Heraklio

The fifth-largest city in Greece, Iraklion is Crete’s capital. The city’s size is both its greatest attraction and its main drawback. Though urban grit and labyrinthine streets make the scenery less than picturesque, an influx of wealth has produced bustling shopping streets, posh cafes, and a native population with the requisite chic and urban brusqueness. While architectural aficionados will most likely find Iraklion’s unplanned jumble offensive to their historical sensibilities—Venetian monuments are sandwiched between Turkish houses and two-story concrete flats—the varied buildings remind travelers of the city’s impressive history. Ultimately, Iraklion is a convenient base for beginning your exploration of the island, due to its airport and proximity to well-known Knossos. 

Things to see

The city, built on a fairly steep hillside, has a huge harbour to accommodate ferries and cruise liners, and an international airport. Heraklion is busy, bustling and full of hotels, fast food outlets, shops and traffic. The main square of Plateia Venizelou is a pedestrian mall sporting cafés and restaurants, with some fascinating shops in the surrounding streets.

The prefecture of Heraklion Crete is full of picturesque villages perched in high altitudes, on the top of beautiful hills or mountains such as the villages of Ano Vianos and Epano Arhanes. The prefecture also has a lot of lovely beach resorts and busy villages such as Limenas Hersonissou and Malia lying in front of beautiful sandy or pebble beaches. All villages have accommodations (rooms for rent, hotels or both) and taverns.

A visit to the Minoan palace at Knossos should be complemented with a visit to the wonderful Archaeological Museum in Heraklion. Thousands of artefacts depicting the intriguing Minoan culture are on display, from magnificent bull-headed drinking vessels to the mysterious Phaistos disk inscribed with undeciphered symbols.

The Samaria Gorge is an arduous trip but well worth it to see one of the great natural wonders of Europe, the Samaria Gorge in the White Mountains in western Crete.

Various beautiful beaches can be found around the prefecture of Heraklion Crete such as the wonderful sandy beach of Matala with its turquoise waters and the fine beaches of Tsoutsouros, Analipsi or Amoudara. Many of the superb beaches offer sun beds and umbrellas rentals as well as various water sports while others are totally unspoiled.

The night life in the prefecture of Heraklion Crete is particularly intense in the main town, capital of Crete, where a plethora of modern bars, night clubs, cinemas and café-theatres can be found. The busy touristy resorts of the prefecture also propose a lively and varied night life and the possibility have fun and dance all night long.

When to come

 The tourist season in Heraklion is during the summer months when the beaches are packed.The town's capacity is taxed further July through September when the city is host to the Summer Arts Festival, a major draw for visitors.