Palace of Knossos

Benefit from access to the Palace of Knossos with a pre-booked tickets for your selected date and time. Once inside, you are free to explore this Minoan archaeological site at your own pace, including the Grand Palace which dates back to the year 2000 B.C. As you wander through the site, discover what remains of living quarters, workspaces, and storerooms that have stood for centuries. Learn more about the city which is thought to have been the capital and political center of Minoan civilization and culture. Get a sense of what the building was like originally from the extensive restorations that have taken place throughout the 20th and 21st centuries. See colorful restored murals, which were typical of the time, and the throne room of the legendary King Minos, which is still intact.

Enjoy an exciting visit to Knossos Palace, Crete’s most famous historical attraction, with a pre-booked e-ticket, including a compelling audio tour downloadable on your phone and a detailed map of the site. Lose yourself in the audio tour's storytelling and immerse yourself in history as you walk around this iconic site. Visit the grand capital of Minoan Crete, located just south of Heraklion, and see the evocative setting, complete with impressive ruins and brightly-colored frescoes, come alive through an engaging narrative that sheds light on various elements of Minoan culture. The cupbearers and procession frescoes at the South Propylaeum, which depicts scenes from everyday life and the ceremonial activities in Minoan Crete, provide a great insight into the aesthetic ideals of the time. Follow the evolution of Minoan fashion, learn about the popular hairstyles of the people, and discover the beauty products locals used to touch up their looks. At the West Magazines, where the storage facilities of the palace are located, gain an understanding of the well-organized bureaucracy that supported the palace organization, the earliest forms of linear writing, as well as the Minoan economy and trade networks. Discover the copy of the “Prince of the Lilies” at the South Entrance Corridor and gaze out on Mount Juktas, perfectly framed by the eroded walls of the palace. Visit the Queen’s Megaron, embellished with famous blue dolphins fresco and equipped with a bathroom and a toilet room, where you can find out everything about the bath habits in the Minoan era.

Explore Heraklion city at your own pace using a hop-on hop-off bus. Enjoy a combo ticket good for 48hours and for 2 different bus lines. See famous attractions, visit the beach of Ammoudara and the Knossos archaeological site. Take your chance to see it all with one combo ticket. Discover the Cretan civilization, history, and architecture and learn all about the old and modern city of Heraklion. Enjoy onboard commentary in 8 different languages explaining important details and facts. On the first route, embark on a 12 stop line that tours Heraklion city over one hour. Get off and on when you please and appreciate hours from 830am until 530pm every day. The second route provides a 6 stop line that leads to Ammoudara beach.

Start your day with pickup from selected regions in Crete and first head to Heraklion for a guided tour of Knossos Palace. Walk through this Minoan palace with your guide and find out how people lived here 4,000 years ago. The Throne Room, the frescoes, and the Minoan columns will allow you to imagine how the Minoans once lived. Continue towards the city center of Heraklion where you can visit the Archaeological Museum and the town itself. The Archaeological Museum brings together findings from all over Crete, covering over 5,500 years of the island's history.   Head to the Heraklion town center and walk through Daidalou Street to Lion Square and the famous Morosini Fountain of the Venetian era. Explore the permanent outdoor market of the town and the Valide Mosque, a remnant of Turkish influences. Explore the Venetian Loggia and head to the sea and the Koules Fortress before being dropped back off at your hotel.  

Join a guided tour of Knossos, a complex of more than 1500 interlocking rooms, once an astonishing palace built for a mighty king of the Bronze Age. Knossos is considered Europe’s oldest city. As you wander through the labyrinthine ruins, get the chance to see the original throne of ‘’Minos”, the mystifying sanctuaries, the luxurious domestic quarters of the royal family, Crete’s treasures pantries, and the water-management systems. The first palace of Knossos was erected soon after 2000 BC. In 1700 BC, a catastrophic earthquake destroyed the Palace. A new palace was built immediately, the most monumental of all, and for over 300 years it represented the pre-eminent center of power in Bronze Age Crete. The new palace was an imposing complex with important architectural innovations, splendid frescoes adorning the walls, hundreds of rooms distributed in four storeys, impressive storage areas, specialized workshops, and spacious courts hosting ceremonies and feasts. Learn how during the last decades of the 14th century BC, a series of earthquakes led to the final destruction of the palace. 

The Knossos & Lasithi Plateau Combo Tour offers a full-day exploration of Crete’s historical and cultural landmarks. The tour begins with a morning hotel pick-up, with travel times varying based on location. The first stop is Vidiani Monastery, a small Eastern Orthodox monastery at the foot of Louloudaki Mountain, dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Visitors can admire its tranquil atmosphere and traditional architecture during a short visit of 25 minutes. A 15-minute drive leads to Lasinthos Eco Park, where guests can explore traditional Cretan workshops such as pottery and candle-making. The park also features a small animal farm, offering insight into the island’s agricultural heritage. Admission is free. The visit lasts for 1 hour. After a 30-minute drive, the tour arrives at the village of Krasi, known for its freshwater springs and an ancient plane tree believed to be over 2,400 years old. The village's stone-paved streets, traditional tavernas, and small churches offer a glimpse into Crete’s rural life. The stop here lasts for 30 minutes. A 25-minute journey follows to an Olive Mill Farm, where guests are guided through the production process of olive oil, soap, and honey. The location provides panoramic views of the Aegean Sea and the surrounding mountains. Visitors have the option to enjoy a meal featuring local ingredients at their own expense. The total duration of this stop is 2 hours. The final destination, after a one-hour drive, is the archaeological site of Knossos Palace. A guided tour provides insights into the history of Europe’s oldest city, showcasing the ruins of the ancient Minoan civilization. There is also time for photographs and further exploration of the site. This visit lasts for 1 hour. At the end of the day, participants board the bus for the return journey to their hotels, with travel times varying based on traffic and location.

The Lasithi Plateau Day Tour offers a full-day journey through Crete’s rich history and culture. The tour starts with a morning hotel pick-up, with travel times depending on each guest’s location. The first destination is Vidiani Monastery, a small Eastern Orthodox monastery nestled at the base of Louloudaki Mountain and dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Guests can appreciate its serene ambiance and traditional architecture during a 25-minute visit. A 15-minute drive brings visitors to Lasinthos Eco Park, where they can explore traditional Cretan workshops such as pottery and candle-making. The park also features a small animal farm, providing insight into Crete’s agricultural heritage. Admission is free, and the visit lasts for 1 hour. After a 30-minute drive, the tour reaches the village of Krasi, renowned for its freshwater springs and an ancient plane tree estimated to be over 2,400 years old. The village’s charming stone-paved streets, traditional tavernas, and historic churches offer a glimpse into rural Cretan life. The stop here lasts for 30 minutes. A 25-minute journey follows to an Olive Mill Farm, where guests can observe the production of olive oil, soap, and honey. Set against a stunning backdrop of the Aegean Sea and surrounding mountains, this stop provides a chance to learn about traditional methods of production. Visitors also have the option to enjoy a meal made from fresh local ingredients at their own expense. The total duration of this stop is 2 hours. At the end of the day, participants board the bus for the return trip to their hotels, with travel times varying based on traffic and location.

Settlements in Knossos date as far back as the Neolithic period. Neolithic remains from around 7000 BC are found throughout Crete. Explore the ruins of the ancient Minoan civilization and enjoy a skip-the-line tour of the Knossos Palace. The Knossos Palace was built from 1700 to 1400 BC. Advanced architectural techniques were used in its construction, and sections of the palace stood up to 5 stories high. It featured 1,300 rooms connected by corridors, and a theater and extensive storerooms, which held large clay containers of oil, grains, dried fish, beans and olives – often with gold hidden beneath.

Take the hassle out of visiting Crete's capital and the Palace of Knossos with transport arranged for you. Relax on a day tour including hotel pickup, a transfer to the palace, then Heraklion, and drop-off back at your hotel in Rethymno. Take your time exploring the attractions at your own pace. After hotel pickup, head straight to the first stop, the Palace of Knossos. Marvel at the ruins of the neolithic settlement and explore the ceremonial and political center of the Minoan civilization. Discover where thrilling legends, such as the myth of the Minotaur and labyrinth, were born. Next, stop at Heraklion, where you will have 4 hours of free time to spend as you wish. Explore the city and visit the archeological museum. Buy some souvenirs. Grab a coffee, or tuck into a delicious lunch at a local restaurant. Then, climb back on the bus to be returned to your hotel in Rethymno.

Enjoy a guided day tour of Heraklion as you discover the historic city center and Knossos Palace. Start with pickup in the morning and first visit Knossos Palace, the mythical labyrinth and ancient capital of Minoan Crete. Enter the archaeological site with your guide and learn about its fascinating and mysterious history Then enjoy some free time to take photos and admire the architecture of your surroundings. Next, explore the city of Heraklion with a guided tour in the city center. Enjoy 2 hours and 30 minutes of free time at the old market, the city center, or visit the archaeological museum. For those who wish to visit the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion, the choice is optional and will be without a guide. Afterward, return to your hotel.