Ancient Palace of Knossos Tour

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Overview
Important Info

Follow in the footsteps of long-ago Minoan kings on this 5-hour Knossos Crete tour. Travel by air-conditioned coach to the archaeological site of the Minoan Palace of Knossos, and tour the remains dating to the 2nd century BC. Explore what were the royal quarters, storerooms and central court of the palace, the power base of Europe’s first civilization; and hear about the mythical Minotaur that roamed a labyrinth here as your guide explains the site’s history. Finish with free time for lunch and a coach tour of Crete’s capital, Heraklion.

Highlights

5-hour Palace of Knossos trip and Heraklion city tour
Explore the Minoan Palace of Knossos with an expert local guide
Learn about Greek mythology and Minoan culture while walking through the Central Court
Discover sites like the Throne Room and Grand Staircase on the palace tour
See Koules Venetian Fortress and the Church of Agios Titos on a tour of Heraklion

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Ancient Palace of Knossos Tour

What You Can Expect

Discover the delights of the ancient Palace of Knossos near Heraklion!

Begin your experience with a pickup from your Crete hotel. Hop inside your air-conditioned coach and enjoy the scenic ride to Knossos, the world-famous site of a Minoan Palace believed to have been built in the 2nd century BC and later abandoned.

On arrival, hop out of your coach and pay the entrance fee to the archaeological site. Then, head inside to explore the buildings and ruins, many of them partially reconstructed by British archaeologist Sir Arthur Evans in the early 1900s.

Follow your guide around the excavations and learn how the palace served as the ceremonial and administrative hub of Crete’s Minoan culture, considered to be Europe’s oldest civilization.

Inspect the once-lavish royal quarters, treasuries and storerooms; and admire the restored frescoes that depict long-ago scenes of Minoan life.

See the Central Court, Grand Staircase and Throne Room, and as you stroll, hear about the mysterious Greek legends associated with the palace, including the strange myth of the Minotaur — the half-man, half-bull said to have been imprisoned by King Minos within a labyrinth at the palace.

After your tour, return to your coach and continue into Heraklion for a panoramic sightseeing tour and free time for lunch (own expense).

Pass top Heraklion attractions such as Koules Venetian Fortress, Lions Square and the Church of St Titos as your guide recounts historical anecdotes about the city and its time under Venetian rule between the 13th and 17th centuries.

With your sightseeing over, your tour ends with a hotel drop-off.

Customer Reviews

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Gorenberg.k

5 star rating: Highly Recommended September 2016

Fascinating

George K

5 star rating: Highly Recommended August 2016

The trip included a tour of the palace of Knossos, a tour of a winery/olive oil store, and time in Heraklion to walk around, eat lunch or go to the museum. Overall the tour guides were very knowledgeable particularly about the palace and it was a very full and comprehensive day. Coming from Elounda, the bus ride was a bit long, but it was also nice to drive through the different towns and see the other cities in Crete.

Rodger G

5 star rating: Highly Recommended May 2016

our guide was excellent...she was able to highlight the best in a museum filled with artifacts and then bring it all the together as we explored the old ruins of the palace...well done

Barbara

5 star rating: Highly Recommended August 2015

Book the morning tour and avoid some of the crowds and heat. A great start to our vacation. Tour included wine and olive oil tasting at a nearby town. Delicious and informative.

Joseph O

5 star rating: Highly Recommended November 2014

had a great time on this tour, the guide was very knowledgeable, friendly and informative. I highly recommend this tour.

sha

5 star rating: Highly Recommended September 2014

Super, a well organised day. The guide was extremely knowledgeable, the day well organised

Reece K

5 star rating: Highly Recommended September 2014

Perfect amount of time and very great your guides! Highly recommend and I'm not a big tour/history person;)

ANNA P

5 star rating: Highly Recommended September 2013

Very beautiful and interesting Tour!! Our Guide Mrs. Maria was very expert. We thank the organization also because the tour was in italian Language. Tour was organized very very well. After Ancient Palace of Knossos Tour, we have had also time to see Heraklion City.

JOSEPH R

5 star rating: Highly Recommended October 2010

Wonderful tour with excellent guide. Fascinating place. All the most famous pieces are in archaeological museum though. It's still amazing to walk thru

Yasuyuki K

4 star rating: Recommended August 2016

mmmuuu

Transport from Area 1
 Code: RT1 
Includes hotel pickup and drop-off from hotels in Georgioupolis and Bali 
Language Options
 
This tour/activity is available in the following language options:
 English - Guide 
 French - Guide 
What is a tour/activity language option?
 Many of our tours and activities are available in multiple languages. "Guide" means your guide speaks the language noted. "Audio" means a headset or similar audio device is offered in the language noted. "Written" means a written description is offered in the language noted. 
Please note: You can select a preferred language option on the checkout page. 
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From USD
 $70.08 
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Transport from Area 3
 Code: RT3 
Includes hotel pickup and drop-off from hotels in Ammoudara and Malia (excluding Heraklion)
Language Options
 
This tour/activity is available in the following language options:
 English - Guide 
 French - Guide 
What is a tour/activity language option?
 Many of our tours and activities are available in multiple languages. "Guide" means your guide speaks the language noted. "Audio" means a headset or similar audio device is offered in the language noted. "Written" means a written description is offered in the language noted. 
Please note: You can select a preferred language option on the checkout page. 
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From USD
 $54.13 
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Transport from Area 4
 Code: RT4 
Includes hotel pickup and drop-off from hotels in Sissi and Milatos
Language Options
 
This tour/activity is available in the following language options:
 English - Guide 
 French - Guide 
What is a tour/activity language option?
 Many of our tours and activities are available in multiple languages. "Guide" means your guide speaks the language noted. "Audio" means a headset or similar audio device is offered in the language noted. "Written" means a written description is offered in the language noted. 
Please note: You can select a preferred language option on the checkout page. 
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From USD
 $59.92 
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Transport from Area 5
 Code: RT5 
Includes hotel pickup and drop-off from hotels in Agios Nikolaos and Elounda 
Language Options
 
This tour/activity is available in the following language options:
 English - Guide 
 French - Guide 
What is a tour/activity language option?
 Many of our tours and activities are available in multiple languages. "Guide" means your guide speaks the language noted. "Audio" means a headset or similar audio device is offered in the language noted. "Written" means a written description is offered in the language noted. 
Please note: You can select a preferred language option on the checkout page. 
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From USD
 $65.84 
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Transport from Area 6
 Code: RT6 
Includes hotel pickup and drop-off from hotels in Chania 
Language Options
 
This tour/activity is available in the following language options:
 English - Guide 
 French - Guide 
What is a tour/activity language option?
 Many of our tours and activities are available in multiple languages. "Guide" means your guide speaks the language noted. "Audio" means a headset or similar audio device is offered in the language noted. "Written" means a written description is offered in the language noted. 
Please note: You can select a preferred language option on the checkout page. 
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From USD
 $76.17 
 Pricing details 
Transport from Area 7
 Code: RT7 
Includes hotel pickup and drop-off from hotels in Heraklion
Language Options
 
This tour/activity is available in the following language options:
 English - Guide 
 French - Guide 
What is a tour/activity language option?
 Many of our tours and activities are available in multiple languages. "Guide" means your guide speaks the language noted. "Audio" means a headset or similar audio device is offered in the language noted. "Written" means a written description is offered in the language noted. 
Please note: You can select a preferred language option on the checkout page. 
 Language options 
From USD
 $75.04 
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Ancient Palace of Knossos Tour

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