Knossos: Knossos Palace Skip-the-Line Guided Walking Tour
Before you book
- As of early October 2026: the Ephorate of Antiquities of Heraklion closed Knossos from 14:00 on 3 October 2026 because of the weather, after storms and floods hit Crete from 1 October. The calendar on this page shows the dates the operator is selling; check that the site is open on your day.
- Meet the guide by the ticket booth at the palace entrance, at the “Meeting Point” sign. Check-in opens 20 minutes before your slot, and the listing says late arrivals cannot join and their tickets expire. Pickup from central Heraklion is a paid add-on; public bus No. 2 also runs from Heraklion to Knossos.
- The €20 entry ticket is included: €20 has been the full price since 1 April 2025 (it was €15). What the tour adds to a ticket you could buy yourself is a licensed guide for about 90 minutes, in a group of up to 16, and the skip of the ticket queue; a 13:30 guided visit to the Heraklion Archaeological Museum is an add-on, without transport there.
- Knossos closes earlier as autumn goes on: 08:00 to 18:30 from 1 October, 08:00 to 18:00 from 16 October and 08:30 to 17:00 in winter from 1 November, with last entry 15 minutes before closing. Since 12 July 2025 it has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List as one of the Minoan Palatial Centres.
- Not included: meals, drinks and tips. Not suitable for wheelchair users; bring a passport or ID. Cancellation, as listed: “Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.”
About This Experience
A 90-minute walk through the Minoan palace of Knossos with a licensed guide in a small group, entry ticket included. You meet the guide at the site's ticket booth; pickup from central Heraklion is an add-on.
Highlights
- Skip the ticket line to enter Knossos and take a tour with a licensed guide
- Please make sure to be at the entrance 20 minutes before your chosen time slot!
- Pick-up option is applied from/to Heraklion city center area in extra cost.
- Enhance your day with an upgrade add-on for the Arch. Museum at 1:30 PM.
What's Included
- ✓ Original reseller of service - authorized travel agent
- ✓ Skip-the-ticket-line service, to avoid the queue at the ticket counter
- ✓ Entry ticket for the Knossos Palace, general admission fee (20 EUR)
- ✓ Licensed tour guide for a guided tour in a small group at the Knossos Palace
- ✓ Headset to hear the guide better, if the group size is over 6 participants (7-16 pax)
- ✓ Hotel pickup and drop-off service from Heraklion city (if selected as an add-on, per person)
- ✓ Heraklion Arch. Museum guided tour at 1:30 PM. (if selected as an add-on, per person)
- ✓ All fees and taxes (VAT 24% etc.)
Not Included
- Meals and drinks
- Tips
Good to Know
- Begin your visit at the entrance of the Palace of Knossos, where you meet your licensed guide. Explore royal chambers and ancient corridors as mythology and history come to life.
- Optional Upgrade: Enhance your visit with a 90-minute guided tour at the Heraklion Archaeological Museum (13:30). See original frescoes, symbolic artifacts, and treasures that once adorned the palace. Transport not included (15–20 min drive). Private transfer available.
- Meeting Point: By the ticket booth, look for the “Meeting Point” sign.
- Check-In: Opens 20 minutes before start time. Strict timed entry.
- Important: Late arrivals cannot be admitted. Tickets expire after your time slot and the booking is considered a no-show. Subject to availability, the tour company may assist with new tickets (€20/adult), but joining the tour is not guaranteed.
- Arriving by car? Come 30 min early (busy 10:00–11:00)
- Location Reminder: Crete has four regions; Chania, Rethymnon, Heraklion, Lasithi, please ensure you booked the correct area.
