About Palace of Knossos

Mention the word Knossos, and you automatically connect with the Minoan Civilization, who occupied an important place in world history. One of the reasons for their claim to fame is the magnificent palaces they built, the best of which is to be seen at Knossos.
A   veritable must-see attraction in Greece is the Palace of Knossos.  “Destruction at its very best”, one wonders?  Knossos is an archaeological site in Crete, one of Europe's oldest cities. It was rebuilt several times after successive destructions and finally abandoned as it suffered extensive damage during earthquakes, invasions, and the volcanic eruptions of Thera.
The Palace of Knossos was the official and political center of the Minoan civilization and culture. The grandeur of the magnificent palace is perceptible at the historic site. One gets an insight into the fashion and lifestyle during those ages, from the frescoes on the walls of the palace. 
According to Greek mythology “the Palace of Knossos”,  was considered to be the residence of the mythical King Minos, the son of Zeus and Europa. Many legends, many realities, many marvels are waiting to be discovered here. Take a trip to this magical, awesome, long-lost place of yore to get the real vibe and splendor of ancient Greece.

Must See

  • Knossos Palace
  • Small Palace of Knossos
  • Royal Villa of Knossos
  • House of frescoes in Knossos 
  • Southern House of Knossos
  • Unexplored House of Knossos
  • Hostel Knossos
  • Royal Tomb-Sanctuary

How to reach

The Palace of Knossos is situated in the city center of Knossos. 
Take the city bus 2,  from Iraklio's bus station. Tickets cost €1.70 If purchased from a kiosk or vending machine and €2.50 if purchased from the bus driver.  
To reach "Knossos" from Heraklion by taxi takes 4 minutes. The taxi route is 4.3 km and one-way fare varies from 5€  to 7€

Tips

  • Take a guided tour; it's worth the expense. On your own, you'll need at least 2 hours for a walk-through.
  • If you want to avoid the crowd, the latter part of the day or a Sunday tends to be less crowded.
  • The shops and taverns around the palace are mostly expensive and medium-quality.
  • Want to save time, take a taxi, usually costs 12€ one way.
  • You can buy skip the line ticket and save time.
  • Take plenty of water with you, because the heat, is unbearable.
  • Take a hat and sunscreen with you as the site has minimal shade.
  • Convenient shoes are your best option as there is a lot of dirt and stones, so if you wear sandals or slippers it would not be a good choice.
  • Organize your time properly so as to cover the site as well as the museum.
  • Do get an audio guide, it will give you information about the place.

Visit Time

April to mid-October
Sunday:        8:00 a.m. to  8:00 p.m. 
Monday:       8:00 a.m. to  8:00 p.m. 
Tuesday:      8:00 a.m. to  8:00 p.m. 
Wednesday: 8:00 a.m. to  8:00 p.m. 
Thursday:     8:00 a.m. to  8:00 p.m. 
Friday:          8:00 a.m. to  8:00 p.m. 
Saturday:      8:00 a.m. to  8:00 p.m. 

Late October to March 
Sunday:        8:30 a.m. to  3:00 p.m.
Monday:       8:00 a.m. to  5:00 p.m. 
Tuesday:      8:00 a.m. to  5:00 p.m. 
Wednesday: 8:00 a.m. to  5:00 p.m.
Thursday:     8:00 a.m. to  5:00 p.m. 
Friday:          8:00 a.m. to  5:00 p.m. 
Saturday:      8:30 a.m. to  3:00 p.m.

Holiday Days
January 1st:      Closed
March 25th:       Closed
Saturday:      8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
May 1st:             Closed
Easter Sunday:  Closed
August 15th:  8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
October 28th: 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Christmas, December 25th: Closed
December 26th:  Closed

Time Icon

Waiting Time

Nil

 

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Entrance Fee

Yes

Tickets:
Entrance fee for the entire ticket is € 15, a reduced fee is € 8 
Single Ticket for full costs € 16, reduced costs € 8 
Valid for: Heraklion Archaeological Museum, Knossos

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Time you can spend

2 to 3 hours

 

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Weather

Overcast Clouds 18.28°C

 

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