HeraklionCrete · Greece

All About Heraklion

Heraklion (also known as Iraklio) is the capital of Crete and a great place from which to explore this amazing island. The city has always played a significant role throughout history due to its strategic position, being at the crossroads of three continents in the southeast Mediterranean. It has seen its fair share of great powers coming and going and you will see evidence of that as you walk around the town. Book your ferry tickets to Heraklion and explore this fascinating destination, starting from the fishing harbor at the modern port.

As you go, you will spot the commanding Venetian fortress, ornamental Turkish and Venetian fountains, beautifully restored buildings built during the ‘Cretan Renaissance’, and discover at the same time a modern, thriving city. Heraklion lies within easy access to the palaces of Knossos and Phaistos; ancient sites of the Minoan civilization which dominated the area before a huge tsunami hit the island in the late 15th century BCE.

After a few days of sightseeing and a visit to the various museums, venture out to the surrounding area where you will find lovely traditional Cretan villages, the amazing CretAquarium and a coastline of epic beaches for you to enjoy.
 

Routes and Ferries to Heraklion

When you book your ferry tickets to Heraklion with Ferryscanner, you can depart from the port of Piraeus any day of the week and enjoy a 8 or 9 hour sail in comfort with Minoan Lines or Blue Star Ferries. During summer, there are also several connections from islands in the Cyclades and Dodecanese so make sure to book your ferry tickets to Heraklion early as the demand is high.

ANEK Lines sails to Heraklion from Anafi in 4 hours and from Santorini (5.50 hours). You can also sail from Paros (3.50 hrs), Milos (4-11 hrs, depending on stops), Naxos (3.50 hrs) and Ios (2.45 hrs). Ferries also depart from the ports of Chalki (12 hrs), Karpathos (9.20), Rhodes (14.30 hrs) and Kasos (6.15 hrs). If you are already in Crete, you can also book your ferry tickets to Heraklion from Sitia with Ferryscanner, and enjoy the 3.30 hour journey.

If you are flying to Athens International airport, you can reach the port of Piraeus by taking the X96 express bus, which departs every 30-40 minutes. Taxis are also available and will have you at the port in about 40 minutes, or you can take a train to the center of Athens and change over to the Piraeus line for the port. Heraklion has a large international airport (the second busiest in Greece) and it serves flights from Athens and Thessaloniki, as well as from many European destinations.
 

Port of Heraklion

The port of Heraklion is divided into two parts – the old Venetian harbor and the new ferry port. The Heraklion Ferry Port serves ferry passengers arriving at and leaving the island, as well as commercial vessels. It is therefore a very important hub both for tourism and trade and is extremely well organized, providing all the necessary amenities.

It is the third busiest port in Greece and serves around 2 million passengers per year and 300,000 vehicles, as well as many large cruise ships. There are several cafés, restaurants and shops in the port area, where you can experience the lively comings and goings of island life. On Ferryscanner you can easily compare prices or ferry companies and book cheap ferry tickets to Heraklion.
 

Best Beaches

Heraklion is your gateway to some fantastic beaches along the Cretan coast and has a highly-developed tourism structure to meet all of your needs. You will also find many secluded bays where you can escape, as well as taking advantage of boat trips to spectacular caves and great diving spots.

Matala Beach

Matala is famous for its curved caves that became popular with the hippie community in the 1960’s as a place to go relax. Located 67 km south west of Heraklion town, it is worth a visit for its golden sand and laid-back feel. Once a small fishing village, it now offers visitors a range of facilities including a camping site and several welcoming taverns with tasty food.

Malia Beach

Malia Beach is located 36 km east of Heraklion in a fertile area dotted by windmills and is very popular because of its picturesque setting and fine white sand. Nearby, you will also find the archeological site of Malia where the third largest palace in Crete used to stand. On the small island opposite the beach is the little Church of Transfiguration, which is a great spot to take the perfect holiday photos.

Tobrouk Beach

One of Heraklion’s most popular beaches, Tobrouk lies just 10 km outside of town and is very organized, with many hotels and taverns nearby. Watersports fans will be pleased to know that the beach is subject to the Meltemi winds, making it perfect for surfing and windsurfing. Sunworshippers can simply sit back and enjoy the bay’s soft sand and crystal clear waters.

Hersonissos Beach

Hersonissos Beach lies 28 km east of Heraklion town and is a busy tourist resort that offers all types of facilities and amenities to visitors. The long, sandy beach stretches for many kilometers and you will find plenty to do while here, from fun water sports activities to traditional taverns and snack bars. This place is perfect for the whole family.

Amnissos Beach

Amnissos is 9 km east of Heraklion and is a wonderful sandy beach with transparent, turquoise waters. It is very well organized for those who love watersports or just wish to enjoy basking on a sunbed all day. Once the port of Knossos in the Minoan era, it was from Amnissos that the Cretan ships sailed for the Trojan War. The islet of Dia can be seen opposite the beach while the nearby Cave of Eileithyia also has mythological importance.
 

Things To Do

Explore Heraklion city

Heraklion has much to offer visitors as it combines modern amenities with a rich cultural past. The old part of town has been pedestrianised to allow visitors to enjoy a stroll, beginning at the fishing harbor, where the 13th century Koules Fortress still stands. You will pass the Venetian Loggia; an impressive 17th century building that is used today as the Town Hall. Then, check out St. Mark’s Basilica, now the Municipal Art Gallery, in 25 August Street (previously named Piazza delle Biade) before heading to Liondaria or Lion Square to see the wonderful fountain. Depicting figures from Greek mythology and supported by four lions, it reminds us of the elaborate Venetian viaduct systems in the area. After that, spend some time discovering the city’s intriguing history at its wonderful museums, beginning with the world famous Heraklion Archaeological Museum, and then on to the History Museum, the Natural History Museum and the Museum of El Greco.

Minoan Palace of Knossos

 Just 5 km away from the main town, you will find the Minoan Palace at Knossos, the largest of all Minoan palatial structures and one of the most significant archaeological findings of the 19th century. Steeped in mythology and mystery, the palace was originally built about 2,000 BCE and on your visit, you can explore the complex’s elaborate architecture, colorful frescoes, see the famous red columns and even the throne room of the king himself. Home to the minotaur and known throughout the world as the seat of the Minoan civilization, Knossos is truly a marvellous place to retrace life in ancient Crete.

Minoan Palace of Phaistos

Sitting on Kastril Hill to the south of Heraklion, the Palace of Phaistos is one of the finest of all Minoan palaces and the place where the precious Phaistos Disc was found. Originally constructed in early 2000 BCE, it was subsequently twice destroyed by earthquakes and then rebuilt, only to be destroyed again in the 15th century BCE. As you walk around the ruins, notice the court areas, the theatre and a grand staircase, as well as the royal apartments, all set amongst stunning scenery.

The Koules Fortress

The Venetian Castle is an impressive fortress in the harbor of Heraklion that used to guard the entry to the port. Constructed by the Venetians in the early 13th-century, it was used at first for the storage of foodstuffs and military supplies, as well as being a garrison for the officers. After being destroyed by an earthquake in 1303, it was rebuilt before coming under Ottoman control, and it was here that several Cretan heroes were imprisoned and executed. Discover Heraklion’s torrid past at the fortress, which is a proud landmark of the city to this day.

Archaeological Museum of Heraklion

When arriving with ferry tickets to Heraklion, take some time to visit the museums. The are treasure troves of culture and history, beginning with the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion. Here you will find evidence from the prehistoric period onwards covering a time span of 5,500 years, including relics of the Minoan civilization from Knossos, Phaestos, Zakros and Malia.

Natural History Museum of Heraklion

The Natural History Museum is dedicated to the natural environment of Crete and focuses on housing exhibits of Zoological, Botanical, Anthropological, Paleontological-Geological, and Mineralogical interest. Worth seeing is the skeleton of the Deinotherium Giganteum, found in Crete, which is considered to have been of the biggest animals of its kind.

The Historical Museum of Heraklion

The Historical and Folklore Museum can be found in an elegant neoclassical building dating back to 1903 and houses exhibits relating to Crete’s history from 330 CE onwards. Amongst the collection, you can see old coins, ceramics, sculptures, as well as personal items that belonged to the famous Cretan writer, Nikos Kazantzakis.

El Greco Museum

The nearby El Greco Museum is dedicated to the acclaimed Cretan painter Domenicos Theotokopoulos, also known as ‘El Greco’, and it includes copies of his paintings and other works.

CretAquarium

After your immersion into Cretan culture, take a refreshing trip to the small town of Gouves where the CretAquarium is located and dive into the underwater world of the largest aquarium in the Mediterranean. Here you can learn about the rich marine life of the Cretan Sea, with over 2,500 specimens of sea life housed in state-of-the-art exhibition spaces for a multi-sensory experience. This stop is great for kids and adults alike.
 

Transportation Around Heraklion

Heraklion is a modern city with a well organized public transport infrastructure and a great road network, making it very easy to get around. Crete is a large island, but the local buses run from the city to surrounding villages and also further afield to Rethymno, Lassithi and Chania. You can also hire a car or motorcycle and discover Crete at your own pace or take one of the many taxis available to get you from point A to point B with ease. Use Ferryscanner to compare prices, routes, ferry companies and book ferry tickets to Heraklion.