Ancient Ruins in Crete, Greece
Crete Ancient Ruins
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Ancient Ruins
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Ancient Ruins • Historic Walking Areas
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Historic Sites • Ancient Ruins
Historic Sites • Ancient Ruins
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Ancient Ruins
Ancient Ruins • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Ancient Ruins • Points of Interest & Landmarks
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What travellers are saying
- Michelle TNew York City, NY666 contributionsUnlike some other historical spots, there actually isn’t much of Knossos left. So while it is called a palace, it’s really an archaeological site with ruins. There is a lot of imagination involved with a visit to Knossos, as a lot of it is either gone or moved to the Heraklion Archaeological Museum. If you’re looking for something as grand as the Acropolis or even as well maintained as Pompeii, this isn’t it. Go in with this mindset and you won’t be disappointed. I do highly recommend a tour guide, as I feel like we would’ve had a hard time envisioning what Knossos used to look like without her help.Written 18 November 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- pkdkWellington, New Zealand140 contributionsWorth seeing because of its history (& attractive on a sunny day) but sadly little remains of the original. Best to go to the archeological museum first where many of the treasures taken from the site are exhibited. Easier then to imagine what are now ruins must have been like. Entry for on-line "beat the queue" tickets is beyond where everyone else is lining up (so just walk past them).Written 25 October 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Fergs85Thornton-Le-Dale, UK1,036 contributionsThis is a very ancient site – the Rough Guide suggests it has been occupied since the fourteenth century BC! The monastery itself was only abandoned in 1964. There’s plenty to see around the monastic site itself, and you can’t miss the Roman cisterns (now empty) on the way in. The small theatre, a short walk from the main site, is well preserved, as is the hypocaust system in the bath house.
From the monastery you’ll see a Turkish fort about half a mile away – it’s easy to drive further on to take a closer look, and from the ramparts there are some excellent views of Souda Bay, so you really get a real sense of just what a perfect natural harbour it is. Look out for the small islands at the centre of the entrance to the bay – there is also a very informative exhibition inside the castle to set out just how defensible the bay was. All the small islands that you can see were fortified and connected defensively.
The particular appeal of Aptera is the extensive time span and variety of features that you can take in on your visit – well worth the steep drive up from the main road.Written 4 November 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Martin MCeska Lipa, Czech Republic173 contributionsThis place doesn’t look fancy. But we have to aware than Minoan civilization is older than Greek. From this perspective it is very interesting. Really I don’t know how Greek archaeologists can reconstruct walls which have been fallen and their function.Written 17 July 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- AaronH1991Kinrooi, Belgium50 contributionsBeautiful archaeological place that breathes history of ancient times and throws you back in history. We really loved how clean this site was and the way security guards stand around the place to help preserve these structures from tourists whom climb the ancient walls...
We really loved the stone vases that were partially restored as well. It's jaw-dropping what humans could do already back then.
However we would loved to have a little more info about the different houses and places instead of just a sign with 'storage rooms' or 'Palace' for example. We do not know what the place was exactly and that's a little odd. However if you're in the area, it is worth every dime of the €6,- p.p you pay.Written 10 September 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Craig WBristol, UK8 contributionsWent here on a whim looking for some ruins on a drive and found this gem. The steps to the government building were quite a sight. A lot to take in around and a few good maps dotted about the place to explain what’s around you. Cost €3 to get in and be aware it closes at 1500/1530hrs at the end on the day.Written 19 September 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Scotland71Cork, Ireland248 contributionsHeard about it from an archeologica buff and is interesting. However, it’s quite basic and not well set up for tourists. Gets hot. No toilets the day we were theeeWritten 9 July 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- OpinelLondon, UK43 contributionsHard to reach on foot, but worth every ankle-twisting step. The crystal water of the bay is magical, and the now-desolate site of the little city-state, overlooked by the necropolis, is evocative despite most of it being still unexcavated. Last time we walked from Sougia and back, and found it strenuous, but perfectly doable for two fit people aged either side of 70. If you have a car, you can park at Prodromi and go much of the way on gravelly tracks. Or you can take the boat, of course.Written 6 September 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Iva SPrague, Czech Republic704 contributions16. 9. 2020 Here we parked and began by inspecting the covered excavations. We were surprised you're not allowed to take pictures inside. After that we walked about 3 km through unmarked paths to the ancient Eleutherna and all the way back to the car. Covered section, where you can't take pictures or videos, takes for about 20 minutes. I recommend this place to everyone who enjoys these sights and wandering the goat paths to their destination as much as we do. More youtube travel video PSIS-visit. Iva +Petr CZ Prague.Written 4 March 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Pierre JAzores, Portugal88 contributionsVery interesting ancient remains, but, judging from other comments, it's apparently better to come in summer. I was there in November and everything was closed (no guide, no taverna, no nothing). If you prefer exploring places on you own, then it's perfect, but guides' explanations could have been very useful.
The view from the top is great anyway.Written 21 November 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Ron SNew York City, NY5,471 contributionsThe site is underwhelming. A small part of it is open to tourists. It's very easy to find, the entrance is next to the road.Written 26 October 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Suzanne2303Labrador, Australia966 contributionsStrong swimmers can swim across to the island but we preferred to pay €5each return and go with the small boat.
What a beautiful short journey across in the clear blue water. For an extra few euros the ferryman will circumnavigate the island! We got out and wandered through the archeological site. According to the notice board, there are remnants of 5 civilisations there: early, middle and late Minoan, late Hellenistic and Byzantine. The Byzantine church of St Nikolaus is still operational.
The beauty of taking the boat is that you can take water, which is needed in the very high temperatures. Especially if you want to climb up the hill a bit. I got half way up, took some photos, and walked back down. You can walk a short way both ways from the landing jetty but then it becomes more of a rock scramble.
If you want the ferryman to collect you, ring the bell on the church!
A really interesting place to visit. Apparently this site is still worked on as a Minoan archeological site.Written 24 August 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - nsander219Chelmsford, UK628 contributionsQuite a trek to get here but worth it for the siting of the Palace. Certainly it is completely different from the organisation and pazzazz surrounding Knossos. It is very peaceful - when we visited there were perhaps 5 or 6 other people wandering the site. As others have said the presentation is somewhat lacking and really it wouldn't take much time, effort and cost to lift this failure up to far better standards.
However, if you are visiting Minoan Palaces it is worth the journey. Do it so you can have lunch by the beach!Written 10 January 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - smrgeogVancouver, Canada2,103 contributionsThere is not alot to the Itanos archaelogical site but rather a few stones strewn around a nearby beach. By following the signs you come across an almost idyllic beach.
Unlike Vai, there are no facilities; some rocks and a rough parking area. The beaches are fairly sandy but small with the odd tree and some rocky outcrops providing shade. If you hike about five minutes over the hill you'll come across another beach. It's much quieter than Vai and if you want that swim in the sea away from the crowds then I suggest here.Written 18 May 2017This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Charles HPetersfield, UK203 contributionsThis is worth visiting to see what the Minoans could do on a smaller scale than at Knossos; steep
Stairs see to be the main problem to getting around but the views are worth the climb; café at the site is pretty poor but the cats benefit.Written 24 May 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions about Crete
- These places are best for ancient ruins in Crete:
- The Palace of Knossos
- Archaía Póli Tis Lató
- Malia Palace Archaeological Site
- Ancient City of Polyrinia
- Archaeological Site of Itanos
- These are the best places for kid-friendly ancient ruins in Crete:See more ancient ruins for children in Crete on Tripadvisor
- These are the best places for couples seeking ancient ruins in Crete:
- The Palace of Knossos
- Archaeological Site Of Aptera
- Archaía Póli Tis Lató
- Malia Palace Archaeological Site
- Knossos Archaeological Site
- These are the best places for groups seeking ancient ruins in Crete:
- The Palace of Knossos
- Archaeological Site Of Aptera
- Archaía Póli Tis Lató
- Palace of Faistos
- Malia Palace Archaeological Site
- These are the best places for budget-friendly ancient ruins in Crete:
- The Palace of Knossos
- Archaeological Site Of Aptera
- Archaía Póli Tis Lató
- Palace of Faistos
- The Ancient City Lissos
- These are the best hidden gems for ancient ruins in Crete:
- Archaeological Site Of Aptera
- Archaía Póli Tis Lató
- The Ancient City Lissos
- Ancient City of Polyrinia
- Eleutherna