis” International Airport. Chania Airport is on the Akrotiri (or Souda) peninsula, about 20 minutes’ drive (14 kilometres) from Chania.
Samaria Gorge - Agia Roumeli
The Samariá Gorge is a National Park of Greece since 1962 on the island of Crete – a major tourist attraction of the island – and a World's Biosphere Reserve. The gorge is in southwest Crete in the regional unit of Chania. It was created by a small river running between the White Mountains and Mt. Volakias. There are a number of other gorges in the White Mountains. While some say that the gorge is 18 km long, this distance refers to the distance between the settlement of Omalos on the northern side of the plateau and the village of Agia Roumeli. In fact, the gorge is 16 km long, starting at an altitude of 1,250 m at the northern entrance, and ending at the shores of the Libyan Sea in Agia Roumeli.
Gortys Antiquities
Starting from Gortyna where you will see beyond its archeological site and the evergreen plane tree where according to the legend Zeus met with Europe. A little further down in the same place you will find the monumental olive grove of Gortyna which occupies a huge area and has olive trees aged for many centuries. The most special of all is the so-called Gortyna Monument Olive, which is 16 centuries old and a Roman column has been incorporated into its trunk.
Phaistos Palace
A little further, from Gortyna you will find the impressive palace of Phaistos or Phaestos, where in antiquity it was the second largest city in Crete, after Knossos. It was built by Minos himself and was the most important and powerful city in Southern Crete. The first reference to Phaistos is made by Homer in his two great works in the Iliad and the Odyssey. One of the most important findings of the excavations at the Minoan palace of Phaistos was the discovery of the Disk of Phaistos where it is still one of the unsolved mysteries of the ancient world.
Beaches
Popular Beaches at South Crete
Matala beach is a large, wide, sandy beach.
Kokkini Ammos Beach (“Red Sand”) is south of Matala. To get to Kokkini Ammos Beach, you can either follow the footpath from Matala or go by boat.
Komos Beach is a spectacular beach many kilometres long, stretching from Matala to Kalamaki.
Kalamaki Beach is an organised beach in front of Kalamaki village, north of Matala.
Kokkinos Pyrgos Beach is also an organised beach with tavernas and cafeterias.
Agia Galini Beach is about 20 kilometres north of Matala. Agia Galini is a picturesque village set out in a horseshoe shape in the hills, well worth a visit.
Kali Limenes Beach is south of Matala, and is the best choice for days when a strong north wind is blowing. There are tavernas near the middle of the beach, so you can go there for a pleasant daytrip from Matala.
AgioFaraggo Beach is for nature lovers. You will need to walk down the gorge to get to the beach, unless you come by boat.
Triopetra beach, a beautiful beach with pebbles and a small natural bay on the eastern side.
Akoumia beach, a large pebble beach just next to Triopetra.
Plakias beach, a seaside village in South Rethymno with a long beach which provides umbrellas and sunbeds.
Fragokastelo Beach, a magnificent beach in South Rethymno next to the homonym Venetian castle.
Suggest your hidden gem and we will take you there!