Knossos Palace Guided Tours | Small Groups & Multilingual Audio

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Crete: Knossos Palace Small Group Guided Tour with Entry Tickets

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Crete: Knossos Palace Archaeological Site Tickets with Audio Guide

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Combo: Knossos Palace & Heraklion Archaeological Museum Tickets with Audio Guide

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Combo (Save 5%): Knossos Palace Archaeological Site Entry Tickets + Heraklion Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

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Heraklion Archaeological Museum Ticket & Audio Guide

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What our guests are saying about Knossos tours

Loved by 35 million+

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.

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.

Otilia

Romania

Dec 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.

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.

John

United States

Sep 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

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.

Katia

Italy

Apr 2025

It is a fantastic visit unique in the world. The tour guide, whomI recommend, was also fantastic. Unforgettable

Simone

Oct 2024

We had a great guide. Irini took a lot of time and showed us around Knossos really well! She had great knowledge and spoke very good German. Highly recommended!

Minotaur to mosaics | Explore Knossos like a local

Long before Athens rose to power, Knossos was the heart of Europe’s oldest civilization, a thriving Minoan city that remains one of the most iconic archaeological sites in Greece. As you walk through its grand courtyards, red-painted columns, and maze-like corridors, you'll get a vivid sense of how advanced and artistic this Bronze Age culture truly was.

Bull-leaping fresco with two women and a man at Knossos Palace, Crete.

Step inside the vivid world of Minoan frescoes and craftsmanship

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Knossos Palace ruins with smartphone audio tour in Heraklion, Crete.

Marvel at the grand courtyards and intricate Minoan columns

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Knossos Palace interior with ancient red pillars and frescoes, Crete, Greece.

Navigate the labyrinthine corridors where myth and history collide

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Knossos Palace ruins with tourists exploring, Heraklion Archaeological Museum audio guide experience.

From red-painted columns to ancient frescoes, experience Minoan artistry firsthand

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Exploring it with a guide brings these details to life in a way no textbook ever could. Read on to know what’s included in a guided tour, how to choose the right one, and tips for experiencing the palace at its best.

Why choose a Knossos Palace guided tour?

1/4

Follow a story, not just a map

With its sprawling corridors and maze-like layout, Knossos can be difficult to navigate on your own. A guided tour leads you through key spaces like the Central Court, Throne Room, and ceremonial areas in a meaningful sequence, helping you follow stories of power, religion, and daily life woven into the palace’s design. It also highlights details like the tapered columns and griffin frescoes, showing how Minoan design influenced the myth of the Labyrinth and the Minotaur.

Enjoy a more intimate experience

In a small group of no more than 16 guests, you’re not just another face in the crowd. You can ask questions, get real-time answers, and share the journey with other curious travelers, making the experience feel social, interactive, and memorable.

Make every minute count

With a guided tour of Knossos, you can skip the guesswork, cover more in less time, avoid unnecessary detours, and focus on the palace’s most important areas—so you walk away with a deeper understanding of what makes this ancient site so extraordinary.

Explore your way

Choose flexible audio guides with interactive maps and offline content to explore at your own pace, or opt for intimate small-group tours to dive deeper with a local expert who brings the palace’s history, symbolism, and stories into focus.

Pick your perfect tour experience

Woman using smartphone audio guide in Knossos palace

Audio-guided tours

Duration: Flexible
Guide: Audio guide in English, French, or Italian (based on option selected)

Wander through the Knossos ruins and sift through ancient artifacts at the Archaeological Museum with detailed audio narration, perfect for exploring on your terms, without losing the historical context.
Enjoy offline access, interactive maps, and rich storytelling content that brings ancient Crete to life right from your phone—no internet or tour group needed.

Recommended tickets:

Knossos Palace archaeological site tickets with audio guide

Visitors exploring ancient ruins at Knossos Palace Archaeological Site, Crete, during a guided tour.

Small-group guided tours

Duration: 1.5 hours
Guide: English-speaking local expert

Join a small-group tour of Knossos Palace, limited to 16 guests, and explore the site alongside a local expert who shares in-depth insights and stories you won’t find on any signboard.
Skip the confusion of navigating the ruins alone and enjoy a relaxed, small-group setting where you can ask questions freely and connect with other curious travelers along the way.

Recommended tickets:

Knossos Palace small-group guided tour with entry tickets

Participants enjoying the seaside view at Heraklion

City walking tours

Duration: Flexible
Guide: English audio guide

Discover the best of Heraklion with an engaging audio guide that takes you through top sights, hidden spots, and local stories all in one easy-to-follow walking route.
Dive into the city’s charm with a fully offline experience that lets you pause, explore, and resume whenever you like, without being tied to a schedule or group.

Recommended tickets:

Knossos Palace archaeological site tickets with audio guide

What to expect on a Knossos Palace guided tour?

A walk through the palace’s most iconic spaces

Your guide will lead you through major highlights like the Central Court, the Throne Room with its mysterious stone seat, and richly decorated areas featuring original frescoes, such as the Prince of the Lilies and the Bull-Leaping scene.

A deep dive into Minoan life

Most tours last about 90 minutes, just enough time to explore the key areas in detail without feeling rushed, while still leaving you time to visit the museum or explore Heraklion afterward.

Optional museum add-on

Many tours include or offer add-ons to the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, where you can see original artifacts found at Knossos, including the actual frescoes, pottery, tools, and religious objects that once filled the palace.

Tips to note when visiting the Knossos ruins

Ancient ruins of Knossos Palace in Crete, Greece, showcasing Minoan architecture.

Arrive early in the morning, ideally before 10am, to avoid both the strong midday sun and the tour bus crowds that often arrive from Heraklion and cruise ports.
The signage within the site is minimal, so unless you're on a guided tour, it’s easy to miss key locations like the Queen’s Megaron or the lustral basins.
Mobile reception can be patchy around the site, so if you're using an audio guide app, download everything in advance for offline access.
Wear shoes with a good grip, as some of the original stone surfaces inside the palace can be smooth and slippery, especially near staircases and shaded courtyards.
Bring a hat or umbrella for shade. Knossos has limited covered areas, and much of your time will be spent standing in open courtyards or walking between exposed ruins.
Photography is allowed, but tripods and selfie sticks are not permitted inside the palace grounds, so plan your shots accordingly if you're hoping for wide-angle or steady frames.

Plan your visit to Knossos Palace

Frequently asked questions about Knossos Palace guided tours

What is the best way to explore Knossos Palace for first-time visitors?

With its maze-like design, Knossos Palace can be overwhelming to explore alone. If it’s your first time visiting the ruins, opting for a guided tour, ensures you won’t miss key stories or get lost in the Labyrinth.

What are the benefits of booking a small-group tour?

Small-group tours

offer a more personalized experience, with plenty of chances to interact with the guide and explore at a comfortable pace tailored to your group.

How do audio-guided tours work?

Audio guides typically come via a rental device or an app you can download. They’re ideal for those who prefer a flexible pace, allowing you to explore freely while enjoying detailed commentary on each section.

Are audio guides available in multiple languages?

Yes, most audio guides offer several language options, including English, Greek, German, French, and Spanish, ensuring you can fully enjoy the history in your preferred language.

What makes guided tours different from audio tours?

With expert-led tours, you can interact with a guide in real time, ask questions, and hear legends and detailed insights. Audio tours, on the other hand, let you explore at your own pace with rich commentary available whenever you like.

Are tickets for Knossos Palace guided tours easy to get on the day of the visit?

While same-day tickets are available, Knossos Palace guided tours sell out quickly, especially during the busy summer months between June and August. We recommend booking your tours in advance to secure your preferred time and tour type.

Is the Knossos Palace suitable for families with kids?

Yes, the palace is family-friendly, and many guided tours include engaging storytelling tailored for younger visitors to keep them interested throughout.

What should I bring with me?

Comfortable shoes, a hat or sunscreen, water, and a fully charged phone (if using an audio guide) are essentials. While there is a café near the entrance, bringing some light snacks can be handy if you plan to spend a long time exploring.

Are there accessibility options for visitors with mobility issues?

While parts of Knossos are uneven and may be challenging, visitors with limited mobility can access key areas like the West Court, Central Court, and King’s and Queen’s Quarters through an easier route that involves a small staircase near the Queen’s Megaron.