Heraklion Travel Guide
Travel to Heraklion - Crete’s harbour-side capital
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Situated on the north coast of Crete, near the main airport, the walled city of Heraklion is the commercial heart of Crete. Here there are outdoor markets, a recently restored centre and a host of historical places to visit. At the busy Venetian harbour you can see everything from fishing boats to massive cruise liners. The Minoan site at Knossos is here along with one of the very best archaeological museums in Greece.
Very much a working city, the centre of Heraklion is brimming with history. Named after Hercules (Herakles in Greek), it has been important to a succession of occupiers, including Greeks, Romans, Saracens and – of course – Venetians. The outstanding archaeological museum is only a few minutes walk from attractive restaurants and coffee bars. At the harbour stands an imposing Venetian fortress and arsenals which are still used for repairing boats.
Narrow streets are lined with market stalls selling all manner of goods. The Morosini fountain, with its stone lions, is right at the city’s heart. Apart from the archaeological museum, there are numerous others, including a superb museum of religious art, housed in the Church of St Catherine, a historical museum and another dedicated to the Battle for Crete of the Second World War. At night Heraklion becomes a vibrant city buzzing with life.
Attractions in Heraklion
Heraklion is an excellent base for exploring the mountains to the south and the beaches to the east. Most areas in Crete are within a day’s drive and excursions can be arranged – even to places as far away as the Samaria Gorge.
A number of Minoan sites are within range, including the ones at Phaistos and Malia and the site of the Dorian city state of Gortys.
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