Knossos as a Day Trip from Malia

Knossos is in Heraklion, so plan your journey from Malia around reaching the city first. The site is 20 minutes from Heraklion by city bus or 15 minutes by car. If you’re planning local connections before setting out, getting around Malia covers walking, buses and taxis.

Take a bus from Malia to Heraklion, then continue to Knossos by city bus or car. The Municipality of Heraklion says city bus services from the port serve the archaeological site; check current connections for your route through the city.

For the Malia–Heraklion leg, use the KTEL bus timetable to plan your departure. Timetables can change, so check the operator’s current schedule before travelling. Once in Heraklion, allow for the additional 20-minute city-bus journey to Knossos, or 15 minutes by car. If Heraklion is your arrival point, getting from Heraklion Airport to Malia covers that route.

Knossos combines palace spaces with evidence of daily work and movement around the ancient site. The Throne Room, Grand Staircase, workshops and warehouses are among its features, alongside the ancient theatre, Royal Road and Small Palace.

Initial excavations began in 1878 under Minos Kalokairinos. Sir Arthur Evans excavated the site from 1900 to 1931. Original finds, including frescoes and colossal storage jars, are housed at the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion.

Ibiscus Hotel Malia is a two-star hotel in Malia, about 25 minutes by car from Heraklion International Nikos Kazantzakis Airport. The exact journey time from the hotel to Knossos depends on your transport connections.

Knossos opens daily, with seasonal hours and some listed closure dates. Hellenic Heritage gives full admission as €20 and reduced admission as €10. Its daily hours are:

• April 1–August 31: 08:00–20:00
• September 1–15: 08:00–19:30
• September 16–30: 08:00–19:00
• October 1–15: 08:00–18:30
• October 16–31: 08:00–18:00
• November 1–March 31: 08:00–17:00, with last admission 20 minutes before closing

Hellenic Heritage gives closures as January 1, March 25, May 1, Easter Sunday, and December 25 and 26. Free admission applies on selected days, including the first and third Sundays from November through March. Hours, prices and entry rules can change, so check the official site before you go.

On-site amenities include a café or restaurant, shop, toilets, parking, Wi-Fi and accessibility. For questions about entry, the site gives +30 2810 231940 and palaceknossos@gmail.com.

Yes. You can visit Knossos and then spend time in Heraklion, or make the city your first stop before continuing to the site. The Archaeological Museum of Heraklion houses original finds from Knossos, including frescoes and large storage jars; its collections add context to the remains at the palace.

For a museum-focused addition to the day, use this guide to the Heraklion Archaeological Museum from Malia to plan that part of your outing.