Knossos Palace

Best time to visit Knossos Heraklion | Opening hours, duration, & more

Today

Open 08:00–17:00

Last Admission

16:45

Knossos Palace

#

Jan 1 TO Mar 31 Timings

Days (Jan 1 TO Mar 31)

TIMINGS

Last Admission

Monday08:00–17:0016:45
Tuesday08:00–17:0016:45
Wednesday08:00–17:0016:45
Thursday08:00–17:0016:45
Friday08:00–17:0016:45
Saturday08:00–17:0016:45
Sunday (Today)08:00–17:0016:45

Apr 1 TO Aug 31 Timings

Days (Apr 1 TO Aug 31)

TIMINGS

Last Admission

Monday08:00–20:0019:45
Tuesday08:00–20:0019:45
Wednesday08:00–20:0019:45
Thursday08:00–20:0019:45
Friday08:00–20:0019:45
Saturday08:00–20:0019:45
Sunday08:00–20:0019:45

Sep 1 TO Sep 16 Timings

Days (Sep 1 TO Sep 16)

TIMINGS

Last Admission

Monday08:00–19:3019:15
Tuesday08:00–19:3019:15
Wednesday08:00–19:3019:15
Thursday08:00–19:3019:15
Friday08:00–19:3019:15
Saturday08:00–19:3019:15
Sunday08:00–19:3019:15

Sep 17 TO Sep 30 Timings

Days (Sep 17 TO Sep 30)

TIMINGS

Last Admission

Monday08:00–19:0018:45
Tuesday08:00–19:0018:45
Wednesday08:00–19:0018:45
Thursday08:00–19:0018:45
Friday08:00–19:0018:45
Saturday08:00–19:0018:45
Sunday08:00–19:0018:45

Oct 1 TO Oct 15 Timings

Days (Oct 1 TO Oct 15)

TIMINGS

Last Admission

Monday08:00–18:3018:15
Tuesday08:00–18:3018:15
Wednesday08:00–18:3018:15
Thursday08:00–18:3018:15
Friday08:00–18:3018:15
Saturday08:00–18:3018:15
Sunday08:00–18:3018:15

Oct 16 TO Oct 31 Timings

Days (Oct 16 TO Oct 31)

TIMINGS

Last Admission

Monday08:00–18:0017:45
Tuesday08:00–18:0017:45
Wednesday08:00–18:0017:45
Thursday08:00–18:0017:45
Friday08:00–18:0017:45
Saturday08:00–18:0017:45
Sunday08:00–18:0017:45

Nov 1 TO Dec 31 Timings

Days (Nov 1 TO Dec 31)

TIMINGS

Last Admission

Monday08:30–17:0016:45
Tuesday08:30–17:0016:45
Wednesday08:30–17:0016:45
Thursday08:30–17:0016:45
Friday08:30–17:0016:45
Saturday08:30–17:0016:45
Sunday08:30–17:0016:45
#

Best time to visit the Knossos Palace

Weekday vs Weekend

#

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Sun

Pleasant
Crowded
Very Crowded
Closed

Peak season vs low season

#

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Off Season
Moderate Season
Peak Season

How long should I spend at the Knossos Palace?

You can breeze through the palace ruins in around an hour if you visit only the popular attractions like the Throne Room, Central Court, and the courtyard. This will give you a basic sense of the site's size and layout, but you won't have much time to delve into the details.

Ideally, you must keep at least 3 to 4 hours on hand for a detailed, in-depth tour of the Heraklion Palace of Knossos. You can wander about the palace ruins comfortably without rushing from one spot to another, take pictures of the wall frescoes, and read through the information signs.

​About the Minoan Palace of Knossos

Tips to note when visiting the Heraklion Palace of Knossos

  • Arrive early: The Knossos archaeological site attracts hundreds of visitors throughout the year. You will find crowds in most rooms and courts on your tour. To avoid the morning rush around 10am, consider arriving at the site by 8pm. You can also visit in the late afternoon, after 2pm, for a quieter visit and somewhat manageable crowds. 
  • Consider booking guided tours: The Knossos Palace once functioned as the primary administrative center of the Minoan civilization. To know more about their daily life, artistry, and social customers, consider purchasing guided tours. There are small-group guided tours, providing a more in-depth look at the Knossos site.
  • Wear comfortable shoes: The palace complex is vast and there's a lot of walking involved. Make sure to wear comfortable shoes with good traction, as the ground can be uneven and dusty.
  • Carry sun protection: The Heraklion Palace of Knossos is situated atop a hill without many shaded areas. Carry a hat, and sunglasses and wear sunscreen to protect your skin, especially if you are considering a visit between June and August. 
  • Be prepared for limited facilities: There are restrooms in the visitor information center near the main entrance to the Knossos site. However, there aren’t any restroom facilities and refreshment centers throughout the site. The Knossos site is spread across a large area, so make sure you use the restroom before your visit. 

Frequently asked questions about the Knossos Heraklion opening hours

The Knossos Heraklion opening hours are between 8am to 6pm during the spring and summer months, from March to August. On the days when daylight hours are longer, the Knossos archaeological site closes around 7:30pm to 8pm. During the winter months, November to February, the site is open from 8:30am to 5pm. The last admission to the Heraklion ruins is around 15 minutes before the closing hours.

More reads

About Knossos Palace archaeological site

Myth of Theseus and the Minotaur

Plan your visit to the Heraklion Palace of Knossos