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Book Knossos Palace Tickets
Headout is an authorized and trusted partner of the venue, offering curated experiences to enjoy this attraction.
- With these tickets step into the past with the impressive Knossos Palace, a 3700-year-old gem of ancient Greek architecture.
- Dodge those long lines and tiring waits with these tickets and be intrigued by the still-undeciphered 'Linear A' language.
- Discover this important political centre that tells us the ways of the Minoan civilization’s culture and customs.
- The majesty of the Throne Room and the timeless allure of Minoan murals await your discovery.
- You also have the choice to upgrade to be part of a small group on a guided tour or wander at your leisure with an audio guide
- With these tickets step into the past with the impressive Knossos Palace, a 3700-year-old gem of ancient Greek architecture.
- Dodge those long lines and tiring waits with these tickets and be intrigued by the still-undeciphered 'Linear A' language.
- Discover this important political centre that tells us the ways of the Minoan civilization’s culture and customs.
- The majesty of the Throne Room and the timeless allure of Minoan murals await your discovery.
- You also have the choice to upgrade to be part of a small group on a guided tour or wander at your leisure with an audio guide
Inclusions
- Entry to Knossos Palace
- 90-minute small-group guided tour (optional)
- Expert guide (optional)
- Headset (optional)
- Audio guide for Android & iOS in English, French & Italian (optional)
- Tip: Try visiting early morning or late afternoon for the best light for your photos and to avoid the midday Mediterranean heat.
- This experience is wheelchair and pram/stroller accessible.
- These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.
Reviews
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Snapshots from our guests
4.5
1.1K ratings
638
443
10
2
8
What our guests say
Kenneth
Nov 2024Verified booking
The site was just as I expected: historical! My wife and I are not great at technology. Couldn't figure out how to get audio. Tried for a bit. Talked to few people who were very nice. We couldn't figure how to get it. Fortunately for us the description signs were in English. Thankful for that. We read every one.
Misslin
Nov 2024Verified booking
The site was advertised as open until 6.30pm, but we were asked to leave by 6pm. So we didn't get to do the whole tour.
View original review in French
Fiona
Oct 2024Verified booking
Staff at toilet very rude. I have stoma bag so decided to use disabled toilet to empty it. Lady working in female toilets came and stood outside door, when I came out she was rude shaking her head at me. Not all disabilities are visible and Staff should know this. I hope you feedback this to the staff Everything else great (No problem about meeting point just had to tick option to submit review) Thanks
Barbara
Oct 2024Verified booking
The guide was excellent. Good English, and very patient with questions. He knew the history of course, and also would talk about today's attitudes to the restorations that have been done. He had a balanced view. He proceeded at an appropriate pace, and the group was not too big (about 6 of us), so we could all talk to him. The ticketing experience was simple. We were contacted in advance and told where to meet, with a picure of the person who was going to greet us, holding up the sign. That was really helpful. The tickets werent cheap but I felt they were worth it. Some of the features of the site were shielded by glass, but reflection on the gas made it impossible to view the features behind. I'm sure this isnt Headout or the guide's fault. Can't non reflective glass be used, or screens?
Simone
Oct 2024Verified booking
We had a great guide. Irini took a lot of time and showed us around Knossos really well! She had great knowledge and spoke very good German. Highly recommended!
View original review in German
Hugues
Sep 2024Verified booking
The magnificence of the site combined with the professionalism and knowledge of the guide made it a mémorable experience.
Anna
Sep 2024Verified booking
The palace was beautiful to see and there is so much to explore. The Minoan art, the views and history made it a great day. The ticketing system was so easy. We scanned our qr code and got in fast without any issues. Would recommend this booking method as it is fast and easy.
David
Sep 2024Verified booking
The entire site is memorable and definitely worth seeing. I think things could be a little clearer about downloading the accompanying app both on the Headout site and the actual site itself, as we were mucking around trying to download the app after entry, but the QR code was on the outside of the entrance!
Clifton
Sep 2024Verified booking
The guide had unique insights that we wouldn't be able to understand without: with her we learned a lot more than we otherwise would. Your guide is your value!
Martina
Sep 2024Verified booking
We did not have to wait in line and got in right away. The ticket line on site was miles long. However, I must say that the tickets never arrived via email, fortunately I read that you could download the app and got them from there. The palace is beautiful although the tour is not very long since there are not many things to see. Plus to see the throne room we had to stand in line for half an hour in full sun in August and it was not the best
View original review in Italian
VIAUD
Sep 2024Verified booking
Ticket reservations are a real plus for avoiding the queues. On the other hand, and this only applies to the archeological site, there's a serious lack of precise directions for visiting the site.
View original review in French
David
Sep 2024Verified booking
Everything about the visit was incredible. Our guide explained the history in a very interesting and informational way.
Irina
Sep 2024Verified booking
Buying tickets online was a good idea as it was a lineup to the ticket office. Very good support online if you need any help.
Sarah
Sep 2024Verified booking
Our guide was excellent! She gave us factual history together with legend and myth and how they might have all married together, along with background on the latest theories and excavations. We had a fabulous time and learned so much about the site and the Minoan civilization.
Maria
Sep 2024Verified booking
Knossos Palace was disappointing. The €15 admission fee felt steep, and it was difficult to navigate as there were no arrows to guide you through the site. The information panels seemed outdated and heavily reliant on Arthur Evans' subjective interpretation. While I'm not an art history expert, I'm sure modern archaeologists and historians have differing views on Knossos. Tour guides quoted us €150 for a family of five with teens aged 15, 16, and 17. The Heraklion Archaeological Museum is much more engaging, offering a deeper understanding of Knossos, with breathtaking artefacts on display.
Daniela
Sep 2024Verified booking
We had online tickets for 3pm. We were there earlier and asked if we could go in earlier. It was no problem.
View original review in German
Manon
Sep 2024Verified booking
Well organized. We didn't wait because we have our e-tickets. We previousley down-loaded the audioguide and it helped a lot.
Gabriel
Sep 2024Verified booking
You really avoid the queues. It's worth a lot for that. At the Palace of Knossos, you can take pictures as much as you like. The king's throne still retains its original structures and colors. The rest are reconstructions that reproduce the originals. This is the Minoan civilization.
View original review in Portuguese
Ruth
Sep 2024Verified booking
I arrived at 8am and the palace was so empty. I walked round twice with an audio guide. I loved seeing and hearing about the history. I also really appreciated the restored areas that gave a great insight into how it would have looked. Lots of helpful staff around, and the cafe on site is good.
Amparo
Sep 2024Verified booking
Everything, of course the Palace and the museum but the organization and the wonderful guide we had made the visit more special
Mario
Sep 2024Verified booking
The visit was very good but there were no guides in Spanish, nor guided tours in Spanish. We would have liked to have that option when we visited.
View original review in Spanish
Hannelore
Sep 2024Verified booking
It was very impressive and our German-speaking guide Rita 😊was definitely an asset. The extra investment is absolutely worth it .... You won't find so many explanations about the palace and history in any guidebook. As she said: If you look at it without a guide, it's just stones! That's exactly how it is.
View original review in German
Triantafillia
Aug 2024Verified booking
Great tour great facilities to purchase a frappe well maintained. Parking near by. Nice info available in front of each site. Only annoying thing is after waiting in line for the bathrooms i discovered I need to pay which is fine 1 euro but i didn't have my purse with me so I lost my spot in line. Post before warning would be helpful I was not the only one.
Antonio
Aug 2024Verified booking
Simply outstanding, evocative site. Unique experience.Being catapulted to 5000 years ago, walking along the same narrow streets, treading the same ground . UNIQUE
View original review in Italian
Dr
Aug 2024Verified booking
We booked the tickets in advance which made our entry super quick and easy. It was a nice visit, we took around 1.5 hours to visit the entirity of the site.
- With this smart combo, experience two of the top archaeological attractions of Crete – the Heraklion Archaeological Museum and the Knossos Palace.
- With an English or German audio guide to download onto your smartphone at both the Museum and Palace, explore the deep history and artifacts of these attractions at your own pace.
- The Heraklion Archaeological Museum is one of the most famous museums in Europe, home to the most priceless pieces of Minoan history and art.
- Some exhibits you surely shouldn’t miss are the Golden Bee Pendant, Phaistos Disc, Snake Goddess, Stone Bull's Head Rhyton, and King Mino’s Ring.
- Admire Minoan frescoes such as the Bull-Leaping Fresco, Prince of the Lilies, Ladies in Blue, and more.
- The Knossos Palace is one of the oldest and most luxurious palaces in the world with impressive ruins and the brightly-colored frescoes.
- Explore the corridors of King Minos’ Palace and the South Propylaeum, depicting the activities of everyday life.
- Gaze out onto the imposing view of Mount Juktas from the South Entrance Corridor and learn about ritualism and pastoral life in Minoan Crete.
- Your in-depth audio guides will share more than 160 stories, anecdotes, and information that can be repeated even after your visit.
- With this smart combo, experience two of the top archaeological attractions of Crete – the Heraklion Archaeological Museum and the Knossos Palace.
- With an English or German audio guide to download onto your smartphone at both the Museum and Palace, explore the deep history and artifacts of these attractions at your own pace.
- The Heraklion Archaeological Museum is one of the most famous museums in Europe, home to the most priceless pieces of Minoan history and art.
- Some exhibits you surely shouldn’t miss are the Golden Bee Pendant, Phaistos Disc, Snake Goddess, Stone Bull's Head Rhyton, and King Mino’s Ring.
- Admire Minoan frescoes such as the Bull-Leaping Fresco, Prince of the Lilies, Ladies in Blue, and more.
- The Knossos Palace is one of the oldest and most luxurious palaces in the world with impressive ruins and the brightly-colored frescoes.
- Explore the corridors of King Minos’ Palace and the South Propylaeum, depicting the activities of everyday life.
- Gaze out onto the imposing view of Mount Juktas from the South Entrance Corridor and learn about ritualism and pastoral life in Minoan Crete.
- Your in-depth audio guides will share more than 160 stories, anecdotes, and information that can be repeated even after your visit.
Inclusions
- Adult time-slotted e-ticket for Knossos Palace
- Adult time-slotted e-ticket for Heraklion Archaeological Museum
- 2 Self-guided audio tours on your smartphone (Android and iOS)
- Offline content for both audio tours (text, audio narration, and maps)
Exclusions
- Live Guide
- Smartphone and headphones
- Food and drinks
- Hotel transfers and transportation
- App is incompatible with Windows phones
- Please note that your entry to Knossos Palace will either be at 8am, followed by entry to the Heraklion Archaeological Museum at 1pm or entry to Knossos Palace at 10am followed by entry to the Heraklion Archaeological Museum at 5pm.
- Download your ticket(s) and audio tour while on WiFi prior to your visit. There's no WiFi/4G available on site.
- Ensure that your smartphone is fully charged and be sure to carry your headphones/earphones.
- Audio tour is available to download only on iOS and Android.
- Carry a photo ID such as a passport, government ID, or driver’s license.
- Free/reduced admission tickets don’t have fast access privileges and can only be acquired at the ticket booth on-site at both attractions.
- These are self-guided audio tours: there's no live guide or meeting point.
- The specified time applies to your admission into the Palace of Knossos. You have the flexibility to access the Archaeological Site at any time during the chosen date.
- These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.
Reviews
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Snapshots from our guests
3.5
70 ratings
26
13
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7
13
What our guests say
Agustin
Oct 2024Verified booking
I would like to make a difference in my experience at the Palace of Knossos, the place deserves a very good rating, but the attention, a 0, a HUGE zero. In contrast, my experience at the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion, both the place and the attention of its staff, deserves the highest rating, outstanding. In the Palace of Knossos, the staff was very rude and not at all helpful, something that surprised me a lot because of the difference in treatment that there is in my country, Peru, a country known for the kindness of its people, where the attention to tourists is first class. At Knossos, from the entrance, although I had the information on my cell phone, the person at the window was very dismissive and did not try to help me to identify the document I needed to show him. I then went to the second checkpoint, the entrance itself and it was the same, I asked a question and not only did they not answer me, they chose to say that my question was not their job and that was it. I did the tour on my own, and the audio guide didn't help at all, it's just a summary of the history, not an audio guide, explaining what you see. I have visited places like the Killing Fields in Cambodia, where the Khmer Rouge murdered people and the audio guide is REALLY an audio guide, it explains every place you see, the audio guide at Knossos is NO AUDIO GUIDE. After two hours and some queues -there were hundreds of tourists traveling in groups- at my exit, after examining the places visited I asked one of the employees that were nearby about the fresco of the dolphins, which I had not seen I had understood that it was no longer in the Palace and that individual was very rude, I preferred to skip it and ask another person who confirmed my doubt. My visit to the Archaeological Museum, on the other hand, was very positive. As I finished my visit to the Palace of Knossos, I went to the Museum two hours earlier than I had registered and at the entrance it was explained to me that I had to return at the scheduled time or one hour earlier or later than scheduled, which I understood. As there were too many people, I was concerned about going around the Museum and seeing the most important works and at certain times I had to ask for help from the staff who always attended me kindly, besides being very well informed. At the end of the visit, I noticed that I had not visited a part of the Museum, so I went back, but I did not find it, I asked one of the Museum staff and she explained that this sector was temporarily closed, responding kindly.
View original review in Spanish
Pamela
Oct 2024Verified booking
The Minoan palace of Knossos is a must-see when in Crete and we got a feel for the place that you could only get in person when we visited both Knossos and the Heraklion Archaeological Museum in October. Ticketing through Headout worked well: I downloaded tickets for two of us to my phone and they were scanned at entry. For both venues there is a scheduled entry time and it would have been helpful to have times closer together. As it was, our entry time at Knossos was in the morning (a good idea to avoid crowds) but our museum entry not until 5 pm so we had to fill the time with other activities. The downloadable guides to both venues were helpful. We followed along with earbuds at Knossos and didn't feel like we missed having a live tour guide. In fact it gave us flexibility to move at our own pace and pause when we wanted to. Glad we did both venues as Knossos is just ruins with some reconstructed sections, while the museum fills in gaps with art, paintings, sculpture, ceramics, jewelry, tools, etc., that actually came from the palace site. It was a great learning experience.
Claudia
Sep 2024Verified booking
The audio guide ok, well done and interesting. I bought the combo ticket on line: I am a journalist over 65 and theoretically I wouldn't have to pay! But there was no senior option and free admission could only be obtained on the spot. The worst thing, however, was the fact that having chosen the site visit at 10 a.m. we were scheduled to visit the museum at 5 p.m.! Since our hotel was over 2 hours away, we bought the tickets again.
View original review in Italian
Maria-Grazia
Sep 2024Verified booking
Comprehensive audio guide, good content, clear directions with useful photos. We were assigned a visiting time for the Heraklion museum (h.5-6 p.m.) that was incompatible with the need to leave for our location almost 3 hours away and too far from the time of our chosen Knossos excavations visit (h.10 a.m.): we had to buy back the museum ticket in order to get in at 3 p.m. Also, we could not benefit online from the over-65 discount.
View original review in Italian
Nacera
Sep 2024Verified booking
Easy to book. But the service provider should have indicated the visiting times for the 2 sites to be visited. The one for the archaeological museum was missing and for good reason it was much later... we waited 1 hour on site.
View original review in French
Katie
Aug 2024Verified booking
Easy to book. Downloaded App and was able to to download tickets to it so easy to open when out without wifi. Bought combo ticket for Knossos and archeological museum. Chose 8am entry got Knossos but was automatically given a 1pm entry got museum - we arrived 10.30am do had to go away and come back 12pm as they wouldn't let us in more than 1hr before ticket time. Both palace & museum fab. X
Dolne
Jun 2024Verified booking
+ Hôtel magnifique , très propre , nourriture variée et très bonne, personnel très aimable, plusieurs piscines et restaurants, - pas de lit King size, pas de sport football pour adultes, pas d'activité le dimanche et peu d'animation le soir pour les adultes, piscine froide pour l Aqua Park
Alessandro
Sep 2024Verified booking
Very nice museum indeed, very well explained and with very usable spaces
View original review in Italian
Lara
Aug 2024Verified booking
Unclear tour instructions Loss of bearings during the tour
View original review in French
Persefoni
Jul 2024Verified booking
We have taken a private guide from the entrance of the palace and this was amazing.
Lorenzo
Apr 2024Verified booking
Il bellissimo Museo Archeologico di Heraklion, veramente eccezionale per i suoi reperti
Afrodite
Nov 2024Verified booking
Rusanka
Oct 2024Verified booking
Cristina
Oct 2024Verified booking
Sep 2024Verified booking
Petros
Sep 2024Verified booking
Krzysztof
Sep 2024Verified booking
Sylvian
Sep 2024Verified booking
MARIA
Aug 2024Verified booking
vito
Aug 2024Verified booking
Jonathan
Aug 2024Verified booking
Giuseppe
Aug 2024Verified booking
Danilo
Aug 2024Verified booking
Shuai
Jul 2024Verified booking
Pilar
Jul 2024Verified booking
Combos
Combo (Save 5%): Knossos Palace Archaeological Site Entry Tickets + Heraklion Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
from €26
€24.70
5% off
- Why wait? Fast-track your way into Knossos Palace, then hop on and off as you explore Heraklion’s hidden gems, all in one budget-friendly combo ticket.
- Step back in time with priority access to the Knossos Palace, where the 3700-year-old ruins tell tales of the ancient civilization.
- Delve into the Minoan lives with a chance to see the Throne of King Minos and marvel at the mysterious murals with undeciphered language.
- Get ready for a double dose of adventure as you hop on and off across Heraklion city with a 1-day open-top bus tour and an extra day free.
- Zoom around two routes, hitting 18 prime spots like the sun-kissed beaches of Ammoudara. Frequent buses have audio guides and free Wi-Fi.
- Why wait? Fast-track your way into Knossos Palace, then hop on and off as you explore Heraklion’s hidden gems, all in one budget-friendly combo ticket.
- Step back in time with priority access to the Knossos Palace, where the 3700-year-old ruins tell tales of the ancient civilization.
- Delve into the Minoan lives with a chance to see the Throne of King Minos and marvel at the mysterious murals with undeciphered language.
- Get ready for a double dose of adventure as you hop on and off across Heraklion city with a 1-day open-top bus tour and an extra day free.
- Zoom around two routes, hitting 18 prime spots like the sun-kissed beaches of Ammoudara. Frequent buses have audio guides and free Wi-Fi.
Inclusions
Knossos Palace
- Entry to Knossos Palace
Heraklion HOHO pass
- 1-day unlimited hop-on hop-off pass + 1-day free
- Audio guide in English, Greek, Russian, German, Spanish, Italian, French & Hebrew
- Free earphones
- Free map
Please click here for a detailed map and boarding points.
You can join a tour at any stop and hop on and off for the duration of your ticket.
Heraklion line
- First bus: 9am from stop #1 (Port)
- Last bus: 5pm from stop #1 (Port)
- Frequency: Every 30 mins
- Popular stops: Knossos Palace, Archaeological Museum, Venetian Castle Koules
Ammoudara line
- First bus: 9am from stop #1 (Apollonia Hotel)
- Last bus: 4:30pm from stop #1 (Apollonia Hotel)
- Frequency: Every 60-75 mins
- Popular stops: Hotel Dolphin, Technopolis, Agapi Beach Hotel
Knossos Palace
- Tip: Look out for the royal apartments and ancient theatre, it provides great insight into the Minoans' love for complex architectural designs and performing arts.
- This experience is wheelchair and pram/stroller accessible.
Heraklion HOHO pass
- Tip: Visiting Knossos Palace during the bus tour? Hop off at stop 9 of the Heraklion line for easy access.
- The buses are wheelchair and pram/stroller accessible.
- Your guide dogs are welcome onboard.
- Baggage is allowed onboard.
- These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.
Reviews
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4.5
976 ratings
521
436
7
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What our guests say
Misslin
Nov 2024Verified booking
The site was advertised as open until 6.30pm, but we were asked to leave by 6pm. So we didn't get to do the whole tour.
View original review in French
Julie
Oct 2024Verified booking
Easy to buy tickets online. The drivers were friendly and the buses frequent. I'd highly recommend. A great way to get to Knossos!
Fiona
Oct 2024Verified booking
Staff at toilet very rude. I have stoma bag so decided to use disabled toilet to empty it. Lady working in female toilets came and stood outside door, when I came out she was rude shaking her head at me. Not all disabilities are visible and Staff should know this. I hope you feedback this to the staff Everything else great (No problem about meeting point just had to tick option to submit review) Thanks
Brenda
Oct 2024Verified booking
Ticketing experience in person good; but over phone i was sent for athens and as far as I k ow I never received refunf...I need to check
Christeen
Oct 2024Verified booking
The bus staff were incredibly helpful and responsive, they helped us through a wrong bus experience and did not let us down, working with us to fix our route and plan
Simone
Oct 2024Verified booking
We had a great guide. Irini took a lot of time and showed us around Knossos really well! She had great knowledge and spoke very good German. Highly recommended!
View original review in German
Anna
Sep 2024Verified booking
The palace was beautiful to see and there is so much to explore. The Minoan art, the views and history made it a great day. The ticketing system was so easy. We scanned our qr code and got in fast without any issues. Would recommend this booking method as it is fast and easy.
David
Sep 2024Verified booking
The entire site is memorable and definitely worth seeing. I think things could be a little clearer about downloading the accompanying app both on the Headout site and the actual site itself, as we were mucking around trying to download the app after entry, but the QR code was on the outside of the entrance!
Martina
Sep 2024Verified booking
We did not have to wait in line and got in right away. The ticket line on site was miles long. However, I must say that the tickets never arrived via email, fortunately I read that you could download the app and got them from there. The palace is beautiful although the tour is not very long since there are not many things to see. Plus to see the throne room we had to stand in line for half an hour in full sun in August and it was not the best
View original review in Italian
Irina
Sep 2024Verified booking
Buying tickets online was a good idea as it was a lineup to the ticket office. Very good support online if you need any help.
Maria
Sep 2024Verified booking
Knossos Palace was disappointing. The €15 admission fee felt steep, and it was difficult to navigate as there were no arrows to guide you through the site. The information panels seemed outdated and heavily reliant on Arthur Evans' subjective interpretation. While I'm not an art history expert, I'm sure modern archaeologists and historians have differing views on Knossos. Tour guides quoted us €150 for a family of five with teens aged 15, 16, and 17. The Heraklion Archaeological Museum is much more engaging, offering a deeper understanding of Knossos, with breathtaking artefacts on display.
Daniela
Sep 2024Verified booking
We had online tickets for 3pm. We were there earlier and asked if we could go in earlier. It was no problem.
View original review in German
Gabriel
Sep 2024Verified booking
You really avoid the queues. It's worth a lot for that. At the Palace of Knossos, you can take pictures as much as you like. The king's throne still retains its original structures and colors. The rest are reconstructions that reproduce the originals. This is the Minoan civilization.
View original review in Portuguese
Ruth
Sep 2024Verified booking
I arrived at 8am and the palace was so empty. I walked round twice with an audio guide. I loved seeing and hearing about the history. I also really appreciated the restored areas that gave a great insight into how it would have looked. Lots of helpful staff around, and the cafe on site is good.
Amparo
Sep 2024Verified booking
Everything, of course the Palace and the museum but the organization and the wonderful guide we had made the visit more special
Mario
Sep 2024Verified booking
The visit was very good but there were no guides in Spanish, nor guided tours in Spanish. We would have liked to have that option when we visited.
View original review in Spanish
Hannelore
Sep 2024Verified booking
It was very impressive and our German-speaking guide Rita 😊was definitely an asset. The extra investment is absolutely worth it .... You won't find so many explanations about the palace and history in any guidebook. As she said: If you look at it without a guide, it's just stones! That's exactly how it is.
View original review in German
Antonio
Aug 2024Verified booking
Simply outstanding, evocative site. Unique experience.Being catapulted to 5000 years ago, walking along the same narrow streets, treading the same ground . UNIQUE
View original review in Italian
Dr
Aug 2024Verified booking
We booked the tickets in advance which made our entry super quick and easy. It was a nice visit, we took around 1.5 hours to visit the entirity of the site.
Sarah
Aug 2024Verified booking
We liked the walkways; however, it could use better signage as to the direction to go. We made the mistake of not seeing the Queen's Chamber first and by the time we got there, the line was so long because of the tour groups. The explanations of what we were seeing were very well done and enhanced our experience.
Albertus
Aug 2024Verified booking
It is an historic site showing a peek at an ancient civilisation. The physical remnants are impressive albeit limited which is understandable given history and time. The site is very accessible allowing visitors access to almost every part of it.
Silvia
Aug 2024Verified booking
Queues avoided, easy purchase, archaeological site very interesting but unfortunately we had not taken a guidebook and explanations on site are sparse and absolutely exhaustive.
View original review in Italian
Neubauer
Aug 2024Verified booking
The whole area was very beautiful, not too crowded and good to walk through. We walked around without a guide and it took us about 80 minutes. If you want to learn more about the history, you should book an audio guide or a guide.
View original review in German
Chiara
Aug 2024Verified booking
I did not have a guide, but the visit was very interesting. I didn't wait in line at the entrance thanks to the online reservation skip-queue ticket
View original review in Italian
Cérédgine
Aug 2024Verified booking
Magnificent views, the site is small but magnificent! Easily and quickly accessible by bus. Not enough information for my taste next to each monument. We hadn't booked our tickets online and had to wait a long time to get our entrance tickets from the cashier. We bought our tickets online, and there were only tickets left for a noon entrance. The gentleman at the entrance agreed to let us come by with our tickets at 11am! The view and the site are magnificent!
View original review in French
- Get fast-track entry and explore Crete's Minoan marvel with a guide, perfect for history buffs and those seeking a deeper understanding of Knossos Palace.
- With a small group, you'll have a richer exploration of Knossos, with your guide sharing in-depth details into the legend of the Minotaur.
- Climb the column-flanked grand staircase of the palace, passing giant storage jars that once held Minoan staples like olive oil and grains.
- See the ancient Throne Room, and imagine Minoan citizens parading through the Processional Walkway, adorned with the Cup Bearer Fresco.
- Get fast-track entry and explore Crete's Minoan marvel with a guide, perfect for history buffs and those seeking a deeper understanding of Knossos Palace.
- With a small group, you'll have a richer exploration of Knossos, with your guide sharing in-depth details into the legend of the Minotaur.
- Climb the column-flanked grand staircase of the palace, passing giant storage jars that once held Minoan staples like olive oil and grains.
- See the ancient Throne Room, and imagine Minoan citizens parading through the Processional Walkway, adorned with the Cup Bearer Fresco.
Inclusions
- 90-minute guided tour of Knossos Palace
- English-speaking guide
- Small group of up to 16 people
- Entry to Knossos Palace
- Headsets for groups of over 5 people
- Tip: The Minoans were masters of natural light. As you explore, notice how strategically placed rooms and light wells bathe the palace in sunlight and fresh air.
- This experience is not accessible by wheelchair and pram/strollers.
- Due to venue restrictions, pets cannot tag along for this experience.
- Nobody likes a crowd. A single group has a maximum of 16 people.
- You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Reviews
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Snapshots from our guests
4.7
175 ratings
129
46
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0
0
What our guests say
Barbara
Oct 2024Verified booking
The guide was excellent. Good English, and very patient with questions. He knew the history of course, and also would talk about today's attitudes to the restorations that have been done. He had a balanced view. He proceeded at an appropriate pace, and the group was not too big (about 6 of us), so we could all talk to him. The ticketing experience was simple. We were contacted in advance and told where to meet, with a picure of the person who was going to greet us, holding up the sign. That was really helpful. The tickets werent cheap but I felt they were worth it. Some of the features of the site were shielded by glass, but reflection on the gas made it impossible to view the features behind. I'm sure this isnt Headout or the guide's fault. Can't non reflective glass be used, or screens?
Hugues
Sep 2024Verified booking
The magnificence of the site combined with the professionalism and knowledge of the guide made it a mémorable experience.
Clifton
Sep 2024Verified booking
The guide had unique insights that we wouldn't be able to understand without: with her we learned a lot more than we otherwise would. Your guide is your value!
David
Sep 2024Verified booking
Everything about the visit was incredible. Our guide explained the history in a very interesting and informational way.
Sarah
Sep 2024Verified booking
Our guide was excellent! She gave us factual history together with legend and myth and how they might have all married together, along with background on the latest theories and excavations. We had a fabulous time and learned so much about the site and the Minoan civilization.
Delannoy
Aug 2024Verified booking
Very well-organized tour, easy-to-identify guide. No waiting, so it was great. Our guide was very interesting, she made this visit to Knossoss a unique experience. It was lively and full of historical facts. We were a small group of 9 people from different backgrounds, so it was great.
View original review in French
Giulia
Aug 2024Verified booking
Very good guide able to give us all the historical, political, religious, mythical , artistdella Minorca civilization elements with passion and competence. No queues and effective system with earphones. Excellent experience
View original review in Italian
PETER
Nov 2024Verified booking
Guide was very knowledgeable, clear , and brought the history alive with her descriptions.
Michael
Oct 2024Verified booking
The site is amazing and our guide was very knowledgable and engaging.
Georgia
Oct 2024Verified booking
We had a fabulous guide, Akrivi, who really brought Knossos alive. A fascinating tour
Debbie
Oct 2024Verified booking
Really enthusiastic and knowledgeable guide who brought things to life
Heather
Sep 2024Verified booking
Our guide was exceptionally knowledgeable and added a sense of humor to the tour. Well done!
Mitali
Sep 2024Verified booking
great guide, super knowledgeable
Carsten
Sep 2024Verified booking
Very good and competent tour. Entertaining and very informative. Guide A. Was very nice.
View original review in German
Ewald
Jul 2024Verified booking
Great tour and explanation of the archaeological site!
View original review in German
Ellen
Jul 2024Verified booking
Our tour guide was excellent! Also it was nice to walk right in without waiting in line.
Ian
Jun 2024Verified booking
Our guide was exceptional, she was expressive & very informative about the reality & mythology of Knossos.
Danese
Oct 2024Verified booking
Kristine
Oct 2024Verified booking
Antje
Sep 2024Verified booking
Leonardo
Sep 2024Verified booking
GUILLOT
Aug 2024Verified booking
Headout Guest
Aug 2024Verified booking
Headout Guest
Aug 2024Verified booking
Headout Guest
Aug 2024Verified booking
Why visit the Heraklion Palace of Knossos?
Historical significance
The Knossos Heraklion archaeological site offers a closer look at one of the earliest advanced civilizations in Crete, which thrived from around 2000 BCE to 1400 BCE. Many Greek myths have referred to this city, especially the legend of King Minos, the minotaur, and the labyrinth.
Which Knossos Palace tickets to book?
If you are short on time
Go for: Fast-track entry tickets
Duration: 1 hour
Guide: Audio guide for Android and iOS in English, French, and German
- Skip ahead of long ticket lines at the Heraklion Palace of Knossos with these priority access tickets.
- Upgrade your ticket to include an audio guide, available in English, French, and German to make your visit more informative. You can also avail yourself of offline maps and text to navigate around the site comfortably.
Recommended tours:
- Knossos Palace Archaeological Site entry tickets
If you are on a budget
Go for: Combo tickets
Duration: Flexible
Guide: Audio guide in English and German
- At a one-time purchase, you can explore the Minoan ruins as well as visit the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, which houses some of the most iconic pieces of Minoan art.
- An informative audio guide familiarizes you with the the Minoan civilization and their cultural relevance. Plan your visit anytime during your stay, for these tickets are valid for up to 3 days.
Recommended tours:
If you are a history buff
Go for: Small-group guided tours
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Guide: English-speaking guide
- Enjoy a 90-minute guided walking tour of the Knossos Palace and get a deeper understanding of the Minoan ruins.
- Since these group tours admit only up to 16 people at a time, you can have more in-depth conversations with the guide and explore at your own pace to some extent, as compared to unstructured larger group tours.
Recommended tours:
- Knossos Palace small group guided tour
What's inside Knossos Palace?
See all photos
Plan your visit to the Heraklion Palace of Knossos
Opening hours
Getting there
Facilities
Visitor tips
Eat
Stay
Nearby
March to August: Typically 8am to 8pm
September to February: Typically 8am to 5pm
Last admission: 15 minutes before closing time
Closed on: 1 January, 25 March, Easter Sunday, 25, and 26 December
- Duration of visit: 3 to 4 hours
- Best time to visit: March to May and September to October are the best months to visit the Heraklion Palace of Knossos for manageable crowds and pleasant temperatures. If you are planning a visit between June to August, reach early in the morning or visit after the sun goes down for fewer visitors. Weekdays are comparatively less crowded than weekends and public holidays.
Address: Φειδίου 8, Iraklio 714 09, Greece
- By bus: Board the line 2 bus from Heraklion to reach the Knossos Palace. It takes around 36 mins to reach the attraction from Heraklion.
- By taxi: Another convenient way to reach the Knossos Palace is to grab a taxi from Heraklion. It takes around 5 mins in a cab to reach the palace.
- By foot: Knossos Palace is a long way from Heraklion. The roads are busy, hence we recommend you board a bus or get a taxi to reach the palace.
- Wheelchair accessibility: The Knossos Palace offers accommodations and assistance to help visitors with limited mobility navigate their premises. It may be challenging to cross the uneven terrain and ruins on wheelchairs, however, you can go around almost 50% of the site comfortably. They also have an accessible toilet near the entrance.
- Photography: You can click pictures inside the Knossos Palace, however, please refrain from using tripods and other commercial photography equipment, as they may disrupt others’ viewing experience.
- Restrooms: You can access public toilets at the Heraklion Palace of Knossos. However, please be mindful that restrooms are limited around the entire Knossos archaeological site. Make sure to use the restroom before starting your tour.
- Mind the heat: Temperatures soar in Greece during summers, hence it is best to wear light clothing when visiting the palace. Stay hydrated and wear sunscreen to protect yourself from the sun.
- Wear comfortable shoes: The site involves walking and exploring ruins, so wear comfortable clothes and sturdy footwear to navigate uneven surfaces.
- Arrive early: To avoid crowds and the heat of the day, consider arriving early in the morning when the site opens.
- Visit the museum: When exploring the Knossos Palace, make sure to visit the Heraklion Archaeological Museum a while away from the site. They contain several interesting artifacts that would supplement your understanding of Minoan culture and history.
- Consider guided tours: Choose Knossos Palace tickets including guided tours of the premises to get in-depth insights into the history, architecture, and significance of the site. Guides can provide context, stories, and anecdotes that enhance your understanding of the palace. If a guided tour isn't your preference, an audio guide can provide similar insights while allowing you to explore at your own pace.
- Pasiphae restaurant: Offers Mediterranean, Greek, and vegetarian-friendly dishes
- Minotavros restaurant and cafe: Specializes in Mediterranean, Greek, vegan, and vegetarian-friendly dishes
- Rousakis restaurant: Serves Mediterranean and Greek dishes, and alcohol, and also has outdoor seating.
- The Little Garden: Offers Mediterranean, Greek, and vegetarian-friendly dishes
- Picadillo Burger Nest: Specializes in American, fast food, barbecues, and Greek food
- Budget stays:
GD Gallery Suites
Saint George Hostel
Mom’s Cozy Corner - Mid-range hotels:
Castello City Hotel
Aquila Atlantis Hotel
Dom Boutique Hotel - Luxury stays:
Legacy Gastro Suites
Megaron Hotel
Olive Green Hotel
- Heraklion Archaeological Museum: Home to a vast collection of Minoan artifacts, this museum offers a vivid journey into Crete's ancient past, showcasing its rich history and cultural heritage.
- Fortress of Koules: Guarding Heraklion's harbor, this Venetian fortress embodies centuries of maritime history and military architecture, offering panoramic views and a glimpse into the city's past.
- Venetian Loggia: A striking Venetian-era structure, the Loggia is a testament to Heraklion's Venetian heritage, serving as a historic backdrop for events and a reminder of the city's architectural legacy.
- Cathedral of St.Minas: Dominating Heraklion's skyline, the Cathedral of St. Minas honors the city's patron saint. This Byzantine-revival cathedral features intricate frescoes and religious artworks that reflect its spiritual and cultural significance.
Frequently asked questions about Knossos Palace tickets
How much is a ticket to the Knossos Palace?
The Knossos Palace entry ticket including an offline text, maps, and audio narration starts from . If you are interested in ancient Greek history, you can also opt for the Knossos Palace combo tour with the Heraklion Archaeological Museum for €31.50.
How to book Knossos Palace tickets?
We recommend you book Knossos Palace tickets online to save time and money. Online ticket bookings are more convenient and fuss-free since you can secure your tickets with just a click.
Why should I book Knossos Palace tickets online?
The best way to secure Knossos Palace tickets is to get them online when on-site availability might be limited. Booking tickets online ensures that you can explore the palace no matter the crowd on the day of your visit. You can also avail of great deals and discounts.
What do Knossos Palace tickets include?
Most Knossos Palace tickets offer an audio guide, offline text, and maps. The audio tour is available in both English and German.
What are Knossos Palace's opening hours?
The Knossos Palace is open from 8am to 8pm every day throughout the year. If you are planning to visit the palace during summer, make sure to reach early in the morning or visit around late afternoon to beat the heat.
How long does it take to complete a Knossos Palace tour?
Most Knossos Palace tickets include an audio guide that you can listen to while exploring its interiors. You can spend around 1.5 to 2 hours strolling through the elaborate passageways and courtyards of the Knossos Palace. The palace's various rooms, including the Throne Room and storage spaces, offer insights into the social dynamics and daily activities of that time.