Category Archives: Heraklion
Read What to do, what to see and where you should spend most of your time while visiting Heraklion and its top attractions
September 19, 2026
Areas of Crete: A Complete Guide to the 4 Regions and Their Cities
Crete is divided into four main areas, officially called regional units: Chania (west), Rethymno (central-west), Heraklion (centre-east), and Lassithi (east). Each area has its own character: Chania is the most scenic, Rethymno the most balanced, Heraklion the most historically significant, and Lassithi the most diverse, from luxury resorts (Elounda) to Europe's southernmost city (Ierapetra). The cities of Crete are organised below by region, so travellers can choose a base and plan day trips within each area efficiently. Read article
September 9, 2026
Heraklion Markets 🛒: What to See, Buy and When to Visit the Central Market
Heraklion Airport (Nikos Kazantzakis International) sits about [distance km="5"] east of the market, a 15 to 20 minute taxi ride or a 20 to 30 minute journey on the airport bus, which runs to its own fixed timetable rather than yours. A rental car removes that constraint: you park once and choose your own market hours, and 1866 Street itself has a public indoor car park tucked into one of its side streets, a detail most visitors never find until they already have a car. Read article
September 4, 2026
CretAquarium (Thalassocosmos): Animals, Tickets, Hours & How To Visit
CretAquarium opened in December 2005. Its seaside location gives it a direct connection to the water, which makes it easier to collect and maintain Mediterranean marine species. The aquarium combines three goals: education, conservation, and research. Read article
August 23, 2026
Heraklion Archaeological Museum: Minoan Masterpieces, History and How to Visit
The museum sits in the city centre, so both residents and visitors reach it easily on foot, by taxi, by bus or by rental car. The chronological layout guides you through each period in turn, and clear signage explains the artefacts as you go. Read article
August 22, 2026
Odigitria Monastery in Sivas: History, Location, Tour and Car Rental
Do not confuse this monastery with Gonia Monastery (Moni Gonias) near Kolymbari in Chania, western Crete. The two sites share the Odigitria epithet but stand at opposite ends of the island, and their history, fees and opening times are entirely separate. Everything on this page describes the Sivas monastery in the Asterousia Mountains. Read article
August 19, 2026
14 Best Mountain Villages of Crete
The 14 best mountain villages of Crete are Archanes, Zaros, Anogia, Zoniana, Krousonas, Kapetaniana, Asites, Milia, Therisso, Argyroupolis, Elos, Kritsa, Krasi and Males. Kapetaniana, in the Asterousia range at an altitude of 800 metres, is the highest-altitude village in this guide. Each village below carries its own altitude, distance from the nearest city and parent mountain range, so you can pick the right stop for a day trip or an overnight stay. Read article
August 14, 2026
Parking in Heraklion: Where to Park in Heraklion?
Heraklion is the capital of Crete and sits on the island's north coast. The city draws visitors for its history, archaeological sites and culture, so parking in Heraklion is in high demand for both residents and tourists. You can reach the city through Heraklion International Airport "Nikos Kazantzakis", which serves domestic and international flights, and through ferry links from other Greek islands and mainland ports. Read article
August 1, 2026
21 Amazing Beaches in Heraklion for Crete Travelers
The closest beach to Heraklion is Ammoudara Beach, [distance km="6"] east of the city. Karteros Beach follows at [distance km="7"] and Xenia Beach at [distance km="7.2"]. This guide covers 21 beaches in the Heraklion area, from city-side resort sands to remote southern coves such as Agiofarago, [distance km="80"] south of Heraklion. Read article
August 1, 2026
Heraklion, Crete: Complete Travel Guide (2026/2027)
Heraklion is Crete's vibrant capital - home to Europe's greatest Minoan palace at Knossos, a UNESCO City of Gastronomy food scene, and the island's main car rental hub - making it the ideal base for exploring all of Crete. This guide covers Heraklion's history, top attractions with prices and opening hours, beaches, cuisine, how to get there, and practical car rental tips. Read article
August 1, 2026
11 Best Museums in Heraklion: Tickets, Hours & What Not to Miss
Heraklion's museums tell the island's story across millennia. The Heraklion Archaeological Museum offers an in-depth look at Crete's Minoan civilisation through artefacts spanning from the Neolithic period to Roman times. The Historical Museum of Crete covers art and history from early Christian times to the modern era, with Byzantine art, sculptures, and folk artefacts. The Natural History Museum of Crete - housed in a former power plant - focuses on the diverse flora and fauna of the Eastern Mediterranean. With this variety, every visitor finds something that resonates. Read article
August 1, 2026
26 Great Tours in Heraklion That You Must Do
Heraklion is the biggest and most important city on the Greek island of Crete. Heraklion is significant to history and culture because it was one of the most significant places in the Minoan society, which lived thousands of years ago. Heraklion is now a busy, modern city with a mix of historical places, a lively culture and beautiful scenery. Heraklion sits
on the northern coast of the biggest Greek island, Crete, which is the fifth-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. The city occupies the middle of the northern coast of Crete. Read article
July 26, 2026
Best Boat Trips in Crete: By Destination, Port & Trip Type
Crete offers day boat cruises from a dozen departure ports - from the iconic Balos lagoon cruise from Kissamos (shared ferry from [amount euro="37"] pp) to Spinalonga from Agios Nikolaos, Chrissi Island from Ierapetra, and even a high-speed ferry day trip to Santorini from Heraklion (from ~[amount euro="80"] pp return). Trip types run from budget group ferries to private yachts, glass-bottom and snorkelling boats, sunset catamarans, and self-drive boat rentals (no licence needed for engines under 30 HP). Below you'll find every route by departure port, with durations, price ranges, what's included, and how to book - plus how to reach each port by car. Read article
June 19, 2026
The Ports of Crete ⚓: What Do You Need to Know?
Crete has 6 main passenger ferry ports: Heraklion (the largest), Chania (Souda Bay), Rethymno, Agios Nikolaos, Sitia, and Kissamos. Heraklion is Crete's major port, with daily overnight ferries to Piraeus (Athens) taking approximately 9 hours. The island also has smaller coastal ports - Ierapetra, Makry Gialos, Tympaki, Sfakia (Chora Sfakion), and Paleochora - used mainly for fishing and day-trip excursions, bringing the total to 11 well-known ports. Read article
June 19, 2026
Transportation Guide in Crete: Every Way to Get Around the Island!
Crete offers six main ways to get around: KTEL buses on the north-coast corridor, taxis for door-to-door trips, rental cars for rural exploration, south-coast Anendyk ferries between coastal villages, cycling in towns, and organised transfers from the airports. Each mode suits a different budget, itinerary and comfort level - and you do not necessarily need a rental car to have a complete Crete holiday.
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June 18, 2026
Heraklion Airport Guide (HER) ✈️: All You Need to Know Before Arriving
Heraklion International Airport "Nikos Kazantzakis" (IATA: HER, ICAO: LGIR) is Greece's second busiest airport (after Athens International), located about [distance km="5"] east of Heraklion near Nea Alikarnassos. It operates 24 hours a day, year-round, handles around 9–10 million passengers annually, and is the main gateway to central and eastern Crete. A new airport at Kasteli is set to replace it, with test flights expected to begin in 2027. Read article
June 18, 2026
Crete Airports: Heraklion vs Chania – Which One Should You Choose?
Crete has two international airports: Heraklion (HER), about [distance km="5"] from the capital, and Chania (CHQ), [distance km="14"] east of Chania city. They are [distance km="150"] apart. The simple rule: fly into Heraklion for central or eastern Crete; fly into Chania for the west. A third airport, Sitia (JSH), handles only domestic routes. Direct flights from the UK run approximately April to November; outside that window, most routes connect through Athens.
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June 6, 2026
Anogia Village, Crete: Complete Travel Guide (What to See, How to Get There, Where to Stay)
Anogia is a mountain village at 750 metres on Mount Psiloritis in Crete's Rethymno regional unit, recognised across Greece for its WWII resistance history, Cretan lyra music tradition, and traditional weaving workshops. Anogia sits [distance km="39.9"] from Heraklion Airport and [distance km="122"] from Chania Airport. With a population of 2,240 (2021 census), it is the largest mountain village in Crete and a base for visiting the Ideon Cave, Nida Plateau, and Skinakas Observatory. Read article
May 15, 2026
Heraklion Nightlife: The Complete Guide to Going Out in Crete’s Capital
Heraklion is Crete's top city for nightlife, offering three distinct scenes: atmospheric bars in the old town, modern clubs along the coastal strip, and the legendary party resorts of Malia and Hersonissos just 30 minutes away. Whether you want bouzouki with raki at midnight or a beach club rave until sunrise, here is your complete guide - venue names, addresses, opening hours, and how to get home. Read article
May 10, 2026
Dia Island: Uninhabited Natura 2000 Reserve off Heraklion – Day Trip Guide
Dia Island is an uninhabited Natura 2000 protected island located [distance km="7"] north of Heraklion, Crete. Reachable by a 30-minute boat trip from Heraklion, Gouves, or Hersonissos, the island is open to day visitors for snorkelling, birdwatching and hiking - but no overnight stays, no camping, and no cars are permitted. Dia shelters the Kri-Kri wild goat and 300–400 pairs of Eleonora's Falcon, and the seabed off its south coast holds the Cyclopean Walls - the remains of an ancient port discovered by Jacques Cousteau in 1976. Read article
May 4, 2026
Mosques and Minarets in Crete: A Complete Visitor Guide to Ottoman Heritage
Crete preserves more than a dozen former Ottoman mosques, concentrated in the old towns of Chania and Rethymnon. The Ottoman Empire ruled the island for nearly 250 years - from 1646 until Crete gained autonomy in 1898 - during which the Turks converted most Venetian churches into mosques. When Ottoman rule ended, the buildings were repurposed again: as churches, museums, conservatories, and cultural centres. Today, these structures remain some of the most distinctive architectural landmarks on the island. Read article
