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Knossos Crete

By Katia Luz

Minoan Palaces of Crete

Tips for Visitors

Knossos Crete – Tips for Visitors

The archaeological site of Knossos is located 5 km south-east of the capital Heraklion in the central north of the island of Crete in Greece.
See location map below.
See tips in our video below.

The Palace of Knossos Archaeological site is large and it is very popular. In summer it gets very busy. You can see the summer queue to the throne room in this picture below.

The best seasons to see the site are spring and autumn, when the crowds are not so big and the weather is not so hot.
Always try to arrive early at the site, to avoid crowds and queues. This is a beautiful natural valley which is best enjoyed without a thousand screaming kids.
Leave plenty of time to see the site, and the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion, if you are a serious history buff.
If you are only mildly interested in history, allow a good 2 hours to visit the Knossos Palace and at least 3 hours for the museum in town.
Much of the site is not covered. Take a hat and sunscreen, and plenty of water.
Wear comfortable clothes, especially comfortable shoes.
Purchase a combined ticket to Knossos palace and the Heraklion Archaeological Museum. This will allow entry to both places.
Check the opening hours before departing. Check at your hotel desk or on the net. Generally the site is open from 8.00am to 8.00pm in summer and 8.00am to 3.00pm in winter. But check it again, because it could be a holiday and it could be closed.
Pre-purchase a 'skip the line' entry ticket online to save time upon arrival at the site.

Getting Here

There is a local bus that will drop off and pick up at Knossos, it is easy to catch from Plateia Eleftherias Square bus stop at the Astoria Hotel in downtown Heraklion. Take Bus No. 2. marked 'Knossos'. The buses come every 20 minutes or so and the trip takes about 20 minutes, as the journey is only 5 km, but it depends on the traffic. To get back to Heraklion, take the same bus back. The bus stop is just outside Knossos gates - again they depart regularly and the trip takes about 20 mins.

Head to the Heraklion Archaeological Museum at 1 Chatzidaki St near Plateia Eleftherias Square to see the magical artwork and artifacts which were found at Knossos and which start to unravel the mysteries of the Minoan culture.

You may want to hire a car and simply drive to Knossos from Heraklion, which is only 5 km. There is free parking. You could then continue to Phaistos which is another 60 km, and perhaps stay overnight in Matala Beach on the southern coast.

Day tours to the site can be taken from most capitals on the island, with a pick up from your hotel. Some tours combine the visit to Knossos with lunch and a visit to another part of the island, or to the museum. One advantage of these tours is the local guide with endless historic knowledge.

See tour details below.

Knossos Palace Crete - Half Day Experiences

Full-Day Knossos Palace Tour - 7 hour tour includes Heraklion as well as a guided tour of the archaeological site. See the controversial reconstructions completed by the archaeologist Sir Arthur Evans, and hear the stories of the labyrinth from your experienced history guide.

Knossos Palace Crete - Choose your Experience

Take a Knossos Palace Tour - there are a variety of guided experiences available, from a Skip The Line entry ticket with a guide for 90 minutes, to a 12 hour day tour which includes Knossos, Zeus Cave and Lasithi Plateau with traditional lunch in a small village.

Self-Guided Audio Tours - skip the ticket lines and enter the Palace of Knossos. Explore the sites at your own pace with a self-guided audio tour. NB: you need to have your own smart phone and headphones. This includes:

Option of ticket only or ticket plus audio tour

Entry ticket on your phone valid for one admission within 1 day
Free time in the palace to explore further

Accommodation Nearby to Knossos Crete

This is the budget symbol on We Love Crete

The Heraklion Youth Hostel - a good budget hostel near to the Liondaria fountain and pedestrianised central streets of Heraklion, and the 1866 Markets. Only 5 km from Knossos. 20 minutes on the bus.

The Hotel Boutique Lato is a good central hotel in Heraklion, from here you can be picked up or take bus or taxi to Knossos Crete. This is a comfortable modern hotel with excellent service and views over the Old Harbour of Heraklio. 5 km from Knossos.

Check Rates & Availability at Lato Boutique Hotel

Here is a good tip for those with a tight itinerary in Crete. If you are landing at Heraklion airport, take a taxi to the lovely rural village of Archanes, which is only 14 km.

Stay overnight in the delightful Villa Archanes then take a taxi early in the morning to Knossos Crete, which is 7 km down country roads.

This will ensure you miss busy Heraklion, and see one of the wonders of this island without any stress or hassle. Now that is the way to start your holiday in Crete!

Experience true country hospitality, wonderful tasty Cretan breakfasts and a spacious, stylish family mansion house originally dating from 1890.

Traditional stonework, lovely chunky wooden beams, handcrafted Cretan furnishings and attention to detail make these rooms a pleasure to stay in.

Choose from a one-bedroom villa which sleeps 2 guests or a two-bedroom villa, with space for 4 guests.

Check Rates & Availability at Villa Archanes

Walnut Tree Villa - this villa is in Epano or Upper Archanes, with 2 bedrooms welcoming 5 guests with ease. Enjoy the evenings in the leafy courtyard. A cosy and homely stay in the centre of the village, with a large parking space. Receive exceptional local hospitality. 9 km from Knossos Palace site.

Check Rates & Availability at Walnut Tree Villa