Archaeological Site of Phaistos
The second-largest Minoan palace of Crete, built on a hill above the plain of Mesara, a UNESCO monument.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Phaistos was the second most important city of Crete in antiquity. According to myth it was founded by Minos, and his brother Rhadamanthys became its king. Built on a low rise, it overlooks the fertile plain of Mesara. The Minoan period of the settlement begins in the middle of the 3rd millennium BC.
The palace was built around 1900 BC and, as at Knossos, was destroyed by an earthquake around 1700 BC. In its place rose an even more magnificent building, the second largest after the palace of Knossos and notable for its architectural composition. The city did not disappear with the decline of Minoan civilisation, but continued to develop into Hellenistic times, until the neighbouring city of Gortyn subjugated it in 160 BC.
At the archaeological site, among tall pine trees, the Archaic temple of Rhea and Hellenistic buildings survive alongside the palace. The palace is one of the UNESCO World Heritage monuments together with five other Minoan palaces. The inscribed Phaistos Disc, the best-known find from the site, is displayed in the Heraklion Archaeological Museum.
Highlights
- Palace above the plain of Mesara
- Archaic temple of Rhea
- Hellenistic buildings
- Find spot of the Phaistos Disc
- Operated by
- Υπουργείο Πολιτισμού – Εφορεία Αρχαιοτήτων Ηρακλείου
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €15 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €8People over 65 from Greece and the EU (with ID or passport), teachers accompanying school visits, and parents accompanying primary school pupils from Greece and the EU. |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 18 · Free admission for children up to 18 years of age, with ID or passport. |
| Seniors | €8Reduced ticket for people over 65 from Greece and the EU, with ID or passport. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freecompanion free · Free admission for people with a disability (67% or more) and one companion, with ID or passport and a disability certificate (KEPA or the equivalent from abroad). |
| Students & apprentices | freeFree admission for young people aged 18–25 from Greece and the EU, with ID or passport. |
Free admission: 6 March, 18 April, 18 May, the last weekend of September, 28 October, and the first and third Sunday of each month from 1 November to 31 March.
Free and reduced admission also applies to other categories defined by the Ministry of Culture. Tickets are also available online via the Hellenic Heritage platform.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
There is an intercity bus connection from the city of Heraklion; the journey takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes.
By car
Parking available
From the city of Heraklion, the drive by car takes about 1 hour.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Restaurant
- Museum shop
On site there are a café and restaurant, a shop and toilets.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
