Malia Palace Archaeological Site
Malia Palace Archaeological Site things to do, attractions, restaurants, events info and trip planning
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A vast Minoan Palace area with lots to see. Not as magnificent as Knossos but then again, no crowds and the ticket price was 6 euros. If you take a taksi from Maliá, it's 10 euros for one-way. It's about 3,5 km walk from Malia center. I don't know if there are buses to get there, but the Happy Train (Malia-Stalis-Hersonissos) stops there. There's a very lovely beach just around the corner, the Potamos Beach. You could take a taxi to Malia Palace, explore it, then have a lunch in the nearby tavern and go to the beach. The Palace is closed on Tuesdays and it's not open till late. So check out the timetables from the internet and/or call the Palace to make sure they're open. Worth a visit for sure! You won't be disappointed, especially if you are into history. Edit. For some unknown reason Google doesn't allow me to post pics from this site. Again, no logic found. Edit.2. It seems I had to take the photos out and then add them again.. it seems to fix the problem.
M M
10
I'm so lucky to have been able to visit the site while I and my travel companion were the only two tourists to be found on site. The Palace is large and impressive but offers nowhere near the same scale as Knossos, nor any of the impressive recò structions that give you an impression. Of what it could have been like. Meandering around the site you are still greeted with that familiar sense of the archeologist or anthropologist in us all that asks "what's this, what was it for, and why is it here?“ However, if you are needing to decide which of the 4 Minoan palaces you'd like to visit then I'd Suggest Knossos. However, if you're like me and à history die-hard, then of course all four will be the correct course of action. Happy hunting! Pro-tip: look closely at the gravel as you walk as there are pieces of history literally gristling underfoot as you step and meander. The 4000 year old ostraca (pottery fragments)are littered all over the ground.
Chris Oh! Boylesque
60
The palace of Malia, dating from the Middle Bronze Age, was destroyed by an earthquake during the Late Bronze Age;[4] Knossos and other sites were also destroyed at that time. The palace was later rebuilt toward the end of the Late Bronze Age. Most of the ruins visible today date from this second period of construction. The palace features a giant central courtyard, 48m x 23m in size. On the south side are two sets of steps leading upwards and a maze of tiny rooms. Also here is a strange carved stone called a kernos stone, which looks like a millstone with a cup attached to the side of it. On the north side of the courtyard were storage rooms with giant earthenware pithos jars, up to two metres tall. These were used for holding grain, olive oil and other liquids; the floor of these rooms has a complex drainage system for carrying away spilled liquids. (wikipedia)
Martien Janssen
20
A really stunning example of an early Minoan Palace and surrounding town buildings. There are far fewer people than Knossos and you're free to walk through the rooms and corridors with very few roped off sections. It's far less reconstructed than other sites, meaning it's easy to understand the layout, which is all on a single level. Highlights are the circular grain silos, the altars, the remains of the staircase to the upper floor, and the pillar court with visible double-axe carvings. Parking is free and entrance very reasonable at €6 (I don't know how some other people in the reviews can complain about this, given the sheer size of the site). Most of the information is on a single sign near the entrance and there are very few information signs around the site, so it's worth bringing a guidebook with some details with you.
Richard Havell
20
The archaeology of Crete is great and the palace ruins at Malia are no exception. When you arrive you can scan a QR code to get to a pdf of the sight with plan in English and Greek. The recommended path makes perfect sense and walks you through the ruins. While the site plan and explanations are great, I do miss how the palace of Malia fit into the greater populations of Crete, was there trade? Who were these peoples? How did they have the surplus income to build such a palace. Much of that is lacking. If you’re going in summer go early or late, it can get really hot. For parents the path is not really stroller friendly unless you have robust mountain wheels. Parts of the tour have a sidewalks, but there are stairs and dirt/rock sections that will make wheelchair access difficult.
Walker Kosmidou-Bradley
10
Having just moved to Crete, we began our historic excursions, first with a visit to Tsoutsouras situated atop the ancient Minoan city of Inatos. Our trip to the Malia Palace came about by accident as we ventured forth in subsequent days to the fish taverns at wonderful Milatos Beach. As for the site, compared with Knossos and the vision that was archaeologist Sir Arthur Evans', the Malia Palace exudes a far more realistic and genuine aura. Well maintained and situated in an ideal seaside environment, the palace evokes a kind of calm that is indescribably. Nice exhibits and friendly staff make the trip well worth your while too. Our little boy Paul-Jules was fascinated by the architectural skill of those ancient people, and I am sure other kids will be too.
Phil Butler
00
Nearby Attractions Of Malia Palace Archaeological Site
Potamos Beach
Chrysolakkos
Potamos Beach
4.5
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Chrysolakkos
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Nearby Restaurants Of Malia Palace Archaeological Site
Taverna Kalyva
Potamos Beach Restaurant
Taverna Kalyva
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Potamos Beach Restaurant
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Learn more insights from Wanderboat AIBasic Info
Address
Αρχαιολογικός χώρος Μαλίων, Malia 700 07, Greece
Map
Phone
+30 2897 031597
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Reviews
Overview
4.3
(1.8K reviews)
Ratings & Description
cultural
outdoor
family friendly
attractions: Potamos Beach, Chrysolakkos, restaurants: Taverna Kalyva, Potamos Beach Restaurant
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