Our tour starts early in the morning from the city of Heraklion to give us plenty of time to enjoy all the area’s highlights. The first stop is the Palace of Knossos, located only a couple of kilometers outside the city center towards the village of Vlichia. 

Knossos was one of the great ancient cities of Crete island that together with Gortyna and Kydonia, fought over control and dominance. Knossos was no ordinary city and enjoyed a standard of living that would have been unheard of in other European cities. It featured a sophisticated water and sewer management system and buildings that were adorned with elaborate and colorful decorations, including the well-known Minoan frescoes. 

Here is where some of the most popular and enduring myths of Greek mythology occur, including the legendary King Minos, son of Zeus and Europa, and the Minotaur. According to the legend, this half-bull half-man creature lived in a labyrinth, designed by Daedalus, and was killed by Theseus after receiving help from Minos’ daughter Ariadne. King Minos first appears in Homer’s Odyssey and Iliad but was a popular character in mythology for thousands of years. Many years later, in 1900, archaeologist Sir Arthur Evans would use the name of King Minos to describe the Minoan civilization that was brought to light. 

Of all the things we know about the people of Knossos, the name they used for themselves is not one of them. 

Knossos combines mythology, history, culture, and art and is a must-see for all, including families with children. It is recommended to take a guided tour of the Palace and surrounding grounds to better understand the various findings and their significance. 

After your visit to the Palace of Knossos, it is time to depart for the city of Heraklion for more explorations. Take the time to wander around the Venetian buildings and Koules Fortress, built in the 13th century by the Venetians and rebuilt under the Genoese. 

From here, the Heraklion Archaeological Museum is only a short 10-minute walk that you can visit after exploring the squares and various churches around the center. A visit to the Heraklion Archaeological Museum is a must following your exploration of Knossos. Many of the findings from the Palace are housed here, plus the museum is one of the oldest and most beautiful on the island. You will get the chance to see the Phaistos Disc, one of archaeology’s greatest mysteries, and the Minoan snake goddess figures.