Heraklion offers a plethora of holiday experiences
Heraklion is a multifaceted seaside city and a major urban center. Come and discover the Heraklion of yesterday – the Venetian harbor and walls, ideal for a nostalgic walk through history. And the vibrant city of today – city squares and pedestrian walkways filled with energy, raki (the local drink), ouzo, gourmet restaurants, and luxury hotels.
Along with these, several excellent museums and one of the largest aquariums in Europe. Just beyond the city limits, explore the much-vaunted Knossos, one of the most significant sights on the island and in Greece. It is the most important center of the Minoan civilization, the palace of King Minos, and the home of the myth of the Minotaur.
What to do in Heraklion
Heraklion – a seaside city, full of life and history
Historic Candia, the capital city of Heraklion with its Venetian port, has many options for culture, accommodation, dining, and entertainment. It is a city where you can enjoy the pleasures of today and the beauty of yesterday. Walk and savor the sights, like the impressive church of Agios Titos in the square, originally built by Byzantine emperor Nikephorus Phocas in 961.
Admire the Armeria (armory) next to St Titus, and The Loggia (City Hall) with its 82 metopes and beautiful arcades. Directly opposite you’ll find the lively Morosini (Leondaria) square with its lions’ head fountain. Moving on to Eleftherias Square, the striking feature here is an impressive building housing the Prefecture of Heraklion and the Law Courts.
The Venetians on the pier
At the entrance of Heraklion’s Venetian harbor, the Koules Fortress (also known as Castello Del Molo or Rocca al Mare) gazes proudly out to sea. It was built by the Venetians and took its final form between the years of 1523-1540. It has been repaired several times and during the Ottoman rule, it served as a prison. Across the harbor, the Venetian shipyards make for a romantic backdrop.
The walls of the old city – the threshold between past and present
Walking along the walls, you will see how beautiful this city looks from this vantage point. You’ll pause in small shady parks and admire the genius of the famous Venetian architect, Michele Sanmicheli, who designed the walls and bastions more than 400 years ago. The Venetian walls demarcating today’s old town were indeed an impressive feat of engineering for the time. Heraklion was the best-fortified city in the Mediterranean.
‘Mythical’ Knossos
The master craftsman Daedalus built the labyrinth for the mythical King Minos to isolate the Minotaur, a creature that was half man, half bull. Theseus, the son of the King of Athens, slew him and found his way out of the labyrinth with the help of Minos’ daughter, Ariadne. The most important center of the Minoan civilization and one of the most popular archaeological sites in Greece, it is just 5km from Heraklion.
It was the headquarters of King Minos and its complex architecture gave birth to the myth of the labyrinth. Thanks to the archaeologist Sir Arthur Evans’ excavation and sensitive restoration, it is now one of the most fascinating sites in Greece.
Admire the throne room, the heart of the palatial complex, which consists of the central court and the main chamber. The Processional Way is decorated with frescoes, including the “Prince with the Lilies” and the Propylaea. The famous Bull’s Horns are one of the sacred symbols of Minoan religion, and the royal apartments consist of the hall of “Double Axes” and the “Apartments of the Queen” with its ‘’Dolphins’’ mural. The Palace of Knossos flourished during the Minoan period (2000-1350 BC) and was the most important socioeconomic and religious center of Crete.
Archaeological Museum – a ‘panorama’ of Minoan Crete
This famous museum is considered one of the most important museums in Europe. The exhibits include representative samples from all periods of Cretan history, covering 5,500 years. You will admire the frescoes of “The Bull Leaper”, “Prince with the Lilies”, “Monkey Saffron Collector”, “Blue Ladies” and especially “La Parisienne’’. The new wing of the museum opened in August 2013, with exhibits ranging from the Geometric, Archaic, and Classical periods as well as the Roman era.
Cretaquarium – the wonders of the sea
Sharks, seahorses, jellyfish – you’ll be astonished by the variety of Mediterranean marine life on display. The Cretaquarium, which includes 60 tanks with 1.7 million liters of seawater, is one of the largest aquariums in Europe. The aquarium is home to more than 4,000 creatures of all different colors, shapes, and sizes. Crete knows how to surprise and amaze you!
A feast of flavors and pleasures
Enjoy dishes from the celebrated Cretan cuisine at one of the city’s many cafes, tavernas, and restaurants, accompanied by traditional music, fine wines, and tsikoudia (Crete’s famous firewater). Then move on to designer cafes, trendy bars, hip hangouts, and pulsating dance clubs that stay open till dawn. The dining and entertainment options in Heraklion are infinite.
Where you stay
Choose from modern city hotels and boutique hotels among the center’s historic buildings. You will find exceptional restaurants and bars with spectacular views of the Venetian port. Large, modern resorts may also be found at the city’s nearby beaches.
Beaches with character and charm
Take your pick – Ammoudara, a big beautiful beach just west of the city, completely organized with dozens of resorts. Tobruk, in the east, has lots of restaurants, hotels, and cafes. The Arena or Red Hani, a beach enjoyed by a young crowd, features hotels, shops, restaurants, and beach bars playing music.
Hidden gems of Heraklion
The Museum of Natural History – interactive fun for all ages
Under the auspices of the University of Crete, it consists of five departments – Zoological, Botanical, Anthropological, Geological-Paleontological, and Mineralogical. The collections include samples from Greece and the Mediterranean in general.
Historical Museum – Crete ‘preserved in amber’
This impressive modern museum is housed in an elegant, 20th-century building. It has a diverse number of permanent exhibitions, including the Byzantine and Post-Byzantine Collection, the Numismatic Collection, the Ceramics and Sculpture section, the Nikos Kazantzakis rooms, and the Ethnographic Collection.
In the heart of the city
The pedestrian Daedalus shopping street, full of designer stores, connects Lionadarakia and Eleftherias squares. Walking west from the lion fountain, you enter the wide pedestrian Handakos Street, overflowing with even more shops and cafes.
Source: http://www.discovergreece.com/
I am looking forward to visiting Heraklion – it sounds very interesting!
Heraklion is a vibrant town with out-door cafes, parks and pedestrian streets.
There are several museums all worth visiting.
It has a splendid view over the town and the sea.
I love Crete, I enjoy Heraklion.
Thank you portoplanet for you excellent article !