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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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- 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.
- 1,655 reviews4.1
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8035847987102Guests from France, Italy, United States and over 10 countries have loved this experienceWhat our guests say
Andrew
Nov 2025Verified booking3/5
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Oct 2025Verified booking4/5
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Oct 2025Verified booking5/5
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Oct 2025Verified booking5/5
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.
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.
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Your voucher will be emailed to you instantly.
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Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the redemption point.
Ticket redemption point
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Show your ticket at Knossos Palace.
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Address: Knossos 714 09, Greece.
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