Heraklion Museums

Heraklion has museums that will absorb your attention, especially on Crete's ancient history and ancient technology. Lychnostatis is special too.

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

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
#5

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.

A room of the Heraklion Museum of Fine Arts full of colorful paintings including on the ground.
photo: METH
#9

Heraklion Museum of Fine Arts

Heraklion's fine arts all gathered in one place. Visiting exhibitions and permanent items. If you're a fan, don't miss it.

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