Destinations in Heraklion Prefecture
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Heraklion is the largest and most populous prefecture of Crete, stretching across the centre of the island from the north coast to the Libyan Sea, and it was the heart of the Minoan civilisation, Europe's first advanced culture. Just outside the city of Heraklion lies the Palace of Knossos, the legendary seat of King Minos and the labyrinth of the Minotaur, while the city's Archaeological Museum holds the world's finest collection of Minoan art, including the famous frescoes and the Phaistos Disc. Heraklion itself, the island's capital, is a lively modern city enclosed by massive Venetian walls, with the Koules fortress guarding the old harbour, the Morosini fountain with its stone lions, and the tomb of the writer Nikos Kazantzakis on the Martinengo bastion. In the south, the Messara plain holds the Minoan palace of Phaistos and the Roman ruins of Gortyna, and the coast offers Matala, with its sandstone caves once home to hippies, and quiet beaches such as Kommos and Lentas. The north coast between Hersonissos and Malia is one of Greece's busiest resort areas, with large hotels and nightlife. Inland, villages such as Archanes and Peza are the centre of a renowned wine region. Heraklion has the island's main airport and suits families, culture lovers and party-goers.
Quick facts
LOCATION
Crete
KNOWN FOR
Knossos & the Minoan museum
BEST FOR
Archaeological sites, Museums, Nightlife, Wineries, Near the airport
Transportation
Heraklion "Nikos Kazantzakis" Airport
Port of Heraklion
Beaches
Malia Beach
Stalida Beach
Ammoudara (Heraklion) Beach
Kaloi Limenes Beach
Agia Pelagia Beach
Kommos Beach
Red (Matala) Beach
Matala Beach
Hersonissos Beach
Lendas Beach
Religious Sites
Church of Agios Minas Cathedral (Heraklion)
Church of Agios Titos (Heraklion)
Monastery of Vrontisi
Monastery of Agarathos
Entertainment
Hersonissos Nightlife Strip
Aqua Plus Water Park
Star Beach Water Park
Cretaquarium (Thalassocosmos)
Water City Waterpark
Museums & History
Archaeological Site of Tylissos
Fortress of Koules (Heraklion)
Venetian Walls of Heraklion
Tomb of Nikos Kazantzakis
Morosini Fountain (Lions Square)
Loggia of Heraklion
Archaeological Site of Agia Triada
Matala Caves
Palace of Knossos
Palace of Phaistos
Archaeological Site of Gortyna
Archaeological Site of Malia (Minoan Palace)
Lychnostatis Open Air Museum
Natural History Museum of Crete
Historical Museum of Crete
Archaeological Museum of Heraklion
El Greco Museum (Fodele)
Archanes Wine Route (Lyrarakis/Boutari)
Other
Idaean (Ideon Andron) Cave
Archanes Village
Fodele (El Greco Village) Village
Nature
Lake Votomos (Zaros)
Shopping
1866 Street Market (Heraklion)
By air
Heraklion International Airport (Nikos Kazantzakis), just east of the city, is Crete’s main gateway, with flights from across Europe and from Athens all year. The north-coast resorts east of the city, from Gouves to Malia, are 15 to 35 minutes away.
By ferry
Heraklion is Crete’s busiest port, with daily ferries to Piraeus, often overnight, and in summer fast boats to Santorini, Ios, Paros, Naxos and Mykonos. Some ferries also go to Karpathos, Kasos and Rhodes, so Crete combines easily with island hopping.
Getting around
Optional for the north-coast resorts, which have frequent buses to Heraklion and Malia. A car is recommended for exploring: the Lasithi plateau, the Messara plain with Phaistos and Matala, the south-coast beaches and the wine villages are far from the main bus routes.
