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must-visit in IrákleioMuseum

Heraklion Archaeological Museum

📍 Xanthoudidou & Hatzidaki 1, Heraklion 712 02, Greece
Heraklion Archaeological Museum
1 photos
4.6/ 5.0
★★★★★

Quick Facts

Location
Greece, Irákleio
Category
Museum
Duration
2–3 hours; focus on the fresco galleries and signature objects.
Address
Xanthoudidou & Hatzidaki 1, Heraklion 712 02, Greece
Coordinates
35.3387, 25.1340

Introduction

The Heraklion Archaeological Museum stands at Xanthoudidou & Hatzidaki streets beside Eleftherias Square in central Heraklion, Crete. Founded in 1883, it holds the world's most systematic collection of Minoan antiquities and is the definitive museum for Europe's oldest civilisation. Twenty-seven halls unfold some 5,500 years of Cretan history from the Neolithic to Roman times. The highlights are the original frescoes from Knossos and other palaces — the Bull-Leaping, Prince of the Lilies, Dolphins and La Parisienne — shown upstairs in their palace settings, alongside the two-sided Phaistos Disc stamped with 241 undeciphered signs, the Knossos Snake Goddess figurines, a steatite bull's-head rhyton, the gold bee pendant from Malia and Minoan signet rings; Kamares polychrome ware and the Zatrikion board game speak to everyday craft. Tickets are €20 full, €12 reduced in 2026; the combo ticket with Knossos has been withdrawn, so each site is bought separately. Museum in the morning, palace in the afternoon is the classic five-kilometre pairing.

✨ Highlights

1
Original Minoan frescoes
The Bull-Leaping, Prince of the Lilies, Dolphins and La Parisienne frescoes from Knossos are shown upstairs in their palace settings.
2
The Phaistos Disc
A clay disc stamped on both faces with 241 undeciphered signs — archaeology's most famous unsolved puzzle.
3
Snake Goddesses
Faience figurines from Knossos with snakes crowning their heads — the signature image of Minoan religion.
4
Rhyton and goldwork
A steatite bull's-head rhyton, the gold bee pendant from Malia and Minoan signet rings show Bronze Age Cretan craft at its peak.
5
5,500 years, 27 halls
The full arc of Cretan history from the Neolithic to Roman times, with Kamares ware and the Zatrikion board game among the pleasures.
6
Central location
Beside Eleftherias Square, ten minutes' walk from the KTEL station — the perfect first stop before Knossos.

🛈 Practical Info

→Duration：2–3 hours; across 27 halls, focus on the fresco galleries and the signature objects.
→Accessibility：Ramped main entrance, lift and accessible toilets; free wheelchair loan with ID; disabled visitors and one escort enter free.
→Photos：Amateur photography without flash; professional shooting needs advance permission; keep phones silent and off calls in the galleries.
→Free days：6 March, 18 April, 18 May, the last weekend of September, 28 October, and the first and third Sundays from November to March.
→Pair with：Knossos on the same day — museum first, palace after; the Morosini Fountain and Koules fortress are a short walk.
→Free days：6 March, 18 April, 18 May, the last weekend of September and 28 October, plus the first and third Sunday of every month from 1 November to 31 March.
→Rules：Mobile phones are not allowed in the exhibition areas; backpacks and bags must be left in the ground-floor cloakroom. Photography is allowed without flash, professional equipment needs permission.
→Accessibility：Public areas are wheelchair accessible with a ramp at the Xanthoudidou 2 entrance, lifts and accessible toilets; a wheelchair is free with ID, and disabled visitors and one eligible escort enter free.
→Transportation：Xanthoudidou & Hatzidaki 1, beside Eleftherias Square; 10 minutes' walk from the KTEL station; buses 6, 10, 12.

Opening Hours

Opening Hours
Wednesday08:30-15:30

Except Wednesday: winter and April 08:30-15:30, summer (28 Apr-31 Oct) 08:00-20:00. Wednesday 10:00-17:00 in April, 13:00-20:00 in summer. Last entry 20 min before close.

Ticket Information

Ticket Information
Adult€20

2026: €20 full, €12 reduced; the combo with Knossos is withdrawn — buy each site separately.

💡 Tips

• Museum first, then Knossos: comparing original frescoes with the site's copies doubles your understanding.
• The archaic and Minoan fresco halls upstairs are the peak — the Bull-Leaping and Dolphins shoot best, but no flash.
• The combo is gone: €20 each for museum and palace; if you can only pick one, the museum packs more information.
• Deposit backpacks and large bags at the ground-floor cloakroom; keep valuables with you and silence your phone.
• The museum opens at 13:00 on Wednesdays — don't plan a morning visit.
• About 4–10 minutes by taxi from the port or airport; walk on to Eleftherias Square for dinner afterwards.
• The box office takes cards and there are online tickets; the cloakroom is on the ground floor, so store large bags before going in.

FAQ

What are the opening hours of Heraklion Archaeological Museum?

Wednesday: 08:30-15:30; Except Wednesday: winter and April 08:30-15:30, summer (28 Apr-31 Oct) 08:00-20:00. Wednesday 10:00-17:00 in April, 13:00-20:00 in summer. Last entry 20 min before close.

How much is the admission for Heraklion Archaeological Museum?

Adult: €20; 2026: €20 full, €12 reduced; the combo with Knossos is withdrawn — buy each site separately.

Any practical tips for visiting Heraklion Archaeological Museum?

Museum first, then Knossos: comparing original frescoes with the site's copies doubles your understanding. The archaic and Minoan fresco halls upstairs are the peak — the Bull-Leaping and Dolphins shoot best, but no flash.

How long should I spend at Heraklion Archaeological Museum?

A typical visit takes 2–3 hours; focus on the fresco galleries and signature objects..

Compiled from the official site heraklionmuseum.gr (Oct 2026). The combo ticket with Knossos has been withdrawn and holiday hours vary — confirm on the official site.