The Heraklion Archaeological Museum sits in Heraklion, the largest city on the island of Crete, at Xanthoudidou 2. It is also known as the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion or the Crete Archaeological Museum, and it is one of the principal museums of its kind in Europe.
What you will see
The museum's collection is built around Minoan artifacts, the material culture of the Bronze Age civilisation of Crete. Much of it comes from the Palace of Knossos, a few kilometres south of the city, and from other sites across the island. For anyone interested in the Minoans, this is the place where objects from those excavations are brought together and displayed in one building.
Planning your visit
- Location: the museum is in the centre of Heraklion, so it is easy to reach on foot from the city's streets and harbour area.
- Contact: you can call the museum on +30 2810 279000 before you go.
- Combining with Knossos: many visitors pair a trip to the museum with a visit to the Palace of Knossos, since the finds shown in Heraklion come from there.
Around the museum
Heraklion itself is a working city, with a busy old quarter, markets and cafés, and a waterfront where you can spend an unhurried afternoon. Allow time to wander after your visit, and check the museum's contact details for current arrangements before setting out.
