Archaeological Site of Malia
The third-largest Minoan palace on Crete, with courtyards, shrines and storerooms, residential quarters and a necropolis, a UNESCO monument.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The third-largest Minoan palace on Crete, after Knossos and Phaistos, was found at Malia. The ancient name of the town remains unknown. The discovery of gold leaves in the area in 1880 drove treasure hunters to search there, while the ancient town was discovered in 1915 through the systematic excavations of the archaeologist Iosif Chatzidakis. According to tradition, King Sarpedon lived here before his brother Minos drove him out.
The palace was built around 1900 BC on top of an existing settlement and was destroyed around 1450 BC, in parallel with the other Minoan centres. Its remains, with the many shrines and storerooms, the courtyards and the monumental staircases, were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2025.
Around the palace, parts of the quarters that surrounded it survive, as well as the necropolis, where the famous gold bee pendant was found. This piece of Minoan goldsmithing is displayed in the Heraklion Archaeological Museum.
Highlights
- Third-largest Minoan palace
- Shrines and storerooms
- Courtyards and monumental staircases
- Quarters around the palace
- Necropolis where the gold bees were found
- Operated by
- Υπουργείο Πολιτισμού – Εφορεία Αρχαιοτήτων Ηρακλείου
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €10 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €5People over 65 from Greece and the EU (with ID card 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 under 18, with ID card or passport. |
| Seniors | €5Reduced ticket for people over 65 from Greece and the EU, with ID card or passport. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freecompanion free · Free admission for people with a disability (67% and above) and one companion, with ID card or passport and a disability certificate (KEPA or equivalent from abroad). |
| Students & apprentices | freeFree admission for young people aged 18–25 from Greece and the EU, with ID card or passport. |
Free admission: 6 March, 18 April, 18 May, the last weekend of September, 28 October, as well as every first and third Sunday of the month from 1 November to 31 March.
Free and reduced admission also apply 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 a connection by intercity bus from the city of Heraklion; the journey takes about 1 hour and 5 minutes.
By car
Parking available
From the city of Heraklion the journey by car takes about 37 minutes.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
On site: café and toilets.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
