Heraklion Sightseeing: Palace and Old Town
Sightseeing in Heraklion splits into two halves: the Minoan sites, which are Knossos and the Archaeological Museum, and the Venetian city of walls, fountains and a fortress. A good plan gives the Minoan half one morning and the old town an afternoon. Euro is the currency, and cards are accepted at state sites.
Palace of Knossos
Knossos is about 5 km south of the centre and part of the UNESCO-listed Minoan Palatial Centres, inscribed in July 2025. Arthur Evans rebuilt large areas in concrete between 1900 and 1931, so what you see is an interpretation laid over original foundations. Look for the Central Court, the Throne Room and the Grand Staircase. Entry is EUR 20, or EUR 10 reduced, all year. Summer hours run to 20:00, September and October close earlier, and from 1 November the gate shuts at 17:00. Visits start from about 08:30 in winter. Paths are uneven and shade is thin, so go early.
Heraklion Archaeological Museum
The museum is at Xanthoudidou 2, by Eleftherias Square, and it is roughly 5 km from the palace. It displays the Phaistos Disc, the Snake Goddess figurines and the Bull-Leaping fresco. Entry is EUR 20 in summer and EUR 12 from 1 November to 31 March. Hours are 08:00 to 20:00 in summer and 08:30 to 15:30 in winter, with a late start on Wednesdays.
Koules Fortress
The Venetian fortress at the harbour mouth was built between 1523 and 1540, and the Lion of St Mark reliefs are on its walls. Entry is EUR 10, or EUR 5 reduced, and it is closed every Tuesday. The roof terrace gives harbour views.
The Venetian walls
The walls are about 3 km in circuit, and the rampart walk is free at any time. The Jesus Gate in the south and the New Gate are two separate gates. The walls held out against the Ottoman siege of Candia for 21 years, from 1648 to 1669. On the Martinengo Bastion, on the south side, is the grave of the writer Nikos Kazantzakis. Visit it quietly. His epitaph reads, in English, “I hope for nothing, I fear nothing, I am free.”
Lions Square and the old centre
25th of August Street climbs from the harbour to Lions Square, also called Eleftheriou Venizelou Square. The Morosini Fountain stands in the square. Nearby are the Venetian Loggia, now the town hall, and the church of Agios Titos. The cathedral is Agios Minas, a different building.
Two museums to add
The Historical Museum of Crete holds two El Greco paintings, and the Natural History Museum of Crete has an earthquake simulator. Both are on the waterfront avenue named Sofokli Venizelou.
Free days and rules
State sites are free on 6 March, 18 April, 18 May, the last weekend of September and 28 October. Do not remove stones or sherds from any site. Photography rules vary, so check at the door.
Read more: Walking tours in Heraklion follows the old town on foot.
Tickets
Check current hours on the Ministry of Culture Knossos page and the Hellenic Heritage Koules page . For guided visits, browse Viator .