Palace of Knossos Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience the Palace of Knossos. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Knossos - Zeus Cave - Old Traditional Villages - Olive Oil Factory

• Knossos & Lasithi Plateau: Zeus Cave, Villages, Olive Oil Tour

• Knossos Palace Skip-the-Line Ticket (Shared Tour Group)

• Private Full-Day Knossos - Lasithi Plateau - Cave of Zeus

• Private Tour - Knossos Palace, Zeus Cave, Olive Oil Mill & Wine

Tickets for the Palace of Knossos cost €20; admission is free for visitors under 18, EU citizens up to age 25, travelers with disabilities, and their necessary companions. From October to the end of May, the entry price for senior citizens (65-plus) from EU countries is discounted to €10.

Yes, the Palace of Knossos is well worth visiting. The power center of the capital of Crete's ancient Minoan civilization—and the home of the legendary Minotaur—it's the island's top archaeological attraction and holds UNESCO World Heritage status. Exploring with a specialist guide can help you learn more—and many tours include a visit to the Heraklion Archaeological Museum's Minoan treasures, as well.

Per one customer who booked the Knossos Palace Skip-the-Line Ticket (Shared Tour Group), "The site came to life as Katherine explained what went on during ancient Minoan times and what is being done to preserve the site. Katherine was extremely knowledgeable since she and her husband have actively worked to excavate the site as archeologists. She shared theories that have been proven and disproved. This wasn't your average tour with videos to watch. She told the history in exciting tidbits that kept everyone interested."

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.

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.

There are tons of things to do when you're done visiting the Palace of Knossos. According to travelers, these are some of the top attractions in and around Heraklion:

• Archanes

• Heraklion Archaeological Museum

• Koules Fortress

• Lions Square and Morosini Fountain

• Rethymno

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions in and around Heraklion.