AI generatedHeraklion
Greece · Crete · 40 m
Short description of Heraklion
Heraklion (Ηράκλειο) is the capital and largest city of Crete, on the island's central north coast. It is a busy, modern city with a long past. The massive Venetian walls still ring the historic centre, and on the Martinengo Bastion lies the grave of the writer Nikos Kazantzakis. At the Old Venetian Harbour the Koules fortress guards the entrance.
The Archaeological Museum holds one of the world's foremost collections of Minoan art, including frescoes from Knossos. The Palace of Knossos itself lies a few kilometres south of the city. In the centre, Lions Square with the Morosini Fountain, the Venetian Loggia and St. Titus Cathedral are close together. Day trips lead to Phaistos, Gortyna and Agia Triada in the Messara plain and to the beach caves of Matala. Others head to the Palace of Malia and up to the Lasithi Plateau with the Dikteon Cave. Ammoudara and Karteros are the nearest beaches.
The hills around Archanes and Peza form a major wine region. The city's markets and tavernas offer Cretan cooking and raki. With its international airport and ferry port, Heraklion is the main gateway to Crete.
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Recommended length of stay
Travel seasons at a glance
Best time to visit: April – June or September – October
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All highlights and sightsBeta
- Palace of Knossos
- Heraklion Archaeological Museum
- Lions Square & Morosini Fountain
- Old Venetian Harbour
- Koules Venetian Fortress
- Matala Beach & caves(Day trip)
- Venetian Walls of Heraklion
- Lasithi Plateau windmills(Day trip)
- Dikteon Cave(Day trip)
- Phaistos archaeological site(Day trip)
- Palace of Malia(Day trip)
- Loggia of Heraklion
- St. Titus Cathedral
- Ammoudara Beach
- Gortyna archaeological site(Day trip)
- Heraklion Historical Museum of Crete
- Natural History Museum of Crete
- Agia Triada archaeological site(Day trip)
- Archanes village & vineyards(Day trip)
- Peza wine region(Day trip)
- Karteros Beach
- Cretan cuisine & raki tasting
- Cretan wine tasting