The Palace of Knossos
The Palace of Knossos
4
08:00 - 20:00
Monday
08:00 - 20:00
Tuesday
08:00 - 20:00
Wednesday
08:00 - 20:00
Thursday
08:00 - 20:00
Friday
08:00 - 20:00
Saturday
08:00 - 20:00
Sunday
08:00 - 20:00
About
These labyrinthine ruins are said to have been home to the monstrous Minotaur, a half-man half-bull creature that devoured young virgins.
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4.0
13,345 reviews
Excellent
5,221
Very good
4,168
Average
2,591
Poor
893
Terrible
472
Mohamed B
7 contributions
Jan 2023
Knossos is a mythical palace complex located just outside of Heraklion, the capital of Crete. This important archaeological site is believed to have been the center of Minoan civilization, and it is considered one of the most important archaeological sites in Greece. Visitors can explore the extensive ruins of the palace, including impressive frescoes and intricate mosaics, and learn about the fascinating history of this ancient civilization. The site is well-preserved and offers a unique glimpse into the daily life of the Minoans. Whether you are an archaeology enthusiast or simply interested in history, Knossos is a must-visit destination that offers a unique and unforgettable experience.
Written 31 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
mel
4 contributions
Jan 2023 • Family
Very disappointing. Totally overated. There r more interesting and authentic ruins in Crete. I certainly wouldn’t recommend
Written 20 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Meg.thesunsetlover
Hannover, Germany7 contributions
Aug 2022 • Friends
Definitely an extremely historically important and interesting sight, but there are a couple of things one needs to be prepared for before visiting.
1 - If you are planning to visit during the summer season, be prepared for the place to be fully packed, with long lines to enter certain chaimbers.
2 - Bring all kinds of sun protection and water. It is an open area with almost no shade.
3 - Combine the trip with going to the Knossos museum in Heraklion. Without it, you’re seeing only half of the show.
4 - Last but definitely not least - GO WITH A GUIDE
As people who prefer solo trips over guided tours, we were very glad to be going with a guide this time. As the sight is mostly ruins, your eperience dependes greatly on your imagination. Well informed person who can accurately describe the picture is therefore a key element.
1 - If you are planning to visit during the summer season, be prepared for the place to be fully packed, with long lines to enter certain chaimbers.
2 - Bring all kinds of sun protection and water. It is an open area with almost no shade.
3 - Combine the trip with going to the Knossos museum in Heraklion. Without it, you’re seeing only half of the show.
4 - Last but definitely not least - GO WITH A GUIDE
As people who prefer solo trips over guided tours, we were very glad to be going with a guide this time. As the sight is mostly ruins, your eperience dependes greatly on your imagination. Well informed person who can accurately describe the picture is therefore a key element.
Written 13 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
antracyt
15 contributions
Oct 2022
A place so famous that it does not need to be recommended. I like ancient history so Knossos was my dream. The rooms were not large. I was wondering what it was really used for. Was there a ruler in the throne room? Or just his dead body? The palace had no defensive walls and the frescoes do not depict battles, but processions, sports, flowers, animals and people. A palace for the afterlife?
Written 6 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
KarenM1_10
Bloomfield Hills, Michigan811 contributions
Jul 2022
We visited the Palace (city) and Museum with a tour from our cruise ship. Our guide was Catherine, and she was excellent. She is an archaeologist and was therefore knowledgeable about the site and had much insight to share. There is a lot of walking and not much shade, so wear sunscreen and bring a hat if you tour the ruins in the summer. At the Palace, there are some structures still standing and we saw excavations taking place in some areas. The Museum was very interesting and contained several artifacts from the Palace. The Museum is located near a main square with plenty of shops and restaurants. It was about a 15-minute walk back to the cruise port.
Written 24 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Marina B
Frankfurt, Germany12 contributions
Nov 2022 • Couples
Definitely something to visit while you are in Crete ! The site is well organise and the ruines are well conserved. It’s the oldest ruined in Crete you will ever see.
Written 17 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Caroline H
Dorchester, UK28 contributions
Sep 2022 • Solo
I came here with a tour group and I’m sure under other circumstances it would be wonderful but it wasn’t the best experience due to the crowds.
Queuing for tickets was a bit of a free-for-all, only somewhat saved by our tour leader who encouraged us to keep pushing forwards as the crowds increased into more of a throng. Why the tickets cannot be bought in advance, particularly when you are on an organised excursion is beyond me.
Knossos palace itself is very interesting and impressive but again the sheer number of people make it hard to enjoy it fully. There is a throne room that we queued an extra 30 minutes in the hot sun to walk through in single file was fully was not worth it. Maybe worth a five minute wait but not 30.
Be warned there is almost no shade once you enter!
I highly recommend visiting this amazing site outside of peak season!
Queuing for tickets was a bit of a free-for-all, only somewhat saved by our tour leader who encouraged us to keep pushing forwards as the crowds increased into more of a throng. Why the tickets cannot be bought in advance, particularly when you are on an organised excursion is beyond me.
Knossos palace itself is very interesting and impressive but again the sheer number of people make it hard to enjoy it fully. There is a throne room that we queued an extra 30 minutes in the hot sun to walk through in single file was fully was not worth it. Maybe worth a five minute wait but not 30.
Be warned there is almost no shade once you enter!
I highly recommend visiting this amazing site outside of peak season!
Written 14 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Steve
6 contributions
Nov 2022
An interesting place to spend a couple of hours but we were disappointed that quite a bit of the site was closed off when we were there.
As other people have said, it's unfortunate that some parts have been rebuilt so you never know what is original and what is a reconstruction. Still worth a visit though.
As other people have said, it's unfortunate that some parts have been rebuilt so you never know what is original and what is a reconstruction. Still worth a visit though.
Written 13 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Maggie
Fintry, UK5 contributions
Oct 2022
Don’t me so it. Fascinating and awe inspiring. For a more imaginative visit, read Ariadne by Jennifer Saint just prior to visiting.
Written 13 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Rayco Gª PERDOMO
Valencia, Spain13 contributions
Nov 2022
We went on 1st month sunday (free then) and 45 minutes later they sent us out because of the bad weather (a Black cloud on the horizon). Apparently someone died on 2016 smashed by a tree who was hit by a lighning. So, at 10:45 they set everyone out because of that! No one was allowed to come in for the rest of the day! People just came and went away...
We had the chance to go to days later (not as the hundreds of people who probably didn't had much time in Crete) and we paid our 8€ ticket to realize that the part of the palace we hadn't seen by then was closed due to conservation works.
Nevertheless a good and cheap place to hace lunch.
We had the chance to go to days later (not as the hundreds of people who probably didn't had much time in Crete) and we paid our 8€ ticket to realize that the part of the palace we hadn't seen by then was closed due to conservation works.
Nevertheless a good and cheap place to hace lunch.
Written 8 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Verena
Switzerland12 contributions
Hallo
wir planen eine Reise nach Kreta. Mein Mann ist Paraplegiker, kann weder stehen noch gehen. Was kann neben Knossos noch im Rollstuhl auf Kreta besichtigt werden.
Besten Dank für die Antwort.
Explore64946662813
3 contributions
Das Museum in Heraklion ist unbedingt einen Besuch wert, ist auch Rollstuhl geeignet.
Birger Halvorsen
Molde, Norway
Can I store luggage at or near the Palace of Knossos?
I'll be arriving by ferry in the evening, taking a cab up to the palace for a 6.30 pm tour and then I'll be leaving by cab once the tour is done at 8 p.m.
The problem is that I'll be travelling with a large suitcase and a large backpack. Is there anywhere to leave luggage while you explore the palace?
tincan70
Glasgow, UK32 contributions
There are guides & an eatery There. I'm confident if you asked one of them, they would oblige. Should maybe have a € offering. The down side of the Palace us that all the artefacts are in the museum in Heraklion.
Marine Grt
Tours, France
Bonjour , est ce que ça vaut le coup de le visiter ? Car nous avons vu beaucoup d’avis disant que la moitié du site était fermé .. donc ça fait cher l’entrée pour rien voir ..
l’accès est gratuit jusqu’à 25 ans inclus ?
Bertrand G
Poitiers, France740 contributions
Le palais est ouvert, mais la moitié du site est fermée. Nous avons été déçu par cette visite, mis aller en Crète sans y passer, on pourrait le regretter !!
Ensuite, il faut le visiter en fin de soirée, il y a moins de monde (c'est important en ce moment !)
Pour minorer le cout de la visite, il faut prendre un billet couplée avec le musée d'Héraklion qui lui vaut vraiment la peine d'y passer du temps. Il est très très bien.
A la date de cette réponse -> 15 € pour les adultes, 8 € pour les plus de 65 ans. Gratuit pour les moins de 18 ans et les étudiants. Billet combiné avec le musée archéologique d’ Héraklion, 16 €.
Bonne visite :)
Frankie D
1 contribution
Hi, can anyone tell me if parts of the palace are currently closed due to COVID-19? I would be visiting around August 25th. We will be staying in Chania and would love to visit but don't want to get the bus over from Chania only to find out half of it is closed.
franckydoudou
Ambilly, France531 contributions
yes a prt of it is closed to public.. the Queen rooms with the Dolphins fresca
Stela
Metz, France91 contributions
Nous allons traverser la Crète d’ouest en est et aurions voulu visiter le site en chemin. Est ce risqué de laisser des bagages dont un sur la banquette arrière? Je me doute que oui, mais peut-être l’un de vous en a fait l’expérience. Merci
Christian C
Montauban, France73 contributions
Avec la COVID19 le site ne semble pas très fréquenté. Personnellement en arrivant vers 16h je me suis garé sans problème tout a côté de l'entrée . J'avais 4 valises visibles dans le coffre de la voiture. Je n'ai eu aucun désagrément et aucun sentiment d'insécurité .
kate l
London, UK10 contributions
If I buy ticket at the archeology museum for Knosos can I use it the following day?
Pat Brown
10 contributions
We went to the museum first. They would be able to advise about tickets. Visiting the excellent Museum before going to the site is a good idea - it gives you a background before you walk round the Palace.
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The Palace of Knossos | Knosos | UPDATED February 2023 Top Tips Before You Go (with Photos) - Tripadvisor
Frequently Asked Questions about The Palace of Knossos
- The Palace of Knossos is open:
- Sun - Sat 08:00 - 20:00
- The Palace of Knossos admission prices can vary. Entrance tickets currently cost €20.33, while a popular guided tour starts around €11.18 per person. See all 63 The Palace of Knossos tickets and tours on Tripadvisor
- The Palace of Knossos can be crowded, so we recommend booking e-tickets ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund. See all 63 The Palace of Knossos tickets and tours on Tripadvisor
- According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience The Palace of Knossos:
- Skip the Line: Knossos Palace and Heraklion Archaeological Museum (From €20.33)
- Palace of Knossos: Pre-booked e-Ticket and Audio Tour on Your Phone (From €16.77)
- Knossos Palace Skip-the-Line Ticket (Shared Tour - Small group) (From €70.14)
- Knossos Palace & Heraklion City Tour (From €58.97)
- Knossos Palace Greek Mythology (From €70.14)
- Hotels near The Palace of Knossos:
- (0.15 km) ''Minos'' Maisonette House overlooking the Minoan Palace of Knossos !!
- (5.02 km) GDM Megaron Historical Monument Hotel
- (3.97 km) Galaxy Hotel Iraklio
- (4.96 km) Olive Green Hotel
- (5.08 km) ibis Styles Heraklion Central
- Restaurants near The Palace of Knossos:
- (0.16 km) Pasiphae Restaurant
- (0.07 km) Minotavros
- (0.18 km) The Little Garden
- (0.08 km) Russakis
- (4.28 km) Merastri