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Book Knossos Palace Tickets
Headout is an authorized and trusted partner of the venue, offering curated experiences to enjoy this attraction.
Journey into the 3,700-year-old Palace of Knossos, Europe’s oldest city, with expert-led tours, flexible audio guides, and optional museum access.
- Everything you get: Depending on your selection, enjoy entry to Knossos Palace, a 90-minute small-group guided tour, multilingual audio guides, offline access with rich content and maps, entry to Heraklion Archaeological Museum, and an immersive audio guide of Heraklion city.
- Why choose this: Skip the planning stress with expert tours, flexible audio guides, and easy access to Heraklion’s treasures—explore Minoan history your way, hassle-free.
- Upgrades: Choose a guided tour for a richer story-led experience, add entry to the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, or enhance your visit with a Heraklion city audio guide.
Journey into the 3,700-year-old Palace of Knossos, Europe’s oldest city, with expert-led tours, flexible audio guides, and optional museum access.
- Everything you get: Depending on your selection, enjoy entry to Knossos Palace, a 90-minute small-group guided tour, multilingual audio guides, offline access with rich content and maps, entry to Heraklion Archaeological Museum, and an immersive audio guide of Heraklion city.
- Why choose this: Skip the planning stress with expert tours, flexible audio guides, and easy access to Heraklion’s treasures—explore Minoan history your way, hassle-free.
- Upgrades: Choose a guided tour for a richer story-led experience, add entry to the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, or enhance your visit with a Heraklion city audio guide.
Inclusions
- Entry to Knossos Palace
- Entry to Heraklion Archaeological Museum (if option selected)
- 90-minute small-group guided tour (if option selected)
- Heraklion city audio guide in English (if option selected)
- Expert English-speaking guide (if option selected)
- Knossos Palace audio guide in English, French, and Italian (if option selected)
- Heraklion Archaeological Museum audio guide (if option selected)
- Offline access, rich content, audio narration, & online map
Exclusions
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off service
- Personal expenses
- Tip: Combine your visit to Knossos with a trip to the Heraklion Archaeological Museum. Many artifacts from the Palace are housed there, like the famous Snake Goddess.
- Keep an eye out for the double-axe (labrys) symbol carved into walls, it’s a key part of Minoan religious art and mythology.
- Bring headphones if you're using an audio guide app. It’s much easier to listen and walk without holding your phone up the whole time.
- Carry cash if you want to purchase guidebooks or souvenirs; the small shop near the entrance has limited payment options.
- Wear sturdy shoes with a good grip, as the ancient stones are uneven, slippery in parts, and can be tough on sandals.
- Bring a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen; there’s very little shade inside Knossos, and the Cretan sun is no joke.
- If you're visiting in summer, bring water. There's no place to buy drinks once you're inside the archaeological site.
- If you have mobility issues, stick to the main pathways. About half of the site is accessible, but the ruins can get tricky in rougher areas.
- There's a small café near the parking lot, ideal for grabbing a snack or drink after your visit.
- Photography is permitted, but avoid using flash inside reconstructed areas.
Concession eligibility:
- Children & young people (EU citizens): Individuals up to 25 years old from EU member-states are entitled to free admission upon presenting a valid ID or passport.
- Children & young people (Non-EU citizens): Individuals up to 18 years old from Non EU member-states are entitled to free admission upon presenting a valid ID or passport.
- Senior citizens: Individuals over 65 years old from Greece or other EU member states are eligible for a reduced admission fee upon presenting a valid ID or passport.
- Persons with disabilities: Individuals with 80% disability or more, regardless of nationality, and one escort (if applicable), can avail of free admission upon presenting a valid disability certificate along with their ID or passport.
- Greek citizens (special categories): Greek families with many children (with children up to 25 years old, or any age if they have disabilities) are eligible for free admission upon presenting a valid large family certificate and Disability Certificate (if applicable). Greek unemployed citizens can also avail of free admission with a valid unemployment card and ID.
- These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.
Reviews
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Snapshots from our guests
4.3
1,331 ratings
705
504
41
32
49
Guests from France, Italy, United Kingdom and over 40 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Alain
May 2025Verified booking
The highlight of my visit was the clarity of the comments and the congratulations on accessing the site. It takes you right back into the history of the container.
View original review in French
Peter
May 2025Verified booking
The Guide was friendly, knowledgeable and clear to understand. The palace was amazing to hear of its past come alive thru your guide.
ANDRE
May 2025Verified booking
The commentaries are very interesting, and we are well guided as we move around the site, which is large. Access to the audioguide is very simple, easy and quick. We really appreciated the service.
View original review in French
Lheureux
Apr 2025Verified booking
Very nice visit, short about 1h because in the end there is no audio in French, just in English or Greek. For the French, it's on the phone and you have to read every step, which isn't very practical with children, a beautiful sun and hands full of cream 😅 however, this place is surprising, it exudes a serene atmosphere despite what it represents. The kids also loved climbing some of the stones, especially the peacocks! I recommend Please note that opening times have changed over the Easter weekend.
View original review in French
Leda
May 2025Verified booking
Perfect fit because I didn't have a lot of time to visit the sites. The bus stops were in great locations.
Marcia
Jun 2025Verified booking
Electronic tickets were easy to purchase and made entry to the palace very easy. The Pslace is incredible. Enjoyed seeing and learning about it. Directions portion of the audio guide were not always clear some were very confusing.
Simona
Jun 2025Verified booking
Unfortunately, the route with the audio guide should be improved because it is not easy to follow the various stages indicated. Perhaps numbers displayed on the places corresponding to the stages in the explanations would help. Perfect audio and ease of selection
View original review in Italian
Matthew
Jun 2025Verified booking
The palace itself was interesting, with informative signage, great views and lots of palace to see. There were also good amenities in the form of a cafe, gift shop and plenty of toilets. As a note, the palace itself is completely outdoors and there is limited place to shelter in the event of rain. Unfortunately, the Headout app provided the wrong audio guide and we were unable to use that part of our ticket.
Peter
Jun 2025Verified booking
It was not clearly indicated in the online booking where to find the audio guide. Nor afterwards when we had received the tickets.
View original review in Dutch
Jennifer
Jun 2025Verified booking
I had a hard time navigating the site with audio guide instructions. A map would have bern useful. Otherwise it was good. I visited the Heraklion Archeological Museum before visiting the site and I'm glad I did. Made it much easier to visualize the pieces in their places at the Palace. The juice bar at the end of the tour was very much needed and a lovey treat!
Scott
May 2025Verified booking
Beautiful site but way too many bus groups. Should limit them and scatter entry so others aren't stuck behind hordes of people.
Hartmut
May 2025Verified booking
It was a great and impressive experience. This is especially due to the good guide. She was very well informed and up to date.
View original review in German
Olga
May 2025Verified booking
Without audio guide you could go through all territory for 40-45 minutes. Nobody of staff could explain about audio guide.
Dianna
May 2025Verified booking
The hearing devices worked well. Most important, our guide, Katrina, was exceptional with knowledge and clarity throughout the visit.
Ralf
May 2025Verified booking
Well, we drove through the heavy traffic with a few explanations about Crete, but not about the city itself. Conclusion: you can do it, but it's not absolutely necessary.
View original review in German
Colleen
May 2025Verified booking
Our guide was extremely knowledgeable and able to tie the mythology in well with what is know about the life of the Minoans. She brought it all to life!
Pier
May 2025Verified booking
The que for the throne room was too large, so we had to skip that part, the hop on -off autobus was disorganised on the return from Knossos, no que control, although waiting for a bus to come, people ran to get first on the bus, ending up in standing all the way back to the city
Christopher
May 2025Verified booking
We really enjoyed visiting. It's clearly an amazing place. We had difficulty following the audio guide at times. It wasn't always clear where to go next, so we would wander around trying to match the picture in the section of the audio guide to what was around us.
Lucy
Apr 2025Verified booking
Great place to visit with information boards around the site, we didn't have a guide but we all enjoyed looking around, our children included!
Katia
Apr 2025Verified booking
It is a fantastic visit unique in the world. The tour guide, whomI recommend, was also fantastic. Unforgettable
View original review in Italian
Rosé
Apr 2025Verified booking
The site is magical. And the weather is splendid. It wasn't too crowded, and the flow of visitors was quite reasonable, as the visiting hours were fiidogie. The sun was shining down on us, embellishing everything. However, when my daughter got the tickets to book our visit, she bought 4 tickets for two adults and two children, without realizing that the children weren't paying. The information wasn't clear enough on the website. We therefore paid double what we should have. Thank you for your vigilance Claire
View original review in French
Le
Apr 2025Verified booking
Fast, efficient online shopping Necessary to avoid long queues The site is good, but I recommend taking a guide or not forgetting the earphones to listen to the online guide. It's not always easy to follow the tour route, especially with children.
View original review in French
Nicolas
Apr 2025Verified booking
It wasn't too expensive, the taxi driver was really nice to take me there and wait for me afterwards, and the palace is just really beautiful! Loved it!
Octavian
Jun 2025Verified booking
Nice site full of history. Good to be esrly there though
Cristina
Jun 2025Verified booking
Eliminate queues effective and useful guide All very practical and easy to use
View original review in Italian
Experience two of Crete’s most iconic archaeological sites—Heraklion Archaeological Museum and Knossos Palace—together in one convenient combo.
- Download English or German audio guides to your smartphone and explore both sites at your own pace, learning about their rich history and fascinating artifacts.
- At Knossos Palace, walk through the corridors of King Minos’ Palace, admire the vibrant frescoes, and view the impressive ruins of one of the world’s oldest palaces.
- The Heraklion Archaeological Museum showcases priceless Minoan pieces, including the Golden Bee Pendant, Phaistos Disc, Snake Goddess, and King Minos’ Ring.
- With over 160 stories and anecdotes, the audio guide provides an in-depth, flexible journey through the rich history of Minoan Crete.
Experience two of Crete’s most iconic archaeological sites—Heraklion Archaeological Museum and Knossos Palace—together in one convenient combo.
- Download English or German audio guides to your smartphone and explore both sites at your own pace, learning about their rich history and fascinating artifacts.
- At Knossos Palace, walk through the corridors of King Minos’ Palace, admire the vibrant frescoes, and view the impressive ruins of one of the world’s oldest palaces.
- The Heraklion Archaeological Museum showcases priceless Minoan pieces, including the Golden Bee Pendant, Phaistos Disc, Snake Goddess, and King Minos’ Ring.
- With over 160 stories and anecdotes, the audio guide provides an in-depth, flexible journey through the rich history of Minoan Crete.
Inclusions
- Entry to Knossos Palace
- Entry to Heraklion Archaeological Museum
- Audio tours for both the Palace and Museum, available on your smartphone (Android and iOS)
- Offline content, including text, audio narration, and maps for both audio tours
Exclusions
- Live Guide
- Smartphone and headphones
- Food and drinks
- Hotel transfers and transportation
- App is incompatible with Windows phones
- With timed entry at Knossos Palace, be sure to arrive 10 to 15 minutes early to ensure you're on time. After visiting the Palace, you can explore the archaeological site and the museum at your own pace.
- Maximize your visit by following the recommended schedule: Knossos at 8am, followed by the Heraklion Archaeological Museum at 1pm every day.
- Carry a photo ID such as a passport, government ID, or driver’s license.
- The audio tour is available to download only on iOS and Android. Ensure that your smartphone is fully charged, and be sure to carry your headphones/earphones.
- Download your ticket and audio guide in advance while connected to Wi-Fi, as mobile signal strength at the site may be unreliable.
- Once you’ve booked, you’ll receive an email with detailed instructions on how to access and download your audio tour. Don’t forget to check your spam folder if you don’t see it in your inbox.
Concession eligibility:
- Children and young people (EU citizens): Individuals up to 25 years old from EU member states are entitled to free admission upon presenting a valid ID or passport.
- Children and young people (Non-EU citizens): Those aged between 6 and 25 years are eligible for a reduced admission fee, while children up to 6 years old from non-EU countries can gain free admission upon presenting a valid ID.
- Senior citizens: Individuals over 65 years old from Greece or other EU member states are eligible for a reduced admission fee upon presenting a valid ID or passport.
- Persons with disabilities: Individuals with an 80% disability or more, regardless of nationality, and one escort (if applicable) can access free admission upon presenting a valid disability certificate along with their ID or passport.
- Greek citizens (special categories): Greek families with many children (with children up to 25 years old, or any age if they have disabilities) are eligible for free admission upon presenting a valid large family certificate and disability certificate (if applicable). Greek unemployed citizens can also receive free admission with a valid unemployment card and ID.
- These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.
Reviews
How do we collect reviews?
Snapshots from our guests
3.7
73 ratings
30
17
11
6
9
Guests from Italy, United Kingdom, France and over 10 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Cristina
Jun 2025Verified booking
Eliminate queues effective and useful guide All very practical and easy to use
View original review in Italian
Shula
Jun 2025Verified booking
all went very well, great place to visit
Pascale
Jun 2025Verified booking
Zoppi
Jun 2025Verified booking
Sebastian
May 2025Verified booking
IACOMACCI
May 2025Verified booking
marco
Apr 2025Verified booking
Uwe
Apr 2025Verified booking
Patrik
Jun 2025Verified booking
Way to crowded. Poor explenstions and visualizations. Museum and arch site too far apart.
Teresa
May 2025Verified booking
Very bad experience. Hasty and impossible to follow guides.
View original review in Italian
Rosa
Jun 2025Verified booking
10 minutes after purchasing the tickets I realized that the date proposed by your app was not that of the day of purchase but the next day. I contacted the service center and was told that the date could not be changed. I had to re-purchase tickets on site for both the palace and the museum which, by the way, cost me 32 euros instead of your 46. I consider your business practice unfair and I reserve the right to report your site. Good evening.
View original review in Italian
Rene
Jun 2025Verified booking
We were there as planned at 9 AM, but the tickets were not available, and we were unable to download them. I called the service number, and she stated that she would send me the tickets we had been waiting for, but nothing happened. Called back was on hold for 30 minutes. We could not wait any longer, and we bought tickets at 20 euros each to enter. Please refund me 60 euros. Finally, she fixed the problem, and by then we had to be inside, not to miss our time and the scheduled itinerary.
Debra
May 2025Verified booking
I bought 2 Adult combos Knossos Palace and Heraklion Archaeological Museum WITH audio Guide.. We thoroughly enjoyed the palace. However, when we arrived at the museum, were were not allowed to enter. We were told that we had purchased 4 Palace tickets and NO MUSEUM TICKETS. We re-purchased the museum tickets on site, but had no audio guide. SO DISAPPOINTED!!
Jorge
Apr 2025Verified booking
Agustin
Oct 2024Verified booking
I would like to make a difference in my experience at the Palace of Knossos, the place deserves a very good rating, but the attention, a 0, a HUGE zero. In contrast, my experience at the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion, both the place and the attention of its staff, deserves the highest rating, outstanding. In the Palace of Knossos, the staff was very rude and not at all helpful, something that surprised me a lot because of the difference in treatment that there is in my country, Peru, a country known for the kindness of its people, where the attention to tourists is first class. At Knossos, from the entrance, although I had the information on my cell phone, the person at the window was very dismissive and did not try to help me to identify the document I needed to show him. I then went to the second checkpoint, the entrance itself and it was the same, I asked a question and not only did they not answer me, they chose to say that my question was not their job and that was it. I did the tour on my own, and the audio guide didn't help at all, it's just a summary of the history, not an audio guide, explaining what you see. I have visited places like the Killing Fields in Cambodia, where the Khmer Rouge murdered people and the audio guide is REALLY an audio guide, it explains every place you see, the audio guide at Knossos is NO AUDIO GUIDE. After two hours and some queues -there were hundreds of tourists traveling in groups- at my exit, after examining the places visited I asked one of the employees that were nearby about the fresco of the dolphins, which I had not seen I had understood that it was no longer in the Palace and that individual was very rude, I preferred to skip it and ask another person who confirmed my doubt. My visit to the Archaeological Museum, on the other hand, was very positive. As I finished my visit to the Palace of Knossos, I went to the Museum two hours earlier than I had registered and at the entrance it was explained to me that I had to return at the scheduled time or one hour earlier or later than scheduled, which I understood. As there were too many people, I was concerned about going around the Museum and seeing the most important works and at certain times I had to ask for help from the staff who always attended me kindly, besides being very well informed. At the end of the visit, I noticed that I had not visited a part of the Museum, so I went back, but I did not find it, I asked one of the Museum staff and she explained that this sector was temporarily closed, responding kindly.
View original review in Spanish
Pamela
Oct 2024Verified booking
The Minoan palace of Knossos is a must-see when in Crete and we got a feel for the place that you could only get in person when we visited both Knossos and the Heraklion Archaeological Museum in October. Ticketing through Headout worked well: I downloaded tickets for two of us to my phone and they were scanned at entry. For both venues there is a scheduled entry time and it would have been helpful to have times closer together. As it was, our entry time at Knossos was in the morning (a good idea to avoid crowds) but our museum entry not until 5 pm so we had to fill the time with other activities. The downloadable guides to both venues were helpful. We followed along with earbuds at Knossos and didn't feel like we missed having a live tour guide. In fact it gave us flexibility to move at our own pace and pause when we wanted to. Glad we did both venues as Knossos is just ruins with some reconstructed sections, while the museum fills in gaps with art, paintings, sculpture, ceramics, jewelry, tools, etc., that actually came from the palace site. It was a great learning experience.
Alessandro
Sep 2024Verified booking
Very nice museum indeed, very well explained and with very usable spaces
View original review in Italian
Afrodite
Nov 2024Verified booking
Rusanka
Oct 2024Verified booking
Cristina
Oct 2024Verified booking
Sep 2024Verified booking
Iacopo
Oct 2024Verified booking
At the eraklion museum, they closed the most interesting rooms to the public without warning before purchasing tickets....
View original review in Italian
Karen
Oct 2024Verified booking
As there were delays in arriving at the venues, and the ticket times were very restricted, I lost both tickets. And when I made the purchase, I wasn't told about the absolute need to enter during this period. I made similar purchases in Athens, and there the ticket could even be used for 3 days. You should make it very clear on the sales page that the ticket will only be accepted at the specified intervals.
View original review in Portuguese
Greg
Oct 2024Verified booking
I loved seeing Knossos Palace and was very excited to see the Museum. I Booked the tickets as our taxi driver drove us from our hotel, Pheae Blue Palace near Plaka to the sight. We had to spend 270 euros to get there. We knew our entry time to the Knossos Palace was 10:00-11:00 but had no idea the entry ticket to the museum was not until 16:00. We only had our driver for 5 hours and when we told the museum attendents of our problem they said since we booked it through you our only option was to buy another ticket.
John
Sep 2024Verified booking
I was only able to pick the time of my visit to Knossos Palace & a default time was chosen for my museum passes with an absurdly long break between the two. I wasted my money.
Get in-depth insights with an expert-guided tour of Knossos Palace in a small, personalised group.
- Everything you get: Enjoy direct entry to Knossos Palace, a 90-minute guided tour led by an expert English-speaking guide, and a small-group experience with no more than 16 guests.
- Why choose this: With an expert guide leading the way, you’ll explore at a relaxed pace, ask questions freely, and uncover hidden insights into life nearly 3,700 years ago. Learn about fascinating Minoan rituals, court life, and the dramatic collapse of one of Europe’s first great civilizations, all in an intimate setting that ensures a richer, more personal experience.
Get in-depth insights with an expert-guided tour of Knossos Palace in a small, personalised group.
- Everything you get: Enjoy direct entry to Knossos Palace, a 90-minute guided tour led by an expert English-speaking guide, and a small-group experience with no more than 16 guests.
- Why choose this: With an expert guide leading the way, you’ll explore at a relaxed pace, ask questions freely, and uncover hidden insights into life nearly 3,700 years ago. Learn about fascinating Minoan rituals, court life, and the dramatic collapse of one of Europe’s first great civilizations, all in an intimate setting that ensures a richer, more personal experience.
Inclusions
- 90-minute guided tour of Knossos Palace (maximum 16 guests)
- Entry to Knossos Palace
- Expert English-speaking guide
- Tip: If the Throne Room is crowded, hang back for a few minutes. You’ll get a much clearer view and better photos once the space opens up.
- Take a close look at the columns; they are wider at the top than the bottom, a clever Minoan twist you won't find in typical Greek architecture.
- If you have mobility concerns, stick to the main pathways. About half of the site is accessible, but some areas can be rough and uneven. Watch out for uneven stairs and low doorways, especially when exploring the deeper parts of the site. And wear sturdy shoes, instead of sandals.
- Parking at Knossos is limited during peak hours, so arrive early if you're driving, or plan for a short walk from nearby lots.
- Bring headphones if you're using an audio guide app. It's easier to listen while exploring.
- Carry cash for guidebooks or souvenirs; the small shop near the entrance has limited card payment options.
- Pack a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Shade is limited, and the Cretan sun is intense.
- Photography is allowed, but flash photography is prohibited inside reconstructed areas.
Concession eligibility
- Children and young people (EU citizens): Individuals up to 25 years old from EU member states are entitled to free admission upon presenting a valid ID or passport.
- Children and young people (Non-EU citizens): Those aged between 6 and 25 years are eligible for a reduced admission fee, while children up to 6 years old from non-EU countries can gain free admission upon presenting a valid ID.
- Senior citizens: Individuals over 65 years old from Greece or other EU member states are eligible for a reduced admission fee upon presenting a valid ID or passport.
- Persons with disabilities: Individuals with an 80% disability or more, regardless of nationality, and one escort (if applicable) can access free admission upon presenting a valid disability certificate along with their ID or passport.
- Greek citizens (special categories): Greek families with many children (with children up to 25 years old, or any age if they have disabilities) are eligible for free admission upon presenting a valid large family certificate and disability certificate (if applicable). Greek unemployed citizens can also receive free admission with a valid unemployment card and ID.
- You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Reviews
How do we collect reviews?
Snapshots from our guests
4.8
188 ratings
142
46
0
0
0
Guests from United States, Germany, Canada and over 9 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Peter
May 2025Verified booking
The Guide was friendly, knowledgeable and clear to understand. The palace was amazing to hear of its past come alive thru your guide.
Hartmut
May 2025Verified booking
It was a great and impressive experience. This is especially due to the good guide. She was very well informed and up to date.
View original review in German
Dianna
May 2025Verified booking
The hearing devices worked well. Most important, our guide, Katrina, was exceptional with knowledge and clarity throughout the visit.
Colleen
May 2025Verified booking
Our guide was extremely knowledgeable and able to tie the mythology in well with what is know about the life of the Minoans. She brought it all to life!
Brian
Jun 2025Verified booking
Our guide was excellent, everything was fine.
Mete
Jun 2025Verified booking
The guide was great. He knew a lot about the history and culture.
Yvette
May 2025Verified booking
Our guide was great! I can't remember her name Red hair flashy shiny ball cap She was awesome
Adam
Jun 2025Verified booking
Nancy
May 2025Verified booking
andrea
May 2025Verified booking
Stephen
Apr 2025Verified booking
Andrea
Apr 2025Verified booking
Otilia
Dec 2024Verified booking
I visited the site a few days before Christmas. Few visitors, which allowed me to enjoy the magnificent view. The guidance was absolutely remarkable. I discovered many details about each objective of the site; all with an intelligent, well-researched and extremely charming discourse.
View original review in French
Barbara
Oct 2024Verified booking
The guide was excellent. Good English, and very patient with questions. He knew the history of course, and also would talk about today's attitudes to the restorations that have been done. He had a balanced view. He proceeded at an appropriate pace, and the group was not too big (about 6 of us), so we could all talk to him. The ticketing experience was simple. We were contacted in advance and told where to meet, with a picure of the person who was going to greet us, holding up the sign. That was really helpful. The tickets werent cheap but I felt they were worth it. Some of the features of the site were shielded by glass, but reflection on the gas made it impossible to view the features behind. I'm sure this isnt Headout or the guide's fault. Can't non reflective glass be used, or screens?
Hugues
Sep 2024Verified booking
The magnificence of the site combined with the professionalism and knowledge of the guide made it a mémorable experience.
PETER
Nov 2024Verified booking
Guide was very knowledgeable, clear , and brought the history alive with her descriptions.
Michael
Oct 2024Verified booking
The site is amazing and our guide was very knowledgable and engaging.
Georgia
Oct 2024Verified booking
We had a fabulous guide, Akrivi, who really brought Knossos alive. A fascinating tour
Debbie
Oct 2024Verified booking
Really enthusiastic and knowledgeable guide who brought things to life
Heather
Sep 2024Verified booking
Our guide was exceptionally knowledgeable and added a sense of humor to the tour. Well done!
Danese
Oct 2024Verified booking
Kristine
Oct 2024Verified booking
Delannoy
Aug 2024Verified booking
Very well-organized tour, easy-to-identify guide. No waiting, so it was great. Our guide was very interesting, she made this visit to Knossoss a unique experience. It was lively and full of historical facts. We were a small group of 9 people from different backgrounds, so it was great.
View original review in French
Giulia
Aug 2024Verified booking
Very good guide able to give us all the historical, political, religious, mythical , artistdella Minorca civilization elements with passion and competence. No queues and effective system with earphones. Excellent experience
View original review in Italian
Ian
Jun 2024Verified booking
Our guide was exceptional, she was expressive & very informative about the reality & mythology of Knossos.
Combos
Combo (Save 5%): Knossos Palace Archaeological Site Entry Tickets + Heraklion Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
from €46
€43.70
5% off
Why wait? Fast-track your way into Knossos Palace, then hop on and off as you explore Heraklion’s hidden gems, all in one budget-friendly combo ticket.
- Step back in time with priority access to the Knossos Palace, where the 3700-year-old ruins tell tales of the ancient civilization.
- Delve into the Minoan lives with a chance to see the Throne of King Minos and marvel at the mysterious murals with undeciphered language.
- Get ready for a double dose of adventure as you hop on and off across Heraklion city with a 1-day open-top bus tour and an extra day free.
- Zoom around two routes, hitting 18 prime spots like the sun-kissed beaches of Ammoudara. Frequent buses have audio guides and free Wi-Fi.
Why wait? Fast-track your way into Knossos Palace, then hop on and off as you explore Heraklion’s hidden gems, all in one budget-friendly combo ticket.
- Step back in time with priority access to the Knossos Palace, where the 3700-year-old ruins tell tales of the ancient civilization.
- Delve into the Minoan lives with a chance to see the Throne of King Minos and marvel at the mysterious murals with undeciphered language.
- Get ready for a double dose of adventure as you hop on and off across Heraklion city with a 1-day open-top bus tour and an extra day free.
- Zoom around two routes, hitting 18 prime spots like the sun-kissed beaches of Ammoudara. Frequent buses have audio guides and free Wi-Fi.
Inclusions
Knossos Palace
- Entry to Knossos Palace
Heraklion HOHO pass
- 1-day unlimited hop-on hop-off pass + 1-day free
- Audio guide in English, Greek, Russian, German, Spanish, Italian, French & Hebrew
- Free earphones
- Free map
Please click here for a detailed map and boarding points. You can join a tour at any stop and hop on and off for the duration of your ticket.
Heraklion line
- First bus: 9am from stop #1 (Port)
- Last bus: 5pm from stop #1 (Port)
- Frequency: Every 30 mins
- Popular stops: Knossos Palace, Archaeological Museum, Venetian Castle Koules
Ammoudara line
- First bus: 9am from stop #1 (Apollonia Hotel)
- Last bus: 4:30pm from stop #1 (Apollonia Hotel)
- Frequency: Every 60-75 mins
- Popular stops: Hotel Dolphin, Technopolis, Agapi Beach Hotel
Knossos Palace
- Tip: Look out for the royal apartments and ancient theatre for deeper insights into the Minoans' love for complex architectural designs and performing arts.
- This experience is wheelchair and pram/stroller accessible.
Heraklion HOHO pass
- Tip: Visiting Knossos Palace during the bus tour? Hop off at stop 9 of the Heraklion line for easy access.
- The buses are wheelchair and pram/stroller accessible.
- Your guide dogs are welcome onboard.
- Baggage is allowed onboard.
Concession eligibility
- Children and young people (EU citizens): Individuals up to 25 years old from EU member states are entitled to free admission upon presenting a valid ID or passport.
- Children and young people (Non-EU citizens): Those aged between 6 and 25 years are eligible for a reduced admission fee, while children up to 6 years old from non-EU countries can gain free admission upon presenting a valid ID.
- Senior citizens: Individuals over 65 years old from Greece or other EU member states are eligible for a reduced admission fee upon presenting a valid ID or passport.
- Persons with disabilities: Individuals with an 80% disability or more, regardless of nationality, and one escort (if applicable) can access free admission upon presenting a valid disability certificate along with their ID or passport.
- Greek citizens (special categories): Greek families with many children (with children up to 25 years old, or any age if they have disabilities) are eligible for free admission upon presenting a valid large family certificate and disability certificate (if applicable). Greek unemployed citizens can also receive free admission with a valid unemployment card and ID.
- These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.
Reviews
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Guests from Italy, France, United States and over 37 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Leda
May 2025Verified booking
Perfect fit because I didn't have a lot of time to visit the sites. The bus stops were in great locations.
Matthew
Jun 2025Verified booking
The palace itself was interesting, with informative signage, great views and lots of palace to see. There were also good amenities in the form of a cafe, gift shop and plenty of toilets. As a note, the palace itself is completely outdoors and there is limited place to shelter in the event of rain. Unfortunately, the Headout app provided the wrong audio guide and we were unable to use that part of our ticket.
Peter
Jun 2025Verified booking
It was not clearly indicated in the online booking where to find the audio guide. Nor afterwards when we had received the tickets.
View original review in Dutch
Maureen
May 2025Verified booking
It took us to the places mentioned, but when we wanted to spend the second half of the day at the beach, the time getting back from the beach was misleading. It shows "Line 2" running both directions. This is only true for a very short stretch. It then does the full loop. If you are coming in on a cruise, make sure you have at least 90 minutes to get back on the ship or take a taxi, like we ended up doing.
Olga
May 2025Verified booking
Without audio guide you could go through all territory for 40-45 minutes. Nobody of staff could explain about audio guide.
Theresa-Anne
May 2025Verified booking
Hosts and drivers were helpful and on time. Stops were easy to find. We saw all the places we wanted to and found some hidden gems along the way.
Ralf
May 2025Verified booking
Well, we drove through the heavy traffic with a few explanations about Crete, but not about the city itself. Conclusion: you can do it, but it's not absolutely necessary.
View original review in German
Pier
May 2025Verified booking
The que for the throne room was too large, so we had to skip that part, the hop on -off autobus was disorganised on the return from Knossos, no que control, although waiting for a bus to come, people ran to get first on the bus, ending up in standing all the way back to the city
Lucy
Apr 2025Verified booking
Great place to visit with information boards around the site, we didn't have a guide but we all enjoyed looking around, our children included!
Katia
Apr 2025Verified booking
It is a fantastic visit unique in the world. The tour guide, whomI recommend, was also fantastic. Unforgettable
View original review in Italian
Rosé
Apr 2025Verified booking
The site is magical. And the weather is splendid. It wasn't too crowded, and the flow of visitors was quite reasonable, as the visiting hours were fiidogie. The sun was shining down on us, embellishing everything. However, when my daughter got the tickets to book our visit, she bought 4 tickets for two adults and two children, without realizing that the children weren't paying. The information wasn't clear enough on the website. We therefore paid double what we should have. Thank you for your vigilance Claire
View original review in French
Nicolas
Apr 2025Verified booking
It wasn't too expensive, the taxi driver was really nice to take me there and wait for me afterwards, and the palace is just really beautiful! Loved it!
Annemarie
Jun 2025Verified booking
The throne room and the vistas.
View original review in Dutch
Cheryl
Jun 2025Verified booking
The whole experience was very good. From parking , entry, the information boards - very impressive
Frank
May 2025Verified booking
There were plenty of resting places with shade.
View original review in German
Esther
May 2025Verified booking
Had nothing to do with you, but with the weather. Tickets were fine, cause we didnt need to stand in the very long line.
Juergen
Apr 2025Verified booking
Easy booking, quick ticket and no waiting time at the entrance!!!
Martha
Jun 2025Verified booking
Gregory
Jun 2025Verified booking
Brandenburg
Jun 2025Verified booking
ALISON
Jun 2025Verified booking
Guy
Jun 2025Verified booking
Daiva
Jun 2025Verified booking
Dietmar
Jun 2025Verified booking
Karen
Jun 2025Verified booking
Why visit the Heraklion Palace of Knossos?
Historical significance
The Knossos Heraklion archaeological site offers a closer look at one of the earliest advanced civilizations in Crete, which thrived from around 2000 BCE to 1400 BCE. Many Greek myths have referred to this city, especially the legend of King Minos, the minotaur, and the labyrinth.
Which Knossos Palace tickets to book?
If you are short on time
Go for: Fast-track entry tickets
Duration: 1 hour
Guide: Audio guide for Android and iOS in English, French, and German
- Skip ahead of long ticket lines at the Heraklion Palace of Knossos with these priority access tickets.
- Upgrade your ticket to include an audio guide, available in English, French, and German to make your visit more informative. You can also avail yourself of offline maps and text to navigate around the site comfortably.
Recommended tours:
- Knossos Palace Archaeological Site entry tickets
If you are on a budget
Go for: Combo tickets
Duration: Flexible
Guide: Audio guide in English and German
- At a one-time purchase, you can explore the Minoan ruins as well as visit the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, which houses some of the most iconic pieces of Minoan art.
- An informative audio guide familiarizes you with the the Minoan civilization and their cultural relevance. Plan your visit anytime during your stay, for these tickets are valid for up to 3 days.
Recommended tours:
If you are a history buff
Go for: Small-group guided tours
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Guide: English-speaking guide
- Enjoy a 90-minute guided walking tour of the Knossos Palace and get a deeper understanding of the Minoan ruins.
- Since these group tours admit only up to 16 people at a time, you can have more in-depth conversations with the guide and explore at your own pace to some extent, as compared to unstructured larger group tours.
Recommended tours:
- Knossos Palace small group guided tour
What's inside Knossos Palace?
See all photos
Plan your visit to the Heraklion Palace of Knossos
Opening hours
Getting there
Facilities
Visitor tips
Eat
Stay
Nearby
March to August: Typically 8am to 8pm
September to February: Typically 8am to 5pm
Last admission: 15 minutes before closing time
Closed on: 1 January, 25 March, Easter Sunday, 25, and 26 December
- Duration of visit: 3 to 4 hours
- Best time to visit: March to May and September to October are the best months to visit the Heraklion Palace of Knossos for manageable crowds and pleasant temperatures. If you are planning a visit between June to August, reach early in the morning or visit after the sun goes down for fewer visitors. Weekdays are comparatively less crowded than weekends and public holidays.
Address: Φειδίου 8, Iraklio 714 09, Greece
- By bus: Board the line 2 bus from Heraklion to reach the Knossos Palace. It takes around 36 mins to reach the attraction from Heraklion.
- By taxi: Another convenient way to reach the Knossos Palace is to grab a taxi from Heraklion. It takes around 5 mins in a cab to reach the palace.
- By foot: Knossos Palace is a long way from Heraklion. The roads are busy, hence we recommend you board a bus or get a taxi to reach the palace.
- Wheelchair accessibility: The Knossos Palace offers accommodations and assistance to help visitors with limited mobility navigate their premises. It may be challenging to cross the uneven terrain and ruins on wheelchairs, however, you can go around almost 50% of the site comfortably. They also have an accessible toilet near the entrance.
- Photography: You can click pictures inside the Knossos Palace, however, please refrain from using tripods and other commercial photography equipment, as they may disrupt others’ viewing experience.
- Restrooms: You can access public toilets at the Heraklion Palace of Knossos. However, please be mindful that restrooms are limited around the entire Knossos archaeological site. Make sure to use the restroom before starting your tour.
- Mind the heat: Temperatures soar in Greece during summers, hence it is best to wear light clothing when visiting the palace. Stay hydrated and wear sunscreen to protect yourself from the sun.
- Wear comfortable shoes: The site involves walking and exploring ruins, so wear comfortable clothes and sturdy footwear to navigate uneven surfaces.
- Arrive early: To avoid crowds and the heat of the day, consider arriving early in the morning when the site opens.
- Visit the museum: When exploring the Knossos Palace, make sure to visit the Heraklion Archaeological Museum a while away from the site. They contain several interesting artifacts that would supplement your understanding of Minoan culture and history.
- Consider guided tours: Choose Knossos Palace tickets including guided tours of the premises to get in-depth insights into the history, architecture, and significance of the site. Guides can provide context, stories, and anecdotes that enhance your understanding of the palace. If a guided tour isn't your preference, an audio guide can provide similar insights while allowing you to explore at your own pace.
- Pasiphae restaurant: Offers Mediterranean, Greek, and vegetarian-friendly dishes
- Minotavros restaurant and cafe: Specializes in Mediterranean, Greek, vegan, and vegetarian-friendly dishes
- Rousakis restaurant: Serves Mediterranean and Greek dishes, and alcohol, and also has outdoor seating.
- The Little Garden: Offers Mediterranean, Greek, and vegetarian-friendly dishes
- Picadillo Burger Nest: Specializes in American, fast food, barbecues, and Greek food
- Budget stays:
GD Gallery Suites
Saint George Hostel
Mom’s Cozy Corner - Mid-range hotels:
Castello City Hotel
Aquila Atlantis Hotel
Dom Boutique Hotel - Luxury stays:
Legacy Gastro Suites
Megaron Hotel
Olive Green Hotel
- Heraklion Archaeological Museum: Home to a vast collection of Minoan artifacts, this museum offers a vivid journey into Crete's ancient past, showcasing its rich history and cultural heritage.
- Fortress of Koules: Guarding Heraklion's harbor, this Venetian fortress embodies centuries of maritime history and military architecture, offering panoramic views and a glimpse into the city's past.
- Venetian Loggia: A striking Venetian-era structure, the Loggia is a testament to Heraklion's Venetian heritage, serving as a historic backdrop for events and a reminder of the city's architectural legacy.
- Cathedral of St.Minas: Dominating Heraklion's skyline, the Cathedral of St. Minas honors the city's patron saint. This Byzantine-revival cathedral features intricate frescoes and religious artworks that reflect its spiritual and cultural significance.
Frequently asked questions about Knossos Palace tickets
How much is a ticket to the Knossos Palace?
The Knossos Palace entry ticket including an offline text, maps, and audio narration starts from . If you are interested in ancient Greek history, you can also opt for the Knossos Palace combo tour with the Heraklion Archaeological Museum for €31.50.
How to book Knossos Palace tickets?
We recommend you book Knossos Palace tickets online to save time and money. Online ticket bookings are more convenient and fuss-free since you can secure your tickets with just a click.
Why should I book Knossos Palace tickets online?
The best way to secure Knossos Palace tickets is to get them online when on-site availability might be limited. Booking tickets online ensures that you can explore the palace no matter the crowd on the day of your visit. You can also avail of great deals and discounts.
What do Knossos Palace tickets include?
Most Knossos Palace tickets offer an audio guide, offline text, and maps. The audio tour is available in both English and German.
What are Knossos Palace's opening hours?
The Knossos Palace is open from 8am to 8pm every day throughout the year. If you are planning to visit the palace during summer, make sure to reach early in the morning or visit around late afternoon to beat the heat.
How long does it take to complete a Knossos Palace tour?
Most Knossos Palace tickets include an audio guide that you can listen to while exploring its interiors. You can spend around 1.5 to 2 hours strolling through the elaborate passageways and courtyards of the Knossos Palace. The palace's various rooms, including the Throne Room and storage spaces, offer insights into the social dynamics and daily activities of that time.
From happy customers
Alain
may, 2025
+ 1 more
The highlight of my visit was the clarity of the comments and the congratulations on accessing the site. It takes you right back into the history of the container.
View original review in French
Knossos Palace Archaeological Site E-Ticket with Audio Tour
Peter
may, 2025
The Guide was friendly, knowledgeable and clear to understand. The palace was amazing to hear of its past come alive thru your guide.
Crete: Knossos Palace Small Group Guided Tour with Entry Tickets
Otilia
Romaniadic, 2024
+ 1 more
I visited the site a few days before Christmas. Few visitors, which allowed me to enjoy the magnificent view. The guidance was absolutely remarkable. I discovered many details about each objective of the site; all with an intelligent, well-researched and extremely charming discourse.
View original review in French
Crete: Knossos Palace Small Group Guided Tour with Entry Tickets
Yessica
nov, 2023
The palace was great, a lit bit more of information in the place would be perfect though, and also more books in spanish on the palace store.
The ticketing experience wss friendly, easy and quick.
Knossos Palace Tickets with Audio Guide
John
United Statessep, 2023
Everything went smoothly so well organized. Me were very fortunate to have met a lovely tour guide that was most knowledgeable and professional in her presentation
Knossos Palace Tickets with Audio Guide
Pamela
oct, 2024
The Minoan palace of Knossos is a must-see when in Crete and we got a feel for the place that you could only get in person when we visited both Knossos and the Heraklion Archaeological Museum in October. Ticketing through Headout worked well: I downloaded tickets for two of us to my phone and they were scanned at entry. For both venues there is a scheduled entry time and it would have been helpful to have times closer together. As it was, our entry time at Knossos was in the morning (a good idea to avoid crowds) but our museum entry not until 5 pm so we had to fill the time with other activities. The downloadable guides to both venues were helpful. We followed along with earbuds at Knossos and didn't feel like we missed having a live tour guide. In fact it gave us flexibility to move at our own pace and pause when we wanted to. Glad we did both venues as Knossos is just ruins with some reconstructed sections, while the museum fills in gaps with art, paintings, sculpture, ceramics, jewelry, tools, etc., that actually came from the palace site. It was a great learning experience.
Combo: Knossos Palace & Heraklion Archaeological Museum Tickets with Audio Guide
Matthew
United Kingdomjun, 2025
The palace itself was interesting, with informative signage, great views and lots of palace to see. There were also good amenities in the form of a cafe, gift shop and plenty of toilets. As a note, the palace itself is completely outdoors and there is limited place to shelter in the event of rain.
Unfortunately, the Headout app provided the wrong audio guide and we were unable to use that part of our ticket.
Crete: Knossos Palace Archaeological Site Tickets with Audio Guide
Katia
Italyabr, 2025
It is a fantastic visit unique in the world. The tour guide, whomI recommend, was also fantastic. Unforgettable
View original review in Italian
Crete: Knossos Palace Archaeological Site Tickets with Audio Guide