The Minoan Palace of Knossos was once the most important city in the ancient world. It served as the seat of political power of the Minoan Civilization, which rose as the dominant culture along the Mediterranean throughout much of the Bronze Age.
Despite having been abandoned for over 3,000 years, time and modern restoration work have preserved Knossos as one of the best representations of ancient Minoan architecture, and the archaeological site is a quintessential stop along any tour of Crete today.
From the top ruins you can expect to find within the site to the best places to stay nearby, this is everything you need to know before your visit to the Archaeological Site of the Minoan Palace of Knossos.
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Visit Minoan Palace of Knossos, Greece: A Brief Guide
Minoan Palace of Knossos Opening Hours:
Summer Hours (Starting Apr. 1): 08:00 to 20:00*
Winter Hours (Starting Nov. 1): 08:30 to 17:00
*Between Sept. 1 and Nov.1, the archaeological site undergoes transitioning hours. During this time, the archaeological site closes to the public progressively earlier as they prepare for the off-season
Minoan Palace of Knossos Ticket Prices: €15 general admission; €8 reduced rate
Minoan Palace of Knossos Address: Knossos 714 09, Greece
Nearby Hotels: Pleiades Urban Stay by Semavi | Stay 365 Heraklion Apart Hotel | Pavo Art Hotel
Tours: PRIVATE-Knossos Palace-Zeus Cave-Old Villages-From Heraklion area | Full Day Trip to Knossos Cave of Zeus and Olive Oil Factory
Top Sights: The Charging Bull Fresco & Royal Road | Grand Staircase | Throne Room | West Court & South Propylaion | Piano Nobile
Minoan Palace of Knossos Map
Minoan Palace of Knossos: A Brief History
The Neolithic Settlement
According to archaeological evidence, Knossos was initially founded as a small agricultural settlement during the Neolithic Period, with earliest recovered artifacts dating back to around 7000 BC.
The small settlement slowly grew over the following millennia and is believed to have housed about 1000 residents by the end of the Middle Neolithic Period (4000 BC).
Knossos truly began to blossom towards the end of Neolithic times and became a central powerhouse on Crete during the Minoan Period, making Knossos debatably Europe’s oldest city.
During this time, the population of Knossos boomed, and the establishment of the Bronze Age meant the rise of a whole new class of artisans in the city. Between 3000 and 2000 BC, Knossos began using a hieroglyphic script and started producing glazed pottery, engraved seals, and gold jewelry, which they used to build an extensive trading network.
The Rise and Fall of the Minoans
By 2000 BC, the Minoans were known as a powerful civilization that had amassed significant wealth. It is believed that the first Minoan Palace of Knossos was constructed around this time, along with other notable nearby palaces, such as Phaistos, Malia, and Zakros.
However, this first palace was not meant to last and was largely destroyed by an earthquake in about 1720 BC. The palace complex was promptly rebuilt this time with a much more intricate design.
The new palace featured monumental colonnades and a comprehensive network of stairs that connected various buildings. The palace and surrounding city thrived over the following centuries, with the area believed to have contained 100,000 inhabitants by the 15th century BC.
The remains of the second palace are the ruins that make up the archaeological site today. Unfortunately, it too did not last the test of time and was ultimately destroyed by a series of earthquakes and invasions.
The Controversies of Early Excavations
Abandoned by the end of the 14th century BC, Knossos was forgotten and left to ruin for over three thousand years until it was ultimately rediscovered by Sir Arthur Evans in 1900 CE. The English Archaeologist and his team promptly began the first excavations of the site, uncovering the first evidence of an ancient civilization, which he dubbed the Minoans.
Unfortunately, during the early days of archaeology, preservation and authenticity were not as important as the finds themselves. As an amateur archaeologist, Evans made assumptions regarding several of the buildings’ purpose, much of which have been questioned in the centuries since.
However, the most controversial practice of these early excavations is the use of cement to restore several of the palace’s structures. While the restoration serves to provide a more visual interpretation of the palace, it also cemented Evan’s own interpretation of the site, arguably altering the authentic Minoan integrity of the complex.
Still, Knossos remains one of the most impressive archaeological sites in Greece and is one of the country’s most popular tourist attractions today.
The Myths of Knossos
As the most influential powers of the Bronze Age, stories of the ancient city of Knossos continued on long after the fall of the Minoan Civilization. In fact, the city has been featured numerous times in Classical Greek mythology, most notably as the home of the half-bull half-man Minotaur.
Said to have been the offspring of the wife of King Minos and a snow-white bull gifted by Poseidon, the Minotaur became a beast of legend that would devour humans for food.
As such, King Minos ordered the architect Dadaelus to construct a massive labyrinth that would contain the beast. However, to feed the Minotaur, Minos ordered Athens to send sacrifices. This ultimately led to the Athenian prince Theseus being sent as a sacrifice, and with the help of Minos’ daughter Ariadne, slaying the monster.
While there is no great Labyrinth weaving its way below the ancient city, the legends of the Minotaur and the maze are believed to have originated from the complexity of the Minoan Palace’s intricate stairwells, along with their heavy depictions of sacred bulls within their frescoes.
Things to See and Do in Minoan Palace of Knossos
1. The Charging Bull Fresco & Royal Road
By far the most photographed ruin in the Archaeological Site of Knossos is the Charging Bull fresco contained within the West Bastion of the North Entrance. The bastion consists of three picturesque columns containing a copy of the original relief.
Just past the West Bastion is the Royal Road, which once led to the Little Palace. While the Little Palace is closed to the public today, the walkway itself contains some of the site’s most impressive structures, including the theatre and customs house.
2. Grand Staircase
Located along the East Wing of the large central court is my personal favourite structure within the Palace of Knossos – The Grand Staircase. Known as a wonder of Minoan architecture, the Grand Staircase consists of two flights of stairs repeating on each floor.
The stairs are framed by colonnades and are believed by some to have contributed to the myth of the Labyrinth thanks to their maze-like structure.
The Grand Staircase leads down from the Central Courtyard to the residential quarters of the royal apartments, where visitors can take a peek into the queen’s megaron (bedroom) and the Hall of the Double Axes, which contains the Kings Quarters.
3. Throne Room
On the opposite end of the central court is the Throne Room. Here you will find a rustic looking room with an alabaster seat and beautifully preserved walls containing frescoes of griffins. Continuing past the Throne Room you will find the Tripartite Shrine, a room where excavations uncovered several religious finds, including the ‘snake goddess” statue dating from 1600 BC.
4. West Court & South Propylaeum
Upon entering the archaeological site, visitors will first pass through the West Court. Believed to have once served as a market or gathering space, the court is largely just open space today, but it features three circular pits known as Kouloures that would have been used to store grain.
Following the path through the West Wing, you will then pass into the South Propylaeum. Here, you will find unique structures, including the Horns of Consecration, and copies of some of the site’s most famous frescoes, including the Cup Bearer.
5. Piano Nobile
The upper floor of the main palace building is known as the Piano Nobile. While Evans gave it its name thanks to his belief that it reflects the Italian palazzi of the Renaissance, this area is believed to have served as a grand reception area with several storage rooms.
6. Archaeological Museum of Heraklion
While not a part of the archaeological site, the Heraklion Archaeological Museum is a must-visit stop along any tour of the Palace of Knossos.
Located in the heart of downtown Heraklion, the museum is where all major archaeological finds on the island are housed and is considered one of the most important museums in Europe, and second most visited in Greece (behind the Acropolis Museum).
Along with artifacts recovered from other archaeological sites on the island, the museum contains several key findings recovered from Knossos, including the palace’s original frescoes, the ‘snake goddess’ statue, and numerous day to day tools.
The museum also has a scale model of the entire Palace of Knossos, promising a more comprehensive look as to how the monumental complex would have looked and operated at the peak of Minoan power.
How to Get to Minoan Palace of Knossos, Greece?
Located just outside of Heraklion, the Minoan Palace of Knossos is easily accessible via car and features a large parking lot adjacent to the site. However, the far more convenient option for those staying in Heraklion is to take the public bus.
The #2 buses run between downtown Heraklion and Knossos three to 5 times every hour throughout the year. The ticket costs 1.50 EUR one-way and starts at the bus stop near the KTEL Station. However, there are several stops along the way where you can catch the bus.
Where to Stay Near Minoan Palace of Knossos, Greece?
Knossos can be visited from several nearby villages. I suggest staying within Heraklion. With public buses and the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, it offers the best convenience for exploring the site. Additionally, as the largest city in Crete, it also offers a great variety of accommodation options.
FAQS About Minoan Palace of Knossos, Greece
Where is the Minoan Palace of Knossos, Greece?
The Minoan Palace of Knossos is located near the northern coast of the Greek island of Crete and is just a 15 minute drive from the modern city of Heraklion.
How Much is Admission at Minoan Palace of Knossos, Greece?
Tickets to the Minoan Palace of Knossos cost €15 for general admission and €8 for reduced rates, which include off-season visits. The site also offers several free days and holidays.
How Long Do I Need to Explore the Minoan Palace of Knossos, Greece?
As one of the most extensive archaeological sites in Greece, there are tons of structures and ruins to explore at the Archaeological Site of Knossos Palace. I suggest planning at least 2 hours at the site to explore them all while reading the informational boards scattered throughout.
While the archaeological site is large, the Heraklion Archaeological Museum is downright huge. Plan to spend at least 3 hours touring through its various galleries and exhibits as you explore Minoan history on Crete.
What Are Some Other Archaeological Sites Near Minoan Palace of Knossos, Greece?
If you enjoyed exploring the ancient ruins at the Minoan Palace of Phaistos, you should also check out these other Minoan Crete archaeological sites nearby.
Palace of Malia
Ruins of Lissos
Ancient Town of Aptera
