Herakleion Attractions
Iráklion (Herakleion), two-thirds of the way along the north coast of Crete, is the island's largest town, its administrative center and most important commercial port, and the see of an Orthodox archbishop.
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Herakleion Archeological Museum
One of the most important museums in all of Crete is the Herakleion Archeological Museum. On display are treasures from the excavations of Knossos, Phaistós, Ayía Triáda and other key sites on the island.
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Gortyn
(Herakleion to Áyii Déka / Aghioi Deka)
The ruins of Gortyn contain an amphitheatre, acropolis, church, and a bath house. On one of the ruins is inscribed an ancient legal code.
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Historical Museum of Crete
The Historical Museum of Crete contains a range of artifacts with pieces from the Byzantine, Venetian, and Turkish periods.
Morosini Fountain (St Mark's Church)
North of the old town of Herakleion is the charming Venetian Harbor, with a fort commanding the entrance.
In Venizélos Square are the Morosini Fountain (1628), with 14th century lions, and St Mark's Church (1303), now a museum of Byzantine painting.
In Venizélos Square are the Morosini Fountain (1628), with 14th century lions, and St Mark's Church (1303), now a museum of Byzantine painting.
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Phaistos, Greece
(Near Herakleion)
Phaistós was founded by King Minos. At the site are the ruins of a palace first built in 1650 B.C.
25th August Street
In 25th August Street (25 Avgoústou), which runs down from here to the harbor, are the old Venetian Loggia (1627), now the Town Hall, and just beyond is the church of St Titos (Paul's companion and, according to tradition, the first bishop of Crete), with a reliquary containing the saint's skull.
Agios Minas Cathedral
The cathedral of Agios Minas and the smaller church of Agios Minas beside it are worth visiting while in Herakleion.
Chersonissos - Lychnostatis Cretan Open-Air Museum
The Lychnostatis Cretan Open-Air Museum includes Cretan houses, fruit trees, herbs, flowers, traditional workshops, an art gallery and dancing and audio-visual shows.
Hours
January 1 to December 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 |
| Close | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 |
Guides
Guided tour included with admission.
Iráklion - Bentanáki
The Bentenáki is the breakwater running from the Venetian harbor to the bay of Dermata or Koum-Kappi. Venetian galleons were built in the vaulted arsenals.
Khandak Fortress (Venetian Fortress)
The Venetian Fortress at Herakleion are in relatively good condition. Of note are the New Gate and the Khania Gate, the only two of the original four that are still standing.
Hours
June 15 to October 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 8:30 | 8:30 | 8:30 | 8:30 | 8:30 | 8:30 | 8:30 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
November 1 to May 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | 8:30 | 8:30 | 8:30 | 8:30 | 8:30 | 8:30 |
| Close | 15:00 | 15:00 | 15:00 | 15:00 | 15:00 | 15:00 |
Always opened on:
Assumption Day - Christian (August 15)
Óhi Day - Greece & Cyprus (October 28)
Óhi Day - Greece & Cyprus (October 28)
Always closed on:
New Year's Day (January 1)
Greek National Day (March 25)
May Day / Labor Day (May 1)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Day after Christmas, St Stephen's Day, Boxing Day (December 26)
Easter - Christian (Apr 08)
Greek National Day (March 25)
May Day / Labor Day (May 1)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Day after Christmas, St Stephen's Day, Boxing Day (December 26)
Easter - Christian (Apr 08)
San Marco Basilica
The basilica of San Marco in Herakleion was built in the 13th century. It is now used as an exhibition hall.
St Catherine's Square & Church
In St Catherine's Square are the Cathedral of Áyios Minás (19th C.) and the little church of Ayía Ekateríni (St Catherine), now a museum of religious art (16th C. ). The church of St Catherine (Ayía Ekateríni) contains icons by Michail Damaskinos, the most important representative of the Cretan School.
Herakleion Surroundings
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Makritikhos - Knossos Royal Palace, Greece
Knossos Royal Palace stands near the village of Makritíkhos. The palace shows construction from various periods, the earliest being from around 2000-1800 B.C. It is thought to be the mythical Labyrinth of King Minos.
Aghia Paraskevi Skotinou Cave
The cave of Aghia Paraskevi Skotinou outside Herakleion is thought to have been used for cult worship during ancient times.
Fodele
Fodele, 29km west of Herakleion, is the birthplace of the famous painter El Greco (Domenicos Theotokopoulos) in 1545. A picturesque village hidden in a verdant valley studded with orange groves and plane trees.
Kameres Cave, Greece
The cave of Kamares lies to the northeast of the town of the same name. Historically the cave has been known as a sacred area. Some archeological finds from the cave are on display at the Archeological Museum in Herakleion.
Access to the cave is by foot and requires a hike.
Access to the cave is by foot and requires a hike.
Krassi - Kardiotissa Monastery
Near Krassi, west of Agios Nikolaos, is the Monastery of Kardiotissa, dedicated to the Virgin of Kera.
Kríti - Levina (Lantas)
Excavations at Levina brought to light a sanctuary of Asclepios and Minoan vaulted tombs.
Káto Simi
A sanctuary of Hermes and Aphrodite dating from the Greek-Roman era has been uncovered at Káto Simi.
Lyttos
Archeological investigations uncovered finds from a big city of the Greek-Roman era at the Cretan city of Lyttos.
Skotini - Presentation of the Virgin Church, Greece
At Skotini, about 1 km northwest of Fodele, the little church of the Presentation of the Virgin (Issodia tis Theotokou) is built on the site of an older church of the 11th or 12th century.
Slavokampos, Greece
There are remains of Minoan villas at Slavókampos (22km/14 mi southwest of Iráklion).
Tylisos (Tylissos), Greece
There are remains of Minoan villas at Tylisos (14km/9mi southwest of Iráklion).
The remains, which are from one of the oldest Minoan cities of central Crete, include three large buildings that were originally residences of the local lords.
The remains, which are from one of the oldest Minoan cities of central Crete, include three large buildings that were originally residences of the local lords.
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | 8:30 | 8:30 | 8:30 | 8:30 | 8:30 | 8:30 |
| Close | 15:00 | 15:00 | 15:00 | 15:00 | 15:00 | 15:00 |
Always opened on:
Assumption Day - Christian (August 15)
Óhi Day - Greece & Cyprus (October 28)
Óhi Day - Greece & Cyprus (October 28)
Vorizia - Varsamoneri Monastery (St Phanourios Church)
At the town of Vorizia is Varsamoneri, an old monastery no longer in use.
Vrondissi Monastery
About 56km southwest of Herakleion is the Monastery of Vrondissi, with a fountain carved in relief (15th C.) at the entrance to the garden and a panoramic view.
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