Brazil
Argentina
Chile
Colombia
Peru
Uruguay
Germany
Belgium
Spain
France
the Netherlands
Ireland
Italy
Luxembourg
Portugal
the United Kingdom
Switzerland
Archaeological site · Heraclião, Creta
Palácio de Cnossos (Knossos)
The largest palace of the Minoan civilization, 5 km from Heraclião, with a central courtyard, throne room, staircases and Arthur Evans's reconstructions from the early 20th century.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Palácio de Cnossos (Knossos)
Cnossos is the largest site of the Minoan civilization and the place where the legend of King Minos’s labyrinth and the Minotaur is set. The first palace was built around 1900 BC; what you see today is mainly the second palace, constructed from about 1700 BC and abandoned around 1450 BC. It was a multi-storey complex, covering roughly 20,000 square metres around a central court, combining residence, storehouses, workshops and shrines.
The site was excavated from 1900 by the Englishman Arthur Evans, who reconstructed parts of the palace in concrete and painted columns and walls. Those reconstructions are still debated by archaeologists, but they help visitors understand the ensemble: the throne room, with its gypsum seat and painted griffins, the large staircase in the eastern sector, the store rooms with giant jars (pithoi) and the copies of the frescoes in situ. The originals are in the Museu Arqueológico de Heraclião.
The visit is on walkways and dirt paths, with little shade. It’s worth going at opening time when it’s cooler and tour groups haven’t arrived yet, and combining it with the museum in the afternoon.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
Two to three hours; longer with a guide or audio guide.
Best time
Right at opening or in the last two hours before closing. Between 10:00 and 15:00 in summer the site gets crowded and very hot. In spring and autumn the heat is milder. In winter opening hours are shorter; check before you go.
How to get there
It is about 5 km south of central Heraclião. The city bus leaves from the port area and Praça da Liberdade and stops at the site car park in 20–30 minutes. By taxi the trip is short. By car there is paid parking at the entrance.
Tip
Buy the ticket online to avoid the box office queue and check if there is a combined ticket with the Museu Arqueológico. Bring water, a hat and closed-toe shoes: the ground is uneven. A guide or the audio guide makes a difference, as the ruins without explanation can look like a jumble of walls.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Palácio de Cnossos (Knossos)
What is the throne room of Cnossos?
It's a room in the west sector with a gypsum seat set against the wall, benches and painted griffins. Evans called it the throne room of King Minos; today archaeologists debate whether it had a religious function.
Are the colors and columns of Cnossos original?
No. Much of the painted areas and the columns were reconstructed by Arthur Evans in the early 20th century using concrete. The frescoes on the site are copies; the originals are in the Museu Arqueológico de Heraclião.
Can you visit Cnossos without a guide?
Yes, but there are few signs. A guide at the entrance or the audio guide helps to understand the palace. Tour groups tend to arrive from 10:00 onward.
Does Cnossos have shade?
Little. There are some covered areas and trees on the access path, but most of the site is in the sun. In summer, go early and bring water.