Palace of Knossos Tours and Tickets

Give yourself around 1.5 to 2 hours to visit the Palace of Knossos, depending on your interest in Ancient Greek history and mythology. If you’re short on time, book tickets in advance to skip the lines at the ticket windows. During the summer, it’s not uncommon to wait 30 minutes or more to purchase tickets. Many tours, such as the Labyrinth of Knossos Skip-the-Line Ticket with Tour Guide, include these skip-the-line tickets.

Yes, Knossos Palace is worth visiting, particularly if you’re interested in mythology and history. It's best to come with a guide, as the complex is large and signage is limited. Combine it with a visit to the Heraklion Archaeological Museum (Archaeological Museum of Heraklion) for a deepening of your understanding of Ancient Crete history. The Knossos Palace is also a stop on all-day tours, such as the popular Knossos & Lasithi Plateau: Land of Zeus, Villages, Olive Oil Tour, that include stops in traditional villages and opportunities to sample the local cuisine.

Palace of Knossos admission fees start at around US$16 for palace entry, with discounts for seniors and kids, but this does not include guide service. Small group guided walking tours of the palace start at around US$80 per person (including admission), depending on the size of your group. Full-day tours that include additional stops start at around US$150.

No, you don’t need to buy tickets in advance for Knossos Palace. However, it’s a good idea to do so. Ticket lines for the attraction can get long, particularly in summer, and buying your tickets (and booking your tour) in advance can save you time. You can also go with guided tours that allow you to skip the line. Your guide will arrange for everything; you just need to show up in your hotel lobby at the designated pickup time.

Yes, you can visit the minotaur’s labyrinth at Knossos Palace—sort of. There’s no proof that a labyrinth existed at the palace. However, some historians believe that people referred to the Minoan palace of Knossos as a labyrinth due to its maze of small rooms and hallways.

While Knossos is a year-round attraction, the best time to visit is in spring or fall, when the weather around the city of Heraklion is warm but not overpoweringly hot or sunny. July and August are the most crowded and hottest months. Winters can be cool and rainy.