Heraklion Archaeological Museum

Definitely worth a visit. The museum has an incredible collection of items found on different sites from the island, specially from Minoan times, but it goes also forward on history. There are two floors (with elevator for those who may need it), a bar and toilets. There is also a nice terrace to sit for a drink. I spent 3h because I really entertain myself reading what I see.

So much to see here and especially the snake goddesses! This museum is well laid out, very organized, very clean and beautiful. I wish the gift shop had more items. It seems sparse.

One of the best museums in Greece. Loved it. You can learn so much from it without getting bored or overwhelmed. One of the best experiences I had in a historical museum Must visited. Really recommended.

I was so looking forward to visiting this museum and very disappointed to find after we had paid and entered (Jan 2025) that less than 25% of the space was open to the public. We had been told that some of the space was closed when we bought the ticket (which we assumed was do to usual improvements) but no one said 75% was closed off. Later on we learnt this was due not to reconstructions to the space but staff shortages. If we had known we would not have bought a ticket as we live in Greece and could come back another time. The whole top floor was closed and over half the ground floor. What we did see was excellent and we would love to have seen more. It’s amazing that some of the pots and artefacts date back to almost 10 centuries BC and are still in amazing condition. There was a temporary exhibition around the back of the building open so we visited that.

First, I gave one star. Because we were not able to see it. There was absolutely NO parking possibillity! Every lot was completely full!!! The cars were parked EVERYWHERE with the alarm-flash on and the traffic was a complete catastrophy! About 10 Meters every 10 Minutes! Avoid to go by own car at all cost! The dedicated Museum-Parking is a joke for about 20 cars, all spots used by non-museum visitors. But the museum itself is really beautiful. We finally made it just before boarding a ship. A shame, that it closes so early. 15:30 is not ok. Also the 1st floor was not possible to visit, caused by a lack of stuff!!! That's rally a shame and a untandable situation for such an important museum!

A really good way to spend an hour looking at artefacts and learning some Crete history. Staff and friendly and helpful, there's a small cafe there and a small garden to relax but it is always occupied so a little wait to sit should be expected. There are tours available which have a great amount of info about the things on display there. The majority of the things in the museum are in Greek and English.

The Heraklion Archaeological Museum is a treasure trove of ancient artifacts, offering a fascinating glimpse into the Minoan civilization and other ancient Greek cultures. Located in the heart of Heraklion, Crete, Greece, the museum is easily accessible by public transport or a short walk from the city center. The museum offers a combined ticket with Knossos Palace for €20, valid for 3 days. You can purchase your tickets online or at the museum itself. The museum is open from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM on Mondays and Tuesdays, and from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Wednesdays through Sundays. The museum houses a vast collection of artifacts, including: Original frescoes from the Palace of Knossos. The museum boasts a wide array of pottery, including vases, jugs, and bowls, as well as sculptures of gods, goddesses, and other figures. There are also gold jewelry, precious stones, and other ornaments from the Minoan and Mycenaean civilizations. Also, Tools and weapons used by the ancient Cretans, including swords, daggers, and axes. The Heraklion Archaeological Museum is located in the heart of Heraklion, surrounded by a variety of shops, restaurants, and cafes. The museum is also close to the Venetian Harbor and the Loggia, a historic building that now houses the City Hall. The Heraklion Archaeological Museum is an excellent destination for anyone interested in learning more about the Minoan civilization and ancient Greek history. The museum is well-organized, informative, and offers a wide variety of exhibits. I highly recommend it to anyone visiting Crete.

I hate to dock a star because this place was on my BUCKET list for Crete & I'm constantly mind-blown by the Minoan culture. They completely obliterated the line between art and craft. What a powerhouse! I wish they had gone on to shape all of Greece forever!!! The ticket was just half price in the off - but here's the kicker, the free app refused to work for my Samsung A54. Come on, we can't all be iPhone people! And nobody could troubleshoot for me either:/ Another thing is it's a bit confusing how the Minoan frescoes are on the same floor as the later period exhibits but running on 2 hr of sleep, I got confused how to navigate that floor. Now - IMHO - I think the museum itself has some a splendid job displaying and taking care of all its materials... except the Phaistos disk. This object looms larger than life in my imagination but looked small and not too well lit! It should be more highlighted and have fresher info on the efforts taken to decipher it or just at least those symbols displayed separately for those of us visually challenged