Today I wanted to share more details about my trip to Heraklion, the largest city on the island of Crete. After spending most of 2020 in various stages of lockdown, my feet were itching to escape to warmer climes. So in August I booked a last minute escape to Crete. There’s a lot to see and do in Crete. But being a city lover I was keen to tour around Heraklion. I ended up changing hotels so I could spend more time in Crete’s stunning capital city.
It’s a no-brainer to add a tour of Heraklion to your itinerary for Crete. I don’t know what I expected from Heraklion. It’s a small but vibrant city, bursting with history and Mediterranean culture. There’s a lot to do here so take time to explore the city’s cultural sites and narrow streets. If you still need to be convinced, then read on! In this post I share all of the city’s best attractions. And I’ve thrown in some of the best ways to make the most of your time in Heraklion through a self-guided tour.
Table of Contents
A Tour of Heraklion, Crete
The Palace of Knossos
The ruins of the Palace of Knossos are a popular attraction in Crete, so I’d recommend starting your Heraklion tour here. It’s about 5km from the city centre but the story of Knossos provides a lot of context for Heraklion’s history.
Knossos was at the centre of the ancient Minoan empire. This was once one of the world’s largest and most influential cities. It was an epicentre of trade, culture and religion, as well as being home to the Minoan royal family. Knossos is also home to one of Greece’s most famous mythical creatures, the Minotaur. Theseus defeated this monster inside a labyrinth in Crete. Many believe that the elaborate passageways at the Palace of Knossos was inspiration for the Labyrinth in the tale.
Today, it’s possible to explore the ruins of Knossos which offer a fascinating glimpse into life in ancient Greece. I took a private tour around the ruins and my tour guide brought the vibrant history of Knossos to life. From the main entrance where religious ceremonies and sacrifices took place, through the corridor of processions and towards the throne room; the tour of Knossos follows the footsteps taken by visitors of the royal family thousands of years ago.
The Minoans were very advanced and there is evidence of this throughout the Palace of Knossos. Much of the palace’s intricate water systems still remain, including a fully functioning toilet within the Royal Apartments. This was centuries ahead of the Romans who are often remembered for their advancements.
The Palace of Knossos offers a fascinating glimpse into Crete’s ancient history. This is something which would be easily missed in the beach resorts. Not many places have such a rich and detailed history, so it’s well worth taking a tour of the palace while visiting Heraklion.
Watch out for the peacocks that live in and around the palace. They add a touch of regality to this former royal palace. There’s also a great cafe just outside the palace grounds. It’s a great spot for grabbing a refreshment before or after your tour of the palace.
Explore Heraklion Archaeological Museum
The next logical step on this tour is to heard to the Archaeological Museum in Heraklion city centre. The treasures from the Palace of Knossos are here making it one of the most popular attractions in Heraklion. If the Palace of Knossos gives you the context of Crete’s ancient history, this is where you can see the finer detail.
The quantity and quality of the antiquities that have survived is amazing. It’s hard to believe that some of these artefacts are over 5,000 years old and still in such fantastic condition. My tour guide at Knossos had already set the scene so I had a good understanding of Minoan life when I arrived.
The lower floors are contain the oldest artefacts from Crete’s rich history. They celebrate a wealth of religious artefacts, frescos and elaborate pottery. The religious and ceremonial artefacts are particularly interesting. These include the Minoan Snake Priestess who has become an unofficial emblem for the island.
The frescoes upstairs are also impressive. Here the fragments of the surviving frescos from Knossos are on display. These include the ‘Prince of the Lilies’ and the ‘Ladies in Blue’ which you will find replicated in street art and souvenir stores across the island.
Top Tip
It’s well worth touring the Palace of Knossos and Heraklion Archaeological museum together. When buying your ticket, pay $1 extra for a combo ticket. This ticket gets you into both attractions at a reduced price.
Get Creative in Heraklion’s Old Town
From the archaeological museum, I headed further into the Heraklion’s old town. The main streets in Heraklion can get busy with tourists so venture away from the crowds to tour Heraklion’s labyrinth of side streets. This is where the city really comes to life. These streets house courtyards filled with cute Greek tavernas alongside crumbling facades. Beside quirky street art you will find tiny cafes where the locals watch life passing by.
Here the branded shops and large chains made way for the smaller artisan stores. There’s a flourishing creative scene in Crete. Much of this gives a nod to the island’s heritage in fusion with contemporary design.
For the best Cretan Souvenirs, head to Zalo (which is opposite the Heraklion Archeological Museum). Forget fridge magnets and glittery t-shirts! This store focuses contemporary design and modern art prints with a generous splash of Greek flavours. I picked up some quirky prints from a Greek monsters collection. If you’re looking for souvenirs that don’t look like souvenirs, then Zalo is a must.
The Koules Fortress
Head down the marina for another glimpse into Heraklion’s history. It’s a short walk downhill from the Archaeological Museum.
The harbour still has some of it’s traditional charm. There’s a small fleet of fishing boats which sets sail from the harbour as well as a small fish market. It reminded me of the fish markets I visited with my Dad growing up. It’s great to see these traditions continue on an island that increasingly caters to outsiders.
The imposing structure protecting the Harbour is the Koules Fortress. The fortress has been here since the 16th century. It is part of the venetian fortifications which protected the city from attack. Whilst the venetian walls protected the town from land attack, the Koules Fortress was Heraklion’s main sea defence.
It’s well worth taking the walk down towards the Koule’s fortress which sits on a short pier, protecting the harbour. You can head inside for a small fee and to find out more about the fort and Heraklion’s venetian heritage. Expect to see rusting canons from beneath the sea as well as other treasures discovered beneath the sea. Many of them discovered by the diving expeditions of Jacques Cousteau.
Head to the roof of the fortress from panoramic views of the harbour and the city. It’s a great spot for reflecting and there are also great views out into the Aegean sea.
August 25th Street – Agios Titos Church and Venetian Loggia
From Heraklion harbour, my tour of the city took me back into the bustling city along 25th August Street. This is one of the city’s main shopping boulevards as well as being home to some of Heraklion’s historic attractions. There are some great shops and cafes here. Take your time browsing as you head further into the city.
You’ll soon reach the church of Agios Titos, one of the city’s prettiest religious buildings. The church sits slightly back from August 25th Street in a small public square. There are some great cafes and restaurants so it’s a great spot for grabbing some food.
Take a peak inside Agios Titos while you’re here. It’s a very small church so a visit shouldn’t take long. The design of the church is notable as the building was originally a mosque. It has a central dome, a square floorplan and is oritentated so that worshippers face towards Mecca. Today the building is a Greek Orthodox church. The church has a mixture of dark wood fittings and painted depictions of saints in gold. Pay attention to the large wooden chandelier which is particularly impressive.
The Venetian Loggia is a short walk from Agios Titos. This is a throwback to Heraklion’s Venetian era and dates back to the 17th century, similar to the Koules Fortress and fortifications. The Loggia was a meeting place for the city’s noblemen to discuss trade and the city’s social issues. Today the building is one of Heraklion’s most impressive venetian buildings and is also the city’s town hall. It’s a small building so shouldn’t take long to have a quick tour around the lower floors.
Why is there a mixture of building styles in Heraklion?
Crete sits at the intersection between Christianity and Islam. The island is closer to mainland Greece but isn’t far from Turkey either. The island has a turbulent history and had switched hands many times.
After the end of the Minoan Era, Heraklion has been occupied by numerous empires including the Romans, Byzantines, Venetians and Ottomans. Each of which bringing their own architectural flavours and cultural trends. Volcanic activity on the nearby island of Santorini also means that some of the older buildings have had to be replaced.
Lion’s Square and the Morosini Fountain
Most tours of Heraklion include the Moronsini Lion Fountain. This is one of the city’s busiest public squares. The official name is Eletherious Venizelou Square but most people call it Lion’s square.
It’s a natural progression up August 25th Street to reach the square. You’ll know you’ve arrived when you see the Lion Fountain.
The fountain is another throwback to the Venetian era so its over 400 years old. It’s original purpose was to provide drinking water to the locals. The fountain was but a small part in a large piece of engineering; an aqueduct which brought drinking water from over 10km inland. At another point in time the square was a popular slave market.
Today the fountain is entirely decorative but acts as a focal point for a bustling public square. It’s no surprise that this is a popular meeting place for locals. Bars and restaurants line the side of the square. You will see your fair share of visitors eating in this area. It’s a great place to grab food but it can get quite crowded.
Dikeosinis and Plateia Eleftherias
Leoforos Dikaiosynis is Heraklion’s main boulevard and is a short walk from the Morosini Fountain. You will find some of the main high street brands here, but remember that Heraklion is a small city so the selection is modest. There are also some interesting buildings along this road. It’s worth wandering to the end of this road towards Plateia Eleftherias, or Freedom Square.
Plateia Eleftherias offers a temporary respite from the narrow streets and is one of Heraklion’s most popular public spaces. The square is also one of Heraklion’s busiest traffic intersections. It’s close the Archaeological Museum, so it’s also a popular dropping off point for many Heraklion tour groups.
If you don’t mind the traffic, it’s another great spot for grabbing food.
Heraklion Central Market and Ottoman Pumphouse
I completed my Heraklion tour with a quick visit to 1866 street; the home of Heraklion’s central market. It’s a narrow street, but home to a handful of small traders peddling everything from sunglasses to olive oil. It’s not the most rustic market, and caters heavily to passing tourists. But it’s worth having a look to absorb the atmosphere and to listen to the bantering between stall owners.
At the end of the Market, you will find the Ottoman Pumphouse. It’s a small circular building and dates back to the 17th Century when Heraklion was part of the Ottoman Empire. The pumphouse was a place for washing before praying at the mosque. Today the building is a tiny coffee house. There’s little here to bring the Pumphouse’s history to life but its a great place to grab a coffee after spending timing in the busy central market.
Eating, Drinking and Sleeping in Heraklion
After touring around Heraklion, you’ll be looking for great places to recharge. Here are my recommendations.
Heraklion Hotels
I stayed at the Aquilla Atlantis Hotel during my trip to Heraklion. It’s location was perfect. It was a short walk to the Marina and the Archaeological museum (both of which are stopping points on this Heraklion tour). The hotel also boasts a roof top pool and sunbathing area which is great for balancing your time between relaxing and exploring.
I’ll also make a recommendation for the Olive Green Hotel which is Heraklion’s only 100% eco-friendly hotel. It’s location is a fantastic base from exploring the city.
Heraklion Restaurants
Plani
I was exploring the streets around my hotel when I discovered Plani. It’s a cosy little restaurant and very easy to miss from outside. Inside is like a secret garden with twisting tree branches and beautiful pink flower blossoms. The food is traditional Greek and Mediterranean cuisine with enough options on the menu for me to order a tapas style selection of dishes.
McDelly’s
McDelly’s offers a more casual dining experience. It’s a high end American style diner with a generous splash of Greek flavour. If you’re tiring of Greek food, it’s a great alternative. The McDelly’s in Heraklion is just behind the Agios Titos church so is in a great location for grabbing lunch while you are touring the city.
Peskesi
I’d say that no trip to Heraklion is complete without a trip to Peskesi which specializes in traditional Cretan cuisine. It’s in the Centre of Heraklion and a short walk from the Lion’s fountain. Locals and fellow travel bloggers recommended this restaurant highly. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to eat here as it was so busy (which is another glowing recommendation in my eyes). It’s at the top the list on my next visit.
Thank You For Reading – Heraklion Tour
Thank you for reading. I hope this post inspires you on your own self guided tour of Heraklion. If you enjoyed reading this post, I’d recommend having a look at some of my other posts. Take a look at these:
