Are you passionate about ancient history? The Palace of Knossos, just a few kilometers from Heraklion, is one of Europe’s most important archaeological sites. We were struck by the sheer scale of the site from the moment we stepped onto it: here, the Minoan civilization—Europe’s first major Bronze Age civilization—left a legacy that is both monumental and enigmatic. In this article, check out our photos and all our tips for making the most of your visit to the Palace of Knossos.
In this article, you’ll find some useful tips to help you prepare for your visit and have a great time!
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Why visit the Palace of Knossos?
Is the Palace of Knossos worth the trip? Our opinion:
Yes, the Palace of Knossos is definitely worth a visit. It is the most accessible and best-preserved Minoan archaeological site in all of Crete. There, we discovered a place where history, legend, and architecture intersect in a unique way that you won’t find anywhere else on the island. It’s one of the best things to do in Heraklion. We’ve also listed it among the top sights to see in Crete.
Why is the Palace of Knossos famous?
The Palace of Knossos is the symbol of Minoan civilization, one of Europe’s first great civilizations. It flourished during the Bronze Age, between 2700 and 1400 B.C., and played a pivotal role in the development of Western Europe. The site is also inextricably linked to the great Greek legends: it is here that King Minos is said to have reigned, and it is beneath these very stones that the myth places the famous labyrinth of the Minotaur.
Furthermore, Knossos stands out from other Minoan ruins due to the partial reconstructions carried out by the British archaeologist Sir Arthur Evans in the early20th century. Repainted columns, restored frescoes, reconstructed staircases: these interventions, now debated by experts, allow visitors to better imagine themselves within the space of a 3,500-year-old palace. Finally, Knossos also fascinates for its technical advances: the Minoans had developed a system of underground terracotta pipes for sanitation and water supply, a feat for the time.
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Our favorite moments
Here are our top 3 picks on the site:
- Discover Evans’ reconstructions and use them to understand the complex layout of a Minoan palace.
- Take in the reconstructed frescoes, which offer a striking glimpse into Minoan art: dolphins, bulls, and processions of elegant figures in vivid colors.
- Take the time to explore the quieter areas of the site, away from the crowds, to get a sense of the palace’s true scale and let your imagination run wild.
History in brief
The Palace of Knossos stands as a testament to a civilization that shaped the history of the entire eastern Mediterranean. Here are the milestones in its history:
- Around 2700 B.C.: the first signs of human settlement at the site of Knossos, at the beginning of the Bronze Age.
- Around 1900 B.C.: Construction of the first Minoan palace, the political, religious, and economic center of Crete.
- Around 1700 B.C.: The palace was destroyed, likely by an earthquake, and then a second, even larger palace was built.
- Around 1450 B.C.: the decline of Minoan civilization, likely linked to the eruption of the Santorini volcano and the Mycenaean invasions.
- Around 1400 B.C.: The palace was permanently abandoned.
- 1878: Discovery of the site by the Cretan archaeologist Minos Kalokairinos.
- 1900–1935: Excavations led by the British archaeologist Sir Arthur Evans, who also undertook partial reconstructions of the palace.
- Today: The site is designated a Greek historical monument and is undergoing a major redevelopment program set to continue through 2030, aimed at improving visitor facilities and transportation links to Heraklion.
WHERE TO STAY IN Heraklion
Our favorites: neighborhoods and hotels
Downtown
GDMMegaron Hotel – See prices, photos and availability
Near Ammoudara Beach, west
Paralos Lifestyle Beach Hotel – See prices, photos and availability
Inland
Manili Boutique Suites & Villas – See prices, photos and availability
Directions and map: Palace of Knossos, Crete
Where is the Palace of Knossos located?
- On the north coast of Crete, just south of Heraklion (the island’s capital), near the town of Archanes
- Travel time from downtownHeraklion: 15 minutes
- Travel time from Mount Iouchtas: 15 minutes
- Travel time from Rethymno: 1 hour and 15 minutes
- Travel time from Chania: 2 hours
- Travel time from Agios Nikolaos: 1 hour and 15 minutes
- Here is a map to help you find your way:
How to get there?
From Heraklion, there are several options for getting to the site:
- Bus line 2 connects the port of Heraklion to Knossos: it’s the most economical and convenient option if you’re staying in town. More info here
- A taxi is a quick and comfortable option for a trip that takes about 15 minutes.
- If you’re coming from another town on the north coast, an organized tour might be worth considering: it often includes a guided tour of the site and can sometimes be combined with other stops, such as the Lassithi Plateau or the city of Heraklion. Find your perfect tour here
- A car is still the most flexible option, especially if you want to visit several archaeological sites in a single day. Our tips for renting a car
RENT YOUR CAR IN Crete
- Our preferred agency is Rental Center Crete
everything is included in the price and the service is excellent. No stress! - Choose a car with a decent engine for greater comfort on the few mountain roads.
- Book early for choice.
- If you prefer international brands, compare prices on DiscoverCars
Parking
There are two parking lots available right next to the site: a small one located directly to the right of the entrance, and a larger one a short distance further up the access road. Access by car is straightforward.
Useful tips: duration, schedules, eating…
Best time to visit
The Palace of Knossos is one of Greece’s most popular archaeological sites, and large tour buses start arriving in droves as early as 9 a.m. We recommend aiming to arrive at opening time at 8 a.m. to enjoy the site in relative peace and quiet before the influx of tour groups. In the summer, a visit in the late afternoon, around 5 or 6 p.m., is also a good option: the light is softer and the crowds are significantly smaller. If you can avoid the months of July and August, your visit will be more pleasant as it will be cooler and less crowded, but the site remains accessible and interesting year-round.
Length of visit and main difficulties
Allow between 1.5 and 2.5 hours for a full tour of the site, depending on your pace and how much you want to take in. The site covers a large area and is entirely outdoors: be sure to wear sturdy walking shoes, bring sunscreen, and a bottle of water, especially in the summer when temperatures can be high. Please note that in 2026, the site is undergoing a redevelopment program that will continue through 2030: construction zones are present in some areas, and certain walking routes may be slightly altered. This does not prevent you from visiting, but it is helpful to know this before you arrive.
Advice on how to visit
There is no strictly prescribed route for visiting the site. We suggest you start with the interpretive galleries near the entrance to get a basic understanding of the history before exploring the ruins. Next, head to the central courtyard, which forms the heart of the palace, and then branch out to the various wings: the royal apartments, storage rooms, and the throne room. Finish your tour in the less crowded outer areas of the site, where you can take your time observing the architectural details.
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Visiting with children
The Palace of Knossos is well-suited for a family visit. Evans’ reconstructions, with their colorful columns and restored frescoes, provide a vivid visual setting that appeals to younger visitors. The myth of the Minotaur and the labyrinth is also a story that children are often familiar with, providing an ideal narrative starting point to bring the visit to life. Be sure to pack sturdy shoes for the little ones and protect them from the sun, as most of the site is outdoors. The on-site explanatory panels are mainly intended for adults, but some guides offer family-friendly tours. We’ve actually included it in our list of the best things to do with kids in Heraklion.
Schedules and rates
The site is open every day of the year, with hours that vary by season: from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. in summer, from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. in fall, and from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. in winter (with a likely closing time of 3 p.m. on weekends during the off-season).
The admission fee is €20.
To avoid waiting in line, book your guided tour ticket now.
A combined ticket is available for the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, which is a great option since the two sites complement each other. Visit the official website for more info here.
Guided tours
There is a tour guide booth at the site entrance, offering private or small-group tours. Hiring a guide is a great way to make sense of the ruins, which can seem abstract without the right context. Guided tours departing from the main cities on the north coast generally include priority access and skip the ticket line—a significant advantage during peak season.
Find your guided tour here
Catering
There is a café near the site entrance, perfect for a quick break. There are also several taverns in the immediate vicinity of Knossos. For a more substantial meal, Heraklion, just a 15-minute drive away, offers a wide selection of restaurants.
Check out our top restaurant recommendations and tips on where to eat.
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A palace with legendary origins
Even before setting foot on the site, Knossos makes one thing clear: this place bears the weight of an entire civilization. The Minoan civilization, which flourished on the island of Crete between approximately 2700 and 1400 BCE, is considered Europe’s first great civilization. It predates the ancient Greeks by more than a millennium and exerted a decisive influence on cultures throughout the eastern Mediterranean. We were struck by this sense of time’s depth the moment we entered the site: walking in Knossos is like going back to the very origins of European history.
The palace served as the political, religious, and economic center of Minoan Crete. It housed the king’s court, places of worship, artisan workshops, and vast food stores. At its peak, the complex covered more than 20,000 square meters and contained several hundred rooms spread across multiple levels. You will no doubt be surprised by the sophistication of this complex: inner courtyards regulated the flow of light, drainage systems managed rainwater, and skylights ventilated the interior spaces. The Minoan civilization was anything but primitive.
It is also in Knossos that one of the most famous legends of Greek mythology has its roots. According to ancient accounts, King Minos is said to have ruled from this palace and built an underground labyrinth to imprison the Minotaur, a creature half-man, half-bull born of an unnatural union. The Athenian hero Theseus is said to have come here to slay the monster, guided by Ariadne’s thread. We believe this mythological dimension adds an extra layer of fascination to the visit: it’s hard to wander through the palace’s labyrinthine corridors without letting your imagination run wild.
The tour: from authentic ruins to Evans’ reconstructions
What immediately sets Knossos apart from other Minoan sites on Crete is the presence of partial reconstructions carried out by the British archaeologist Sir Arthur Evans between 1900 and 1935. At most Minoan sites, the visit consists mainly of wall foundations and a few staircases. At Knossos, Evans had columns (painted red, characteristic of Minoan art), sections of facades, staircases, and interior spaces reconstructed. These interventions allow visitors to better understand the palace’s layout and imagine what it was like to live there. They are, however, a subject of debate among archaeologists: some of the reconstructions rely more on Evans’s interpretation than on solid physical evidence. Stop at the explanatory panels that distinguish the original elements from the reconstructions—this dialogue between reality and interpretation is instructive in itself.
Among the must-see rooms, the Throne Room is one of the most striking. There you will find an alabaster throne still in place, considered the oldest surviving throne in Europe. The frescoes of griffins framing the royal seat were partially restored by Evans.
The Central Courtyard, a vast open-air space at the heart of the palace, serves as the focal point for all the wings of the complex. We found that this is the spot where one best appreciates the scale of the palace. The Royal Apartments, accessible via the Grand Staircase, offer a glimpse into the private life of the court: bathrooms, basins, and spaces decorated with frescoes depicting dolphins and procession scenes.
Beneath the Surface: The Technical Achievements of the Minoans
Beyond its visible architecture, Knossos holds more subtle yet equally remarkable discoveries. As early as the2nd millennium BCE, the Minoans had developed a water supply and sanitation system based on underground terracotta pipes. These pipes, designed as interlocking sections with a gradually narrowing diameter, helped increase flow and facilitate cleaning. This is one of the earliest examples of hydraulic engineering of this type in Europe. Take a close look at the excavations along the route: in some places, you’ll see sections of these pipes still in place, quiet reminders of a technical mastery that is often underestimated. Fascinating, isn’t it?
The Palace Storehouses are also worth a visit. These long, parallel rooms, located in the west wing, housed gigantic terracotta jars called pithoi, some of which are over a meter tall. They were used to store olive oil, wine, and grain collected from local farmers as part of a centralized redistribution system. This economic organization reveals a structured Minoan state, capable of managing and redistributing resources across a vast territory. We found these spaces particularly evocative: contemplating these jars, intact for 3,500 years, is like touching the daily reality of a vanished civilization. Take a closer look at the symbols engraved on some of them—they belong to Linear A, the Minoan script that remains completely undeciphered to this day.
Finally, take note of the recurring symbols found throughout the site. The Consecration Horns, imposing stone sculptures shaped like bull’s horns, marked the palace’s sacred spaces and symbolized divine power. The Double Axe, or labrys, is the most characteristic emblem of Minoan civilization: it is found engraved on walls, columns, and ritual objects. It is, in fact, this symbol that gave the labyrinth its name (labyrinthos literally meaning “house of the double axe”). These architectural and symbolic details make Knossos a site that is as much to be read as it is to be visited—and that is precisely what makes the experience lasting.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the Greek name for the Palace of Knossos?
In Greek, the palace is spelled Κνωσός.
Will the Palace of Knossos undergo renovations in 2026?
Yes. Since 2024, the site has been undergoing a redevelopment program costing approximately 3.5 million euros, scheduled to continue through 2030. This project includes the redesign of the entrance, new visitor services, and the creation of pedestrian walkways to the Heraklion Archaeological Museum. In 2026, there are occasional construction zones, and some walking routes may be slightly altered. The site remains open and fully accessible to visitors. Find out more on the official website here
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