The Palace of Knossos
The Palace of Knossos
4
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
About
This prehistoric archaeological site is located just outside the island's capital city, surrounded by beautiful hills. You'll be transported back in time as you explore the ruins and learn about the fascinating history of this ancient city. The Throne Room is a highlight, with stunning frescoes that have survived for thousands of years. Make sure to visit early in the day, especially during summer, to avoid the long lines under the hot sun. You can also get skip-the-line tickets on a walking tour, that includes commentary from a knowledgeable guide. There are also combo tickets that include the Heraklion Archaeological Museum. – Tripadvisor
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  • Wistraveller365
    Munich, Germany143 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great experience
    I recommend using a guide tour can do a private tour or you can jump in with a group. I also recommend getting the museum trip also. There is a lot of history and although they have signs to read someone with more experience telling the story will make it a better experience. We walked around without a guide and had a fabulous time looking at 4000 yrold history. Easy walking and signs were in Greek and English.
    Visited April 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written April 1, 2023
  • Christian A
    2 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A pleasurable day at the minotaurless Palace of Knossos.
    As a World History teacher, this place has been on my list for a long time. Rathe than hire a guide we opted to download the audio tour app. We were not disappointed. Love our time exploring the labyrinth which is Knossos!
    Visited April 2023
    Traveled with friends
    Written April 2, 2023
  • John T
    Aviemore, United Kingdom191 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A well run tour of Knossos Palace and Herakleon
    Excellent tour guided using radio audio equipment by expert Roxanni. We booked through our Mitsis hotel. A couple of hours history of the 3500-year-old regards of the Minoan palace at Knossos, followed by a tour of central Herakleon. A couple of hours free time, then an optional guided tour of the Museum containing amazing artefacts from the Minoans, bronze age inhabitants and Romans. Coach picked us up and dropped us off at our hotel, the Royal Mare. Trip price included admission to Knossos and the Museum, some tours are cheaper but do not include admission.
    Visited April 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written April 10, 2023
  • Ian B
    Sixpenny Handley, United Kingdom96 contributions
    3.0 of 5 bubbles
    Nice day out, shame about the poor quality workmanship on what was imagined it should look like.
    It was a good experience and we enjoyed walking around and taking in the views. There were good boards to help explain the palace. One thing was clear, some guy called Arthur Evans basically got them to build it up in line with his imagination- which seamed strange. I am no builder, though clear to see the mortar work was appalling and it had been re-pointed even force. An Archeologist would have a fit.
    Visited April 2023
    Traveled with family
    Written April 14, 2023
  • Cameltamer
    Amman, Jordan273 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    The main reason to visit Heraklion
    Took a taxi from Harbor to site . Paid 13 euros and trip was only 12 minutes. Their Wi-Fi service is terrible. Walked around without a guide and took us 2 hours Reconstructed few areas to put you in the feel of what it was . Most employees there want to help but their English is too weak.
    Visited April 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written April 17, 2023
  • Albert B
    Cincinnati, Ohio395 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Do not miss
    Great experience off the cruise ship. We rode a taxi both ways from square next to the archaeological museum in town. About 15 minutes and 12-15 euros. It's also a stop on the hop on hop off buses. Fairly easy walk about for these 70 year olds. VERY NICE gift shop. Ticket was 15 euros (20 euro option with museum in town). Discount for Seniors from EU. You can skip the expensive ship tours. Go early in the day to perhaps beat some of the crowds (judge by the number of cruise ships in port)
    Visited April 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written April 26, 2023
  • rosebug
    3,298 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A Must See if visiting Crete
    Bought skip the line tickets, so no queuing, straight to the turnstile and in! I was so excited to finally be visiting this important archaeological site that I had learnt about 50 years ago in Classical Studies, and it did not disappoint. And the backdrop to the Palace of hills and trees are so beautiful too. There are shops and places to eat and drink inside the entrance and just across the road. We had a leisurely look around and spent just over 2 hours there.
    Visited April 2023
    Traveled with friends
    Written May 1, 2023
  • Telont
    Worcestershire, United Kingdom81 contributions
    3.0 of 5 bubbles
    Palace of Knossos
    It was an interesting visit where we learned some of the historical background including Crete ownership. It is pretty much a well run down ruin but the guide had pictures to show what the palace looked like originally. It's pretty rocky and not easy for people with trouble walking. You can purchase a ticket to include the Archaeological Museum in Heraklion at a saving.
    Visited April 2023
    Written May 7, 2023
  • Caroline
    Portsmouth, United Kingdom88 contributions
    3.0 of 5 bubbles
    Historical place, interesting just too busy
    Really interesting place to visit, very old and alot of palace to see. Cost us 20 euros each to get in which to be honest is a tad expensive really. It did include the museum but didn’t get to see it as it’s so busy and full of tourists.
    Visited May 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written May 9, 2023
  • Marina K
    Vantaa, Finland3 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Knossos
    The palace of Knossos was really interesting experience! But I truly recommend going with a guide because then you can get the most out of it. There’s a lot of stairs so it might be a bit hard to move so be prepared with a pair of good shoes and a har is a must since there’s no shadows where to hide. Overall it was really nice historical site to visit.
    Visited May 2023
    Traveled with friends
    Written May 25, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

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TravelingMamaB
Los Angeles, CA46 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2022
What an enchanting place! I recommend you hire a skilled guide to help bring the place to life (I HIGHLY recommend Ioanna or Fontini of Tour Guides Crete). It is harder to get a true sense of the place without the guidance and knowledge of experienced guides. There is signage but it is simplistic and limited only sharing a fraction of what you're actually seeing and why. This is simply a MUST visit site in Crete if history, culture, and myth are of any interest to you at all.

Be sure to buy the combination ticket that allows you entrance to both Knossos and the Archeology Museum in Heraklion (a must visit in conjunction with Knossos). Wear a hat and sunscreen as it can be hot and sunny. We went in the late afternoon (16:00-18:30) and it was pretty uncrowded and we heard that during the morning the cruise ships come in and the place is crowded with tour groups. When we were there, it wasn't overly crowded at all and it was a Sunday in June. There is a sweet cafe at the entrance that is a great spot for a refreshing beverage or an ice cream at the end of your visit to help cool you off. There are restrooms and a small gift shop that is pretty basic (I saw much better and more interesting souvenirs in shops near the archeology museum in Heraklion).
Written June 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

DinglishGirl
Utrecht, The Netherlands25 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2021 • Couples
This was high up on our of things to do while in Crete. When we arrived we met a local guide called Maria who offered tours to small groups for €20 per person. We 100% recommend going around this site with a local guide. They're rich with information you wouldn't get from the boards dotted around the site, explain the uses of rooms and if you go with Maria, she's got print outs of what rooms and artifacts look like (she was a primary school teacher so knows how to capture an audience!)

We visited this place with a joint ticket to the museum which saved money and enhanced the trip.
Written September 22, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

David D
Devon, UK20,544 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2020 • Couples
Friday 28th August and we visited this historic site, which dates back to the first settlement to about 7000 BC and the first palace dates to 1900 BC. It has been referred to as Europe's oldest city.

As we approached the entrance we were offered a guided tour of the Palace, not sure how much, but we declined.

Entry fee €15, we were each give a badge, with the caption "I visited Greece in 2020",  a small gift for visiting.

As we entered we were given a free map of the site, by the owner of the Restaurant, we were also invited to return for a drink or food when we had seen the Palace.

The size of the site is a massive 10 square kilometres, equivalent to almost 4 square miles. The Palace area is 14,000 metres squared.

There are 2 routes around the site, one taking about 25 minutes and the other about 45 minutes, we chose the shorter one.

Some of the first things we saw were statues of Minos Kalokairinos, he was the first to undertake excavations of the ancient site. The second was a statue of Sir Arthur Evans who continued Kalokairinos's excavations. There were 3 periods of excavation 1900 to 1931, 1957 to 1960 and 1969–1970

Another notable statue/monument  we saw on our way around was the Bulls Horn Statue.

We also passed the Kouloures 3 very large well shaped structures.

Everywhere we went there was something to see including the Grand staircase, the Charging bull fresco and the Pillar Crypts

The highlight of our trip around was visiting the Throne Room (due to social distancing measures entry was restricted and a bit slow). Luckily it was not busy when we visited so no long wait.

It was a real delight walking through and clambering over this ancient site.

There is a restaurant and an archeological site/museum shop by the entrance.

Be aware that it was extremely hot here and mostly exposed with very little shade, so headwear and sun screen are advisable as is sturdy footwear.

There is a large free car just a short walk from the entrance to the Palace.

There are a number of tavernas and souvenir shops along the road from the car park up to the entrance of the Palace.
Written September 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Mark
United Kingdom5 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2021
I enjoyed this for the reasons that many are dissatisfied, the concrete slabs (painted with trompe d’oeil wood patterning) the rebuilding in a mix of ancient and 20th century style, the imagination of the archaeologist and the influences on and by Art Deco style, the painting of de Chirico and the interconnections with modernist conceptions as well as a truly postmodern style of overlapping histories is quite impressive!

Recommend to read Cathy Gere ‘Knossos and the Prophets of Modernism’ it’s so helpful to viewing the site in a positive way.

The place isn’t a typical historic visit, it’s more like science fiction.

Late afternoon visit until 8pm was not busy and cooler temperatures.
Written August 29, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Anne Louise
59 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2022 • Couples
We were there at 8.30 and walked right in, to buy tickets and to go inside. We talked to a guide outsize who said that the price for two people would be 100euros, but if we waited and found two more english speaking, it would be 50euros pr couple. We bought the app 'knossos guided tour' and brought our own headphones to listen to it along the way (3 euros) if a big group had joined the guide, we would have chosen that (and preferably paid about 10euros each) . We spent about 1/1,5 hours there and at 10am it was FULL of people and a looong que to go in and to buy tickets. It is very interesting to hear about how awesome the minotaurs were. I would recommend going here if you're around😊
Written August 18, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Paula V
The Villages, FL149 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2022 • Couples
Do not miss Konossos Palace. This dig and the thousands of artifacts, mosaics, frescos found are amazing and from ancient Minoan period. Some can be seen here, but the majority are at the Archeological Museum in Heraklion. The Palace is all outside, so dress appropriately.
We stayed at the Aquli Atlantis Hotel (wonderful, see review) which was around the corner from the Museum and a 3 min. walk to bus stop for Konossos. Every 15 min. BUS #2 Leaves for Palace. Drops you off across the street. You walk a few yards to the right to see entrance. The first building is a place where official Greek tourism guides will ask you if you want a tour. They charge €80 for group, not per person, which was a lot cheaper than we paid on Get Your Guide. The busses run regularly from the Palace back to Heraklion. That bus stop is right next to the entrance.
The next building is where you pay. They provide a small brochure in Greek, which will not help in any language. The site has good descriptive signs of what you are looking at. Also you can buy and download your own audio tour off of other web sites.
I did this for the Heraklion Museum through Clio Muse Tours online and it was excellent.
You have to see the Palace and all of the artifacts in Museum. It does not matter in which order. Though seeing the Palace first might make more sense of artifacts. I read a lot about the Palace and Minoans before I went, so I did not learn anything new on the tour. The Museum is very well laid out and descriptions are in Greek and English.
It truly was something we will never see again. We went to Akritori at Santorini which is another incredible dig from ancient times.
Written January 29, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

tjaayuk
Oxfordshire, UK15 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2022 • Family
We purchased the skip the line tickets which were a waste of time as we then needed to queue to purchase tickets for our children, despite being told they were free when booking online. One member of staff was very hostile as we did not bring passports to show our 6 and 9 year old were under 13 - it’s pretty obvious they are when you look at them!! He was aggressive and tainted the experience.

I would recommend a tour, as we attempted without and information was not particularly accessible therefore meaning it wasn’t easy to appreciate the scale and context of the palace.

Not the greatest experience and sadly an outlier in terms of the kindness and hospitality of all other Greek people.
Written August 29, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

david s
Crewe, UK74 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2022
If you love your archaeology and ancient Greek, then this is the place for you, The palace is a treasure trove of what it was like to live in ancient Greece, a lot of the site has been re-structured but what remains is fascinating, and its well worth the 15euros to get in. Although i would highly recommend the duel pass for the museum of Archaeology which is situated at the top of the hill near the bus station in the city of Heraklion. Its easy enough to do yourself for 30 euros so dont bother with the excursions sold by travel companies at a cost of 65euros. The Museum pass also lasts for 3 days so plenty of time to do both, although we did both on the same day. Also a top tip, go early in the morning or later in the afternoon as when its hot, its blimmin hot. Well worth a visit
Written June 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Drew186305
Crich, UK289 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2020
Being a history buff I really enjoyed the visit. It was very hot though, even in September and face masks had to be worn. To think that these ruins are between 8,000 & 9,000 years old is mind blowing. May possibly be worth having a guide if you are in a big group as the guide books you can purchase before entering are a little disappointing. Be sure to avoid the tavernas outside the entrance/exit as they are very expensive and you have to buy your olive oil and vinegar for your food separately!!
Written September 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

franckydoudou
Ambilly, France569 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2020
we did a private tour with a guide for 40EUR very worth it for just the two of us, the place is awesome, very interesting.. I did not know much of the Minoan civilisation before, incredible to learn so much on the very first Europan one in History (back almost 4000 years).
site is large ot as much as Pompei or Ephesus much very big for a place that old and well upkept too.
the tickets are at 15EUR but if you go first at the Archeological Museum of Heraklion you can buy a combined ticket for the two places for just 20EUR.
Written August 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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