Knossos Crete

Knossos, located just a few kilometers outside the Cretan capital Heraklion, is the most important archaeological site on the island. Since its discovery at the end of the 19th century, the palace of Knossos is world famous. The elaborate excavations at the beginning of the 20th century were led by Sir Arthur Evans, a native of England. With considerable financial resources, he began to rebuild the huge palace. At 4000 years old, Knossos is one of the oldest large structures in Europe.

For archaeology, however, this is a scientific disaster, since Evans interpreted much about the ancient appearance of the palace according to his own ideas (often wrongly) during the reconstruction. However, today's lay visitor is pleased, he gets to see much more in Knossos than in the other three excavated Minoan palaces on Crete (Phestos, Malia and the palace Kato Zakros).

Knossos is one of the oldest sites in Europe. The palace dates back to about 2,000 B.C., but some finds date back to about 6,000 B.C. It is the enormous age that makes Knossos so special! The Minoans were the first advanced civilization in Europe and already knew things like heaters and toilet flushes. They lived almost exclusively on Crete.

Knossos is the most visited excursion destination in Crete. The other two sights very often visited by tourists are the island of Spinalonga and the long hike through the Samaria Gorge.

Our tip: Buy tickets for the Archaeological Museum Iraklio and Knosses as combination tickets with audio guide online in advance. 23 euros (individually on site together 27 euros without audio guide). The queues in Knossos without online ticket are often very long: click here

Directions Knossos

Car Knossos: Every day hundreds, often thousands, of tourists come to Knossos by rental car. Getting to Knossos quite easy, as it is well signposted throughout Heraklion. Already on the highway at the exit. Knossos is a few kilometers outside of Heraklio, behind (south of) the city from the sea. There are very large parking lots near the entrance of the sight. Parking at Knossos costs only a few euros. Buy tickets beforehand(see yellow box). After visiting Knossos you can still go to the city and look at the capital of Crete Heraklio. The many souvenir stores and taverns around Knossos are rather expensive and boring.

How to get to Knossos by bus: Knossos is easy to reach from the big bus station of Heraklion. Take the city bus line 2 (3-5 times per hour in summer) with Knossos as the final stop. Buy tickets at the ticket office. The regular buses are inexpensive. A one-way trip costs about 1,50 Euro in the beginning of 2024. Tickets are also available from the bus driver on the way back, but they cost about 50 cents more.

Excursion buses Knossos: From many resorts on Crete are offered day trips by bus to Knossos. This has the advantage that one is picked up comfortably in the morning at the hotel and is brought back after the bus tour.  Mehr Infos hier

Entrance fee Knossos: Unfortunately, the entrance fee to the palace has become much more expensive in recent years. The Greek state needs money. The entrance fee is now (beginning of 2024) 15 euros. There is a ticket in combination with the famous Archaeological Museum of Crete in Herkalion. Buy tickets beforehand(see yellow box).

Our tip: Buy tickets for the Archaeological Museum Iraklio and Knosses as combination tickets with audio guide online in advance. 23 euros (individually on site together 27 euros without audio guide). The queues in Knossos without online ticket are often very long: click here

Opening hours Knossos

In summer, the palace complex of Knossos is open daily from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.. This information refers to the year 2024. In winter, the palace closes already at 5 p.m. (as of the beginning of 2024). Only on some holidays like March 25, Easter, May 1, Christmas and New Year's Day Knossos is closed for visitors. On some other holidays in Greece, such as Good Friday, the opening hours are significantly reduced.
 

More info Knossos

The many tavernas and stores around Knossos Palace are quite expensive and of mediocre quality at best. How long you should take to visit Knossos depends on individual interest. Some spend only an hour in the Minoan palace, but other visitors spend a whole day. The fenced-in area of Knossos is several hundred meters in diameter. Much of it is in the blazing sun.

The famous labyrinth of Knossos is the model for many modern labyrinths, including the one in the Labyrinth Park of Crete in Chersonissos.

There are good toilets in Knossos. It is often very hot. It is best to bring plenty of water.

If you have not booked a guided tour, you can of course listen to other groups for a while. There are many guided tours in Knossos, in all imaginable languages.

Quite a few visitors are somewhat disappointed by Knossos. As a total layman in archaeology, one sees mainly stones, ruins and collapsed walls. Knossos is interesting if you inform yourself beforehand, if you have a good guide with you or especially if you take a guided tour. In our opinion it is worth

The famous wall painting with the dolphins in Knossos

Information about the Doges Palace Venice

Map Knossos Crete