Heraklion Archaeological Museum

Heraklion, Greece

The Heraklion Archaeological Museum is one of the greatest museums in Greece and the best in the world for Minoan art, as it contains the most notable and complete collection of artifacts of the Minoan civilization of Crete. The museum began in 1883 as a simple collection of antiquities. A dedicated building was constructed from 1904 to 1912. 

Today Herakleion Archaeological Museum is one of the largest and most important museums in Greece, and among the most important museums in Europe. It houses representative artifacts from all the periods of Cretan prehistory and history, covering a chronological span of over 5,500 years from the Neolithic period to Roman times. The singularly important Minoan collection contains unique examples of Minoan art, many of them true masterpieces. The Heraklion Museum is rightly considered as the museum of Minoan culture par excellence worldwide.

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Founded: 1883
Category: Museums in Greece

Rating

4.6/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Kevin L (6 months ago)
The Lux Local Organic Museum Do the Palace of Knossos before coming here, if you want to have a greater appreciation for the history and adventure that lead to many of these artifacts being featured in this museum. It is incredible that there is so much in this museum despite being up to 5,000 years old. My mind was blown that the ancient Greeks saw the Minoans as we see the ancient Greeks. This multi tiered layers of history and mythology have shaped the western world from sports to religion. A true local and healthy feast for the eyes, mind and spirit.
Alexandra Vlad (7 months ago)
VERY highly recommend! Beautiful large museum filled with beautiful artifacts. Two floors and lots to see. I also recommend seeing the slide show on the second floor to learn more about the history of the work put into the museum and the passion of the people who kept it going close to a century now. Very interesting, this museum is an absolute must! I recommend buying the combo ticket with the Archeological dig site in it, it comes to 20 euro per person.
Trina Yau (Trini) (7 months ago)
It was €12 to visit this museum, and half the price if you’re a student with student ID or under 25 (bring ID). The pottery was nice and learning about the palace was interesting. We spent about an hour here. There’s a nice place upstairs at the end of the tour for sitting and chilling and maybe doing some work. It was open even on Sunday.
Paula O'Neill (12 months ago)
Absolutely loved going here ❤️. Why I haven't been here all these years, I'll never know (oh yes, covid came and we had lock downs). On a happier note, I took loads of pictures, it was all so fascinating. I think if anyone plans to go to Knossos Palace, it is a good idea to come here first. I wish I had, as my visit to Knossos Palace would have made way more sense, and I could have placed the objects I saw at the museum, that Knossos.
Madeline Bates (13 months ago)
Impressive collection, beautiful display, and helpful interpretative text. Don’t go in the last hour before they close or you’ll get kicked out early like we did. 10 minutes before close they were turning off the lights while we were in the galleries and they wouldn’t let us look in the final gallery. The entire staff was waiting by the door with their coats chatting and ready to get off work. I’ve never experienced this at a museum anywhere in the world so I found it surprising and a bit rude.
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