Heraklion Archaeological Museum

In the centre of Heraklion on Crete, the Heraklion Archaeological Museum is Greece's main museum for Minoan civilisation, with galleries covering 5,500 years of Cretan history from the Neolithic to Roman periods.

• Standard single-site ticket to the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, giving access to its permanent collection and any current temporary exhibitions.
• Entry to all open galleries with finds from Minoan palaces such as Knossos, Phaistos, Malia and Zakros, plus later Greek and Roman-period rooms.
• Access to museum facilities like toilets, cloakroom/locker area, café and museum shop during your visit.
• NOT included: guided tours, audio guides sold by third parties, hotel transfers, food and drinks from the café.

• Ideal for anyone interested in Minoan civilisation, archaeology or Greek history, and for visitors who like strong context around what they saw (or will see) at Knossos.
• Great choice if you prefer an indoor, air-conditioned cultural stop that you can do at your own pace.
• Fully indoors with lifts and ramps, so generally much more accessible than outdoor archaeological sites, though some cases and labels still require standing and walking.

• Arrive at the museum building on Xanthoudidou & Chatzidaki Street in central Heraklion and buy or scan your timed ticket at the entrance.
• Move through the galleries in rough chronological order, from Neolithic finds and early Minoan pottery to the most famous pieces like the Phaistos Disc, snake-goddess figurines, bull's-head rhyta and palace frescoes.
• Use labels and room panels to understand how the Minoans lived, worshipped and traded, then continue into the later Greek and Roman rooms.
• Finish with a stop at the shop and/or café before heading back into central Heraklion or onwards to another site such as Knossos.

• Tickets / price (starts from): current official guidance puts the full adult ticket at 12 EUR with reduced admission at 6 EUR for eligible visitors, with certain free-admission days under Greek Ministry of Culture rules. Treat 12 EUR as a realistic starting price for a standard adult visit.
• Opening hours: recent schedules have the museum open roughly 08:00—20:00 in the main summer season (1 April—31 October) and with shorter hours in winter (for example around 08:30—15:30 with slightly later starts on Wednesdays). Exact hours and Wednesday variations can change by date, so always check the official website for your day of visit.
• Last entry is usually about 20 minutes before closing time.
• Security & conduct: bags are checked at the entrance; large backpacks may need to go in cloakroom/lockers. Flash photography, tripods, food and drink in galleries and touching displays are not allowed. Professional photo/film work requires prior permission.

• Location: the museum is in central Heraklion, a short walk from Eleftherias Square and the main intercity bus station.
• Time needed: most visitors spend 1.5—3 hours inside, more if they read every label or are especially into Minoan archaeology.
• Best timing: many travellers pair a morning at Knossos with an afternoon at the museum, using the museum as a cooler, indoor contrast after the open-air ruins.
• Tips: wear comfortable shoes (you will be on your feet a lot), bring a light layer as air-conditioning can feel cool, and consider a quick pre-read on Minoan history so the highlights resonate more.

Budget about 12 EUR for a full adult ticket and allow 1.5—3 hours to walk through the Heraklion Archaeological Museum's Minoan-focused galleries in central Heraklion — a concentrated, indoor deep-dive into 5,500 years of Cretan history that pairs perfectly with a visit to Knossos before or after.