Things to do in Knossos Palace
Seeping in history, mystery, and with a strong connection to Greek mythology, the ancient Knossos Palace is an enigmatic archaeological site located about 20 minutes south of modern-day Heraklion on the Greek island of Crete. Knossos Palace dates back to 1900 BC and is believed to have been the ceremonial and political centre of the Minoan civilization. Knossos is also considered by some to have been the first city in Europe.
Knossos Palace is heavily associated with the Greek myth of the Minotaur, a half-man, half-bull creature imprisoned in a labyrinth commissioned by King Minos and built by famed architect Daedalus. The palace is also connected to the story of Daedalus and Icarus.
Evidence suggests the area surrounding Knossos Palace was first settled by humans in the Neolithic period around 7000 BC. The palace itself was constructed in 1900 BC and mysteriously destroyed around 1380-1100 BC. The ruins were left abandoned until being discovered, excavated, and restored in the early 20th century by a team led by British archaeologist Arthur Evans.
Our recommendations in Knossos Palace
Knossos Palace e-ticket with audio tour on your phone
Book your Knossos Palace e-ticket and discover the most iconic attraction of Crete with a compelling digital audio tour on your smartphone.
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Private tour of Knossos Palace and Cretan villages from Chania
Discover Knossos Palace and the Cretan villages privately during this VIP tour with pick-up from Chania.
Tour of Knossos Palace and Heraklion museum from Chania
Enjoy a tour of the Knossos Palace and Heraklion museum from Chania onboard of a premium-class vehicle and relax during a traditional Cretan wine tasting.
en, fr, de, ru, nl
Knossos Palace e-ticket with audio tour on your phone
Book your Knossos Palace e-ticket and discover the most iconic attraction of Crete with a compelling digital audio tour on your smartphone.
en, it, fr, es, de
Private tour of Knossos Palace and Cretan villages from Chania
Discover Knossos Palace and the Cretan villages privately during this VIP tour with pick-up from Chania.
Tour of Knossos Palace and Heraklion museum from Chania
Enjoy a tour of the Knossos Palace and Heraklion museum from Chania onboard of a premium-class vehicle and relax during a traditional Cretan wine tasting.
en, fr, de, ru, nl
How to get there

Knossos Palace
Heraklion
Greece
Reviews Knossos Palace
“The guide was absolutely excellent. We thought it was slightly on the expensive side but the trip was made by the guide who was outstanding. .”
“Our guide was really good telling us about the history of the area and of Crete itself. It was extremely hot but the guide made sure we had water before we started our visit and did her best to keep us in the shade when she could. It was quite a walk from my hotel to the pick up point but on our return the guide got the driver to drop me off nearer my hotel which I very much appreciated. No complaints at all.”
“Very excellent trip and service fantastic views of the place we were going to see”
“The excursion to Knossos was awesome in the literal sense of the word and was a must-see for me while in Crete. Our guide Eirini was incredibly knowledgeable and happy to answer any questions we had as we made our way round the site. After Knossos we made our way into Heraklion where we learned more about the history of the place and were given time to browse the markets and souvenir shops before heading back to the hotel. Highly recommended day for anyone interested in ancient history.”


