Malia Palace is a Minoan archaeological site in Malia, Crete, known for its palace ruins and remains of the surrounding settlement. It is described as the island’s third-largest Minoan palace, after Knossos and Phaistos. Malia is also where this hotel’s guest rooms are located.
- Location: Malia, Crete, postal code 70007.
- Site highlights: Palace remains, courtyards, grand staircases, parts of the settlement and a necropolis.
- Typical opening pattern: Open Monday and Wednesday through Sunday, with seasonal hours; closed Tuesday.
- Ticket prices: €10 full price and €5 reduced price.
Where is the Malia Palace site?
Malia Palace stands in Malia, on Crete’s north coast, within the town’s archaeological area. The site’s postal code is 70007, and the ruins include more than the palace itself: parts of the settlement and its necropolis are also within the archaeological site.
For a wider look at the town’s streets and landmarks, the One Day in Malia itinerary offers a walkable route through Malia.
What is the history of the Minoan palace in Malia?
The palace was originally built around 1900 BC and, like other Minoan centres, was destroyed around 1450 BC. It is the third-largest Minoan palace on Crete, after Knossos and Phaistos.
Interest in the area grew after gold-sheet fragments were discovered there in 1880, prompting gold hunters to search for more. Systematic excavations led by archaeologist Iosif Chatzidakis uncovered the ancient town in 1915.
What can you see among the ruins at Malia Palace?
The site brings together palace ruins, sacred and storage areas, courtyards and grand staircases, alongside traces of the surrounding settlement and its necropolis. These remains give you a sense of the complex as a larger centre rather than a single isolated building.
The famous golden pendant decorated with bees was found in Malia’s necropolis. It is now displayed at the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, not at the palace site.
How do you get from Malia to the archaeological site?
You can reach the palace road by heading out of Malia toward Agios Nikolaos and turning left after about 2–3 km, according to the Municipality of Hersonissos.
A bus service runs to and from the archaeological site, passing the beaches of east Malia and west Stalis. Departure times are not provided on the municipality’s cited page, so check the official site before you go. For local transport options around town, Getting Around Malia covers walking, buses and taxis.
What are the tickets, opening times and visitor facilities?
Malia Palace has seasonal opening hours, a full-price ticket of €10 and a reduced ticket of €5. Hellenic Heritage gives free admission on March 6, April 18, May 18, the last weekend of September, October 28, and the first and third Sundays of each month from November 1 through March 31.
From April 1 through October 31, hours are 08:00–18:00 on Monday and Wednesday through Sunday. From November 1 through March 31, hours are 08:30–15:30 on those days. The site is closed on Tuesdays. Last admission is 20 minutes before closing.
The site is also closed on January 1, March 25, May 1, Easter Sunday, and December 25 and 26. Café, toilets and parking are among its amenities. Opening hours, admission and closure information can change, so check the official site before you go.
FAQs
Where is Malia Palace?
The archaeological site is in Malia, Crete, postal code 70007.
How much does admission to Malia Palace cost?
The full-price ticket is €10 and the reduced-price ticket is €5. There are also specific free-admission days.
Is Malia Palace open every day?
No. It is closed on Tuesdays, with different opening hours in the warmer and cooler parts of the year. It also has additional closure days.
What is the golden bee pendant from Malia?
It is a famous golden pendant discovered in Malia’s necropolis and now displayed at the Heraklion Archaeological Museum.