Festus is an ancient city on about. Crete, one of the centers of the Minoan civilization. Located off the southern coast of the central part of the island on the Mesara plateau (Heraklion prefecture). The oldest settlements date back to the 4th millennium BC. e., from the beginning of the II millennium BC. e. Festus becomes one of the largest centers of the Minoan civilization.

Discovered and excavated by the archaeological expedition of Federico Halberra at the beginning of the 20th century. Partial excavations of palaces and port facilities have been carried out since 1900. One of the most important discoveries of the expedition is the Phaistos disc. Access to the excavation sites is free.

The ruins of the Phaistos Palace occupy an area of ​​8,400 square meters, in size it was second only to the palace in Knossos. The territory of the palace is open to tourists, the entrance is paid. The archaeologists' camp, located on top of the palace complex, has been rebuilt into a tourist pavilion.