Knossos archaeological site closes for five hours amid high temperatures

The archaeological site of Knossos was closed to visitors for five hours on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, because of high temperatures, the Ephorate of Antiquities of Heraklion announced.

According to the ephorate, Knossos will remain closed from 12:00 to 17:00 local time before reopening to the public later in the day.

The closure came as Crete experienced another day of elevated heat, with forecasters pointing to temperatures reaching 38°C on Wednesday, mainly in the south of the island.

Knossos remains a major draw for visitors outside the closure window, and its grounds are also set to host a free full moon concert at Knossos Park on Thursday, August 27.

The midday closure follows broader efforts by authorities to protect archaeological sites during the summer months, including plans to expand a wildfire-detection network to heritage sites such as Knossos and Phaistos.

For further information, visitors can contact the archaeological site directly at 2810 231940, the ephorate said.