Heraklion is the administrative center, capital and port of the island of Crete in Greece. The object covers an area of more than 109 km2, and its population is at least 170 thousand people. Located on the Mediterranean coast in the central-northern part of the island of Crete, Heraklion has long gained popularity among travelers as a resort. This is a city with a rapidly developing infrastructure, ready to offer its guests numerous hotels, restaurants and modern shops.
Heraklion in Greece got its name in honor of the ancient Greek god Hercules: previously it was called Heraclea or Heraklion. There is a scientific opinion that Heraklion was built during the Minoan civilization near the city of Knossos and served as a port. But the exact evidence for this theory has not yet been found. It is well known that in 824 the Arab conquerors conquered Crete and built a fortress on the site of modern Heraklion, surrounding it with thick walls. In the course of its history, the city has changed many names and been part of several states: Byzantium, the Republic of Venice and the Ottoman Empire. But at the beginning of the 20th century, it still returned to Greece.
Today, Heraklion attracts tourists not only with its beaches and warm weather, but also with historical monuments that reflect the ghosts of past civilizations. Among the sights of the capital are museums, churches, fortresses, fountains and much more. We’ll tell you more about each item below.
Attractions and entertainment
It is the goal of many travelers to Greece to make an informative tour and plunge into the history and culture of the capital of Crete. The sights of Heraklion are very diverse and make it possible to trace the formation of the city as part of a particular state over the centuries. Among the most interesting objects, it is worth highlighting:
Archaeological Museum of Heraklion
The capital of Crete is home to one of the largest museums in Greece, whose collections are dedicated to the art of the Minoan civilization. Today, the gallery has 20 rooms, each of which shows exhibits of a certain historical period. Among them you can see pottery, weapons, miniature sculptures, jewelry, household items, etc. One of the main pearls of the museum is the statuette of the goddess with snakes, dated 1600 BC. e. The Phaistos disk, which has become a unique monument of Minoan writing, is of great interest here. The gallery is also famous for its mural depicting ritual jumping over a bull. Many of the exhibits once belonged to the Palace of Knossos, which is convenient to visit on the same day as the Archaeological Museum.
- Address: Xanthoudidou, Chatzidaki, Heraklion, Crete 712 02, Greece.
- Opening hours: during the winter months Mon., Tue., Wed., Sun – – from 08: 00 to 15: 30, Thu. – from 10: 00 to 17: 00. In summer, the attraction is open daily from 08: 00 to 20: 00, Sun-from 08: 00 to 15: 00. The schedule may change.
- Cost of visit: 10 €.
Kules Fortress
Another well-known attraction in the city of Heraklion is the Kules Fortress. This is a medieval marine structure, the first mention of which dates back to the 14th century. A great contribution to the development of the fortress was made by the Venetians, and later by the Ottomans, who completed the upper level of the citadel. Today, within the walls of the building, visitors can get acquainted with a small exhibition of inventory and weapons. Information stands are installed in each room of the fortress. Climbing to the top platform, travelers can enjoy spectacular views of the sea, the lighthouse and the port. In general, this is an interesting place for leisurely walks, which is worth visiting while in Heraklion.
- Address: Rocca a Mare, Heraklion 712 02, Greece.
- Opening hours: daily from 08: 00 to 20: 00.
- Cost of visit: 3 €.
Natural History Museum of Crete
This is a standard local history museum, which will primarily be of interest to children. The gallery’s expositions are located on 5 floors, each of which presents its own objects and interactive technologies. Special attention is drawn to the lower tier, where you can experience an earthquake simulator and design small tsunamis in the aquarium. Just above is an interactive area where children and their parents participate in impromptu excavations. Many of the museum’s collections are dedicated to animals: everywhere you can see stuffed animals depicted in their natural habitat. There are also moving figures of dinosaurs in the gallery, and anyone who wants to learn more about these creatures can visit the museum cinema and watch a film dedicated to them.
- Address: Leof. Sofokli Venizelou, Heraklion 712 02, Greece.
- Visiting time: during the summer season, the attraction is open on weekdays from 09: 00 to 18: 00, on weekends-from 10: 00 to 18: 00. During the winter months, the property can be visited on weekdays from 09: 00 to 15: 00, on weekends-from 10: 00 to 18: 00.
- Cost of visit: 7.5 €.
Historical Museum of Crete
If you don’t know what to see in Heraklion on your own, we advise you to stop by the Historical Museum of Crete. This small but informative gallery is located on three floors with exhibition halls dedicated to different historical eras. The collections showcase objects from the 3rd century to the present. The expositions show how Crete developed culturally and spiritually under the influence of the ruling civilizations. Of particular interest are rooms with icons, national handicrafts and Greek wedding dresses of the 18th and 19th centuries. Here you should also appreciate the halls with coins and ceramic objects. The museum provides an audio guide in Russian.
- Address: House A. & M. Kalokerinos, Leof. Sofokli Venizelou 27, Heraklion 712 02, Greece.
- Opening hours: in winter Mon. – Sat – – from 09: 00 to 15: 30. Sun. – from 10: 30 to 15: 30. In summer, Mon. – Sat – – from 09: 00 to 17: 00, Sun. – day off.
- Cost of visit: 5 €.
The Minotaur’s Labyrinth
If you are interested in ancient Greek myths and are not indifferent to archaeological excavations, then you should visit the Labyrinth of the Minotaur, also known as the Palace of Knossos. Thousands of years ago, the castle consisted of many rooms that were connected by complex passages, so that the palace looked like a real maze. Today, only ruins remain of the attraction, which after partial restoration began to attract crowds of foreign tourists. Here it is interesting to see fragments of ancient buildings and appreciate the architectural ideas of Minoan architects. It is best to visit a tourist attraction as part of an organized tour with a professional guide, otherwise it may seem uninteresting.
- Address: Knosos, Heraklion, Greece.
- Opening hours: The attraction is open daily from 08: 00 to 18: 00.
- Admission fee: a single ticket (maze + archaeological museum) costs €16.
Mina Cathedral
In the photo of Heraklion, you can often see a light elegant temple with red domes. This is one of the main attractions of the capital – the largest Cathedral in Crete. Its walls can accommodate up to 8,000 parishioners. Built in the late 19th century, the temple combines features of Byzantine and Greek architecture. The church is famous for the relics of St. Mina, for which Christian pilgrims come here from other countries. Inside, parishioners are greeted by an elaborate decoration consisting of numerous painted columns and ceilings, frescoes and icons. Next to the cathedral you will see an aerial bomb, preserved from the Second World War: in 1941, a shell hit the temple, but it never exploded. You can enter the church at any time for free.
- Address: Heraklion 712 01, Greece.
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Venetian Loggia
In Heraklion, Crete, Greece, there is another interesting attraction-the Venetian Loggia. This beautiful old building was built in the 17th century on the initiative of the Venetian Doge Francesco Morosini. In its architectural structure, the loggia is similar to an Italian Renaissance palace. At the moment, the building is being used as a city hall, and it is impossible to get inside. But tourists can walk around its courtyard and partially inspect the building from the inside. It is noteworthy that for all the time of its existence, the loggia was destroyed to the ground three times, but the monument was always restored. The attraction is located in the heart of Heraklion next to the fountain with lions. You can view it for free at any time.
- Address: August Str. 25, Heraklion 712 02, Greece.
Morosini Fountain
What else to see in Heraklion? After exploring the Venetian Loggia, be sure to take a walk to the next architectural idea of Doge Morosini — the famous fountain with lions adorning the center of Venizelos Square. The structure consists of a bowl mounted on the heads of four marble lions, from whose mouths water jets shoot. The fountain is surrounded by numerous cafes, shops and restaurants. This is a popular tourist area of Heraklion, so it is always crowded.
- Address: Pl. El. Venizelou, Heraklion 712 02, Greece.
Beaches
The beaches of Heraklion are primarily distinguished by clean sea waters, picturesque nature and well-established infrastructure. Just make a reservation that you will not find any swimming areas in the city itself. Most of the beaches are located in the surrounding area, which can be reached in a matter of minutes. Among them, they deserve the most attention:
Ammoudara Beach
The beach is located 6 km west of Heraklion in a small fishing village and stretches for a distance of more than 5 km. The place is very popular with both tourists and locals, so in high season a lot of people gather here. The coast is mostly covered with pebbles, although there are some sandy islands. Here it is quite convenient to swim with children, as the entrance to the sea is uniform.
Admission to the beach itself is free, however, those who wish to use the sun beds will have to pay 4 €. Cafes and eateries are lined up along the coastline on Ammoudar, where you can have a snack in between beach breaks. If you walk to the western edge of the beach, you will see a windsurfing school, where many travelers learn this extreme sport.
Paliokastro Beach
Paliokastro is another popular beach in Heraklion, Crete, located 16 km west of the city. This is a rather miniature piece of the coast, hidden among the rocks, on the top of one of which the ruins of a Venetian fortress are preserved. The beach itself is half pebble, half rocky. The bottom of the sea is littered with seaweed and small fish, and there are rocks in some places.
The beach is conveniently equipped: for 5 € tourists can rent sun beds with umbrellas, and after a rest have a snack in the local colorful cafe. Paliokastro is considered a great place for snorkeling.
Pantonassa Beach
The beach is located 15 km west of Heraklion and is a miniature piece of land surrounded by rocks and pine trees. The place is located next to the port of the same name, which divides the beach into two parts. The coast here is covered with small pebbles. On the beach, you can rent the necessary equipment for an additional fee.
There are no restaurants on the beach itself, but you can have a snack in the nearby port taverns. Many tourists combine a holiday on the beach with a visit to the Pantonassa Monastery, located on top of a pine hill.
Karteros Beach
7 km east of the capital, you can meet the picturesque Bay of Karteros, in the very center of which is the beach of the same name. This coast is characterized by soft golden sand and warm clear waters. Although there are often large waves on the beach, the place is in demand among tourists, so it is always crowded.
Karteros is equipped with all the necessary amenities – restrooms, changing rooms, showers. If desired, you can rent sun beds with umbrellas for 7 €. A chain of cafes and bars is lined up along the shore, so everyone here will find an institution to their liking.
Florida Beach
This is another beautiful beach, located next to the Bay of Karteros. It is also covered with golden sand, but you will not find any infrastructure here. For the most part, Florida is a wild beach, so it is always calm. There is an equestrian club right next to the shore, so tourists have the opportunity to arrange horse riding directly on the coast.
In Florida itself, there are no establishments, but it is quite possible to have a snack in the restaurant of the nearby airport. It is easy to combine a holiday on this beach with a visit to the Church of St. John the Baptist. St. John and St. John the Baptist. Nikon, located just 180 m from the coast.
Amnisos Beach
About a kilometer east of Karteros Beach, there is a rather cozy place called Amnisos. This is a well-groomed sandy beach with clear sea water, equipped with everything necessary for a decent holiday. Sun beds and umbrellas can also be rented here. Safety on Amnissos is strictly monitored by the rescue service. There is a cafe right on the beach, where you can enjoy drinks and snacks during the day. There is a separate playground on the beach, where experienced tutors look after the children of vacationers for an additional fee.
Holidays in Heraklion
If you are impressed by the photo of Heraklion in Crete, and you intend to go to Greece in the near future, then it will be useful to find out about the prices of accommodation and food in the resort.
Accomodation
The tourist infrastructure in this part of the island is rapidly developing and is already ready to offer a lot of apartments and hotels of various categories. Here you will find both expensive five-star establishments and budget options without stars. In high season, staying in a double room in a 3* hotel will cost an average of 50-60 € per day. Almost all hotels include free breakfasts in the amount. Having researched the current offers on booking, we found 3 options that are acceptable for a holiday:
Kastro Hotel * * * – located 500 m from the center of the capital, the hotel rooms are equipped with necessary appliances and furniture. You can rent a room here for 63 € for two people per night (breakfast included).
Sofia Hotel * * * is an excellent budget establishment with a private pool, located a 5-minute drive from Heraklion. In high season, two people can stay at the hotel for 48 € per night.
Marin Dream Hotel*** is a convenient hotel for sightseeing, located next to the Kules Fortress. In May, it costs € 58 per night to rent a double room (free breakfast included).
Food
Heraklion, being a popular resort in Greece, is literally dotted with cafes, bars, taverns and restaurants for every taste and pocket. Here you can find both budget and elite establishments.
- Lunch for two in an inexpensive restaurant will cost about €16.
- For a three-course dinner in a medium-sized restaurant, you will pay €60.
- And the check for a snack at a local fast food store will come out for about 10-12 €.
Here are the approximate prices for drinks in the cafe:
- Local beer 0.5-3.25 €
- Imported beer 0,33-3 €
- Cappuccino – 2.40 €
- Pepsi 0,33-1,50 €
- Water 0.5-0.50 €
Weather and climate
The tourist season in Heraklion starts in April and lasts until October. You can swim in the sea in the second half of May, when the water warms up to 20 °C. The hottest months here are July, August and September, when the thermometer is kept in the range of 28-30 °C. In the same period, you can find the warmest sea. But it is worth considering that in July it is quite windy in Heraklion.
With the onset of September, the resort begins the velvet season, when the scorching rays of the sun turn into pleasant warm streams of ultraviolet light. Despite the occasional rain, you can swim here in October: after all, the water temperature in the sea is kept at around 23 °C. In November, the swimming season in Heraklion comes to its logical conclusion, although many tourists continue to visit the city for sightseeing purposes.
Interesting facts
- One of the symbols of the city was the image of a bee: the insect figure is often used to decorate local decorations. This symbol gained popularity after archaeological excavations on the territory of the Palace of Knossos, where a unique product with a similar miniature bee was found.
- Heraklion is home to two of the largest ports in Crete, making it the island’s most important economic destination.
- Heraklion is famous for its wineries, so a visit to the city should not be complete without tasting local drinks. For example, at the Styronos winery, tourists have a great opportunity not only to try different varieties of wines, but also to get acquainted with the technology of their production.
- Being the administrative center of the island of Crete, Heraklion is the largest city. The second most important city was the city of Chania.
