Heraklion Archaeological Museum

Located in Heraklion, Crete, the Heraklion Archaeological Museum houses one of the world’s most significant collections of Minoan artifacts, offering insights into over 5,500 years of Cretan history. The museum’s modernist architecture complements its extensive exhibitions, including masterpieces like the Phaistos Disc and the Snake Goddess figurines. Visitors can engage with the museum’s digital resources and participate in educational programs, enhancing their understanding of ancient Greek civilizations.

Planning your visit

The Heraklion Archaeological Museum holds the Minoan world's most important collection — the finds that came out of Knossos and the other Cretan palaces, covering some 5,500 years. The Phaistos Disc, the Snake Goddess figurines, the bull-leaping fresco and the Hall of the Frescoes are all here rather than at the excavation sites themselves, which is the key practical point: the palaces give you the architecture, this museum gives you the objects.

That's why so many bookable options pair the two. Combined Knossos-plus-museum tours run from Heraklion and from further afield in Rethymno and Chania, and private skip-the-line guided tours cover both in sequence with the context that makes each make sense. Standalone options include entry tickets with audio guides, certified-guide walking tours that take in Heraklion's Venetian old town, and family game tours designed to keep children hunting for specific objects rather than trailing through cases. Some full-day versions add a Cretan winery. Current dates are below.