Heraklion Archaeological Museum Ticket & Audio Guide

Pay a visit to the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, one of the most important museums in Greece and in Europe. At the center of Minoan art and historic preservation, this museum experience is sure to enthrall you with one-of-a-kind exhibits, artifacts, frescoes, and more. With an English audio guide – which you download onto your smartphone – start your self-guided visit on a smooth note. Your guide not only has history and facts about everything you’ll see but also includes more than 80 stories about the Minoan era.

The Heraklion Archaeological Museum was built between 1904 and 1907 over the remains of the St. Francis Monastery, which had fallen apart during an earthquake in 1856. It now houses the most valuable pieces of Cretan prehistory and history in the world, spanning 5,500 years. Some of the figurines that you’ll see include Seated Female Figurine, Snake Goddess figurines – a group of ancient sculptures excavated in 1903 in the Minoan palace at Knossos – The Poppy Goddess, and more.

Coming to other significant artifacts, you can’t miss the Golden Bee Pendant, Phaistos Disc, Minos Ring – supposed to have belonged to the legendary King Minos – and Stone Bull’s Head Rhyton, and much more. Each artifact tells a story of its own.

One of the most unmissable frescoes on view at the Museum is the famous Bull-Leaping Fresco, one of the most completely restored stucco panels. Archaeologists and anthropologists have studied this fresco for centuries to understand its meaning. Other priceless frescoes include the Blue Bird Fresco, The Cup Bearer, Prince of the Lillies, and more.

Know before you go

Audio guide information

• The audio guide is available in English and German.
• Be sure to download your ticket and audio tour in advance while connected to Wi-Fi, as mobile signals at the site may be unreliable.
• You’ll need storage space on your phone to download the audio guide (100-150 MB).
• The audio tour is incompatible with Windows Phones, iPhone 5/5C or older, iPod Touch 5th generation or older, iPad 4th generation or older, and iPad Mini 1st generation.
• After booking, you’ll receive an email with detailed instructions for accessing and downloading your audio tour. Don’t forget to check your spam or junk folder in case it lands there.
• Make sure your smartphone is fully charged and bring your headphones to enjoy the audio tour without interruptions.
• Keep in mind that entrance queues can be long, so you may need to wait before entering.

Important information

• This Museum experience is suitable for wheelchair users.
• The Museum is one of the most visited sites in Crete. The best time to visit is early in the morning or at the end of the day. It’s more crowded during the holidays and over weekends.
• Please wear comfortable shoes as there’s lots of walking involved.
• Photography (without flash and tripods) is allowed.

Operating Hours

1 Apr - 31 Oct

• Mon: 8am - 8pm
• Tue: 10am - 8pm
• Wed to Sun: 8am - 8pm

1 Nov - 30 Nov

• Mon: 8am - 6pm
• Tue: 10am - 6pm
• Wed to Fri: 8am - 6pm

1 Dec - 31 Mar

• Mon: 9am - 4pm
• Tue: 10am - 5pm
• Wed to Sun: 9am - 4pm

Recommended visiting hours: 10am – 12pm