Date updated: August 24, 2026
We visited Knossos on an overnight stop in Heraklion. We arrived by ferry in the evening, visited Knossos the following morning, then took an afternoon bus to Chania.
Knossos is located just outside Heraklion. It’s the largest and best known center of the Minoan civilization. We took the bus there and back. I’d been there before, when I was on Crete back in the 90s. There is controversy surrounding some of the reconstruction work done on the site. I love the frescoes even if they’re inaccurate.
There were long lines for both the throne room and dolphins. Parts of the site were closed that were open when I was here before.
This is the throne room, which features griffins.
I enjoyed the dolphins so much the first time that we have a photo of them hanging on my wall.
I also have a photo of these giant urns. I’m pretty sure they’re in the same place there were when I was here in the 1990s. I know I wouldn’t want to move them!
Apparently all Greek structures were originally painted. Imagine the Acropolis painted rather than all white.
