Heraklion – A Travel Guide of Crete’s capital

• Tourist Information
• Map
• What is Heraklion famous for?
• What museums can you visit in Heraklion?
• Where you can eat good food in Heraklion?
• Where you can stay in Heraklion?

Tourist Information

Type	City
Getting there	By boat Boats from main ports: Athens, Rafina – Andros – Chalki – Anafi – Crete, Chania – Crete, Rethymno – Crete, Sitia – Ios – Karpathos, Diafani – Karpathos, Port – Kasos – Milos – Mykonos – Naxos – Paros – Rhodes – Santorini (Thira) – Skiathos – Syros – Tinos.  Note that these ferry connections can be available only during some summer months. By air Flights from Athens, Thessaloniki, Santorini, Rhodes, Larnaca Aegean Airlines Sky Express Thomas Cook Airlines  Ryanair
Heraklion Activities	Amoudara is the city’s beach area; a three-kilometer strip of sandy beach, cafes, bars, hotels, a cinema, and an open-air theatre. Horseback riding Rock climbing Water fun Sailing
Travel Tips	Summers are hot and dry. You need to wear sunscreen and a hat. Wear comfortable shoes. Have everywhere with you bottles of water.
Official Site	https://www.heraklion.gr/en/
Location	Heraklion, Crete, Greece, Europe

Map

What is Heraklion famous for?

Heraklion is the capital of the largest Greek island of Crete and is considered one of the best-fortified cities in the Mediterranean.

The core of the city is still enclosed and defined by the Venetian wall, which includes seven bastions.

The walls remain largely intact to this day, and they are considered to be among the best-preserved Venetian fortifications in Europe.

Heraklion has a harbor and an airport.

What museums can you visit in Heraklion?

• Historical Museum of Crete 
• Heraklion Archaeological Museum – The Heraklion Archaeological Museum is one of the world’s great museums
  • For those seriously interested in that culture, it will be worthwhile to make two visits to the museum, one before, and one after, visiting Knossos and other Minoan sites: seeing the museum first will enhance your understanding of the sites, and after seeing the sites, you’ll be better able to understand the artifacts in the museum when you return.
  • objects from Minoan civilization and excavations across the island of Crete.
  • Snake Goddess
  • Bull-Leaping Fresco
  • Phaistos Disk
  • Malia Bronze Dagger
  • Minoan seals and jewelry
  • Malia Bee Pendant

• Museum of Cretan Ethnology
• Museum of the Battle for Crete and National Resistance
• Natural History Museum of Crete
• Historical Museum of Crete
• Lychnostatis open-air Cretan folklore museum
• CretAquarium Thalassocosmos
• Nikos Kazantzakis Museum
• Koules Fortress

Where you can eat good food in Heraklion?

Throughout the city center, it is easy to find tavernas offering great food.

In some tavernas, you can spend under 20 euros for two people.

• Do not miss Herb’s Garden, a restaurant that offers exceptional food but also a great view of the Heraklion’s Venetian fortress.
• Pagopoieion is a cozy location that offers great food. On the weekends is very busy.
• Cooking with love – if you want simple, fresh, and delicious food
• Peskesi – is another great restaurant that is proud to offer food cooked from ingredients from the owner’s farm.

Where you can stay in Heraklion?

• Hotels
  • Domus Ariadne (3*)
    • close to Heraklion Archeological Museum and to the city center
    • 700 m from the beach
    • Restaurants and bars closed by
  • Ariton City Boutique Hotel (3*)
    • 1.7 km from the beach
    • the hotel has a restaurant, room service, and a shared lounge
  • Olive Green Hotel (4*)
  • Kastro Hotel (3*)
• Apartments
  • City Lion
  • Lavris City Suites