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Ancient Ruins in Crete

Ancient Ruins in Crete, Greece

Crete Ancient Ruins

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What travelers are saying

  • Mark
    Colchester, England, United Kingdom24 contributions
    Nice return visit, this time with children
    My wife and my second visit, 23 years apart. And now with 2 x kids in tow. We all enjoyed the visit but my youngest (11) wasn’t enjoying the intense heat.

    Biggest difference since 2000? Crowds.

    I remember a quieter Knossos with space to move around. This time it was packed, with queues for the throne room of 25 minutes in the full sun.

    We still enjoyed it and marvelled at the cultural experience. Would definitely recommend a visit and would certainly recommend arriving early to beat the worst of the crowds and the heat (if visiting in peak season).

    Review of: The Palace of Knossos
    Written September 9, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • ron m
    Houston, TX411 contributions
    Knossos Archaeological Site
    We did not book a tour in advance and just showed up at the site . We were immediately greeted by a nice lady who said she was a guide and for an extra euro 100 over the entrance fee for 4 adults we could avoid the line and have a private tour . We took her up on the offer and were glad we did . Don't think anyone could appreciate the visit without the explanation of various things your seeing and she did a good job of it . Our entrance fee to Knossos also included entrance to the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion ( a different location ) which is also well worth a visit.
    Review of: Knossos Archaeological Site
    Written September 16, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Hans
    Kwadendamme, The Netherlands2,904 contributions
    Interesting site
    Beautiful situated overlooking the Souda Bay is this ancient Greek site. There is a lot to see as there are Roman bathhouses, Roman cisterns and Greek remains. Entrance fee is low, 4 euro and it will take you about an hour to wander around and see it.
    Review of: Archaeological Site Of Aptera
    Written September 18, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Martin M
    Ceska Lipa, Czech Republic173 contributions
    Very old civilization.
    This place doesn’t look fancy. But we have to aware than Minoan civilization is older than Greek. From this perspective it is very interesting. Really I don’t know how Greek archaeologists can reconstruct walls which have been fallen and their function.
    Review of: Palace of Faistos
    Written July 17, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • AaronH1991
    Kinrooi, Belgium50 contributions
    Throwback to ancient times with jaw-dropping structures.
    Beautiful archaeological place that breathes history of ancient times and throws you back in history. We really loved how clean this site was and the way security guards stand around the place to help preserve these structures from tourists whom climb the ancient walls...
    We really loved the stone vases that were partially restored as well. It's jaw-dropping what humans could do already back then.
    However we would loved to have a little more info about the different houses and places instead of just a sign with 'storage rooms' or 'Palace' for example. We do not know what the place was exactly and that's a little odd. However if you're in the area, it is worth every dime of the €6,- p.p you pay.
    Review of: Malia Palace Archaeological Site
    Written September 10, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Craig W
    Bristol, UK8 contributions
    Fantastic set of ruins
    Went here on a whim looking for some ruins on a drive and found this gem. The steps to the government building were quite a sight. A lot to take in around and a few good maps dotted about the place to explain what’s around you. Cost €3 to get in and be aware it closes at 1500/1530hrs at the end on the day.
    Review of: Archaía Póli Tis Lató
    Written September 19, 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Scotland71
    Cork, Ireland214 contributions
    If your passing….
    Heard about it from an archeologica buff and is interesting. However, it’s quite basic and not well set up for tourists. Gets hot. No toilets the day we were theee
    Review of: Gournia
    Written July 9, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Opinel
    London, UK41 contributions
    We're drawn back again and again
    Hard to reach on foot, but worth every ankle-twisting step. The crystal water of the bay is magical, and the now-desolate site of the little city-state, overlooked by the necropolis, is evocative despite most of it being still unexcavated. Last time we walked from Sougia and back, and found it strenuous, but perfectly doable for two fit people aged either side of 70. If you have a car, you can park at Prodromi and go much of the way on gravelly tracks. Or you can take the boat, of course.
    Review of: The Ancient City Lissos
    Written September 6, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Iva S
    Prague, Czech Republic704 contributions
    Orthi Petra Necropolis Eleutherna
    16. 9. 2020 Here we parked and began by inspecting the covered excavations. We were surprised you're not allowed to take pictures inside. After that we walked about 3 km through unmarked paths to the ancient Eleutherna and all the way back to the car. Covered section, where you can't take pictures or videos, takes for about 20 minutes. I recommend this place to everyone who enjoys these sights and wandering the goat paths to their destination as much as we do. More youtube travel video PSIS-visit. Iva +Petr CZ Prague.
    Review of: Eleutherna
    Written March 4, 2021
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Pierre J
    Azores, Portugal88 contributions
    Very interesting ancient remains
    Very interesting ancient remains, but, judging from other comments, it's apparently better to come in summer. I was there in November and everything was closed (no guide, no taverna, no nothing). If you prefer exploring places on you own, then it's perfect, but guides' explanations could have been very useful.
    The view from the top is great anyway.
    Review of: Ancient City of Polyrinia
    Written November 21, 2021
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Ron S
    New York City, NY5,344 contributions
    Gortyna
    The site is underwhelming. A small part of it is open to tourists. It's very easy to find, the entrance is next to the road.
    Review of: Gortyna
    Written October 26, 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • nsander219
    Chelmsford, UK603 contributions
    Very Quiet Site in a Superb Position
    Quite a trek to get here but worth it for the siting of the Palace. Certainly it is completely different from the organisation and pazzazz surrounding Knossos. It is very peaceful - when we visited there were perhaps 5 or 6 other people wandering the site. As others have said the presentation is somewhat lacking and really it wouldn't take much time, effort and cost to lift this failure up to far better standards.
    However, if you are visiting Minoan Palaces it is worth the journey. Do it so you can have lunch by the beach!
    Review of: Minoan Palace of Zakros
    Written January 10, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Suzanne2303
    Labrador, Australia958 contributions
    Take the boat across to Mochlos Islet
    Strong swimmers can swim across to the island but we preferred to pay €5each return and go with the small boat.
    What a beautiful short journey across in the clear blue water. For an extra few euros the ferryman will circumnavigate the island! We got out and wandered through the archeological site. According to the notice board, there are remnants of 5 civilisations there: early, middle and late Minoan, late Hellenistic and Byzantine. The Byzantine church of St Nikolaus is still operational.
    The beauty of taking the boat is that you can take water, which is needed in the very high temperatures. Especially if you want to climb up the hill a bit. I got half way up, took some photos, and walked back down. You can walk a short way both ways from the landing jetty but then it becomes more of a rock scramble.
    If you want the ferryman to collect you, ring the bell on the church!
    A really interesting place to visit. Apparently this site is still worked on as a Minoan archeological site.
    Review of: Archaeological Site Mochlos Islet (Psillos)
    Written August 24, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • smrgeog
    Vancouver, Canada2,099 contributions
    Come for the beach, not much ruins
    There is not alot to the Itanos archaelogical site but rather a few stones strewn around a nearby beach. By following the signs you come across an almost idyllic beach.

    Unlike Vai, there are no facilities; some rocks and a rough parking area. The beaches are fairly sandy but small with the odd tree and some rocky outcrops providing shade. If you hike about five minutes over the hill you'll come across another beach. It's much quieter than Vai and if you want that swim in the sea away from the crowds then I suggest here.
    Review of: Archaeological Site of Itanos
    Written May 18, 2017
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Charles H
    Petersfield, UK195 contributions
    Another century – another palace
    This is worth visiting to see what the Minoans could do on a smaller scale than at Knossos; steep
    Stairs see to be the main problem to getting around but the views are worth the climb; café at the site is pretty poor but the cats benefit.
    Review of: Archaeological Site of Phaistos
    Written May 24, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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