It's better to visit it early morning - first, you will need to wait in long line to entrance (and to see every interesting place inside), second, it's very hot there after 11am.
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This Bronze Age palace complex spans 20,000 square meters, with ancient frescoes of bulls and dolphins, a grand staircase, and a throne room decorated with griffin paintings from 1900 BCE.
The Palace of Knossos spans 20,000 square meters near Heraklion in Crete, making it Greece's largest Bronze Age archaeological site. As you walk through the complex, you'll discover vibrant frescoes depicting bulls and dolphins, climb the massive Grand Staircase, and step into the ancient Throne Room where griffin paintings still guard the walls. The palace's sophisticated engineering includes three separate water systems and a network of storage rooms that once held olive oil, wine, and precious objects from across the Mediterranean.
Walk through any of the four main entrances to explore this three-acre palace complex, where limestone staircases connect multiple levels. The 160-foot-long Central Court sits at the heart of Knossos, with ceremonial chambers and administrative rooms branching outward. Red and black frescoes line the corridors, depicting scenes of athletic bull-leaping, religious ceremonies, and daily Bronze Age life.
Step into the Throne Room to see the 3,900-year-old gypsum chair, with painted griffins still visible on the surrounding walls. Climb the Grand Staircase to reach the Royal Apartments, where the Queen's Megaron displays restored frescoes of blue dolphins swimming across the walls. The ancient builders incorporated light wells and air shafts throughout these chambers, creating natural airflow that still works today.
The excavations led by Sir Arthur Evans (1900-1930) revealed crucial artifacts now displayed at the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, 5 kilometers away. You'll find the original Bull-Leaping Fresco, faience snake goddess figurines, and Linear B tablets that recorded palace activities. These discoveries transformed archaeologists' understanding of Bronze Age Mediterranean civilization.
Catch bus #2 from Heraklion's central station - it runs every 15 minutes and takes 20 minutes to reach Knossos. The site opens at 8:00 AM in summer (April-October) and 8:30 AM in winter (November-March). A typical visit takes 2-3 hours. In July and August, arrive before 9:00 AM to avoid crowds and midday heat, which often reaches 35°C (95°F). You'll find information panels in English, Greek, French, and German throughout the palace explaining each area's significance.
It's better to visit it early morning - first, you will need to wait in long line to entrance (and to see every interesting place inside), second, it's very hot there after 11am.
It's better to visit it early morning - first, you will need to wait in long line to entrance (and to see every interesting place inside), second, it's very hot there after 11am.
It's better to visit it early morning - first, you will need to wait in long line to entrance (and to see every interesting place inside), second, it's very hot there after 11am.
