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What to See in the Knossos Palace, Crete

This guide helps you to get ready for your Knossos Palace visit. But firs, let’s check all the facts and all the info you need to know before heading to this unique archaeological site in Crete.

The Myth: Theseus & the Minotaur

Let’s face it; it’s more romantic to tour Knossos knowing about the myth of Theseus. One of its versions tells that King Minos, from Crete, had won a battle over Athens.

As a result, every 9 years, Athens had to send 7 boys and 7 girls to Crete to feed the Minotaur. The Minotaur lived in a Labyrinth inside the palace and was half man and half bull

Theseus volunteered to reach Crete and try to kill the monster. He promised his father, Aegeus, that if victorious, he would return with white sails, but if he had been killed, the sails would be black.

On Crete, he fell in love with Ariadne, King Minos’ daughter. She gave him a ball of thread to find his way out of the Labyrinth.

The hero managed to defeat the beast, leave the Labyrinth, and sail away with Ariadne. But he abandoned her in Naxos on his way back.

In despair over the loss of Ariadne, Theseus forgot to change the sails of his boat.

His father, seeing the ship approaching with black sails, believed his son was dead and threw himself into the sea  – in Cape Sounion. He died and thus gave his name to the Aegean Sea.

General Information About Knossos

It’s easy to reach the Archaeological Site of Knossos from the center of Heraklion, either by car or bus.

The trip takes about 15 minutes. Remember that it’s always better to visit early in the morning or just before sunset.

This way, you will avoid crowds as well as the extreme heat in summer (at the end of the post there is also a list with more practical tips). If you intend to visit it thoroughly, allow about 3 to 4 hours.

Crete’s Minoan Palace of Knossos is only 5 kilometers from Heraklion.  It’s situated on a low hill known as Kefalas, in the valley of the river Kairatos.

The area is rich in vineyards, fruit trees, and olive groves, and has been valued since ancient times for its resources.

Some believe that the Palace of Knossos was the largest of the Minoan palaces in Crete.

Chronology

The first settlement goes back to the Neolithic era, about 7000 BC. The palace was built around 1900 BC and it is proof of the advanced economic and social structure of the civilization.

Knossos was a palatial complex with sanctuaries, residences, workshops, and storage chambers. There were also royal rooms, terraces, and shelters.

During that period, the area was the capital of the state of King Minos, which included dozens of other cities as well as the current Cycladic islands.

The first palace belongs to the 19th – 17th centuries BC, while the second one dates back to between the 16th – 14th centuries BC.

A massive quake wrecked important parts of the complex in 1700 BC. But the palace and the city underwent immediate reconstruction.

Its final destruction is thought to be due to a Mycenaean invasion from Greece. However, Knossos continued to be a prosperous city until the end (1370 BC).

Discovery of Crete’s Most Important Minoan Palace

Knossos existed only in Greek mythology until its discovery at the dawn of the 20th century. The German scholar Heinrich Schliemann was convinced that there was an important Minoan site in the area of Heraklion.

However, Crete was under Ottoman domination at the time, and the Turkish authorities wouldn’t allow the excavations.

Years went by until Sir Arthur Evans, a rich British archaeologist, took note of Schliemann’s ideas and bought a large quantity of land in the area.

Now being private property, digging works began in 1900. He only needed a few days to find the first evidence of the Minoan civilization.

Controversial Restoration Works

The controversial intervention of Evans gave the site new contours, shapes, and colors, essentially reinventing the area according to his idea of what the place might have looked like.

It was Evans who gave the name Minoan to the civilization, after King Minos. Because of his intervention, Evans put Knossos forever at the center of historical discussions.

He replaced different columns and rebuilt the famous Grand Staircase. He also put a roof over the Throne Room and revived the frescoes.

If you are interested in seeing the real walls, don’t miss a visit to the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion.

Despite the controversy, it would have been extremely difficult to understand what the palace would have looked like without Evans’ conjectural intervention.

On the other hand, I recommend visiting the nearby site of Malia or the well-known Festos for a more authentic take on the Minoan civilization.

What to See in the Archaeological Site of Knossos

Once inside, get yourself a good plan for the site.

You can pick one up from the ticket office or in the shop. It will help you highlight what areas you should see.

The complex is quite impressive, with about 1300 rooms connected by corridors. There is an entrance gate on each of its cardinal faces.

It’s interesting to take a look at the enormous storage rooms with containers made of clay (pithoi) used to keep grain, beans, olives, oil, and dried fish.

Tour of the Palace

To better understand where you’re standing, here is a small list of the best places to visit inside the Archaeological Site of Knossos.

The Courts

The Central Court

In the central area of the palace, there is an important courtyard. Here, a new floor lies over the oldest remains in the complex from the Neolithic era.

Many believe that it was here that the bull-leaping ceremony used to take place. However, the space wouldn’t have been large enough for the acrobatic movements required for the performance.

If you want to read more, check Wikipedia. For an even more fascinating explanation, here you will find a great article on the ceremony and bulls in Crete.

The West Court

The west court was probably a gathering place for public meetings or the area devoted to the marketplace.

Also evident are sidewalks that connected the west of the palace to the theater. Also in the court, there are 3 circular pits that might have been silos or storage places.

The Piano Nobile

As I have mentioned before, Evans re-imagined the Knossos site according to his own ideas, and the area known as Piano Nobile is an addition of Evans built from scratch.

Archaeologists don’t give importance to the place, but if you choose to visit it, you’ll have a privileged view of the dimensions of the site. And take great photos!

Those who know better say the area is confusing and totally out of place.

The Royal Rooms (One of the Best Things to See in Knossos!)

The Throne Room

Probably the most popular spot in Knossos Palace, after the bull fresco, is the Throne Room, so get ready to queue. 

Inside there is a stone seat, and the wall, colored in vivid red and with frescoes, is lined with a continuous bench.

According to our guide, the seat was more than a throne.

Apparently, the seat was also meant to be used by a priest, since there is a sunken bath nearby not connected to the drain system. This indicates that the water in the bath was probably used for ritual baths.

The Royal Apartments

Through the Grand Staircase, you will reach the royal apartments.

Comfortable and luxurious, these beautiful rooms were probably used by the highest rulers and authorities since, despite their beauty, many think that their small size was not enough for royalty.

The famous fresco of the dolphins decorates one of the rooms in the Queen’s Suite (again, the original version is in the Archaeological Museum).

Right above, visit the King’s Room. It includes a reception and a personal chamber known as the Hall of the Double Axes.

The room known as the Queen’s Bathroom includes a bathtub made of clay as well as a lavatory connected to the complex’s drainage.

Other Points of Interest in Knossos Palace

Theatre Area

This open space resembles an amphitheater and it was probably used for public entertainment, dances, and presentations.

However, according to our guide, the space would have been limited for such events, so it still remains one of the enigmas of the Knossos Archaeological Site.

The Workshops

Probably the place where potters, artisans, and smiths worked and sold their products. There are also some pithoi, the famous vases of impressive capacity used to store goods.

From here you can take good photos of the bull relief fresco (minus the crowds!).

Sites to Check Outside the Palace

Just behind the theatre, the Royal Road leads to numerous small sites. The Little Palace is worth a visit for its Roman remains.

If you can, try and visit Villa Dionysios for its mosaics and the Royal Villa, which faces the main complex from the north.

The small sites outside the main complex are often closed or have very limited visiting hours. Check at the entrance or at the ticket office for updated information.

Useful Tips to Visit Knossos

Tickets & Special Fees

Full €15, reduced €8.
There’s a special package that includes the entrance to the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion that costs only €1 more: Full €16, Reduced €8.

Reduced fees apply to:

• Greek citizens and citizens of other European countries over 65 years old (ID card or passport needed).
• Escorts on educational visits (primary schools)
• University Students (high education institutes or equivalent, student ID card needed).
• For free admission categories, check this site.

Opening Hours & Closing Dates (2021)

Winter: January 7 to March 31 (2019)  8:00 – 17:00. (Last admission at 16:45)
Summer: 8:00 – 20:00. (Last admission at 19:45)

The site is closed on the following dates: January 1, March 25, May 1, Easter Sunday, August 15, December 25 & 26.
The site is open with a limited timetable on the following dates: Easter Friday, Easter Saturday, October 28.

Bus to Knossos Palace

From Heraklion Central Bus Station: Bus Number 2 – Knossos. The bus runs 3 to 5 times per hour. Its final stop is Knossos. For 2019, the fee is 1.50 € one-way. 

Guided tours are available on the site from 10 € per person. I experienced a guided tour last August and it was the most disappointing experience!

However, I believe that with a tour booked in advance, things might be more enjoyable. You’ll only visit Knossos once, don’t go with the wrong tour guide!

Our guide kept talking of King Minos and Queen Pasiphae as if they really existed. 

I didn’t really enjoy the guided visit, but it’s also true that if you have no idea about the Minoan civilization, it can be a good starting point.

Guides for different languages are available at the entrance (they’re usually quite unfriendly, maybe it’s a problem with the category in Crete, never found a smiling licensed guide in my life in Crete!
Have you ever been to Knossos Palace?

Read more about these other Archaeological Sites in Crete

Hey! Don’t Leave Before You Pin! Pin This Guide to Visit the Palace of Knossos For Your Next Crete Trip!

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You might also want to read these posts about Crete’s regions:

• 52 Things to Do in Lasithi Region
• 52 Things to Do in Heraklion Region
• 52 Things to Do in Rethymnon Region
• 52 Things to Do in Chania Region

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