Museum
Heraklion Archaeological Museum
Heraklion, Greece
The world's best collection of Minoan art, from frescoes to the Phaistos Disc.
Ruins · Greece · Crete
The great Minoan palace, linked in legend to the Minotaur and the labyrinth.
For storytellers
Knossos was the centre of the Minoan civilisation, a Bronze Age culture on Crete. The palace had many rooms, storerooms and painted walls, and the maze of passages may have inspired the legend of the labyrinth. Some parts have been rebuilt in vivid colours, which is debated but helps you picture it. Go early: it gets hot and crowded.
Free to read aloud or adapt in your video. Check facts that matter to you against an official source before you publish.
Good to know: A guide helps a lot here because the ruins are confusing without explanation.
Museum
Heraklion, Greece
The world's best collection of Minoan art, from frescoes to the Phaistos Disc.
Island
Heraklion, Greece
A small fortress island once used as a leper colony, reached by boat.
Castle
Heraklion, Greece
A Venetian sea fortress at the harbour entrance, with a walk along the breakwater.
Beach
Heraklion, Greece
A sheltered beach with cave dwellings carved into the cliff beside it.
Beach
Heraklion, Greece
A beach backed by a rare natural palm grove on the eastern tip of Crete.
Within about 40 km, closest first.