Private Palace of Knossos
A half day program to tour Knossos, the ancient capital of the great king Minos and the largest and most spectacular of Minoan Palaces.
After meeting your professional guide on the pier, you will depart the commercial port area and drive through the town of Heraklion. Along the way you will have glimpses of its bustling narrow pedestrian streets and market areas. South of Heraklion, you will come upon one of Crete's finest archaeological sites: Knossos, the ancient capital of the great King Minos and the largest and most spectacular of Minoan Palaces. The original Palace of Knossos was constructed around 1900 B.C., but a few hundred years later, an earthquake destroyed it. In its place, another palace was built on an even grander scale. In 1900, restoration, undertaken by Sir Arthur Evans, which was controversial at the time, offered great insight into the complexity of Minoan life nearly 4,000 years ago. You will take a private tour of the Palace of Knossos ruins that consist of four wings, spread out from a central court, a complex that once served as the administrative and religious center for the whole region. As you tour the labyrinthine site, you will see the royal living quarters, rooms where state occasions were held, a theater area, storerooms and workshops, as well as indoor plumbing from more than 3,000 years ago. Following your tour, you will rejoin your transportation for the return drive to the commercial port of Heraklion town. Please Note: This tour offers customized departure times between 7:30 AM and 7:00 PM. If your preferred departure time is not listed, please contact us to place your request.
- Duration
- 3.5 hours
- Operated by
- Shore Excursions Group
- Cruise Ship Pier
- Comfortable clothing and sensible, flat-soled walking shoes are recommended. Sun glasses and sun screen are suggested.
- Guests must be able to walk over paved, cobblestone and packed dirt surfaces. Many of these are uneven. There are numerous steps up and down required to tour the ruins.
Excursion purchases are fully refundable outside of 14 days prior to the tour date. Beginning on the 14th day prior to the tour date, excursion purchases are non-refundable.