Hotels near Heraklion Archaeological Museum

The Heraklion Archaeological Museum holds the world's most important Minoan collection, including the Phaistos Disc, the Snake Goddess figurines, the bull-leaping fresco from Knossos and the Hagia Triada sarcophagus. The two-storey 1930s building was renovated in 2014 and now displays roughly 15,000 objects across 27 rooms organised chronologically from the Neolithic to Roman periods. Plan 2-3 hours, and pair the visit with Knossos using the 22 EUR combo ticket. Audio guides cost 4 EUR and are essential for getting context on the unwritten Linear A script and the volcanic eruption at Santorini that ended Minoan power.

Pro Tip: Visit the museum first, then Knossos in the afternoon - seeing the original frescoes before the on-site reproductions is far more memorable.