Ancient Palace of Knossos Tour
6 h
About this activity
Leave your Crete hotel by air-conditioned coach and travel to the Minoan Palace of Knossos, one of the island’s showstopping historical attractions. The original site is believed to have been built around 1900 BC, but – following an earthquake – it was rebuilt on a grand scale, and lavish royal quarters, shrines, treasuries and storerooms were added around the Central Court.
After paying your entrance fee, head inside to explore the reconstructed site that was brought to life from a series of 20th-century excavations by British archaeologist Sir Arthur Evans. As you walk, listen to tales and trivia about the palace’s glory days during the Minoan era – a Bronze Age civilization that made Knossos its capital.
Greek mythology was ingrained in Minoan culture, and the Palace of Knossos featured in many popular tales such as the famous myth of Theseus and the Minotaur. Hear of legends and Greek folklore while exploring areas of the palace like the Throne Room, home to frescoes of the Minoan’s sacred mythical beasts.
Wander through the Central Court and gaze up at sights like the Grand Staircase. See an impressive fresco of rampaging bulls, and explore the corridors and labyrinth-like alleyways that lead to intriguing rooms such as the Theatral Area – a place that may have once existed as a theater.
Then return to your coach for the short journey to Heraklion town where you can complete your knowledge with a visit to the Archaeological Museum and admire the greatest collection of Minoan treasures and priceless exhibits in the world. Follows, a short drive to a Minoan Theater in Karteros where you will be taken back in history with a Minoan dance & theatre performance
Your day trip finishes with a hotel drop-off.
After paying your entrance fee, head inside to explore the reconstructed site that was brought to life from a series of 20th-century excavations by British archaeologist Sir Arthur Evans. As you walk, listen to tales and trivia about the palace’s glory days during the Minoan era – a Bronze Age civilization that made Knossos its capital.
Greek mythology was ingrained in Minoan culture, and the Palace of Knossos featured in many popular tales such as the famous myth of Theseus and the Minotaur. Hear of legends and Greek folklore while exploring areas of the palace like the Throne Room, home to frescoes of the Minoan’s sacred mythical beasts.
Wander through the Central Court and gaze up at sights like the Grand Staircase. See an impressive fresco of rampaging bulls, and explore the corridors and labyrinth-like alleyways that lead to intriguing rooms such as the Theatral Area – a place that may have once existed as a theater.
Then return to your coach for the short journey to Heraklion town where you can complete your knowledge with a visit to the Archaeological Museum and admire the greatest collection of Minoan treasures and priceless exhibits in the world. Follows, a short drive to a Minoan Theater in Karteros where you will be taken back in history with a Minoan dance & theatre performance
Your day trip finishes with a hotel drop-off.
Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Transport by air conditioned coach
- Local guide
Not included
- Gratuities
- Food and drink
- Entrance fees to Ancient Palace of Knossos (15 euros per adult, 8 euros per child), Archaeological Museum of Heraklion (10 euros per adult, 5 euros per child). Combined tickets for both archaeological sites is 16 euros per adult, 8 euros per child
Additional
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking, unless booked within 2 days of travel. In this case confirmation will be received within 48 hours, subject to availability
- The visiting to museum for clients from Chania and Rethymnon area is optional and there is no guide
- The visiting to the Minoan Theater is only for participants for the Areas 2, 3, 4, 5.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
Features
Tourism
90%
Cultural
90%
Original
30%
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