Monument in Heraklion
Knossos is the largest Bronze Age archaeological site in Crete, the legendary palace of King Minos and the Labyrinth of the Minotaur. Entry is paid. The reconstructed columns, the throne room, and the frescoes give an impression of Minoan civilization that no other site in Europe can match. Budget travelers take the cheap bus from Heraklion (20 minutes) and walk through a palace that was the center of European civilization 3,500 years ago.
Nearby
Other places worth the walk, and what each one costs.
The Heraklion Archaeological Museum houses the most important collection of Minoan art in the world, including the Snake Goddess figurines, the Phaistos Disc, and the Bull-Leaping fresco. Entry is paid (combined ticket with Knossos saves money).
Heraklion's old town is enclosed by massive Venetian walls with the Koules fortress guarding the old harbor. The fortress exterior is free to see (interior paid, cheap).
Working out what Heraklion costs?
The whole of Heraklion