Knossos is the most famous archaeological site in Crete and one of the most significant in all of Greece. Located just 5 km southeast of Heraklion, this ancient site is easily accessible by rental car from AutoClubRent, making it the perfect destination for a half-day or full-day excursion.
The name Knossos is mentioned in ancient Greek texts as the major city of Crete. Its identification with the current archaeological site was supported by Roman coins bearing the inscription "Knosion" and images of the Minotaur and the Labyrinth, both directly tied to the myth of King Minos. These coins originated from the Roman colony Colonia Julia Nobilis Cnossus, located just north of the current ruins.
Knossos was later confirmed as the administrative center of Mycenaean Crete through the discovery of Linear B tablets referencing "Ko-no-so". The palace itself was built over a Neolithic settlement and expanded dramatically during the Bronze Age.
Between 1900–1905, the British archaeologist Sir Arthur Evans led a full-scale excavation of the palace. He uncovered not only the vast extent of the ruins but also two unique writing systems, Linear A and Linear B. From these discoveries, Evans coined the term "Minoan civilization" to describe this previously unknown culture.
The Palace of Knossos functioned as a ceremonial, political, and economic center of Minoan society. The site features a labyrinthine layout of:
Murals, pottery, seals, and artifacts recovered from the site give a rich picture of daily life in Bronze Age Crete. Many of these are now housed in the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, just minutes away.
The palace was abandoned sometime between 1380–1100 BC, likely due to natural disasters or socio-political upheaval. The Mycenaean Greeks, who used Linear B for administration, were the last to inhabit the site. Although the hill of Kephala was never again used as a civic center, settlements arose nearby, including the Roman colony and later the Byzantine town of Chandax, now modern-day Heraklion.
With AutoClubRent, your journey to Knossos is comfortable, flexible, and unforgettable. Drive directly from Heraklion to the palace grounds, avoiding the limitations of public transport.
Book your car with AutoClubRent today and experience the wonders of Knossos — the heart of Minoan civilization — on your own schedule!
HeraklionAgia PelagiaAgiofaraggoAmoudaraArhanesCretaquariumAncient GortysFodeleHersonissosKalamakiKnossosLentasMaliaMatalaMinoan Palace of MaliaMinoan Palace of PhaistosThe Fortress of KoulesZarosRethymnon CityAgia GaliniAnogiaArgyroupolisArkadi MonasteryBali monasteryMelidoni cavePlakiasPreveliPreveli monasteryPsiloritisSpiliFortezzaVenetian Harbor
