Heraklion
Αξιοθέατα
The region of Heraklion on the eastern side of Crete has many developed tourist resorts, including Matala, Malia, and Hersonissos. Heraklion Town is actually the largest town in Crete and serves as the main transportation hub for the island, with a busy port and an international airport. The region of Heraklion has much interesting sightseeing to visit, including the archaeological sites of Knossos, Gortyn, and Phaestos, the Fortress of Heraklion Town and various monasteries. Cretaquarium is also a very fun place to visit, especially for children.
It is the most important sight of Crete. The Palace of Knossos. The palace of Knossos eventually became the ceremonial and political centre of the Minoan civilization and culture.
In Greek mythology, King Minos dwelt in a palace at Knossos. He had Daedalus construct a labyrinth, a very large maze (by some connected with the double-bladed axe, or labrys) in which to retain his son, the Minotaur. Daedalus also built a dancing floor for Queen Ariadne. The name "Knossos" was subsequently adopted by Arthur Evans.
Palast von Knossos
It is the most important sight of Crete. The Palace of Knossos. The palace of Knossos eventually became the ceremonial and political centre of the Minoan civilization and culture.
In Greek mythology, King Minos dwelt in a palace at Knossos. He had Daedalus construct a labyrinth, a very large maze (by some connected with the double-bladed axe, or labrys) in which to retain his son, the Minotaur. Daedalus also built a dancing floor for Queen Ariadne. The name "Knossos" was subsequently adopted by Arthur Evans.
The NHMC is the only museum in Greece to be recognised as a partner in the Consortium of European Taxonomic Facilities (CETAF), which numbers Europe's biggest and most important museums among its members.
Admissions
General Admission Fee: 7.5 €
Reduced Admission Fee: 4.5 €
Opening hours
Monday to Friday 09:00 - 15:00
Weekends 10:00 - 18:00
227 locals recommend
The Natural History Museum of Crete
Leoforos Sofokli VenizelouThe NHMC is the only museum in Greece to be recognised as a partner in the Consortium of European Taxonomic Facilities (CETAF), which numbers Europe's biggest and most important museums among its members.
Admissions
General Admission Fee: 7.5 €
Reduced Admission Fee: 4.5 €
Opening hours
Monday to Friday 09:00 - 15:00
Weekends 10:00 - 18:00
Το Ιστορικό Μουσείο Κρήτης ήταν και είναι η διαφύλαξη και προβολή της πολιτιστικής κληρονομιάς της Κρήτης από τους πρώτους βυζαντινούς χρόνους ως τη σύγχρονη εποχή. Ο στόχος αυτός επιτεύχθηκε σταδιακά, με περισυλλογές, αγορές και δωρεές αντικειμένων, καθώς και με την παρακαταθήκη αντικειμένων από το Υπουργείο Πολιτισμού.
180 locals recommend
Historical Museum of Crete
27 Leof. Sofokli Venizelou
Το Ιστορικό Μουσείο Κρήτης ήταν και είναι η διαφύλαξη και προβολή της πολιτιστικής κληρονομιάς της Κρήτης από τους πρώτους βυζαντινούς χρόνους ως τη σύγχρονη εποχή. Ο στόχος αυτός επιτεύχθηκε σταδιακά, με περισυλλογές, αγορές και δωρεές αντικειμένων, καθώς και με την παρακαταθήκη αντικειμένων από το Υπουργείο Πολιτισμού.
Koules Fortress is the symbol of Heraklion Town. It stands at the entrance of the port and dominates over the lovely Venetian harbor. The fortress was originally built by the Venetians in the 13th century but then it underwent many transformations by the Ottomans, who ruled Crete till the late 19th century.
248 locals recommend
Rocca a Mare Fortress
Koules Fortress is the symbol of Heraklion Town. It stands at the entrance of the port and dominates over the lovely Venetian harbor. The fortress was originally built by the Venetians in the 13th century but then it underwent many transformations by the Ottomans, who ruled Crete till the late 19th century.
A Venetian monument which recalls the 4 centuries long rule of Venice in Crete before the long siege and finally fall…
119 locals recommend
Morosini Lions Fountain
Platia Eleftheriou VenizelouA Venetian monument which recalls the 4 centuries long rule of Venice in Crete before the long siege and finally fall…
The tomb of Nikos Kazantzakis is located outside the city walls, in Martinego Tower. On his tomb, the following words have been carved, as was his will: "I hope for nothing. I fear nothing. I am free".
75 locals recommend
Grave Monument of Kazantzakis
ΚρήτηςThe tomb of Nikos Kazantzakis is located outside the city walls, in Martinego Tower. On his tomb, the following words have been carved, as was his will: "I hope for nothing. I fear nothing. I am free".
This impressive church in the heart of the town is the cathedral of Heraklion Town. It was constructed during 1862-1895 next to the smaller church dedicated to Agios Minas.
66 locals recommend
Saint Minas Church See of the Archbishop of Crete
25 Agiou MinaThis impressive church in the heart of the town is the cathedral of Heraklion Town. It was constructed during 1862-1895 next to the smaller church dedicated to Agios Minas.
Μώλος λιμανιού Ηρακλείου
Για περπάτημα, για άσκηση, βόλτα ,θέα ...
Founded in 2005, this is the largest aquarium in the Mediterranean. It depicts marine life with upgraded and impressive presentations of natural landscapes, offering visitors a chance to see rare sea-living creatures.
445 locals recommend
Cretaquarium - Thalassocosmos
Founded in 2005, this is the largest aquarium in the Mediterranean. It depicts marine life with upgraded and impressive presentations of natural landscapes, offering visitors a chance to see rare sea-living creatures.
The church of Agios Titos was originally constructed in the 10th century by the Byzantines. Later on, it was renovated by the Venetians and when Crete was conquered by the Ottomans, it was turned into a mosque. This is where the skull of Saint Titus is guarded.
65 locals recommend
Agios Titos Church
Platia Agiou TitouThe church of Agios Titos was originally constructed in the 10th century by the Byzantines. Later on, it was renovated by the Venetians and when Crete was conquered by the Ottomans, it was turned into a mosque. This is where the skull of Saint Titus is guarded.
In the center of the town and close to the old port of Heraklion, there is an impressive building, the Venetian Loggia. This building of elegant architecture, that now houses the Town Hall, was constructed in the 17th century and was used as a meeting point for the noblemen.
52 locals recommend
Venetian Loggia
25 August StrIn the center of the town and close to the old port of Heraklion, there is an impressive building, the Venetian Loggia. This building of elegant architecture, that now houses the Town Hall, was constructed in the 17th century and was used as a meeting point for the noblemen.
Another highlight of Crete and vestige of the Minoan civilisation is the Minoan Palace at Phaistos (or Faistos), set on a hill overlooking a plain. Less famous and crowded than the ruins of Knossos, the palace displays simple architecture and boasts a central courtyard, as well as what is thought to have once been royal apartments. It’s also where the famous Phaistos Disc was uncovered in 1908, an artefact whose mysterious purpose has yet to be defined.
76 locals recommend
Phaistos Minoan Palace
Eparchiaki Odos Faistou - Kalon LimenonAnother highlight of Crete and vestige of the Minoan civilisation is the Minoan Palace at Phaistos (or Faistos), set on a hill overlooking a plain. Less famous and crowded than the ruins of Knossos, the palace displays simple architecture and boasts a central courtyard, as well as what is thought to have once been royal apartments. It’s also where the famous Phaistos Disc was uncovered in 1908, an artefact whose mysterious purpose has yet to be defined.
The fortifications of Heraklion are a series of defensive walls and other fortifications which surround the city of Heraklion (formerly Candia) in Crete, Greece. Walking along the Heraklion Walls feels like unwinding the skein of history of the city, while vivid memories of the glorious past are strongly embodied into them.
58 locals recommend
Venetian City Wall
25 Nik. PlastiraThe fortifications of Heraklion are a series of defensive walls and other fortifications which surround the city of Heraklion (formerly Candia) in Crete, Greece. Walking along the Heraklion Walls feels like unwinding the skein of history of the city, while vivid memories of the glorious past are strongly embodied into them.
Πολιτισμός
Πολιτιστικό Συνεδριακό Κέντρο Ηρακλείου
49 Nik. PlastiraΚάθε καλοκαίρι θέατρο, συναυλίες για μικρούς και μεγάλους σε ένα από τα ανοιχτά κηποθεατρα της πόλης.
15 locals recommend
Kipotheatron "N. Kazantzakis"
1 Geor. GeorgiadouΚάθε καλοκαίρι θέατρο, συναυλίες για μικρούς και μεγάλους σε ένα από τα ανοιχτά κηποθεατρα της πόλης.
ΠΥΛΗ ΒΗΘΛΕΕΜ
Technópolis
116 Leof. Andrea PapandreouΦαγητό
Peskesi
6-8 Kapetan CharalampiCretan traditional gourmet food, very nice decorated
El Sur
7 ArkoleonEthnic food, nice music, nice decoration.
It is located in a little square in the city center. Local food, tasty in a very good area.
27 locals recommend
Adipodas
13 KoraiIt is located in a little square in the city center. Local food, tasty in a very good area.
Kanatelias Lunch
15 TsikritziΓειτονιές
Talo
TaloΔιασκέδαση
EscapeRooms.gr
12 DedalouThe Labyrinth Theme Park is a family destination park with numerous interactive activities and attractions. It is nestled in the scenic hills above the town of Hersonissos in an area of 15 hectares.
The main theme of the park is the Labyrinth, but there will be plenty of other things to do as well! Enjoy the variety of video viewings on the Minoan Civilization shown throughout the day in the projector room. Participate in a round of Mini-Golf, or allow the children a turn on the many quad bikes available! There is an Eco-Garden for nature lovers with Cretan aromatic herbs, local fruit and vegetables and many flowering plants, all labeled in many languages. Naturally, the Cretan Stone Labyrinth can also be enjoyed by the tiny tots.
57 locals recommend
Labyrinth Theme Park
The Labyrinth Theme Park is a family destination park with numerous interactive activities and attractions. It is nestled in the scenic hills above the town of Hersonissos in an area of 15 hectares.
The main theme of the park is the Labyrinth, but there will be plenty of other things to do as well! Enjoy the variety of video viewings on the Minoan Civilization shown throughout the day in the projector room. Participate in a round of Mini-Golf, or allow the children a turn on the many quad bikes available! There is an Eco-Garden for nature lovers with Cretan aromatic herbs, local fruit and vegetables and many flowering plants, all labeled in many languages. Naturally, the Cretan Stone Labyrinth can also be enjoyed by the tiny tots.
City advice
Ways to save
Δωρεάν αστικά λεωφορεία σε συγκεκριμένες διαδρομές
City Bus, δύο γραμμές για το κέντρο τη πόλης με δωρεάν χρήση και δωρεάν χώρους στάθμευσης στο Παγκρήτιο Στάδιο και το λιμάνι. Ήδη λειτουργούν από τον Ιανουάριο του 2018 και έχουν ιδιαίτερη επιτυχία. Δευτέρα - Παρασκευή 07:00 - 22:40.
Getting around
Αστικό Κτελ Ηρακλείου
Αστικά Λεωφορεία (μπλέ), εξυπηρετούν την πόλη του Ηρακλείου από νωρίς το πρωί μέχρι αργά το βράδυ. Με αφετηρία το λιμάνι της πόλης δρομολόγια εκτελούνται και προς τον αρχαιολογικό χώρο της Κνωσού. Πληροφορίες: 2810-226065 και 220795. Web: http://astiko-irakleiou.gr/