Tour to Knossos | Licensed Guides

Visit Knossos palace – a private guided tour with a professional licensed guide. The palace of Knossos covers a significantly large area of the hill of Kephala, located 7km to the south of Heraklion.

Meet your qualified guide at Knossos for a guided tour. enjoy a private guided tour with a professional licensed guide.

Cost : The cost of the tour is 180 euro and refers to the cost of the guide for a private tour. ( with all taxes and 24% VAT included)

Duration of the tour : Estimate the duration of the guided tour of the palace of Knossos, to 1 hour and 40 min. For an extended / or archaeological guided tour for guests with special interest in archaeology, you can book the extended version of the tour through the website or please contact us at visitknossos@gmail.com to make an appointment ( at a convenient time to avoid the groups ) and to inform you about the cost. ( if any)

Group capacity: Maximum participants per group / booking up to 4 pax . For a larger group, please contact us at visitknossos@gmail.com.

Larger groups : If you are a larger group / family / firends travelling together, you can add participants during the booking process up to 16 pax ( extra cost per participant 40 euro )

Skip the line entrance can be arranged, we can of course pre-buy the tickets for your party, please add the details (number of participants of your group and ages ) when you make your booking . (notes area ). For any reduced or free tickets, you are solely responsible to provide the proper documentation, which is required and will be requested at the entrance of the site. We cannot prearrange free or reduced tickets ( unless you will send us the proper documents via email)

Where should we meet the guide? The professional licensed guide will meet you at the entrance of Knossos palace. We will be holding a sign with VISITKNOSSOS ( our website logo) and the names of the participants . We will also inform you via email prior to the tour, about the mobile phone number of the guide.

When: Available all year around, according to the opening hours of the site. ( We propose to avoid visiting the site from 10.00 to 13.00, due to the crowds and the heat)

What time should I be at Knossos? We propose to reach the palace of Knossos at least 15 min before the starting time of the tour

Who organizes the tour ? The tour is organized by Visit Knossos a website operated by Panos Kritikos and Ioanna Christofakaki, both professional licensed guides and owners of the travel agency Tourist Guides Crete P.C – Tour Experts Boutique Travel . The tour is offered directly to the guests / visitors of Crete and our services are not available through any of the online platforms ( such as Viator, Getyourguide, Toursbylocals etc).

I have a rental car, can I park close to Knossos? There are three parking lots available at the palace of Knossos, so it is relatively easy to find empty space and park close to the main entrance .

Note : The cost of the entrance fee of the site of Knossos, is regulated by the Ministry, so we can not be held responsible for any changes that may occur on the date of issue ( if the Ministry changes the cost of the entrance fee ) . This is the reason that the cost of the entrance fee is not included in the total cost.

Kindly please note that Knossos from 1st of April of 2024 will have time slots and time zones ( also capacity for the visittors ) so book early and be on time –

The cost of Knossos ticket per adult is 15 euro . Guests are responsible to bring and provide the proper documentation for reduced tickets . If you wish to continue on your own at the museum of Heraklion – from 1st of April 2024 there is no combined ticket for both sites and you need a separate appointment to visit the museum

Included:

Services of a professional licensed qualified guide or an archeologist qualified guide
Invoice will be provided by our travel agency ( transaction is through a secure website of the bank, the credit card receipt is the invoice
Maps and plans of the site and Heraklion (via email)
Audio system – whispers for groups over 8pax
VAT (24%) and all taxes

Not included :

Entrance tickets are not included – but if you wish us to prebuy the tickets for you let us know at the “add note area” of the booking form
Transportation not included – (transportation can be arranged upon request though)

Short introduction of the palace :

The palace of Knossos covers a significantly large area of the hill of Kephala, located 7km to the south of Heraklion. The archaeological site, because of the area that covers (approximately 20000 to 22000 square meters), is a confusing site for a number of reasons.

The Minoans settled in the area continuously, starting from the aceramic Neolithic period, approximately 7000 B.C. (terracotta was not used during that period) till the Mycenaean invasion, and then the area was used by the Mycenaeans until finally it was abandoned. Human presence on the site is evident for thousands of years, before the construction of the first palace. Knossos is the largest palace in Minoan Crete. To be precise, it is twice as big as Phaistos, Mallia, four times the size of Zakros and seven times larger than the palatial centre at Gournia.

Architecture Palaces

For a period of about 600 years, palaces were the centers of the political, economic and religious life of Minoan Crete during the second millennium BC.

In the course of the long Minoan Age the palace of Knossos was hit by two great disasters. Each marked new developments in Minoan civilization. The first destruction was brought on by an earthquake at the end of the First Palatial period, about 1700 BC. Relatively soon after this destruction, the palaces were rebuilt by the Minoans marking the second, more glorious period, the Neopalatial period, the peak of the Minoan civilization. About 1613 (+-10 years) BC, once more earth tremors completely devastated the Minoan palaces. After this, during the Post-palatial period, most of palatial centres were abandoned and only the palace at Knossos remained inhabited until Mycenaean rule. The ruins of the palaces, which can be visited today, belong to the second palatial period. It’s is also the building phase that the excavator of Knossos, Sir Arthur Evans, decided to reconstruct.

Palace architecture reflects the needs of a hierarchical and centralized society, where all the procedures were determined in an absolute way. Their planning and functionalism reveal the influence from palaces of the Middle East and Egypt from where the Minoans borrowed certain features which they adapted to the natural environment of Crete and to the needs of Minoan society. Planning and construction of the palaces had certain common elements which were followed closely.

The Knossos palaces are made up of multi-storey apartments, structured in four wings around an enormous rectangular central court. Despite the fact that the palaces were administrative and economic centres of Minoan Crete where certainly politicians and even religious leaders lived and where treasures were stored, they were not fortified. This indicates the feeling of security of inland palatial society.

During our tour at the palace of Knossos we will have the time to narrate the history of the Minoans, explain why and how this civilization reached this high level, we will discuss about the Minoan society, economy, their burial customs and their religious practices, their administrative system and their writing etc. Follow us to unveil the secrets of the Minoan civilization. With patience and professionalism we will guide you around, point out the important buildings / highlights of the palace.

Use the services of a professional licensed guide and explore the Palace of legendary King Minos.

Please note – COVID-19 information regarding the tours

Due to COVID-19 pandemic, the Greek state has imposed strict protocols regarding health , safety of businesses providing services to guests visiting the sites of Greece and Crete. Our company fully complies with the regulations and takes a step further providing to the guests audio tour guide system in all tours (whispers – free of charge). For hygiene reasons guests are kindly requested to bring their own 3.5 mini jack hands-free (earphones). Certain areas of the sites have designated areas where groups or guests should stand ( to secure distances for example in the museum or at Knossos ) . Guests are kindly requested to comply with the advises and recommendations of guides or security personnel of the sites ( Knossos / museum / Phaistos ) . In good faith, we ask for your patience, in order to provide a safe tour and enjoyable experience…

For further details or questions you may have feel free to contact us at visitknossos@gmail.com before booking a tour or excursion.

SPECIAL OFFER FOR KNOSSOS PRIVATE TOUR

Special offer for the first tour at 8.00 and bookings after 17.30 every day. ( available from May to September ) Book your private tour at a reduced cost (162 euro instead of 180 euro) after 17.30. Proceed to the “book your tour” area and choose your private Knossos tour early in the morning at 8.00 ( to avoid crowds) or after 17.30. The special offer is available from 1st of May to 30th of September ( THE SPECIAL OFFER COST FOR BOOKINGS WILL BE ADJUSTED AUTOMATICALLY). – ENTRANCE FEES ARE NOT INCLUDED.
ALL TOURS ARE PRIVATE – AT YOUR OWN PACE.
USE THE FORM “NOTES” THROUGH THE BOOKING FORM, IF YOU WISH US TO PREBUY THE TICKETS FOR YOU AND ARRANGE THE SKIP THE LINES ENTRY

For the archaeological site of Knossos

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Children and young people up to the age of 25, from EU member-states, upon presentation of their ID card or passport for verification of their age and country of origin.
Children up to the age of 5, from non-European Union countries, upon presentation of their passport for verification of their age and country of origin.
Persons over 25 years, being in secondary education (evening schools, second-chance schools) and in vocational schools from EU member-states and countries of the European Economic Area, upon presentation of attendance certificate bearing evidence of its duration.
Escorting teachers during educational visits of schools and institutions of primary, secondary and tertiary education from EU member-states and countries of the European Economic Area.
People entitled to Social Solidarity Income and members dependent on them, upon presentation of their ID card and certificate of free entry based on eligibility to the program showing the duration, as well as a valid document certifying dependent members.
Greek unemployed citizens upon presentation of their ID card and valid unemployment card or recent renewal of it.
Persons with disabilities and one escort (only in the case of 67% disability), irrespective of the country of origin, upon presentation of their ID card or passport and Disability Certificate issued by the Single Body of Social Insurance (decision of the Disability Certification Center-KEPA) for Greek citizens or similar certificates issued by a corresponding authorized foreign body.
Greek parents of families with many children, the children being up to the age of 25 and irrespective of age if they have disabilities, upon presentation of their ID card and a valid certificate of a large family status by the Greek Supreme Confederation of large family parents and the Disability Certificate (issued by the Disability Certification Center).
Greek parents of families with three children, the children being up to the age of 25 and irrespective of age if they have disabilities, upon presentation of their ID card and a valid family status certificate issued by the Municipality and the Disability Certificate (issued by the Disability Certification Center).
Greek single parent families with children up to the age of 25 and irrespective of age if they have disabilities, upon presentation of their ID card and a valid family status certificate issued by the Municipality and the Disability Certificate (issued by the Disability Certification Center).
Refugees, upon presentation of the International protection applicant card or a Travelling document of the 28th July 1951 Convention (a passport of recognized refugee) or a Foreign travelling document (a passport of recognised holder of subsidiary protection) or residence permit.
Greek citizens performing their military service, with valid military service identification card.
Greek -Olympic Winners upon presentation of their ID card and membership card of the Hellenic Olympic Winners Association.
Official guests of the Greek State, after request of the competent Ministry (Directorate/Office for Protocol) and approval by the General Directorate of Antiquities and Cultural Heritage.
Members of the International Council of Museums (ICOM) and International Council of Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), upon presentation of their ID card or passport and their valid membership card.
Members of Societies and Associations of Friends of State Museums and Archaeological Sites, managed by the Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports, upon presentation of their valid membership card.
Active employees of the Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports, the Archaeological Resources Fund, the Acropolis Museum and the Kanellopoulos Museum, upon presentation of their service ID card.
Scientists licensed for purposes of photographing, studying, designing or publishing antiquities, upon presentation of the relevant license.
Members of the Chamber of Fine Arts of Greece, upon presentation of their valid membership card.
Greek tourist guides, upon presentation of their professional ID card.
Journalists, upon presentation of a valid journalist ID card
Holders of a three-year Free Entry Pass.
Members of the Association of Greek Art Historians, upon presentation of their valid membership card.
The following categories of visitors are entitled to obtain a three-year Free Entry Pass -retaining the right of renewal issued by the competent Services of the Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports
Active members of the Central Councils and Regional Councils of Monuments of the Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports.
Active members of the Board of Directors of the Archaeological Resources Fund, the Acropolis Museum and the Kanellopoulos Museum.
Contract employees of the Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports, the Archaeological Resources Fund, the Acropolis Museum and the Kanellopoulos Museum. Renewal of the free pass is possible if they continue to be employed by the Ministry of Culture and Sports, the Archaeological Resources Fund, the Acropolis Museum and the Kanellopoulos Museum.
Retired employees of the Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports, the Archaeological Resources Fund, the Acropolis Museum and the Kanellopoulos Museum.
Civil Servants in the Legal Advisor Office of the Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports.
Greek active teachers in primary, secondary and tertiary education. In the case of substitute/hourly teachers, renewal of the free pass is possible if they continue to be employed as teachers.
Graduates of Departments of History and Archaeology of Schools of Philosophy, as well as graduates from Schools of Architecture, Fine Arts, Conservation of Antiquities and Works of Art, including Technicians of Conservation of Antiquities and Works of Art from Greece or from equivalent Schools of EU member-states and the European Economic Area, as well as holders of Master’s or PhD Degrees from those Schools and Departments.
Graduates of Museum Studies programmes and Schools and Departments of Cultural Management of Higher Education Institutions in Greece or equivalent Institutions of EU member-states and the European Economic Area, as well as holders of Master’s or PhD Degrees in those studies.
Students and graduates of the Preparatory and Vocational School of Fine Arts of Panormos Tinos.
Police officers of the Department of Cultural Heritage and Antiquities of Security Directorates.
The following categories of visitors are entitled to 50% reduced admission in single tickets, during the period from 1st of April to 31st of October
Children and young people aged between 6 and 25 years, from non-European Union countries, upon presentation of their passport for verification of their age and country of origin.
Senior citizens over 65 from Greece or other EU memberstates and the European Economic Area, upon presentation of their ID card or passport for verification of their age and country of origin.
Parents accompanying primary education schools visits from EU member-states and the European Economic Area.
Escorting teachers of educational visits of schools and institutions of primary, secondary and tertiary education from non European Union countries.
From 1st of November until 31st of March, the reduced rate of single tickets is valid for all visitors.

The above details are provided by the Ministry of Culture and our travel agency cannot be held responsible in any case of change in the admission categories and fees. The guests are responsible to provide the valid documentation that is required in each case or otherwise to pay the full entrance fee if the Knossos personnel does not accept the documents. Same applies for the working days / holidays or free admission days. Those are subjects that may change, so please contact us before making arrangements or contact the archaeological site directly.

Visit Knossos

For the archaeological site of Knossos

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Visit Knossos

For the archaeological site of Knossos

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Free admission for v

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Information

Highlights

Itineraries

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