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Top things to do in Heraklion

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.
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Slide 1 of 11, Guests exploring the ancient ruins of Knossos Palace in Crete.
Guests exploring the ancient ruins of Knossos Palace in Crete.

Knossos Palace Archaeological Site Tickets with Audio Guide

Explore at your pace
Audio guide

  • Explore the 3700-year-old Palace of Knossos, Europe's oldest city, and customize your visit with optional upgrades like a guided tour, museum access, or a Heraklion city audio guide.

  • Walk through the labyrinthine ruins of Knossos Palace, see frescoes like the "Prince of the Lilies," and admire ancient artifacts like the Snake Goddess figurines at the Heraklion Archaeological Museum.

  • Enhance your visit with multilingual audio guides for Knossos Palace and Heraklion Museum, or stroll through Heraklion’s Old Town at your own pace with a detailed city audio tour.

  • Upgrade to include a 90-minute small-group guided tour of Knossos Palace or add full entry to the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, giving you a deeper look into Crete’s Bronze Age wonders.

  • Fun fact: Not everything you see at Knossos is ancient. British archaeologist Sir Arthur Evans reconstructed parts of the Palace in the early 1900s, blending archaeological finds with his own vision of how Minoan life might have looked.

More details

  • Explore the 3700-year-old Palace of Knossos, Europe's oldest city, and customize your visit with optional upgrades like a guided tour, museum access, or a Heraklion city audio guide.

  • Walk through the labyrinthine ruins of Knossos Palace, see frescoes like the "Prince of the Lilies," and admire ancient artifacts like the Snake Goddess figurines at the Heraklion Archaeological Museum.

  • Enhance your visit with multilingual audio guides for Knossos Palace and Heraklion Museum, or stroll through Heraklion’s Old Town at your own pace with a detailed city audio tour.

  • Upgrade to include a 90-minute small-group guided tour of Knossos Palace or add full entry to the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, giving you a deeper look into Crete’s Bronze Age wonders.

  • Fun fact: Not everything you see at Knossos is ancient. British archaeologist Sir Arthur Evans reconstructed parts of the Palace in the early 1900s, blending archaeological finds with his own vision of how Minoan life might have looked.

from Original price€27
€25.65

5% off

Slide 1 of 11, Knossos Palace ruins and Heraklion Archaeological Museum entrance in Crete.
Knossos Palace ruins and Heraklion Archaeological Museum entrance in Crete.

Combo: Knossos Palace & Heraklion Archaeological Museum Tickets with Audio Guides

Explore at your pace
Audio guide

  • Discover the history of two of the top historical attractions in Crete – the Heraklion Archaeological Museum and the Knossos Palace.

  • With an in-depth English audio guide – 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.

More details

  • Discover the history of two of the top historical attractions in Crete – the Heraklion Archaeological Museum and the Knossos Palace.

  • With an in-depth English audio guide – 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.

from
€59
Slide 1 of 10, Guests exploring Knossos Palace ruins with frescoes and columns in Crete.
Guests exploring Knossos Palace ruins with frescoes and columns in Crete.

Knossos Palace Small Group Guided Tour with Entry Tickets

1 hr 30 mins

  • Take a 90-minute small-group guided tour through Knossos Palace and hear how Minoan myths, rituals, and royal secrets shaped Europe's earliest civilization.

  • Enjoy a relaxed, small-group experience with no more than 16 guests, where you can ask questions, explore hidden corners, and get personalized insights from your guide.

  • See the grand Throne Room where King Minos is believed to have ruled, the Grand Staircase connecting multiple levels, and frescoes depicting lively processions and bull-leaping.

  • Hear fascinating stories of sacred bull-leaping ceremonies, the Palace’s underground storerooms filled with giant pithoi jars, and the dramatic collapse of the Minoans that sparked legends across the Greek world.

  • Fun fact: At Knossos, archaeologists discovered ancient plumbing systems, including flushing toilets, dating back nearly 3,700 years, centuries ahead of their time!

More details

  • Take a 90-minute small-group guided tour through Knossos Palace and hear how Minoan myths, rituals, and royal secrets shaped Europe's earliest civilization.

  • Enjoy a relaxed, small-group experience with no more than 16 guests, where you can ask questions, explore hidden corners, and get personalized insights from your guide.

  • See the grand Throne Room where King Minos is believed to have ruled, the Grand Staircase connecting multiple levels, and frescoes depicting lively processions and bull-leaping.

  • Hear fascinating stories of sacred bull-leaping ceremonies, the Palace’s underground storerooms filled with giant pithoi jars, and the dramatic collapse of the Minoans that sparked legends across the Greek world.

  • Fun fact: At Knossos, archaeologists discovered ancient plumbing systems, including flushing toilets, dating back nearly 3,700 years, centuries ahead of their time!

from Original price€99
€89

10% off

Slide 1 of 9, Guided tour group exploring Knossos Palace Archaeological Site in Crete.
Guided tour group exploring Knossos Palace Archaeological Site in Crete.

Knossos Palace Archaeological Site E-Ticket with Audio Tour

Explore at your pace
Audio guide

  • 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.

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.

from Original price€35
€31.50

10% off

Slide 1 of 11, Knossos Palace interior and Heraklion hop-on hop-off bus tour in Crete, Greece.
Knossos Palace interior and Heraklion hop-on hop-off bus tour in Crete, Greece.

Combo (Save 7%): Knossos Palace Archaeological Site Tickets + Heraklion Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour

Explore at your pace
Audio guide

  • Enjoy 1+1 day of unlimited bus rides through Heraklion's ancient streets and get fast-track entry to Knossos Palace, with a convenient bus drop nearby!

  • Journey back in time with fast-track tickets to Knossos Palace, a 3,700-year-old archaeological site, boasting the grandeur of the Minoan civilization.

  • Marvel at the untouched Throne of King Minos and the enigmatic murals of 'Linear A' language, which remains undeciphered to date.

  • Explore 18 top sites, from Ammoudara's beaches to Koules Castle. Your ticket includes one day of unlimited hop-on hop-off rides plus a bonus free day!

  • See Heraklion from the ultimate viewpoint of an open-top bus tour with 8-language audio guides, free earphones, and maps bringing the city's stories to life.

More details

  • Enjoy 1+1 day of unlimited bus rides through Heraklion's ancient streets and get fast-track entry to Knossos Palace, with a convenient bus drop nearby!

  • Journey back in time with fast-track tickets to Knossos Palace, a 3,700-year-old archaeological site, boasting the grandeur of the Minoan civilization.

  • Marvel at the untouched Throne of King Minos and the enigmatic murals of 'Linear A' language, which remains undeciphered to date.

  • Explore 18 top sites, from Ammoudara's beaches to Koules Castle. Your ticket includes one day of unlimited hop-on hop-off rides plus a bonus free day!

  • See Heraklion from the ultimate viewpoint of an open-top bus tour with 8-language audio guides, free earphones, and maps bringing the city's stories to life.

from Original price€53
€49.07

7% off

Slide 1 of 7, Heraklion Archaeological Museum entrance with banners displaying sculptures and frescoes.
Heraklion Archaeological Museum entrance with banners displaying sculptures and frescoes.

Heraklion Archaeological Museum Admission Tickets with Multilingual Audio Guide

Explore at your pace
Audio guide

  • Follow a clear path through the museum as curated stops highlight the most important pieces, so you make the most of your time inside.

  • Present your ticket on arrival and walk straight into the museum, beginning your visit in the first galleries at a pace that suits you.

  • Your access covers all museum sections plus an English tour on your smartphone, offline text and maps, and time to explore independently.

  • Follow the on-screen stories to connect highlights like the Minoan frescoes and the Phaistos Disk as you move between rooms and build your own route.

More details

  • Follow a clear path through the museum as curated stops highlight the most important pieces, so you make the most of your time inside.

  • Present your ticket on arrival and walk straight into the museum, beginning your visit in the first galleries at a pace that suits you.

  • Your access covers all museum sections plus an English tour on your smartphone, offline text and maps, and time to explore independently.

  • Follow the on-screen stories to connect highlights like the Minoan frescoes and the Phaistos Disk as you move between rooms and build your own route.

from
€27

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.

Similar things to do in Heraklion

Tourist viewing ancient statue at Heraklion Archaeological Museum, Crete, Greece.
Heraklion Archeological Museumfrom €27

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.

AddressKnossos 714 09, Greece
Founded bySir Arthur Evans
Visitors per year1000000
Expected wait time - Standard30-60 mins (Peak), 0-30 mins (Off Peak)

Did you know?

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.

Why visit Knossos Palace?

Great historical significance

As the center of the Minoan civilization, this site offers a unique window into the past, showcasing the lifestyle, art, and culture of one of the earliest European civilizations.

Highlights

The Royal Villa

Explore the intricately designed Royal Quarters, where you can envision the opulent lifestyle of the Minoan elite. Wander through the residential chambers, adorned with colorful frescoes and intricate carvings, offering insights into ancient Minoan beliefs, customs, and rituals.

The South Propylaeum

The South Propylaeum is a monumental gateway into the Knossos Palace. It is a testament to Minoan engineering prowess, boasting columns and decorative motifs that underline the site's cultural and administrative significance. 

The Minoan Caravanserai

Discover the bustling hub of trade and commerce at the Minoan Caravanserai. Here, ancient market stalls, storage rooms, and remnants of trade connections unveil Knossos's role as a pivotal player in the ancient Mediterranean trade network.

North Lustral Basin

This sunken area, believed to be used for purification ceremonies, offers insights into the spiritual realm of the Minoans. Its layout and symbolism hint at the intricate interplay between architecture and Minoan belief systems.

The East Wing

The East Wing of the palace has interconnected rooms adorned with captivating frescoes. These frescoes narrate the daily customs, spiritual practices, and cultural expressions of the Minoans. 

The West Facade

The West Facade is the exterior face of Knossos Palace. Stand before its monumental entrance, adorned with intricate decorative elements and feel intrigued by the aesthetic prowess of the Minoans.

The Little Palace

Adjacent to Knossos Palace, the Little Palace unveils the affluent lives of Minoan elites beyond the main structure. Immerse yourself in the opulence displayed through intricate frescoes, multilevel architecture, and private quarters. This glimpse into Minoan domestic life adds layers to your understanding of this ancient society, making the visit to the Little Palace an essential part of your Knossos experience.

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What our guests say

Maria C

Italy
Couple
Jun 2026

+7 more

I didn't use HeadOut because I paid too much for the tickets. A six-euro commission per ticket is way too much! On top of that, I didn't get to use the audio guide. I gave stars for the archaeological site, which I found interesting.

Knossos Palace Archaeological Site Tickets with Audio Guide

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