Thanks to its central position in the Mediterranean, the Greek island Crete served as a strategic location from which empires could regulate and control the trade routes of the ancient world.
As such, it is only natural that Greece’s largest island serves as the centre of conflict amongst ruling powers, passing through the hands of numerous influential civilizations over the millennia, including the Venetians, Ottomans, Romans, and Byzantines.
But before all of them, the island itself gave birth to one of the oldest civilizations in all of Europe — the ancient Minoans. From their position on Crete, the Minoans shaped the ancient world, serving as the centre of commerce throughout the Bronze Age, flourishing between 3000 and 1100 BCE.
In fact, the Minoans became so influential that they were not only known around ancient Greece but expanded their renown as far as Egypt and even became the root of many of the ancient world’s mythologies, including the legend of Perseus and Minotaur.
Despite the passage of nearly 5000 years since the Minoan rise to power, this ancient civilization’s influences can still be found on the island today in the form of ancient ruins, massive palaces, and historic cities, many of which feature the further additions of the cultures that came after.
As someone who loves visiting historical sites throughout their travels, Crete is one of my favourite islands in Greece to visit, and I highly suggest any history enthusiasts make a road trip to the island while hitting these 13 amazing archaeological sites and historical ruins in Crete.
A Quick Look at the 13 Top Historical Ruins in Crete
- Palace of Knossos
- Palace of Phaistos
- Palace of Malia
- Ruins of Lissos
- Ancient Town of Aptera
- Ancient Eleftherna
- Archaeological Site of Gortyn
- Archaeological Site of Zominthos
- Hagia Triada
- Archaeological Site of Phalasarna
- Minoan Palace of Zakros
- Venetian Fortezza Castle
- Archaeological Site of Lato
- Heraklion Archaeological Museum
The 13 Top Historical Ruins in Crete and Archaeological Sites
1. Palace of Knossos
The History and Legends of Knossos
The Archaeological Site of Knossos is easily the most important collection of historical ruins in Crete and one of the most important archaeological sites in all of Greece.
While the site today contains the partially restored ruins of a once great city, it is actually the 3rd Minoan palace to have been constructed in the area, and once served as the seat of power of the Bronze Age Civilization during ancient times, even being renowned as the home of King Minos and his minotaur.
The hill the site occupies has been inhabited since the Neolithic Period (between the 7th and 3rd millennium BCE), but it wasn’t until around 2000 BCE that the first palace was finally constructed, reigning in the growing Minoan influence on ancient Crete and the rest of the Mediterranean.
This early complex was destroyed shortly after its completion, in around 1700 BCE, only to be replaced by a second larger and much more luxurious palace shortly after. This second round of construction was famous for its labyrinth-like layout, which may have been the root of the legends of Theseus and the Minotaur.
Unfortunately, this second grand palace was not meant to last either and was destroyed along with all other Minoan strongholds on Crete by a massive earthquake around 1450 BCE.
The palace was restored for a time during the Mycenaean Occupation of the island, but the complex was ultimately destroyed once again by a fire and abandoned to ruin for nearly three millennia.
Excavations and Modern Ruins
Excavations on the site commenced over the late 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. During these early days of archaeology, maintaining authenticity was not a prevalent practice. As such, early excavators had made several reconstructions of important structures that are widely disputed for their inaccuracies.
Still, the Archaeological Site of Knossos should be at the top of your Cretan itinerary and serve as a fantastic window into the architectural styles of one of the world’s most influential ancient civilizations.
Among the ruins of the archaeological site today, visitors are able to explore the remains of the spacious central court, throne room, grand staircase, and several frescoes that once lined the monumental south and west wings.
2. Palace of Phaistos
Set just 60 km south of Knossos, the Archaeological Site of Phaistos contains the ancient ruins of the second largest Minoan palace on Crete, only paling in size to the Knossos itself.
However, unlike the Minoan civilization’s seat of power, Phaistos did not undergo the same restoration during its excavations, making it one of the best Minoan Palaces for observing the authentic foundations of its architecture.
Set along the western end of the largest Mesara Plain, the Palace of Phaistos occupied a key position in controlling this southern area of the island, as it managed both the movement of the plain’s goods to and from the ports along the Gulf of Messara.
In fact, according to legend, this pivotal stronghold was ruled over by the Rhadamanthys dynasty, who, in turn, was Minos’s brother and the son of Zeus.
While the mythological is just that, it does not alter the fact that this was and still is one of the most important historical centres on the island. While it no longer controls the region’s trade goods, it does serve as an authoritative example of a typical Minoan Palace, complete with large spanning courtyards, complex floor plans, and grand staircases.
With that said, perhaps the most important archaeological find during the site’s excavation, the Phaistos Disk, is actually found back at the Heraklion Archaeological Museum. Still between the sweeping plains and impressive ruins, the Palace of Phaistos is a must-visit attraction and is an impressive testament to the influence and architecture of the Minoan civilization.
3. Palace of Malia
Rounding out the three great Minoan strongholds, the Palace of Malia is not quite as grand as Knossos or Phaistos but is comparable in size and is an impressive archaeological site along the island’s northern shores.
While it was said that the palace was ruled by Sarpedon, the brother of King Minos and Rhodamanthys, the lack of wall paintings, vases, and frescoes uncovered during excavations suggests that the fortification served a more provincial status.
Like the other two palaces, Malia was constructed during the early 2nd millennium BCE and was destroyed and rebuilt around 1700 BCE before ultimately falling to ruin in 1450 BCE, where it was abandoned until excavations commenced more than three thousand years later.
Today, the ruins of the palace can be explored throughout two storeys within the archaeological site, which includes four wings, five entrances, and a central courtyard.
4. Ruins of Lissos
While not much is known about this ancient town, the ruins of Lissos are one of the most important archaeological sites on Crete today. It includes a theatre, an aqueduct, a cemetery, ancient Roman baths, and paleo-Christian basilicas.
Discovered in 1957, archaeological evidence suggests Lissos first rose to prevalence during Crete’s Dorian Period (between the 10th and 2nd centuries BCE), with most of the modern ruins dating back to the 3rd century BCE.
The growth of the town is largely believed to have occurred around the construction of the Temple of Asklepion, which was built next to spring dedicated to Asclepius, the Greek god of healing.
Lissos continued to flourish during Byzantine rule but was ultimately destroyed by the Saracens in the 9th century and was left abandoned for over a millennium.
Today, visitors can explore the excavated remains of this once-flourishing town, which currently consists of an aqueduct, a cemetery, ancient baths, and paleo-Christian basilicas. A theatre and hot spring are also known to have been in the area, but excavations have yet to uncover these landmarks.
5. Ancient Town of Aptera
Set on a plateau 200 metres above Souda Bay near Chania, the ancient town of Aptera was one of the most important city-states of the ancient world starting around the 7th century BCE, although human occupation of the area dates back to the Minoan Period, between 3500 and 1070 BCE.
Aptera grew into its prominences as an important commercial centre throughout the Hellenistic Period (323-67 BCE) and the Roman Empire (67 BCE – 342 CE) thanks to its close proximity between the two city ports of Minoa (modern Marathi) and Kisamo (modern Kalives)
The city was ultimately destroyed by an earthquake in the 7th century BCE, with the ruins being built over by the monastery of St John Theologos about five centuries later and a Turkish fortress in 1872.
Both the monastery and fortress are open to visitors and offer breathtaking views of Souda Bay. However, the most enticing ruins within the archaeological site are of the ancient town and include Roman-era cisterns, a 2nd-century Greek temple, and an amphitheatre.
6. Ancient Eleftherna
Found along the northwestern foothills of Mount Ida near the centre of the island, the ancient city of Eleftherna was first found during the Geometric Period, when Dorian colonizers established their settlement along the area’s naturally fortified ridges.
Due to the site not being as old as some of the other historical ruins in Crete featured on this list, this archaeological site is a great example of a post-Minoan settlement on the island, and features influences from several cultures and civilizations that occupied the island in the following centuries, including the Roman’s after their Cretan conquests in 67 BCE.
Unfortunately, like many of the island’s ancient communities, Eleftherna was destroyed by a catastrophic earthquake in the 8th century CE, although later constructions did occur over the site during the island’s Byzantine Period.
Excavations on Eleftherna began in 1984 and have uncovered many of the city’s historical complexes, which are open to tour, including the Orthi Petra Necropolis, an ancient stone bridge, and many buildings found within the historic city’s main core located on the Prines and Nisi HIlls.
7. Archaeological Site of Gortyn
Located just 15 km east of Phaistos in the Messara Plains, Gortyn was one of the most important cities of the Minoan Civilization, dating back to the Neolithic Period, with its founding occurring between 3,600 and 3,000 BCE.
In fact, Gortyn’s power and influence were so great that the ancient town formed a coalition with the growing power of Knossos, and together, the two were able to unite the entirety of Crete under their rule, establishing the Minoans as the dominant superpower of the Mediterranean, with Knossos serving as its seat.
Gortyn was originally ruled over by the nearby Palace of Phaistos but ultimately overshadowed the stronghold thanks to its growing influence throughout the Bronze Age, Hellenistic, and Roman Periods.
Ultimately, like many others on the island, ancient Gortyn was destroyed by a series of earthquakes. However, the ruins were rebuilt, and the site was reestablished as the modern city that occupies the area today.
Despite this, archaeological digs commenced in 1884 to uncover the historical ruins and have uncovered many well-preserved relics of the ancient community. Some of the top sites visitors can tour today include a Roman amphitheatre, a basilica, and a palace dating back to the Hellenistic period.
Still, the most famous and unique archaeological treasures uncovered at the site is the Law Code of Gortyn, which is the oldest and most complete example of ancient Greek law ever uncovered, and is found in the ancient Agora of Gortyna.
8. Archaeological Site of Zominthos
The Archaeological Site of Zominthos is one of the most important historical ruins in Crete uncovered in the past 50 years and is found along a plateau of Mt. Ida, approximately 1,200 metres above sea level.
The highest Minoan ruins on the island, Zominthos proved that the Minoan people were not just seafarers but also made homes in the island’s highlands.
The site itself was accidentally discovered in 1982 when the professor assigned to the excavations of the nearby Ideon Cave was approached by a local shepherd telling him of the area.
What started as a small-scale dig on the site reaped what has become one of the most impressive remains of a Minoan Palace on the island today that continues to provide groundbreaking discoveries every couple of years.
9. Hagia Triada
Set within the rolling hills along the western edge of the Messara Plain, Hagia Triada is the historical remains of a small Minoan settlement near Phaistos.
The complex is believed to have once served as a royal villa, having close political ties with the nearby palace. Archaeological evidence suggests it was built around 1600 BCE but was destroyed shortly after by a fire in 1,450 BCE.
The site was later built over with the construction of a Mycenaean-style megaron during the Post-Palatial period, between 1,400 and 1,110 BCE, along with several other buildings, including residential complexes, a marketplace, and workshops.
Visitors today can still explore the remains of both the Minoan villa, the ancient town, and several later additions that include a necropolis and a Byzantine church.
10. Archaeological Site of Phalasarna
Found along the coast of western Crete, Phalasarna was founded by the Dorian Greeks in the 7th century BCE and quickly became one of the most important port cities on the island, controlling the sea routes between northern Africa and Italy.
Unfortunately, due to natural disasters, rising sea levels, and a state of perpetual war with rival city-states, Phalasarna quickly lost its influence in the region, with its residence falling to piracy. This is believed to have ultimately led to their demise, with its likely destruction occurring at the hands of the Romans in 67 BCE.
The ancient ruins were further decimated in 365 CE, when one of history’s biggest earthquakes pushed the land 6.5 metres out of the sea, turning the harbour into dry land and burning the site with a landfill until excavations began to uncover the site more than 1,000 years later, in 1966.
Modern visitors can access the archaeological site along a dirt road that consists of the Throne of Poseidon, the inner harbour, city walls connecting several towners, terracotta baths, warehouses, workshops, and many more ruins ascending the Acropolis hill.
11. Minoan Palace of Zakros
Found on the other side of the island, along Crete’s eastern coast, is the Palace of Zakros, the smallest of the Islamic Minoan Palaces and the ancient civilizations’ stronghold over the eastern region.
The Minoan Palace of Zakros is less grand than the ones in Phaistos, Knossos, or Malia. But what it lacks in size, it makes up for with its impressive preservation and the sheer beauty of its coastal region.
While visitors can drive to the archaeological site, it is much more rewarding to hike to the ancient ruins through the Gorge of the Dead, the ancient footpath that connects the ruins to the modern mountain village of Zakros.
12. Venetian Fortezza Castle
Built during the 16th century CE, the Venetian Fortezza Castle is not nearly as old as the other archaeological sites featured on this list, but it is equally as impressive and breathtaking from its perch adopt Rethimno’s Acropolis along the island’s northern coast.
Initially built by the Venetians, it wasn’t long before the citadel passed to the Ottomans, who conquered the area in 1646. The fortifications are amongst some of the most impressive in all of Greece and include a towering stone wall, four bastions, a cavalier, and a magazine.
At one point, the castle was separate from mainland Greece as a small island. But water currents and sand deposits have since formed an isthmus, creating a small land bridge connecting it to the mainland.
13. Archaeological Site of Lato
Built by the Dorians upon a defensible positioning overlooking Mirabello Bay during the 5th or 4th century BCE, Ancient Lato is one of the best-preserved remnants of an ancient city in eastern Crete near Agios Nikolaos.
Though destroyed during Roman times in 200 BCE, the archaeological site boasts a great collection of historic ruins, including the foundations of several houses, an agora, temples, an amphitheatre, a threshing floor, and several temples.
Heraklion Archaeological Museum
If you are making a tour of the historical ruins in Crete, you are going to want to include a stop at the Heraklion Archaeological Museum. This is where they house all of the major finds recovered from the various archaeological sites across the island. The following are some of the top exhibits featured in the gallery that complete the story of each of the island’s ancient sites.
- The Prince of Lillies Fresco — Minoan Palace of Knossos
- Phaistos Disk — Minoan Palace of Phaistos
- The Hagia Triada Sarcophagus — Hagia Triada
- Rock Crystal Libation Vessel — Minoan Palace of Zakros
- Winged Cupid Figurines — Ancient Gortyn
