Heraklion
Heraklion, Herakleion or Iraklion, is the largest city and the administrative capital of the island of Crete and capital of Heraklion regional unit.
It is the fourth largest city in Greece, and the largest city in the Greek islands, with a municipal population of 179,302 (2021) and 211,370 in its wider metropolitan area, according to the 2011 census.
The greater area of Heraklion has been continuously inhabited since at least 7000 BCE, making it one of the oldest inhabited regions in Europe. It is also home to the ancient Knossos Palace, a major center of the Minoan civilization dating back to approximately 2000-1350 BCE, often considered Europe's oldest city. The palace is one of the most significant archaeological sites in Greece, second only to the Parthenon in terms of visitor numbers.
Getting to Heraklion
- 01Heraklion International Airport
Has frequent flights from Athens and Thessaloniki, the main carriers being Olympic Air and Aegean Airlines.
Worth seeing
The must-see sights are the Archaeological Museum downtown, and the Palace of Knossos 5 km south. A combined ticket is no longer offered. Take a stroll along the city's Venetian wall (Greek: Τείχη). It's 7.5 km long, with seven bastions jutting out. On the southernmost of these, the Martinengo Bastion, is the grave of Nikos Kazantzakis with its moving inscription, "I hope for nothing. I fear nothing.
- 01Heraklion Archaeological Museum
2 Xanthoudidou St, fax: +30 2810279001, amh@culture.gr.
- 02Palace of Knossos
Free onsite parking available.), +30 2810 226470, +30 2810 226092, +30 2810 224630, protocol@kgepka.culture.gr.
- 03Koules
Koules (Greek: Κούλες) was built by the Venetians in the 16th C.
- 04Fortifications of Heraklion
The Fortifications of Heraklion are among the most impressive Venetian defensive works in the Mediterranean, encircling the old city of Heraklion.
- 05Historical Museum of Crete
27, Sofokli Venizelou Ave, +30 2810-288708.
- 06Loggia
An elegant city meeting place, built in 1628.
Things to do
Amoudara the city's beach area; a 6 km strip of sandy beach, lots of cafes, bars and hotels and the site of "Technopolis", a modern multiplex cinema and open-air theatre. Horseback riding, experienced and amateur riders can ride at the beach of Karteros, or take riding lessons at Ippikos Omilos Hrakliou, located 6 km east of Heraklion, in Karteros.
Where to eat
Throughout the city centre, it is easy to find cheap tavernas (ταβέρνα) offering full meals for under €20 for two people. A strict budget can be met by sticking to the supermarkets which provide the usual array of fruits, vegetables and cheese for modest prices (€5/day is quite feasible.) Central cafes serve the local breakfast treat bougatsa, a local pastry with cottage cheese, served with honey, or cinnamon and…
Getting around Heraklion the local way
- Get inFrom April to November charter airlines fly in from many European airports.
- Get inThe principal ferry route is from Piraeus, the port for Athens.
- Get inThese ferries mostly sail overnight, leaving in each direction around 21:00 to dock next morning at 06:00.
- Get inThe Heraklion ferry terminal is near the KTEL bus station just east of town centre.
- Get inThe operators are Minoan Lines, Anek Lines and Superfast Ferries Other routes are: from Thessaloniki and Dodecanese by G.A.
- Get inMost ferries take vehicles and run year-round – trucking is an important part of their business, especially since so many people nowadays fly.
- Get aroundHiring a car is easy with the usual documentation (a standard EU driving licence is fine.) Get prior permission in writing from the rental company if you plan to take the car away on a ferry.
- Get aroundLots of taxi ranks in all the main locations, downtown and at the airport and ferry port.
From Wikivoyage: Heraklion, CC BY-SA. Not yet checked by us. Last edited 2026-09.
Text adapted from Wikipedia and Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photograph: Wolfgang Moroder (see Commons), Wikimedia Commons.