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Knossos Palace Archaeological Site Tickets with Audio Guide

Family exploring Knossos Palace ruins in Crete, Greece.
Bulls Horns sculpture at Knossos Palace, Crete, with ancient fresco in background.
Knossos Palace frescoes and columns, Crete archaeological site.
Knossos Palace ruins with frescoes, Crete, Greece.

Open today

08:00am - 08:00pm

Explore at your pace

Choose your entry time, stay as long as you like

Audio guide

Enhance your experience with multilingual audio guide

Mobile ticket

4.3/5

(1,394)

Lynne McDonald

Lynne

Jul 2025
Verified booking
We toured the palace ourselves, using the downloaded audio guide. Great site, but I would suggest a few improvements to enhance the visit. It was not that easy to follow the tour aligned with the audio. This could be easier if the signs had a number that corresponded to the audio and printed map. There was no obvious point in the audio or printed signs to detour around the perimeter of the main central structures. If we had followed the audio only, where the last commentary refers to the exit to our left, we would have left the palace site and not explored all the lower external areas. Better signage, brochure and commentary could help make this clearer.
Laura Harding

Laura

Jul 2025
Verified booking
Staff were very helpful, friendly and supportive. Not being as physically able, I was very well looked after and I really do appreciate that. I brought my son and his friend here and we all absolutely loved it, honestly the whole experience was breathtaking. They are going to be doing ancient civilisation at college so this was brilliant for them to see. Thank you to everyone who made the whole experience possible and wonderful, only suggestion would be if they could turn the heat of the sun down a bit please 🤭🥵❤️
Matthew Trenholm

Matthew

Jun 2025
Verified booking
The palace itself was interesting, with informative signage, great views and lots of palace to see. There were also good amenities in the form of a cafe, gift shop and plenty of toilets. As a note, the palace itself is completely outdoors and there is limited place to shelter in the event of rain. Unfortunately, the Headout app provided the wrong audio guide and we were unable to use that part of our ticket.
    • 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.

    • Entry to Knossos Palace
    • Entry to Heraklion Archaeological Museum (if option selected)
    • 90-minute small-group guided tour (if option selected)
    • Heraklion city audio guide in English (if option selected)
    • Expert English-speaking guide (if option selected)
    • Knossos Palace audio guide in English, French, and Italian (if option selected)
    • Heraklion Archaeological Museum audio guide (if option selected)
    • Offline access, rich content, audio narration, & online map
    • Hotel pick-up and drop-off service
    • Personal expenses
  • These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.

  • How do we collect reviews?

    4.3
    1,394 ratings
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    712
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    525
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    45
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    Guests from France, Italy, United States and over 38 countries have loved this experience

    Laura Harding

    Laura

    Jul, 2025Verified booking

    5/5
    Staff were very helpful, friendly and supportive. Not being as physically able, I was very well looked after and I really do appreciate that. I brought my son and his friend here and we all absolutely loved it, honestly the whole experience was breathtaking. They are going to be doing ancient civilisation at college so this was brilliant for them to see. Thank you to everyone who made the whole experience possible and wonderful, only suggestion would be if they could turn the heat of the sun down a bit please 🤭🥵❤️
    BOYÉ Jean-Didier

    Boyé

    Jun, 2025Verified booking

    4/5
    The result is very good, but I had great difficulty understanding the start-up. You're confused by unwanted suggestions. As soon as, after long minutes when you're on the verge of giving up, you finally manage to hear the guide's voice, it's a moment of well-deserved happiness.
    Alain Hotton

    Alain

    May, 2025Verified booking

    5/5
    The highlight of my visit was the clarity of the comments and the congratulations on accessing the site. It takes you right back into the history of the container.
    Peter J Chiasson

    Peter

    May, 2025Verified booking

    5/5
    The Guide was friendly, knowledgeable and clear to understand. The palace was amazing to hear of its past come alive thru your guide.
    ANDRE DAUCHEL

    Andre

    May, 2025Verified booking

    5/5
    The commentaries are very interesting, and we are well guided as we move around the site, which is large. Access to the audioguide is very simple, easy and quick. We really appreciated the service.
  • Discover Crete's ancient legends at your own pace

    Explore the ancient Palace of Knossos, Europe's oldest city, at 3,700 years old, and tailor your visit with optional guided tours, museum access, and city audio tours.

    Getting started

    When you arrive at Knossos Palace, head toward the main entrance, where staff will guide you through a quick security check. Your digital or printed ticket will be validated here, so keep a valid ID handy. Expect a wait of about 30 to 60 minutes for security, especially during the busy summer months from June to August.

    Knossos Palace

    The Palace of Knossos is the heart of Minoan Crete, a sprawling, 3,700-year-old complex famous for inspiring the myth of the Minotaur’s labyrinth. Join a small-group guided tour to hear the real stories behind the labyrinth legend, learn how the Minoans designed light wells and drainage systems, and spot quirky details like dolphin frescoes inside royal chambers. Prefer to go at your own pace? Choose the multilingual audio guide and uncover the secrets of Knossos while exploring freely, stopping wherever a story catches your interest.

    Heraklion Archaeological Museum

    The museum is a treasure trove of Minoan art and artifacts, best known for its jewelry collection, the famous Snake Goddess statues, and the mysterious Phaistos Disc that still puzzles historians today. Add an audio guide to dive into sacred rituals, everyday life in Minoan Crete, and the ancient mysteries behind these remarkable finds.

    Heraklion city

    Walk along the massive Venetian Walls, admire the Koules Fortress by the sea, and cool off by the Morosini Fountain in the heart of the city. Choose the city audio guide upgrade to hear stories of pirate raids, merchants bargaining in lively markets, and how Venetian engineers built walls strong enough to withstand sieges for decades.

  • Knossos Palace

    Monday08:00am - 08:00pmlast entry 07:45pm
    Tuesday08:00am - 08:00pmlast entry 07:45pm
    Wednesday08:00am - 08:00pmlast entry 07:45pm
    Thursday08:00am - 08:00pmlast entry 07:45pm
    Friday08:00am - 08:00pmlast entry 07:45pm
    Saturday08:00am - 08:00pmlast entry 07:45pm
    Sunday08:00am - 08:00pmlast entry 07:45pm
  • What to bring

    • Wear sturdy shoes with a good grip, because the ancient stones are uneven and slippery.
    • Bring headphones if you plan to use the audio guide app, so you can listen comfortably while exploring without holding your phone.
    • Bring a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen, especially in summer, as there’s very little shade inside the Palace grounds.
    • Carry a refillable water bottle, as there are no water vendors once you enter the archaeological site.
    • A lightweight jacket is a smart idea if visiting in spring (March to May) or fall (September to November). The site can get windy even on warmer days.

    What's not allowed

    • Flash photography is not allowed inside reconstructed areas to help protect the delicate frescoes and wall paintings.
    • There are restrictions on large bags, so travel light to move around more easily.

    Accessibility

    • The site is partially wheelchair-accessible, with a ramped pathway available at the main entrance.
    • If you have mobility concerns, it is best to stick to the main pathways, as about half the site is accessible, and some areas have rough, uneven terrain.
    • An accessible toilet is available near the entrance for visitors with reduced mobility.

    Additional information

    • Expect a wait of about 30 to 60 minutes for the security check, especially during the busy season from June to August.
    • Combine your Knossos visit with the Heraklion Archaeological Museum if you want to see original artifacts like the Snake Goddess statues and the Phaistos Disc.
    • Parking can be limited during peak hours, so plan to arrive early if you are driving or be ready for a short walk from nearby lots.
    • If the Throne Room is crowded, wait a few minutes; you’ll get a much better view and clearer photos when the space opens up.
    • Look out for the Queen’s Megaron and the dolphin frescoes tucked inside the royal apartments. They are easy to miss, but a real highlight.

    Concession eligibility:

    • Children and young people (EU citizens): Individuals up to 25 years old from EU member states are entitled to free admission upon presenting a valid ID or passport.
    • Children and young people (Non-EU citizens): Individuals up to 18 years old from Non EU member states are entitled to free admission upon presenting a valid ID or passport.
    • Senior citizens: Individuals over 65 years old from Greece or other EU member states are eligible for a reduced admission fee upon presenting a valid ID or passport.
    • Persons with disabilities: Individuals with an 80% disability or more, regardless of nationality, and one escort (if applicable) can access free admission upon presenting a valid disability certificate along with their ID or passport.
    • Greek citizens (special categories): Greek families with many children (with children up to 25 years old, or any age if they have disabilities) are eligible for free admission upon presenting a valid large family certificate and disability certificate (if applicable). Greek unemployed citizens can also receive free admission with a valid unemployment card and ID.
    • Your voucher will be emailed to you instantly.

    • Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the redemption point.

    Ticket redemption point

    • Show your ticket at Knossos Palace.

    • Address: Knossos 714 09, Greece.

    Get directions to the redemption point

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