Heraklion

Heraklion is home to Knossos, the capital of the Minoans, built 4000 years ago. Visit the remarkable archeological museum and the Venetian fortress.

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One of the central pedestrian streets of Heraklion leading to the sea.
photo: Tim Schofield / CC BY 2.0

Heraklion Attractions

Agios Titos is a rectangular building with a dome, decorated windows, and two palm trees at the entrance.
photo: Olivier Duquesne / CC BY-SA 2.0
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Church of Agios Titos

Heraklion's oldest church, St Titos, dates back to the 10th century. It's an absorbing visit, inspecting the church's decorations and other details.

Agios Minas Cathedral is painted yellow, and it has two belfries and a dome covered with tiles.
photo: Olivier Duquesne / CC BY-SA 2.0
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Agios Minas Cathedral

A chirch with elaborate belfries and appearance. Participating in a mass here would be an excellent cultural experience.

Dozens of boats, mostly in blue and white color, and the Koules fortress in the background.
photo: Moonik / CC BY-SA 3.0
#3

Heraklion Venetian Harbor

You can walk to the Koules fortress, enjoy the fascinating port buildings, and get yourself a refreshment on the way back.

Nikos Kazantzakis tomb is a simple one with two crossed woods on top.
photo: Pylambert
#4

Nikos Kazantzakis Grave (Monument)

"I don't hope for anything, I am not afraid of anything. I am free." The tomb of Nikos Kazantzakis, Greece's greatest writer.

A photo showing the Windmills of Selí Ambélou with the surrounding mountains in the background.
photo: photosiotas / CC BY-SA 4.0
distant ≈ 45km
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Windmills of Selí Ambélou

With an amazing view and 24 windmills around, you can take lots of pictures here. There is also a restaurant and a gift shop.

An image showing the exterior of the Venetian Fortress at the port of Heraklion.
photo: Bernard Gagnon / CC BY-SA 3.0
#6

Venetian Fortress «Rocca a Mare»

A well-preserved and impressive medieval castle located at the entrance of Heraklion's port. Locally referred as «Koules».

An panoramic picture showing the Lions Square & the Morosini Fountain in Heraklion, Crete.
photo: C messier / CC BY-SA 4.0
#7

Lions Square & Morosini Fountain

Meeting point and famous for its Venetian fountain, a monument of the 17th century. Officially called "Eleftherios Venizelos" square.

A part of the fortification of the Venetian Walls of Heraklion in Crete.
photo: C messier
#8

Venetian Walls of Heraklion

Notoriously strong fortification that wouldn't have fallen without treachery, its construction lasted for more than a century.

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Heraklion Museums

A circle with small cylinders and lines connecting different points at the Museum of Ancient Greek Technology - Kotsanas.
photo: FB: Kotsanas Heraklion Museum
hidden gem
#1

Museum of Ancient Greek Technology - Kotsanas

Small but fantastic museum that you shouldn't miss. Invention, machines, and feats of engineering - all from antiquity. Great rooftop café too.

The exterior of the Nikos Kazantzakis Museum in Myrtia square.
photo: Andy Montgomery / CC BY-SA 2.0
#2

Nikos Kazantzakis Museum

Myrtia

This two-story building at the central square of the village, where the great author was born, hosts exhibits that celebrate his work.

San Marco Basilica between modern blocks of apartments, and people walking by.
photo: C messier / CC BY-SA 4.0
#3

Municipal Art Gallery (San Marco Basilica)

An old Venetian Basilica turned mosque, turned art gallery. It hosts interesting cultural events and exhibition throughout the year.

A yellow neoclassical building and a modern glass and steel building at the Historical Museum of Crete.
photo: Lourakis / CC BY-SA 4.0
#4

Historical Museum of Crete

A museum about Heraklion and Crete with a town relief, a numismatics exhibition, sculptures, a dedicated section to El Greco, and other interesting exhibits.

The Christian Art Museum is an old white church with a circular window above the entrance.
photo: LAVRIS SUITES
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Christian Art Museum

In this old church turned museum, you explore Crete's Christian history and arts. It won't take you more than 30 minutes.

One of the buildings where the Lychnostatis - Cretan Open Air Museum is housed.
photo: Myhersonissos / CC BY-SA 4.0
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distant ≈ 34.4km
#6

Lychnostatis - Cretan Open Air Museum

The Lychnostatis Open Air Museum offers a journey in Cretan life of the past few centuries. It is a remarkable exhibition of everyday objects.

The exterior corridor and the yard of the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion with many people around.
photo: Joyofmuseums / CC BY-SA 4.0
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#7

Archaeological Museum of Heraklion

Housing the biggest artifact collection of the Minoan Civilization, it enlightens its thousands of visitors about the history of Crete.

A picture of the exterior and the main entrance of the Natural History Museum of Crete in Heraklion.
photo: Lourakis / CC BY-SA 3.0
#8

Natural History Museum of Crete

Among other things, here you can see the "Deinotherium", a gigantic animal that lived in Crete 9 million years ago, as well as other natural history wonders.

+ 1 Heraklion Museums →

Heraklion Why visit?

  • Birthplace of painter Doménikos Theotokópoulos widely known as El Greco.
  • Port of Knossos, Minoans' historical capital.
  • For centuries, it has been called Handax or Candia, meaning the moat.

Heraklion Day Trips

A picture of the port of Hersonissos.
photo: Stegop / CC BY-SA 3.0
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Hersonissos

This place is known for its lively nightlife. Want to take a break from the beach? Pay a visit to the aquarium and the open-air folklore museum.

A photo of a traditionally built building at the old town of Malia.
photo: The Shaun Woods / CC BY 2.0
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Malia

A small coastal town famous for its intense nightlife, primarily for young visitors. Aside from bar crawling, a stroll in the old city is a must.

The house of the famous Greek singer Nikos Ksilouris in the village of Anogia on the island of Crete.
photo: Helentr / CC BY-SA 3.0
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distant ≈ 34.3km

Anogia Town

Rethymno

Anogia people are known across Greece for their uncompromising character and hospitality. The house of Cretan singer Xilouris is here.

Heraklion Things to Do

The guiding path inside the Sfendoni Cave of Zoniana in Crete.
photo: C messier / CC BY-SA 4.0
distant ≈ 39.3km
#1

Sfendoni Cave

Zoniana

This UNESCO geopark cave with all its stalactites and stalagmites will take you for a moment in a magic underworld.

An overview of the whole building and the main entrance of CRETAquarium Thalassókosmos.
photo: Lourakis / CC BY-SA 3.0
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CRETAquarium Thalassókosmos

Visiting the biggest Greek aquarium and one of the largest in Europe is an ideal opportunity to gain knowledge about the marine environment.

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