Heraklion in Greece

The biggest city in Crete and the 4th largest in Greece, Heraklion, is packed with life and vibration all year long. The city is a destination for worldwide travellers coming here to see the venetian monuments, the little streets in the heart of the city and to explore the wild south of the prefecture of Heraklion.

The first european civilisation was born, 7 kilometers away from the city and it was non other that the Minoan Civilisation. The Knossos Palace, the brightest monument of the Minoans lies 7 km south of the city of Heraklion and it was most probably used as the port of the Minoans. The next historic evidence that we have for Heraklion, suggests that the city, as a city, was founded by Saracens that travelled here form cities in Spain. In 961 AD, the Byzantines came to Heraklion, slaughtered the Saracens and burned down the city. In 1204 the Venetias bought the city within a political deal with the Byzantines. Then the recinstruction began. The Venetians built walls, fortress, bastions, buildings, most of which still remain and give the city this medieval character. After that the Ottoman empire took over.

In 1898 the autonomous Cretan State was greated under the supervision of international great forces. In 1913, Heraklion and the whole island was unified with Greece.

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Heraklion is sunny many months over the year. It's preferable to go in June or early July in order to be able to visit archaelogical sites and monuments and be able to swim.

Located in the middle of the island, all roads lead to Heraklion. Heraklion has a busy harbour and very busy airport and usually is the starting point of travels to Crete and nearby islands.

By plane

Olympic Airways and Aegean Airlines fly in from Athens and other major Greek cities. During summer, Sky Express flies to several Aegean islands.

By bus

By boat

There are ferries from Athens (Piraeus) to Heraklion, Minoan Lines and Anek Lines-and also from Thessaloniki, Cyclades and Dodecanese to Heraklion. G.A. Ferries and Hellenic Seaways The frequency is reduced in the winter.

By car

By Ferry

There are Highspeed Catamaran and normal ferries from/to Heraklion, Athens (Piraeus), Thessaloniki, Cyclades and Dodecanese. The frequency is reduced in the winter. An up-to-date site with domestic ferry schedules is here.