Things to do in Knosos in May

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Overview

May is a great time to visit Knosos. The weather is usually mildly cool and breezy, with temperatures ranging from 64—73°F (18—23°C). There are plenty of events to check out and activities to try in Knosos during this time. Some of our top recommendations: explore the Lassithi Plateau, take a cooking class, visit the Palace of Phaistos, and more!

Knosos has plenty to offer for visitors of all ages and interests. In this article, we tell you the top things to see and do for your May trip to Knosos. Get inspired by the events, activities, attractions, and experiences unique to May. We’ll let you know where to explore events based on your interests, whether that’s food, culture, art, music, sport or others.

We’ll let you know everything you need to prepare for the weather in Knosos in May. Learn about what to wear and pack for your trip, the average temperatures throughout May, temperature changes from morning to evening and much more.

Visiting Knosos? See our Knosos Trip Planner.
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Best events and things to do in Knosos in May

Top experiences in May
Explore the Lassithi Plateau
May is a great time to explore the Lassithi Plateau, a fertile plain surrounded by mountains in the Heraklion Prefecture. The plateau is dotted with traditional windmills and small villages, and is known for its agricultural products, including apples, pears, and potatoes. Visitors can hike or bike through the picturesque countryside, visit ancient monasteries and churches, and enjoy the peaceful and bucolic atmosphere of this unique Cretan landscape.
Take a cooking class
May is a great time to take a cooking class in the Heraklion Prefecture, as the weather is warm and the countryside is alive with fresh, local produce. Visitors can learn to prepare traditional Cretan dishes, using ingredients like olive oil, honey, and wild herbs, and gain insight into the rich culinary traditions of the region. Many cooking classes also include visits to local markets and farms, providing a unique and immersive experience.
Visit the Palace of Phaistos
May is a great time to visit the Palace of Phaistos, an ancient Minoan site located near Knossos. The weather is warm but not too hot, and the site is less crowded than in the peak summer months. The palace is one of the most important archaeological sites in Crete, and visitors can explore the ruins of the ancient complex, admire the stunning views of the surrounding countryside, and learn about the history and culture of the Minoans.
Visit the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion
May is a great time to visit the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion, as the weather is warm and the museum is less crowded than in the peak summer months. The museum is home to an impressive collection of Minoan artifacts, including pottery, jewelry, and frescoes from the ancient site of Knossos. Visitors can learn about the history and culture of the Minoans, and admire some of the most important archaeological finds in Greece.
Take a boat tour of the coastline
May is a great time to take a boat tour of the coastline near Knossos, as the weather is warm and the sea is calm. Visitors can explore hidden coves, swim in crystal-clear waters, and admire the rugged cliffs and stunning natural beauty of the coastline. Many boat tours also include stops at secluded beaches and traditional fishing villages, providing a unique and memorable way to experience the beauty of the Cretan coast.
Explore the Minoan ruins at Knossos
May is a great time to visit the ancient Minoan ruins at Knossos, as the weather is warm but not too hot, and the site is less crowded than in the peak summer months. The ruins are a fascinating glimpse into the ancient Minoan civilization, and visitors can explore the labyrinthine palace complex, admire the colorful frescoes, and learn about the history and mythology of the Minoans.
Hike the E4 European Long Distance Path
May is a great time to hike the E4 European Long Distance Path, which passes through the Heraklion Prefecture. The weather is warm but not too hot, and the countryside is alive with wildflowers and blooming herbs. The trail offers stunning views of the Cretan landscape, from rugged mountains to lush valleys, and passes through traditional villages and ancient ruins along the way.
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Holidays in Knosos in May
May
  • Labor Day (May 1)
  • Mother’s Day (May 10)
  • Orthodox Holy Spirit Sunday (May 31)
Other notable holidays
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Weather in Knosos in May

Temperatures on an average day in Knosos in May

The average temperature in Knosos in May for a typical day ranges from a high of 73°F (23°C) to a low of 64°F (18°C). Some would describe the temperature to be mildly cool. The general area may also feel breezy.

For comparison, the hottest month in Knosos, August, has days with highs of 84°F (29°C) and lows of 76°F (24°C). The coldest month, January has days with highs of 58°F (14°C) and lows of 52°F (11°C). This graph shows how an average day looks like in Knosos in May based on historical data.

Visiting Knosos? See our Knosos Trip Planner.

Historical temperature average in May
73°F
highs
64°F
lows

General weather summary

Mildly cool, breezy
Feels like
6%
Chance of rain
0.019 in
Amount
12.2 mph
Wind speed
61%
Humidity
14.0 hrs
Daylight length
6:15 AM
Sunrise
8:15 PM
Sunset
72%
Cloud cover
T-shirt
What to wear
What to wear in May
With an average high of 73°F (23°C) and a low of 64°F (18°C), it generally feels mildly cool and breezy. With that in mind, most people would dress in something light like your favorite t-shirt
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Best attractions for Knosos in May

Besides the array of exciting events and activities Knosos has to offer for travelers in May, we want to remind you of the classic attractions in Knosos that are great to visit at this time of the year as well! You can’t miss these iconic landmarks, local favorites, and places rich with cultural heritage. We hope to give you insights and inspiration into the best things to see and do to make the most of your visit. Here is a list of our top attractions in Knosos for May.
Knossos Palace
1. Knossos Palace
4.3
(56330)
Archaeological site
Sights & Landmarks
Circa-1600-BCE royal palace, reconstructed in the early 1900s & linked to the myth of the Minotaur.
Slide 1 of 8
It is a historical site worth visiting for sure! It is not a museum per se, so do not expect to see a lot of artifacts or monuments/art. The palace and its archeology are very interesting to learn more about via the explanatory stands and QR codes for more details. We were lucky the weather was perfect so we truly enjoyed our walk without being bothered by too much heat or rain. Good to know: -Try to buy tickets online as you can guarantee to go in at the day/hour of your choice. You can buy your tickets directly on the site on an automated screen (card payment), but you might need to wait for your turn to go in (we had to wait for 45 mins for our turn to start the visit). -There are toilets, snacks and drinks space, as well as a souvenir shop on premises. -Wear comfortable shoes and clothes because you will have to walk, and sometimes you have to go up or down stairs. Be aware that the palace is entirely outdoor. -Make sure you pass by the Throne Room, even if you have to wait a dozen of minutes in line to see it, it is worth it 😉 -Arrive as early as the opening hours if you are going by car because the parking space can be full very quickly. We had to circle round many times until we eventually parked at the restaurant a couple of steps before the parking lot. They were very kind and sweet, they didn’t accept to take money and asked us to take coffee/smoothie or have lunch at the restaurant in return which we gladly did 🥹 Happy visit! ☀️
Elia N — Google review
This place is amazing. Overwhelmed. One can ask a simple question- how would they build without having today’s technology and tools? You can explore it on your own, taking a local bus from downtown Heraklion for over 2 euros- 2nd zone. Early afternoon there are less people. If you like you can hire a local guide or use your phone to download valuable information. I recommend 2-3 hours of your time. There is a toilet before the gate - nothing inside. There are few benches you can sit while walking around. There is a cafe and souvenir shop with not expensive basic guidebooks in different languages. There is a huge parking lot, I believe for free. We did not need it, since we used a bus.
Andy Z — Google review
I really like how certain areas are restored next to the unrestored sections so you can really see the passage of time. Nice open site with plenty of shady spots to sit. Small cafe area at the front is fairly busy, but once you’re inside the grounds it feels very spacious and open.
Poppy J — Google review
The Minoan palace of Knossos is the second most visited site in all of Greece. Of course, the most visited site is the Acropolis of Athens. Suggest that you buy a couple good guide books on Knossos, and fully read and absorb them prior to your visit. This enable you to fully appreciate and understand the heroic achievements of the Minoans in creating this beautiful palace. Suggest paying homage to Sir Arthur Evans for excavating and preserving this magnificent archaeological site. Suggest to eat the crowds that you arrive by 0900.
Forrest T — Google review
Some photos of the Knossos palace and archaeological site. Was really fun and interesting. But I feel I wanted more time then I had to explore it all. Guide was amazing. But 1 hour extra would been great to walk around by one Self
Rahl22 — Google review
Awesome historical monument. The reconstructed areas are tastefully done and the excavation has been done so you can really get a feeling for the importance of the site. The Knossos app (if you have a guide they can show you a QR code for the website) let's you see what many areas would have looked like before being ruined, so you can stand in a spot and see what it would have looked like. Well worth a visit.
The C — Google review
The site is of course awe inspiring. Simply walking on the same grounds as the amazing ancient Minoans and trying to imagine how the palace looked like with the help of some of the restorative work done is amazing. Still, at times you feel quite lost. Can't truly understand what has been restored(except for the clear ones), what was original and most of the signs don't really help that much either. For such a historical site, there should be an improvement on all aspects.
Paul D — Google review
A must for any history buffs. It’s so interesting and not difficult to walk around. Enjoy your tour with a guide. They will explain everything and help you skip the queue. There is toilets, cafeteria and a gift shop. Plus the resident peacocks and cats. Buses and Taxis easy to get to and from the site.
Jade B — Google review
Best-of categories in Knosos
Art galleries
Hostel
Markets

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What's the weather like in Knosos?

It depends on when you visit! We've compiled data from NASA on what the weather is like in Knosos for each month of the year: see the links below for more information.

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