Dive into Minoan history on a guided Knossos Palace tour

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.

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.

• 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.
• Your Heraklion Museum entry is scheduled 5 hours after your Knossos tour begins: 8am tour → 1pm entry, 9am tour → 2pm entry, 10am tour → 3pm entry, 11am tour → 4pm entry.
• 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.

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

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.

Hop-on hop-off tour - Heraklion line

• First bus: 9am from stop #1 (Port Station - Cruise Terminal)
• Last bus: 6pm from stop #1 (Port Station - Cruise Terminal)
• Frequency: Every 30 minutes
• Popular stops: Knossos Palace, Archaeological Museum, Venetian Castle Koules

Hop-on hop-off tour - Ammoudara line

• First bus: 11am from stop #1 (Apollonia Hotel)
• Last bus: 6pm from stop #1 (Apollonia Hotel)
• Frequency: Every 60 minutes
• Popular stops: Hotel Dolphin, Technopolis, Agapi Beach Hotel

Inclusions #

Knossos Palace

• Entry to Knossos Palace (near Stop #9 on Heraklion route)

• Online audio guide for Heraklion city

Heraklion hop-on hop-off tour

• 1-day unlimited hop-on hop-off pass + 1-day free by Sights of Athens

• Access to Heraklion & Ammoudara routes

• Audio guide in English, Greek, Russian, German, Spanish, Italian, French & Hebrew

• Free earphones & map

What to bring

Knossos Palace

• Wear sturdy shoes with a good grip, because the ancient stones are uneven and slippery.
• Carry a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen if you're travelling during the summer months.

What's not allowed

Knossos Palace

• Flash photography is not permitted inside reconstructed areas of the palace.
• Travel light, as there are restrictions on large bags at the venue.

Accessibility

Knossos Palace

• The site is partially wheelchair-accessible, with a ramped pathway available at the main entrance.

Heraklion hop-on hop-off tour

• The buses are wheelchair and pram/stroller accessible.
• Your guide dogs are welcome onboard.

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Additional information

Heraklion hop-on hop-off tour

• Baggage is allowed onboard.

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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): 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 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.

Inclusions #

• Admission to all parts of the Museum
• Self-guided English or German audio tour for your smartphone (Android & iOS only)
• Offline content (text, audio narration, and maps)

Exclusions #

• Live guide
• Smartphone and headphones
• Transfers and transportation