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Palace of Knossos

Palace of Knossos: Our most recommended tours and activities

Heraklion: Museum & Knossos Palace E-Ticket

1. Heraklion: Museum & Knossos Palace E-Ticket

Experience Ancient Crete at your own pace with a combined e-ticket for the island's top two archaeological attractions, the Palace of Knossos and the Heraklion Archaeological Museum. Receive your ticket in a separate email from the activity provider. Then travel back in time to experience the grandeur of Crete from the Minoan period to Roman times. Discover the Palace of Knossos and its monumental Palace of Minos. Explore the exquisite artifacts exhibited in the Heraklion Archaeological Museum and its unique collection of Minoan artistic masterpieces.

Crete: Palace of Knossos E-Ticket with Audio Tour

2. Crete: Palace of Knossos E-Ticket with Audio Tour

Enjoy an exciting visit to Knossos Palace, Crete’s most famous historical attraction, with a pre-booked e-ticket, including a compelling audio tour downloadable on your phone and a detailed map of the site. Lose yourself in the audio tour's storytelling and immerse yourself in history as you walk around this iconic site. Visit the grand capital of Minoan Crete, located just south of Heraklion, and see the evocative setting, complete with impressive ruins and brightly-colored frescoes, come alive through an engaging narrative that sheds light on various elements of Minoan culture. The cupbearers and procession frescoes at the South Propylaeum, which depicts scenes from everyday life and the ceremonial activities in Minoan Crete, provide a great insight into the aesthetic ideals of the time. Follow the evolution of Minoan fashion, learn about the popular hairstyles of the people, and discover the beauty products locals used to touch up their looks. At the West Magazines, where the storage facilities of the palace are located, gain an understanding of the well-organized bureaucracy that supported the palace organization, the earliest forms of linear writing, as well as the Minoan economy and trade networks. Discover the copy of the “Prince of the Lilies” at the South Entrance Corridor and gaze out on Mount Juktas, perfectly framed by the eroded walls of the palace. Visit the Queen’s Megaron, embellished with famous blue dolphins fresco and equipped with a bathroom and a toilet room, where you can find out everything about the bath habits in the Minoan era.

Heraklion: Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus Tour

3. Heraklion: Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus Tour

Explore Heraklion city at your own pace using a hop-on hop-off bus. Enjoy a combo ticket good for 48hours and for 2 different bus lines. See famous attractions, visit the beach of Ammoudara and the Knossos archaeological site. Take your chance to see it all with one combo ticket. Discover the Cretan civilization, history, and architecture and learn all about the old and modern city of Heraklion. Enjoy onboard commentary in 8 different languages explaining important details and facts. On the first route, embark on a 12 stop line that tours Heraklion city over one hour. Get off and on when you please and appreciate hours from 830am until 530pm every day. The second route provides a 6 stop line that leads to Ammoudara beach.

Heraklion: Knossos Palace Skip-the-Line Guided Walking Tour

4. Heraklion: Knossos Palace Skip-the-Line Guided Walking Tour

Join a guided tour of Knossos, a complex of more than 1500 interlocking rooms, once an astonishing palace built for a mighty king of the Bronze Age. Knossos is considered Europe’s oldest city. As you wander through the labyrinthine ruins, get the chance to see the original throne of ‘’Minos”, the mystifying sanctuaries, the luxurious domestic quarters of the royal family, Crete’s treasures pantries, and the water-management systems. The first palace of Knossos was erected soon after 2000 BC. In 1700 BC, a catastrophic earthquake destroyed the Palace. A new palace was built immediately, the most monumental of all, and for over 300 years it represented the pre-eminent center of power in Bronze Age Crete. The new palace was an imposing complex with important architectural innovations, splendid frescoes adorning the walls, hundreds of rooms distributed in four storeys, impressive storage areas, specialized workshops, and spacious courts hosting ceremonies and feasts. Learn how during the last decades of the 14th century BC, a series of earthquakes led to the final destruction of the palace. 

Knossos Palace Skip-the-Line Ticket & Private Guided Tour

5. Knossos Palace Skip-the-Line Ticket & Private Guided Tour

Settlements in Knossos date as far back as the Neolithic period. Neolithic remains from around 7000 BC are found throughout Crete. Explore the ruins of the ancient Minoan civilization and enjoy a skip-the-line tour of the Knossos Palace. The Knossos Palace was built from 1700 to 1400 BC. Advanced architectural techniques were used in its construction, and sections of the palace stood up to 5 stories high. It featured 1,300 rooms connected by corridors, and a theater and extensive storerooms, which held large clay containers of oil, grains, dried fish, beans and olives – often with gold hidden beneath.

Crete: Knossos Palace & Heraklion Guided Tour

6. Crete: Knossos Palace & Heraklion Guided Tour

Start your day with pickup from selected regions in Crete and first head to Heraklion for a guided tour of Knossos Palace. Walk through this Minoan palace with your guide and find out how people lived here 4,000 years ago. The Throne Room, the frescoes, and the Minoan columns will allow you to imagine how the Minoans once lived. Continue towards the city center of Heraklion where you can visit the Archaeological Museum and the town itself. The Archaeological Museum brings together findings from all over Crete, covering over 5,500 years of the island's history.   Head to the Heraklion town center and walk through Daidalou Street to Lion Square and the famous Morosini Fountain of the Venetian era. Explore the permanent outdoor market of the town and the Valide Mosque, a remnant of Turkish influences. Explore the Venetian Loggia and head to the sea and the Koules Fortress before being dropped back off at your hotel.  

From Heraklion: Historical Center City Tour & Knossos Palace

7. From Heraklion: Historical Center City Tour & Knossos Palace

Enjoy a guided day tour of Heraklion as you discover the historic city center and Knossos Palace. Start with pickup in the morning and first visit Knossos Palace, the mythical labyrinth and ancient capital of Minoan Crete. Enter the archaeological site with your guide and learn about its fascinating and mysterious history Then enjoy some free time to take photos and admire the architecture of your surroundings. Next, explore the city of Heraklion with a guided tour in the city center. Enjoy 2 hours and 30 minutes of free time at the old market, the city center, or visit the archaeological museum. For those who wish to visit the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion, the choice is optional and will be without a guide. Afterward, return to your hotel.

From Chania: Knossos Palace and Heraklion Full-Day Tour

8. From Chania: Knossos Palace and Heraklion Full-Day Tour

Visit the most important Minoan palace on a full-day trip to Knossos Palace from Chania. Explore Heraklion city center with free time, and have the option to join your guide for a tour of the Heraklion Archeological Museum. Stop in the picturesque city of Rethymno on your way back to Chania. After pickup from your hotel or a nearby meeting point, head straight to Knossos Palace, the home of various Greek legends and myths such as the Labyrinth, Minotaur, Daedalus, and Icarus. Upon arrival, take a guided tour of the palace with your guide. Learn about the Minoan civilization, and see what is believed to be the throne of the legendary King Minos. At the end of your palace tour, continue toward the center of Heraklion and enjoy free time to explore once there. If you like, you can use part of your free time on a tour of the Heraklion Archeological Museum with your guide. Once your time in Heraklion is up, reconvene with your guide and start the drive back. Along the way, stop for a break in Rethymno and enjoy more free time to stroll through the city’s streets. The tour concludes with drop-off at your hotel.

Heraklion: Palace of Knossos 3D Virtual Audio Tour by Tablet

9. Heraklion: Palace of Knossos 3D Virtual Audio Tour by Tablet

Rent a mini iPad tablet and make the most of your visit to Knossos Palace. See how the site looked in ancient times while learning about the Palace's history via audio guide. Immerse yourself in Greek history with a special virtual and augmented reality application. Pick up your rental tablet to see a representation of the archaeological site in its original state in 3D and 360°. The reconstruction is based on studies supervised by a team of globally renowned archaeologists. Feel peace of mind knowing that the tablet is fitted with a shockproof protective case, and purpose-built sun shield allowing you to use it seamlessly under the summer sun. It also features a carry strap, and disposable earphones sealed in a small bag. Take advantage of the audio guide, allowing you to listen to recorded spoken commentary in your choice of language. Hear fascinating facts and learn about the Palace's history as you walk around its ancient ruins.

From Heraklion: Knossos, Lasithi Plateau, and Cave of Zeus

10. From Heraklion: Knossos, Lasithi Plateau, and Cave of Zeus

Discover Lasithi Plateau and its important landmarks on a guided day trip from Heraklion, with hotel transfers included. Visit Krasi village, the Kera Kardiotissa Monastery, and the Psychro Cave. Participate in a ceramics workshop and end your day exploring the traditional village of Knossos Palace. After a hotel pickup, head to the traditional mountain village of Krasi known for its quaint central square with stone fountains and an enormous plane tree thought to be 2,400 years old. See intimate tavernas and cafes scattered among the streets, small stone churches, and freshwater springs. Next, explore the Eastern Orthodox Keras Monastery, dedicated to Virgin Mary. Then, visit the Vidiani Monastery located at the foothills of Louloudaki Mountain. Learn how it was built in the 19th century by the monk Methodius Peraki, probably on the ruins of an older monastery. Continue to Psychro Cave, the mythical birth place of Zeus. Admire the ancient Minoan sacred cave and its stalactites and stalagmites. Next up, see how traditional ceramics are made from a local. Afterward, stop at a traditional tavern for lunch. Choose from a variety of local dishes made from local products of the Lassithi plateau, homemade wine, and products from the surrounding mountains. Leaving the beautiful region of Lasithi behind, end the tour at the Historical Site of Knossos, Europe's oldest city. Join a 1-hour guided tour and take photos of this Bronze Age archaeological site. Then, hop back on the bus to return to your hotel.

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What people are saying about Palace of Knossos

Overall rating

4.2 / 5

based on 2,820 reviews

I am an archaeology student, and the guide was able to adapt to that, moving beyond all of the basic talking points and going deeper into the history and archaeological practice at the site. She was extremely knowledgeable!

Had a premium exprience. I was the only one on this tour this day and the guide was amazing in making the tour interesting. Definitely coming back in the future with my family! Thanks for the tour!

The palace was beautiful and I enjoyed guided tour because we got some special informations that I am sure we couldn't get visiting on our own. I would highly recommend to visit this palace.

We did both lines in one day and we enjoyed a lot!!!!!! Good service!!!!!!!!

Lot of things to see around this city The audio was very informative