Heraklion Travel Guide: Travel and tourist information, things to do and see in Heraklion

Heraklion is the capital and major city of Crete. Its Archaeological Museum holds the remains of the 3000-year old Minoan civilization, which grew aroud the nearby legendary palace of Knossos (of Minotaur fame), as well as Byzantine churches and a well-preserved Venetian wall and fortress from the 15th century.

The modern city has been disfigured by a lack of any comprehensive planning or any serious commitment to preservation, which has resulted in a traffic-choked urban horror overlaying historical remains of potentially immense interest, but the knowledgeable visitor will still be able to trace the past under the ugly urban sprawl of the present. However, in recent years, things have began to change and efforts are being made to bring out the beauty of the city's rich cultural history.

Things to see in and around Heraklion include:

The Palace of Knossos. Open Daily 08.30-15.00 Summer: 08.00-19.30. Knossos is the site of the most important and best known Minoan palace complex in Crete. It is located some 5 km (3 mi) south of Heraklion. According to tradition, Knossos was the seat of the legendary Cretan king Minos. The Palace is also connected with further legends, such as the myth of the Labyrinth and the Minotaur, as well as the story of Daidalos and Ikaros. Excavation has revealed that the site was continuously inhabited from the Neolithic period (7000-3000 B.C.) until Roman times.
Heraklion Archaeological Museum houses the most important and representative finds from Minoan civilisation and excavations across the island of Crete. Highlights include statues of the Snake Goddess, the famous Bull-Leaping Fresco, the enigmatic and mysterious Phaistos Disk, and Minoan seals and jewelery. Also includes a number of finds from Classical Greek and Roman periods. The Heraklion Archaeological Museum is one of the world's great museums, embodying a whole splendid vanished culture. At least two hours should be allowed to see it, and it could easily take longer. For those seriously interested in that culture, it will be worth while 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.
Museum of the Battle for Crete and National Resistance Recounts the tale of Cretan and Allied resistance against Nazi invaders in World War II.
Museum of Natural History, University of Crete, S. Venizelou Ave.
Historical Museum of Crete, 27, Sofokli Venizelou Ave. /7, Lysimachou Kalokerinou St., Tel: (++30) 2810 283219, 288708.
Lychnostatis open-air Cretan folklore museum, Tel: +3028970-23660, Open Sun-Fri 9AM-2PM. around €4,50.
CretAquarium Thalassocosmos open June -September 09:00-21:00 October-May 09:00-19:00. The biggest aquarium in the Eastern Mediterranean. Located about 9miles E of Heraklion on the National Road (signposted) or by Cretan Intercity Bus.
Nikos Kazantzakis Museum. Open daily from 9AM-7PM (Mar-Oct); 10AM-3PM (Nov-Feb) in the village of Myrtia (Varvari) 15 km. south of Heraklion
Koules, the Venetian castle in the Harbour
Venetian Walls
Loggia
Morosini Fountain (a.k.a. Lions Square)
St. Minas Cathedral
St. Titus Church
St. Catherine of the Sinaites Church
St. Mark's Basilica
Dominican Church of St. Peter

Things to in and around Heraklion include:

Heraklion Summer Arts Festival - from June to September
Amoudara the city's beach area; a 3km 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 6km east of Heraklion, in Karteros.
Rock Climbing, locals and visitors can climb on a 50 foot rock at the suburb of Karteros, east of Heraklion. Safety equipment is provided, but one can use his own gear too.
Water fun, at the nearby Water City and Aqua Plus water parks.

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Population: 10.668.400
Languages: Greek 99% (official), English, French
Currency: euro
Currency code: EUR
Local Times:
Greece - Athens

Country Dialling Code: +30
Voltage: 220V 50Hz
Electrical plugs:
2 Parallel circular prongs

2 parallel circular prongs with an earth connector

2 parallel circular prongs with a female earth connector

'Schuko' type with two earth connectors on the sides

Greece appeals to different types of tourist, and very few could fail to find somewhere to suit their taste. From bustling Athens to blindingly bright islands, ancient fragments abound - the belly button of the cosmos at Delphi, fallen columns galore on the sacred island of Delos, frescoed Minoan palaces on Crete and even, quite possibly, the remnants of Atlantis at Santorini. Greeks are fierce guardians of tradition, but that doesn't mean they don't know how to have fun. In addition, hot sun and limpid seas conspire to make Greece a perfect place to relax. Whether you're supping in a beachside taverna , sipping coffee in a shady plateia or disco-dancing till dawn.

Once upon a time, the Olympic Games started here along with democracy and the foundation of philosophy, science and mathematics. Nowadays the country attracts its tourists with simple pleasures: delicious food at reasonable prices, local wine, beautiful beaches, sunshine, quaint villages, a seemingly endless lacework of coastline and little islands full of scenic wonders.

The country exudes traditional charm, particularly on its ever-popular islands, which cling to their stereotypical architecture and way of life despite being often over-run by tourists. Black-clad women still deliver vegetables to island tavernas on panniered donkeys, while bronzed, lined fishermen sit in the sun, drink thick coffee, and play dominoes or dice. The tourist infrastructure has intruded in many respects, but the timeless aspect of whitewashed buildings clustered on hillsides around narrow pebbled alleys has been retained. The myriad islands in the Aegean Sea are easily accessible from Piraeus, the historic harbour of Greece's mainland capital, Athens, by ferry or hydrofoil, offering a unique chance for 'island-hopping'. Many of the larger islands also have airports with connections to Athens or seasonally with major European cities.

In the S of the mainland, the capital Athens suffers from being overcrowded and polluted but nevertheless intrigues and delights visitors and is dominated by its major landmark, the Parthenon. In contrast, Thessaloniki in the N is vibrant and modern with a Byzantine flavour. The remains of Greece's past and wonders are mainly found on the Peloponnese Peninsula, S of Corinth.

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