Palace of Knossos Tours
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Once the glorious capital of Minoan Crete and one of the most powerful cities in the eastern Mediterranean, ancient Knossos is a place steeped in legend. Today, it’s Crete’s largest and most important archaeological site, crowned by the hilltop Palace of Knossos—built around 2000 BC—and revealing a fascinating history that stretches all the way back to the earliest European civilizations.
The Basics
The Palace of Knossos is one of the most popular attractions in Crete, but its immense size, little signage, and complex history means it’s worth visiting with a local guide. The best way to explore is on a guided walking tour, taking in highlights of the Minoan palace such as the Central Court, the Throne Room, the Tripartite Shrine, the Grand Staircase, and the Queen’s Hall.
How to Get to the Palace of Knossos
Knossos is located 3 miles (5 km) southeast of Heraklion in the north of Crete and is reachable by public transport and taxi from the city. Most visitors opt for a tour from either Heraklion or Rethimno (just over an hour’s drive away).
When to Get There
Knossos is open all year round, but the most popular months to visit are July and August. The site can get extremely busy, so arrive before opening at 8am or after 3pm if you want to avoid the crowds. Expect temperatures of up to 85°F (30°C) in midsummer.
Greek Mythology at Knossos Palace
Historic facts and Greek mythology intertwine at Knossos. While King Minos was believed to have been a real figure, the notorious Minotaur—the half-man, half-bull imprisoned in the palace’s labyrinth—and his creators, Daidalos and Ikaros, are characters of Greek legend.
The Basics
The Palace of Knossos is one of the most popular attractions in Crete, but its immense size, little signage, and complex history means it’s worth visiting with a local guide. The best way to explore is on a guided walking tour, taking in highlights of the Minoan palace such as the Central Court, the Throne Room, the Tripartite Shrine, the Grand Staircase, and the Queen’s Hall.
- Choose between a standard entrance ticket or a combined ticket that includes access to the Heraklion Archaeological Museum.
- Plan to spend around two hours at the archaeological site, excluding wait times.
- Ticket lines can be long in peak season—arrive early or book a skip-the-line tour to maximize your time.
- Knossos Palace provides little shade, so you should bring sunscreen, a hat, and plenty of water if visiting in the summer months.
- Wear comfortable shoes suitable for walking over uneven ground.
- Many parts of the archaeological site are wheelchair accessible; entrance is free for visitors with disabilities.
How to Get to the Palace of Knossos
Knossos is located 3 miles (5 km) southeast of Heraklion in the north of Crete and is reachable by public transport and taxi from the city. Most visitors opt for a tour from either Heraklion or Rethimno (just over an hour’s drive away).
When to Get There
Knossos is open all year round, but the most popular months to visit are July and August. The site can get extremely busy, so arrive before opening at 8am or after 3pm if you want to avoid the crowds. Expect temperatures of up to 85°F (30°C) in midsummer.
Greek Mythology at Knossos Palace
Historic facts and Greek mythology intertwine at Knossos. While King Minos was believed to have been a real figure, the notorious Minotaur—the half-man, half-bull imprisoned in the palace’s labyrinth—and his creators, Daidalos and Ikaros, are characters of Greek legend.
Address: Heraklion, Crete, Greece
Hours: Nov–May: 8am–3pm, Jun–Oct: 8am–7pm
Admission: Adults: € 6
Admission Tickets (2)
Skip the Line: Knossos Palace and Archaeological Site Entrance Ticket
Nobody wants to waste vacation time waiting outside an attraction, especially in high temperatures. With this priority-access ticket to the Knossos archaeological site, you can breeze past ticket-purchase lines to explore what was the birthplace of Minoan civilization and according to myth, the seat of King Minos. Prebook your skip-the-line ticket, travel independently to the site, and roam the partially restored relics of Minos’ palace and courtyards independently.
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From
$14.76
From
$14.76
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
33 Tours and Activities to Experience Palace of Knossos
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Skip the Line: Knossos Palace and Archaeological Site Entrance Ticket
Nobody wants to waste vacation time waiting outside an attraction, especially in high temperatures. With this priority-access ticket to the Knossos archaeological site, you can breeze past ticket-purchase lines to explore what was the birthplace of Minoan civilization and according to myth, the seat of King Minos. Prebook your skip-the-line ticket, travel independently to the site, and roam the partially restored relics of Minos’ palace and courtyards independently.
…More
From
$14.76
From
$14.76
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Palace of Knossos Skip-the-Line Ticket with Tour Guide
If you want to make the most of your limited time on Crete, get a skip-the-line ticket for the Palace of Knossos. With over 1500 rooms to explore, you’ll want to maximize your visit to the well-preserved labyrinth. Avoid the long line of tourists and exposure to the elements. Instead, collect your ticket upon arrival from a conveniently located operator.
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From
$78.74
From
$78.74
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Combined Guided Tour to Lasithi Plateau & Knossos Palace
Explore with a guided group, the monastery of Kera Kardiotissa and the Dikteon Cave followed by a visit to Psychro village to meet a potter in action. Enjoy the panoramic views from Seli Ambelou Lasithi Plateau and complete your tour to the Minoan Palace of Knossos where civilization history began 4000 years ago.
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From
$55.36
From
$55.36
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Crete private tour: Knossos Palace, Archaeological museum, and Heraklion Town
Uncover the mysteries of the ancient Minoan civilization on this private, half-day tour of Heraklion highlights. Explore the magnificent Knossos Palace, home to King Minos and legends of the Minotaur, and visit a world-class archaeological museum featuring artifacts dating back to 5000 BC. See the contrast of ancient and modern Crete with some free time in the port town of Heraklion, and enjoy personalized attention from your guide along the way. Entrance fees to Knossos Palace and Archaeological Museum at your expense.
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From
$479.49
Price varies by group size
From
$479.49
Price varies by group size
Guided Tour to Knossos Museum & Heraklion
Participate in a guided tour to the Palace of Knossos, the political and ceremonial center of Minoan civilization, followed by a guided tour to Heraklion Archaeological Museum. The tour continues with a visit to the town center of Heraklion, completing in a day the historical path of 4000 years.
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From
$35.68
From
$35.68
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Knossos Palace & Heraklion Archaeological Museum
The most popular excursion that reveals the history of the Minoan civilization.
During the tour you will see the richest collection of exhibits presented in the ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM, take a guided walk in the cultural center of the city of Heraklion, and finally, visit mysterious and mythical "LABYRINTH OF THE MINOTAUR" in the Palace of KNOSSOS.
After the excursion program, you can enjoy an independent walk through the old part of the city surrounded by Venetian walls with many boutiques and souvenir shops. To feel like a local, order a cup of Greek coffee in one of the cozy street cafes and relax during the midday siesta.
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From
$65.20
From
$65.20
Knossos Palace and Plateau of Lassithi from Heraklion Region
Great chance to visit the highlights of the Minoan civilisation in this full day tour and learn more about Cretan traditions, enjoy panoramic views of the scenic route in the mountains and visit a fantastic natural sight in the end.
• See the main attractions of the island and learn a lot of interesting information about the customs of the local population.
• Find out how mysterious myths about the Minotaur and the real story are intricately intertwined while visiting famous KNOSSOS PALACE.
• Get the experience of traveling on the beautiful mountain routes to the delightful LASSITHI PLATEAU and marvel at the miraculous icon in one of the most revered monasteries from the locals “KERA CARDIOTISA - Our Lady of Heart”.
• Descend to the bottom of the ritual DIKTAION CAVE where according to the legend the Zeus was born and enjoy the beauty of the underground lake.
At the end of the tour, you will have time to dine in the traditional Cretan tavern or visit a pottery workshop.
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From
$73.81
From
$73.81
VIP Zeus Cave & Knossos Palace Full-Day Chauffeured Private Tour
An exclusive luxury private tour that combines all the “must-see” world-famous landmarks on Crete Island – the iconic Knossos Palace, the mysterious Cave of Zeus, and an authentic journey to the iconic Lassithi Plateau. Enjoy a personal pick-up and drop-off with a premium vehicle at your full-day disposal. Your private local insider guide will ensure that you will experience maximum comfort and privacy like a true VIP. You will also receive skip-the-line accesses in all archaeological areas, key pieces of information, extra-personalized attention, and engagement with the Cretan local lifestyle. Last but not least, you will visit off-the-beaten-path eateries to taste traditional local delicacies and get the best recommendations for an authentic Cretan lunch!
- Knossos Palace VIP guided tour
- Mountainous East Crete adventure
- Zeus Cave exploration
- Ancient Byzantine Monastery visit
- Cretan ceramic workshop experience
- Authentic Cretan Lunch
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From
$738.15
per group
From
$738.15
per group
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
Sightseeing tour services with car and driver to Knossos Palace of Crete
A unique tour to the ancient Crete!!!
The centre of Minoan civilization and capital of Minoan Crete lay 5km south of Heraklion The Minoan palace is the main site of interest at Knossos, an important city in antiquity, which was inhabited continuously from the Neolithic period until the 5th c. AD. The palace was built on the Kephala hill and had easy access to the sea and the Cretan interior. According to tradition, it was the seat of the wise king Minos. The Palace of Knossos is connected with thrilling legends, such as the myth of the Labyrinth, with the Minotaur, and the story of Daidalos and Ikaros.Knossos flourished for approximately two thousand years. It had large palace buildings, extensive workshop installations and luxurious rock-cut cave and tholos tombs. As a major centre of trade and the economy, Knossos maintained ties with the majority of cities in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Let us know if you need a guide and we will be more than happy to provide you the best!!!
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From
$403.77
per group
$100.95 savings
From
$403.77
per group
$100.95 savings
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
Knossos - Lassithi
Moving on inland to the Lassithi Plateau, you can admire the remaining famous windmills, the ditches, the Venetian drainage system of the plateau and the small traditional villages that still keep the scent of another era. The most famous is the village of Psychro, where you can admire the primeval traditional art of pottery-making by the remaining craftsmen and you'll visit a significant place of religious worship, the Dictean Cave, which is considered to be the place where Zeus, the father of Gods, was born.
The next stop is Tzermiado, a village that stands out for its natural beauty, its breathtaking view and its traditional architecture. Next stop, the Monastery of Kera Kardiotissa, which was named after a miraculous icon of Virgin Mary.
Last stop, the Palace of Knossos. You are going to walk on Sir Arthur Evans’ steps, listening to the myth of the Labyrinth, while this Minoan masterpiece will amaze with its grandeur.
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From
$66.43
From
$66.43
Best of Crete (3-days Tour package)
Explore Crete, with all your senses!
Best of Crete (3-Days Tour package).
The tour is executed ONLY from Heraklion district, with the assistance of your private professional tourist guide.
• Day 1:The Minoans - We visit Knossos palace, the Archaeological Museum and walking the historical city of Heraklion.
• Day 2:Wild Crete - City of Rethymno, its landmarks, culture and character. You will continue the tour of the city of Rethymno through the narrow Venetian streets you also have the opportunity to taste smell virgin olive oil, spices and herbs…Cretan old-style wine is a thing unto itself. We continue to visit the beautiful traditional village of Margarites one of the ancient pottery centers of Crete!
• Day 3:Coastal Crete - The Eastern side of Crete, enjoy the mountain ridges, beautiful countryside and sea on route. Seeing Elounda, Spinalonga island and Ag.Nikolaos.
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From
$1,107.22
Price varies by group size
From
$1,107.22
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Knossos Private Full-Day Tour from Heraklion with Pick Up
At the desired time, an experienced English-speaking professional driver will pick you up from your accommodation in a private vehicle ready to immerse you into the Greek culture and lifestyle. If you are a history lover, get ready to travel back in time on this full-day tour.
Knossos Palace is the biggest Minoan Palace of Crete. The archaeological museum is one of the most significant museums in Greece and its collections come mostly from central and eastern Crete and cover a span of 5.500 years. You will also have the chance to visit Koules Fortress that dominates the entrance to the Venetian Harbour of Heraklion. The Venetians called it "Sea Fortress", but today it is known by its Turkish name, Koules.
Our drivers are not licensed to accompany you into the sights, but are very knowledgeable of the places visited and will provide all the necessary historical information and their local perspective.
At the end of the tour, your driver will drop you off at your accommodation.
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From
$116.26
Price varies by group size
From
$116.26
Price varies by group size
Knossos Wine & More
• Private tour with a certified guide is the best way to explore Knossos Archaeological Site - the heart of the Minoan kingdom, one of the most fascinating ancient cities in the world.
• Experience by tasting the local wine varieties of Crete at a winery in the heart of winemaking region.
• Meet the locals in the traditional village of Archanes, named as one of the most picturesque in Crete, and enjoy a delicious lunch.
• Admire in the Archeological museum of Heraklion the greatest collection of the Minoan art.
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From
$676.64
per group
From
$676.64
per group
Face masks provided for travelers
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Half Day Private Tour to Knossos Palace( Skip the line ) & Panoramic City Tour
A private group tour around Heraklion and a visit to the famous archeological sites of Knosos and the museum. Private tours privide flexibility and personalized service. Pick up and drop off from/to your accomodations makes the experience much quicker and saves time.
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From
$344.47
Price varies by group size
From
$344.47
Price varies by group size
Face masks provided for travelers
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Private Tour Knossos & Heraklion City
This tour is a unique experience, to visit the most important places in Heraklion City.
The tour schedule is flexible regarding the time spent at its attraction.
Our driver will pick you up from your Hotel or Port in Heraklion City.
The transfer is private and our English-speaking driver will drive you around the sightseeings.
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From
$402.20
per group
From
$402.20
per group
Three Palaces
The ideal Tour for a history lover combining the major Minoan palatial centers in the region of Heraklion combined with a most promising drive through wonderful natural landscapes of unparallel beauty.
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From
$927.42
per group
From
$927.42
per group
Skip the Line: Knossos Palace and Heraklion Archaeological Museum
For for certent financial reasons(many types of discounts for EU citizens)
**Our services are offered as a priority to non-European citizens,and our prices are per adult non - European citizen.
There are some categories off people specially from EU that They have discounts ( childs,infants,students,old people up from 60 years old.We do not offer prices for those types of people
Be aware ** you must provide passport for those discounts
****We are an Official travel agency licensed from Ministry of tourism in Greece.When you buy tickets online the e-shops will send you an e-ticket which you will eventually not be able to use directly to the entrance. That's because that type of tickets are not accepted from the monuments.So you have to wait in the line as thousands of passengers to print your genuine tickets and then you can enter.With our service you will have your genuine tickets delivered .This ticket,includes the entrance fees to Knossos Palace and Heraklion Arcaheological Museum.
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From
$20.91
From
$20.91
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
Wine Tour - Wine Stories (Transfer & Lunch Included)
Discover the culinary delights of Crete from Real People.
You will be a part of their Real Life and share with them their knowledge on local products and delicacies. Be part of True Crete.
Enjoy private tasting of local wines.
Enjoy a homemade lunch at the most unique and beautiful environment
Small-group tour limited to eight people
Tailor made experience
Hotel pickup and drop-off included
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From
$115.64
From
$115.64
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
Kazantzakis Literature Museum & Olive Oil Tasting (Transfer & Lunch Included)
Discover the culinary delights of Crete from Real People.
You will be a part of their Real Life and share with them their knowledge on local products and delicacies. Be part of True Crete.
Discover life and work of the Greatest witers of all times.
Enjoy Private Tasting of locally produced olive oil and learn the secrets.
Learn how to cook local delicacies from Mama.
Enjoy a homemade lunch at the most unique and beautiful environment
Small-group tour limited to eight people
Tailor made experience
Hotel pickup and drop-off included
…More
From
$115.64
Price varies by group size
From
$115.64
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
Knossos Palace - Archaeological Museum - Heraklion city tour (Private Tour)
During this amazing tour, you will discover all the secrets of the Minoan civilization, and you will get to know the wonderful capital of Crete
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From
$433.05
per group
$108.26 savings
From
$433.05
per group
$108.26 savings
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
Royalty Lassithi Plateau Tour TR
Lasithi Plateau is one of the few areas in the Mediterranean with permanent inhabitants at an altitude over 800 meters. It is surrounded by the Dikti Mountains and 18 quaint villages, which still retain the atmosphere of another era. You can admire the remaining famous windmills and the venetian ditches, the drainage system of the Plateau.
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From
$56.59
From
$56.59
Knossos Palace & Museum from Chania in Crete
Crete doesn’t only exhibit beauty but a long and rich history as well as an equally remarkable culture too. The ancient Minoan civilization acts as a great example. The palace of Knossos being the center of their civilization, Minoans constituted the main force of the island’s population during the Bronze Age. Their civilization as well as the palace was destroyed at the explosion of the Santorini Volcano. The excavation conducted by Arthur Evans 1900-1913 and 1922-1930 brought to light the grand palace of Knossos, along with other great findings of immense importance concerning the culture and the life of the Minoans, which are as of yet kept at the archeological museum of Heraklion.
We strongly recommend that you visit the palace of Knossos and the archaeological museum of Heraklion.
Our agency offers an organized trip with an official guide for a complete visit to the palace and the museum.
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From
$79.97
From
$79.97
Knossos 8 Hour Archaeological Museum Heraklion From Rethymnon
Knossos is the most important center of Minoan civilization; It’s the place that the myth of labyrinth with the Minotaur and the myth of Daedalus and Icarus are connected. After a 2 hours tour at the palace of Knossos, we will slope away to the city of Heraklion and the Archeological museum which is one of the most notable museum of Greece and one of the most important of Europe. The museum includes exhibits from all the eras of Cretan prehistory and history but also collections with unique masterpieces of Minoan art. At the end, we will have free time to visit the city of Heraklion for shopping or food.
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From
$30.76
From
$30.76
Fully Guided Tour to Lassithi Plateau and Knossos Palace
You will follow the footsteps of the long-ago Minoan kings on this 10-hour Knossos - Lassithi tour. Travel by air-conditioned bus to the archaeological site of the Minoan Palace of Knossos, see the remains dating back to the 2nd century BC. Explore what were the royal quarters, storage rooms and the central court of the palace, the power base of Europe’s first civilization, and hear about the mythical Minotauros that roamed a labyrinth here as your guide explains the site’s history. Visit also the area of Lassithi and take a real taste of Crete. Includes a monastery, a pottery factory, Dicti cave: where Zeus was born according to different legends.
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From
$54.13
From
$54.13
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Accessible Heraklion tour to Knossos & Archaeological Museum or Shopping
Embark your special vehicle and start your tour. During this tour you will be taken back 4,000 years to the time of the oldest civilization in Europe. The Minoan Palace of Knossos, centre of the Minoan Civilization, will leave you breathless as you wonder over the technology and facilities of that period.
After this fascinating tour, you will board your special vehicle onto Heraklion, the capital town and business centre of Crete which is a colorful and lively place. Sightseeing tour along Heraklion’s city walls, the Venetian harbour, the Byzantine Saint Titus church and the Lions Square with the former Morosini fountain. In Heraklion you have the choice to either enjoy a guided tour through the extraordinary Archaeological Museum, viewing the unique items from the Minoan culture or spend free time in town to browse at the shops in the centre.
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From
$450.27
Price varies by group size
From
$450.27
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
VIP Knossos Palace & Museum with Wine Tasting Full-Day Luxury Tour
Visit the world-famous archaeological site of Knossos Palace and the iconic Museum of Heraklion like a true VIP. Enjoy a personal pick-up and drop-off with a premium vehicle at your full-day disposal. Your private local guide will ensure that you receive skip-the-line accesses in all archaeological areas, key pieces of information, and extra-personalized attention with maximum comfort and privacy. In addition, you will unwind with a winetasting in an award-winning Cretan winery. At the end of the day, you will follow the scenic city trail through Heraklion's streets by visiting off-the-beaten-path eateries and tasting traditional local delicacies.
- Knossos Palace VIP guided tour
- Heraklion archaeological museum VIP guided tour
- Heraklion private guided walking city tour
- Winetasting in an authentic Cretan winery
- Authentic Cretan Lunch
…More
From
$693.99
per group
From
$693.99
per group
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
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