Knossos Palace
Discover Ancient Greek civilization and its architecture starting at Knossos Palace, vital during Classical and Roman eras. Built 3700 years ago, it remains significant today. Explore the Throne of King Minos, Minoan Civilization murals, and more in this historic site.-
Jump right to the start of the queue with these tickets so that you can get right to exploring the archeological site of Knossos Palace.
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Marvel at the Throne of King Minos, an astonishing relic that survived centuries, and feel the power that once echoed here.
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The entirety of these ruins is spread across 1000 pieces, some of which have been restored since the site was first excavated.
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Want to dig deeper into the tales of the palace? Enhance your exploration by choosing the a small group guided tour or an audio guide to explore at your pace.
-
Fun fact: The Minoans at Knossos had advanced water and sanitation systems, even hot and cold water, extraordinary for that era.
More details
-
Jump right to the start of the queue with these tickets so that you can get right to exploring the archeological site of Knossos Palace.
-
Marvel at the Throne of King Minos, an astonishing relic that survived centuries, and feel the power that once echoed here.
-
The entirety of these ruins is spread across 1000 pieces, some of which have been restored since the site was first excavated.
-
Want to dig deeper into the tales of the palace? Enhance your exploration by choosing the a small group guided tour or an audio guide to explore at your pace.
-
Fun fact: The Minoans at Knossos had advanced water and sanitation systems, even hot and cold water, extraordinary for that era.
-
Discover the wonderous history of two of the top historical attractions in Crete – the Heraklion Archaeological Museum and the Knossos Palace.
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With an in-depth English audio guides – downloadable onto your smartphone – this is definitely a hassle-free and informative way to visit two outstanding locations.
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At the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, you'll see exquisite pieces of Cretan art, prehistory, and history – over 5,500 years old from the Neolithic period to Roman times.
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Some significant exhibits include Phaistos Disc, Snake Goddess, Stone Bull's Head Rhyton, and much more.
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Move through the corridors of the once-luxurious Knossos Palace, explore the South Propylaeum – showcasing everyday life in ancient times – and learn about the Minoan economy and trade networks at the West Magazines.
More details
-
Discover the wonderous history of two of the top historical attractions in Crete – the Heraklion Archaeological Museum and the Knossos Palace.
-
With an in-depth English audio guides – downloadable onto your smartphone – this is definitely a hassle-free and informative way to visit two outstanding locations.
-
At the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, you'll see exquisite pieces of Cretan art, prehistory, and history – over 5,500 years old from the Neolithic period to Roman times.
-
Some significant exhibits include Phaistos Disc, Snake Goddess, Stone Bull's Head Rhyton, and much more.
-
Move through the corridors of the once-luxurious Knossos Palace, explore the South Propylaeum – showcasing everyday life in ancient times – and learn about the Minoan economy and trade networks at the West Magazines.
-
Bypass the queues and explore Crete's Knossos Palace on a small-group guided walking tour to delve into the ancient Minoan kingdom.
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Your guide will help you navigate the labyrinthine palace, decipher frescoes, and spot ancient symbols like the bull horns and double axe.
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Explore the Queen's megaron, adorned with a copy of the famous Dolphin fresco, and the Throne Room, filled with intricate statues of griffins.
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Wander the palace's Central Court, once a bustling marketplace, where subtle dips and hidden channels hint at the Minoans' advanced drainage system.
-
Did you know? Knossos's position wasn't random. It aligns with a sanctuary at Mount Juktas to the south, suggesting a religious connection.
More details
-
Bypass the queues and explore Crete's Knossos Palace on a small-group guided walking tour to delve into the ancient Minoan kingdom.
-
Your guide will help you navigate the labyrinthine palace, decipher frescoes, and spot ancient symbols like the bull horns and double axe.
-
Explore the Queen's megaron, adorned with a copy of the famous Dolphin fresco, and the Throne Room, filled with intricate statues of griffins.
-
Wander the palace's Central Court, once a bustling marketplace, where subtle dips and hidden channels hint at the Minoans' advanced drainage system.
-
Did you know? Knossos's position wasn't random. It aligns with a sanctuary at Mount Juktas to the south, suggesting a religious connection.
-
Explore Knossos Palace, the largest Bronze Age site on Crete and the ceremonial hub of the Minoan civilization, an absolute feast for history enthusiasts.
-
With the pre-booked e-ticket, dive straight into your journey into the past, find a copy of “Prince of the Lilies” at the South Entrance Corridor and more.
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The self-guided audio tour, available in 5 languages, lets you discover the beauty and trade secrets of Minoan times.
-
The cupbearers and procession frescoes at the South Propylaeum offer valuable insights into daily life and ceremonies in Minoan Crete.
-
Fun fact: The palace was so large that it could have housed up to 100,000 scrolls, making it potentially one of the largest libraries of the ancient world.
More details
-
Explore Knossos Palace, the largest Bronze Age site on Crete and the ceremonial hub of the Minoan civilization, an absolute feast for history enthusiasts.
-
With the pre-booked e-ticket, dive straight into your journey into the past, find a copy of “Prince of the Lilies” at the South Entrance Corridor and more.
-
The self-guided audio tour, available in 5 languages, lets you discover the beauty and trade secrets of Minoan times.
-
The cupbearers and procession frescoes at the South Propylaeum offer valuable insights into daily life and ceremonies in Minoan Crete.
-
Fun fact: The palace was so large that it could have housed up to 100,000 scrolls, making it potentially one of the largest libraries of the ancient world.
-
Enjoy a self-guided tour of the Heraklion Archaeological Museum – home to the most historic Minoan artifacts in Greece and in the world.
-
With an English audio guide – which you can download onto your smartphone – this is definitely a hassle-free and informative way to visit the Museum.
-
You'll see exquisite pieces of Cretan art, prehistory, and history – over 5,500 years old from the Neolithic period to Roman times.
-
Some significant exhibits include Phaistos Disc, Snake Goddess, and Stone Bull's Head Rhyton while the most ancient frescoes include the Bull-Leaping Fresco, Prince of the Lilies, and much more.
-
Listen to your informative guide for both a history tour and 80+ interesting stories. You can even repeat this audio guide after your Museum visit.
More details
-
Enjoy a self-guided tour of the Heraklion Archaeological Museum – home to the most historic Minoan artifacts in Greece and in the world.
-
With an English audio guide – which you can download onto your smartphone – this is definitely a hassle-free and informative way to visit the Museum.
-
You'll see exquisite pieces of Cretan art, prehistory, and history – over 5,500 years old from the Neolithic period to Roman times.
-
Some significant exhibits include Phaistos Disc, Snake Goddess, and Stone Bull's Head Rhyton while the most ancient frescoes include the Bull-Leaping Fresco, Prince of the Lilies, and much more.
-
Listen to your informative guide for both a history tour and 80+ interesting stories. You can even repeat this audio guide after your Museum visit.
Pro tips to help you make a pick
Beat the crowds by arriving early in the morning when the palace opens. Not only will you have more space to explore, but you'll also capture the best photos without throngs of tourists in the background.
The palace grounds span a considerable area, and you'll be doing a lot of walking, so opt for comfortable footwear.
Crete's Mediterranean climate can be scorching, especially during the peak tourist season. Carry a refillable water bottle to stay hydrated as you explore the extensive ruins.
Please refrain from touching or climbing on the ruins, and be mindful of signage indicating restricted areas. Help preserve this archeological wonder for future generations to enjoy.
Consider joining a guided tour to gain deeper insights into the palace's history and significance. Knowledgeable guides can unravel the mysteries of Minoan culture and point out hidden details you might otherwise overlook.
About Knossos Palace
Knossos Palace stands as a testament to the grandeur of ancient Minoan civilization. It is the largest Bronze Age archeological site in Crete and features labyrinthine passageways adorned with vibrant frescoes that depict scenes from everyday life in Minoan times.
Knossos Palace is renowned as the place where Linear A writing originated. It is an ancient script that, intriguingly, remains only partially deciphered to this day.
Remarkably advanced for its time, Knossos Palace had an intricate plumbing system featuring clay pipes and drainage channels.
Minoan society held a deep appreciation for artistic expression, and Knossos was its grand canvas. Artisans showcased their exceptional craftsmanship and creativity through exquisite pottery, intricate jewelry, and stunning metalwork found within the palace grounds.
Evidence suggests that Knossos, along with other settlements, faced destruction due to a massive volcanic eruption on the nearby island of Santorini. This natural disaster reshaped the landscape and spelled the decline of the Minoan civilization.
Why visit Knossos Palace?
Highlights
Plan your visit
- The last admission to the Knossos archaeological site is 15 minutes before the closing hours.
- The closing time may vary according to special occasions and public holidays. On Good Friday the site opens at 12pm and closes at 5pm. On Holy Saturday, the palace is open from 8am to 4pm.
- The Knossos Palace remains closed to visitors on 1 January, 25 March, 1 May, Easter Sunday, 25, and 26 December.
The shop sells souvenirs inspired from the Greek heritage.
Toilets are located at the entrance of Knossos Palace.
There is a coffee bar at the entrance of Knossos Palace.
Knossos Palace is accessible to wheelchair users.
Service animals are allowed.