Knossos Palace: How to Visit by Car (2025)

Q: Is Knossos Palace suitable for children?

Yes. It’s a family-friendly archaeological site with open spaces and colorful reconstructions that help kids visualize ancient life. Tips for parents: bring hats, sunscreen, and water; visit early morning or late afternoon to avoid peak heat; prepare kids for limited shade and some walking on uneven surfaces.

Q: Can I leave and re-enter Knossos with the same ticket?

Single-use entry only: you cannot re-enter once you have exited. Combo ticket holders (Knossos + Heraklion Archaeological Museum) have tickets valid for 3 days and allowing one-time access per site.

Q: Where can I buy official Knossos Palace tickets?

Best option: buy online via the official Ministry of Culture site (hhticket.gr). You can also purchase at the onsite ticket office. Avoid unofficial resellers unless you specifically want guided tours or packages.

Q: How far is Knossos from Heraklion or the airport?

Distance from Heraklion city center: approximately 5–6 km (about 10–15 minutes by car). Distance from Heraklion International Airport (HER): about 7 km. Transportation options: rent a car for flexibility and speed; take a taxi for a fast, direct ride; or use the public bus from the Heraklion bus station.

Q: What else should I know before visiting Knossos?

Visit early morning to avoid crowds and heat. Wear comfortable shoes—expect stairs and uneven paths. Consider a guided tour (on-site or audio guide) to better understand the site’s rich Minoan history.

Heraklion, Central Crete

Knossos, is the largest Bronze Age archaeological site on Crete and has been called Europe's oldest city.

Visit the cradle of the Minoan civilization, the palace - labyrinth of legendary King Minos and its mythical Minotaur.

Plan your visit (at a glance)

Hours (2025): Summer typically from 08:00 with seasonal closing times (19:00–20:00 window); winter commonly 08:00–17:00. Always check the official schedule and day-of notices before you go. Free/holiday exceptions apply; some holidays closed.
Tickets (2025): Full €20, Reduced €10. Official e-tickets via the Hellenic Ministry portal. Combined Knossos + Heraklion Archaeological Museum ticket is valid 3 days, one visit per site.
Drive & park: 5.5 km/≈10–15 min from Heraklion center via Leof. Knosou; large lot by the main gate plus nearby overflow options (arrive early in high season).
Best time: At 08:00 opening or after 17:30 for softer light, fewer tours, and cooler temps.
Pairing: Visit Heraklion Archaeological Museum the same morning/afternoon—your combo ticket covers both (3-day validity).

What is Knossos Palace?

The Bronze Age Minoan palace of Knossos is Crete’s most famous archaeological site—legendary home of King Minos and the Minotaur, and the island’s largest palatial center (≈22,000 m²). It anchors most Crete road trips around Heraklion thanks to easy access and top-tier significance. VisitGreece

Quick history (one-minute read)

Era: First palace ≈1900 BC; major rebuilds to 1450 BC.
Excavation & restorations: Excavated by Sir Arthur Evans (1900–1931); some areas are restored/reconstructed, great for orientation, but still debated by scholars.
Scripts: The site connects to Linear A (Minoan, undeciphered) and Linear B (Mycenaean Greek), with tablets from Knossos and across Crete.

knossos pallace

Knossos Opening Hours & Best Times (2025)

Seasonal hours (typical)

Summer: Daily from 08:00; closing shifts through the season (e.g., 19:00–20:00 range).
Last entry typically 15 min before closing. Check the Ministry page for exact dates and any heat/weather closures.
Closed on Jan 1, Mar 25, May 1, Easter Sunday, Dec 25–26; Good Friday/Holy Saturday shorter.

Crowd & heat strategy

Arrive right at 08:00 or after 17:30; shade is limited in the Central Court and west side.
Mid-morning cruise/tour coaches peak the queues.

Tickets: Prices, Official Links & Combo Options

**Ticket table (2025)**
Ticket type	Price	Notes
Single, Full	€20	Adult admission to Knossos. Odysseus
Single, Reduced	€10	Eligibility per Ministry rules (e.g., seasonal or age/ID where applicable). Odysseus
Combo: Knossos + Heraklion Archaeological Museum	€20 (special package)	Valid 3 days, one visit per site. Buy onsite or via official channels as available.

Where to buy

Official e-tickets (skip the onsite queue): Hellenic Ministry portal (hhticket.gr). The Ministry explicitly advises buying only via the official portal or onsite ticket offices.

Getting to Knossos Palace by Car

Fast route from Heraklion & HER Airport (≈6–15 min typical)

From central Heraklion, follow Leof. Knosou (EO Irakleiou-Knossou) southeast ~5.5 km to the signed site entrance (GPS 35.2984, 25.1611). Expect brief delays at lights/cameras; summer mornings are busiest.

**Driving times (typical ranges)**
From	Distance / time (typical)
Heraklion center → Knossos	~5–6 km / 10–15 min.
Heraklion Airport (HER) → Knossos	~7 km / 12–15 min.
Rethymno → Knossos	~70–85 km / 50–75 min, VOAK/E75.
Chania → Knossos	~133–140 km / ~2 h, VOAK/E75.

Car hire: Need wheels? See Heraklion Airport car hire and our Car Rental Guide

Explore Our Fleet

Parking at Knossos

Main lot sits by the entrance, overflow/private lots nearby. In high season, arrive before 10:00–11:00 to park close. Reports vary between free and a few euros depending on lot/operator - bring coins.

No car? Easy alternatives

Bus #2 from Heraklion center (and near the Museum) runs frequently to “Knossos”; the return can be #20. Journey ≈15–30 min depending on traffic.
Taxi or private transfer: €10–20 range from the center; airport or private transfer times ≈12–15 min.

What to See Inside (60–90 minutes essentials)

Central Court — the palace’s heart for ceremonies and circulation; orient yourself here first.
Throne Room (griffin fresco) — famous gypsum throne and heraldic griffins (Mycenaean-era decorative style). Queue forms in peak hours.
Grand Staircase / Piano Nobile — Evans’ reconstructed multi-storey circulation; imagine light wells and colonnades.
West Magazines — long, narrow storerooms for pithoi and palace supplies; classic Minoan storage layout.
South Propylaeum & Procession Corridor — dramatic, reconstructed entry sequence tied to the famous procession fresco.

Pair it with the Heraklion Archaeological Museum

Why pair? The museum completes the story with masterpieces (e.g., Linear B tablets, frescoes, Snake Goddess, Phaistos Disc) and is an easy 10-minute drive back into town. Combo ticket is valid 3 days with one entry per site. heraklionmuseum.gr+1

Sample half-day plan

08:00–09:30 Knossos (cool temps, quieter photos).
Drive back to Heraklion and park near the museum.
10:30–12:00 Museum highlights (use combo; save deep dive for later if needed).

Practical Tips

Footwear & terrain: Uneven stone, gravel, steps; strollers manageable on main paths but some areas are rough.
Sun & water: Very limited shade - hat, water, sunscreen essential (summer).
Facilities: Toilets and a small café or kiosk area by the entrance.
Guides & audio: A licensed guide adds context; otherwise an audio guide works well and is widely sold with e-tickets.

Simple maps & pins

Entrance / Parking GPS: 35.2984, 25.1611 (main gate & lot). Use this pin for your sat-nav and follow brown “Knossos” signs on Leof. Knosou.

Comparisons: Knossos vs Phaistos vs Malia
Site	Scale / feel	Distance from Heraklion (drive)	Why go
Knossos	Largest (~22,000 m²), most restored; busiest	10–15 min	Big-ticket Minoan palace, iconic fresco reconstructions.
Phaistos	2nd largest (~8,400 m²), atmospheric ruins, fewer reconstructions	~1–1¼ h	Panoramic Messara views; calmer, more “authentic-ruin” vibe.
Malia	~7,500–8,800 m², open plan, coastal setting	~40–50 min	Less crowded; great sense of palace layout.