Knossos Palace & Archaeological Site: Tickets

Knossos Palace - Tickets and Visitor Information

‍

What Is the Palace of Knossos?

• Knossos Palace is the largest archaeological site on Crete and one of the most important sites associated with the Minoan civilisation.
• The palace complex was built and rebuilt over several periods, with the main palatial buildings dating from around 1900 BC.
• Knossos was an important administrative, economic and religious centre of Minoan Crete.
• The site is closely associated with the Greek myth of the Minotaur and the Labyrinth, although there is no evidence that Knossos was the actual setting of the myth.
• Knossos is now part of the Minoan Palatial Centres UNESCO World Heritage Site, which was inscribed in 2025. The UNESCO property includes six archaeological sites across Crete.

‍

Quick Information

• Address: Knossos Palace, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
• Opening Hours: Daily: 08:00 - 20:00. Hours may vary seasonally.
• Suggested Visit Duration: 1.5-2 hours
• UNESCO World Heritage Site: Part of the Minoan Palatial Centres
• Knossos Palace Ticket Options

‍

Is Knossos Palace and Archaeological Site Worth Visiting?

Yes - if you are interested in ancient history, archaeology or Greek mythology.

• Knossos is different from other ancient sites because you can see the remains of a large Minoan palace complex, including courtyards, staircases, storage areas and decorated rooms. The site also helps explain the development of Minoan society and the importance of Crete during the Bronze Age.

‍

What You Can See At Knossos Palace & Archaeological Site

• The Central Court: The Central Court was at the centre of the palace complex and was surrounded by different parts of the building. It was an important area within the palace and helps give an idea of the scale and layout of Knossos.
• The Throne Room: The Throne Room is one of the best-known areas of Knossos. It contains a stone seat and walls decorated with frescoes. The exact function of the room and the identity of the person who used the seat are still debated.
• Minoan Frescoes: Knossos is known for its colourful frescoes, including depictions of people, animals, plants and religious scenes. Some of the original frescoes are now preserved elsewhere, while reconstructions can be seen around the archaeological site.
• The Grand Staircase: The remains of the Grand Staircase show how large and complex the palace was. The buildings at Knossos included several levels and were arranged around courtyards.
• Storage Areas: Large storage rooms contained enormous clay storage jars known as pithoi. These were used to store products such as oil, wine and grain.
• The Palace Complex: The remains extend beyond a single building. Knossos included courtyards, workshops, storage areas, ceremonial spaces and other structures connected by passages and stairways.

‍

About Knossos Palace and Archaeological Site

Knossos Palace is an ancient archaeological site on the island of Crete. It is one of the most important archaeological sites in Greece and was an important centre of the Minoan civilisation, which flourished on Crete during the Bronze Age.

The first palace at Knossos was built around 1900 BCE and was later destroyed and rebuilt. The complex was significantly expanded and developed over several periods and became an important political, administrative and religious centre of Minoan Crete.

Knossos was first excavated by Minos Kalokairinos in 1878. Then, British archaeologist Sir Arthur Evans, began a large-scale excavation in 1900, which continued for decades.

Evans also carried out extensive reconstruction work, and some of the buildings and frescoes that can be seen today are therefore reconstructions rather than completely original remains. The excavations also uncovered pottery, tools, jewellery and other artefacts, providing valuable information about life during the Minoan period.

The palace covered around 20,000 square metres and consisted of multiple interconnected buildings, multi-level structures, courtyards, storage areas, workshops and staircases as well as a sophisticated drainage system. The complex was constructed of limestone and mud-brick, which was common at the time.

Knossos is famous for its colourful frescoes which depict scenes of daily life as well as religious rituals and mythological motifs. The frescoes provide valuable insights into the Minoan culture, its history and art.

At the heart of the palace lies the Central Court, a large open space that was surrounded by columns and served as a gathering place for ceremonies and other activities. The site includes the area known as the Throne Room, which is one of the best-known parts of the palace complex.