Archaeological Museum & Knossos Palace Guided Tour Half Day

Explore Crete’s rich history on this guided half-day tour. You’ll visit the renowned Heraklion Archaeological Museum, discovering a wealth of artifacts from the Neolithic period and Minoan civilization. Then, you’ll journey to the iconic Minoan Palace of Knossos, marveling at its advanced architectural techniques and scale. The tour provides invaluable insights into the Minoans’ sophisticated building and cultural practices. At just €85.69 per person and with flexible cancellation, it’s an experience not to be missed. To delve deeper into the tour’s highlights and itinerary, read on.

Key Points

• This half-day guided tour visits the renowned Heraklion Archaeological Museum and the iconic Minoan Palace of Knossos.
• The tour provides insights into the Neolithic period and advanced Minoan civilization through the museum’s vast collection of artifacts.
• Visitors can marvel at the sophisticated building techniques and scale of the Knossos Palace, which dates back to 1700-1400 BC.
• The tour allows for exploration of the palace’s architectural marvels, including a theater and storerooms, over 1-2 hours.
• The tour starts at Eleftherias Square, lasts 5 hours, and includes free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.

You can check if your dates are available here:

Tour Details

The tour costs from €85.69 per person and lasts for 5 hours. Travelers can cancel their booking free of charge up to 24 hours in advance.

The tour begins at 08:30 at Eleftherias Square in front of the Astoria Capsis Hotel. Participants will first visit the Heraklion Archaeological Museum for 2 hours, followed by a 5km drive to the Knossos Palace, where they’ll spend 1-2 hours exploring. The tour returns to the starting point by 13:30.

The Knossos Palace, built between 1700-1400 BC, features advanced architectural techniques and dates back to the Neolithic period. Extensive excavations at the site, which began in 1900, have uncovered over 1,300 rooms, a theater, and storerooms.

Highlights

This tour offers several highlights for visitors, including a visit to the renowned Heraklion Archaeological Museum and an exploration of the iconic Minoan Palace of Knossos.

Travelers will learn about findings from the Neolithic period through the Minoan palaces, providing a comprehensive understanding of the region’s rich history and cultural heritage.

At the museum, guests will have the opportunity to discover a wealth of artifacts and exhibits that shed light on the Minoan civilization, one of the earliest advanced cultures in Europe.

The tour then takes visitors to the legendary Knossos Palace, where they’ll marvel at the site’s advanced architectural techniques and its once vast scale, with up to 1,300 rooms, a theater, and storerooms.

Tour Itinerary

Participants meet at Eleftherias Square in front of the Astoria Capsis Hotel at 8:30 AM to commence the tour. The first stop is the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, where guests spend 2 hours exploring the museum’s impressive collection. They then drive 5 kilometers to the legendary Knossos Palace, the centerpiece of the Minoan civilization, and spend 1-2 hours discovering its rich history and advanced architectural techniques. By 1:30 PM, the tour returns to the starting point, concluding the half-day adventure.

Time	Location	Activity
8:30 AM	Eleftherias Square	Meet up
9:00 AM – 11:00 AM	Heraklion Archaeological Museum	Explore museum
11:30 AM – 1:00 PM	Knossos Palace	Discover palace
1:30 PM	Eleftherias Square	Return to starting point

Knossos Palace

After exploring the impressive Heraklion Archaeological Museum, the tour moves on to the legendary Knossos Palace, the centerpiece of the Minoan civilization.

Built from 1700 to 1400 BC, this advanced architectural marvel features up to 5 stories and 1,300 rooms, including a theater and storerooms. Settlements at the site date back to the Neolithic period around 7000 BC.

The palace showcases the Minoans’ sophisticated building techniques, which allowed them to construct a massive, multi-level complex. Over the course of 35 years, the site was extensively excavated by Sir Arthur Evans and his team after it was first discovered in 1878 by Minos Kalokairinos.

Knossos Palace stands as a testament to the Minoans’ rich cultural heritage and architectural ingenuity.

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Archaeological Excavations

The site of Knossos Palace was first discovered in 1878 by Minos Kalokairinos, a local merchant and amateur archaeologist.

Extensive excavations of the site began in 1900 under the direction of Sir Arthur Evans and his team, continuing for over 35 years.

Evans’ excavations revealed the remarkable scale and complexity of the Minoan palace, with its advanced architectural techniques, multi-level structure, and over 1,300 rooms, including a theater and extensive storage facilities.

The archaeological findings at Knossos have provided invaluable insights into the advanced civilization of the Minoan culture, which flourished on the island of Crete from around 2000 to 1450 BC.

Cost and Duration

For the Archaeological Museum & Knossos Palace Guided Tour, the cost ranges from €85.69 per person, and the total duration of the experience is approximately 5 hours.

The tour includes a visit to the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, which takes around 2 hours, and an exploration of the Knossos Palace, lasting 1-2 hours.

The tour begins at 8:30 am in Eleftherias Square and returns to the starting point by 1:30 pm.

Travelers can take advantage of the flexible cancellation policy, which allows for free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.

Cancellation Policy

The tour offers a flexible cancellation policy, allowing travelers to cancel their reservation up to 24 hours in advance at no additional cost. This provides customers with the peace of mind to book their tour without worrying about unexpected changes in their plans.

Whether it’s due to weather, personal commitments, or any other reason, the free cancellation option ensures that travelers can adjust their itinerary without incurring any penalties. This policy reflects the tour operator’s commitment to customer satisfaction and flexibility, making the overall experience more convenient and stress-free for those who choose to explore the Heraklion Archaeological Museum and the Knossos Palace on this half-day guided tour.

Meeting Point

At 08:30, the tour group meets at Eleftherias Square in front of the Astoria Capsis Hotel, which serves as the convenient starting point for this half-day adventure.

The meeting location is easily accessible and allows the group to begin their exploration of Heraklion’s rich cultural heritage.

From this central point, the tour will proceed to the following destinations:

1. Heraklion Archaeological Museum
2. Minoan Palace of Knossos
3. Neolithic settlements
4. Architectural wonders of the Minoan era

This organized meeting point ensures a smooth transition into the guided tour, allowing participants to make the most of their time and enjoy the captivating history of the region.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I Need to Bring Any Special Equipment for the Tour?

You don’t need any special equipment for this tour. Comfortable walking shoes and sun protection are recommended to enjoy the sightseeing comfortably. The tour guide will provide all necessary information and assistance throughout the experience.

Are There Any Age Restrictions for the Tour?

There are generally no age restrictions for the tour. The tour is suitable for all ages, as the content and activities can be enjoyed by both children and adults. Families with younger children are welcome to join the guided tour.

Are Photography and Videography Allowed at the Sites?

Photography and videography are generally allowed at the Archaeological Museum and Knossos Palace, but visitors should follow any specific rules or restrictions set by the site management. Some areas may have limited or prohibited photography.

Is the Tour Suitable for Individuals With Mobility Issues?

The tour may not be suitable for individuals with mobility issues, as it involves walking through uneven terrain and up/down stairs at the archaeological sites. Visitors with mobility concerns should inquire about accessibility accommodations before booking.

Can I Purchase Souvenirs or Gifts at the Sites?

Yes, visitors can purchase souvenirs and gifts at both the Heraklion Archaeological Museum and Knossos Palace. The sites feature gift shops selling local handicrafts, books, replicas, and other mementos for travelers to take home.

Recap

This guided tour offers a captivating exploration of Crete’s rich Minoan heritage.

Visitors will enjoy the island’s storied past, from the impressive Knossos Palace to the extensive collection at the Heraklion Archaeological Museum.

Knowledgeable guides provide insightful commentary, bringing the enchanting world of Crete’s archaeological wonders to life.

Whether a history enthusiast or cultural seeker, this tour promises to leave a lasting impression and deepen one’s appreciation for this remarkable Mediterranean destination.

You can check if your dates are available here: