The largest of all of the resorts in Crete, Heraklion is a beautiful city that appeals to those interested in culture and archaeology, with a variety of hotels and restaurants to choose from and plenty of sightseeing to be done. Its rich and vibrant history that has seen the presence of Romans, Venetians and Turks, fascinating natural surroundings and the year-round pleasant Mediterranean climate make Heraklion a perfect holiday destination for the last 40 years. So, come and explore this charming getaway and have a wonderful time you’ll not soon forget.
Heraklion also affords an ideal starting-off point for the visitor to explore the wonderful sights of the Crete Island, including places like Matalla, the greenery of Arhanes and Hersonissos, known for its bustling nightlife, and is linked to many cities in Greece with its own Heraklion Airport, located in the Nea Alikarnassos area, some 5 kilometers east of the city, also called Nikos Kazantzakis after the famous Greek philosopher and writer. Flights to Heraklion are available from different parts of the world, including UK, USA, Canada, Europe and Australia.
Top Heraklion Attractions
The Palace of Knossos
The largest of all Minoan palatial structures, the stunning Palace of Knossos is found on the slopes of Kefalas Mountain, at a distance of 5 km from the town center of Heraklion. The first excavations that brought to light parts of the palace were carried out in 1878 by a Cretan antiquarian, while several other people, including the American Consul in Greece attempted to go on with excavations. According to the historical evidence, the palace was built around 1900 BC, had many floors and was decorated with incredibly naturalistic frescoes and exquisite ceramics. Make sure to visit his key attraction in Heraklion to truly appreciate the ruins and the majesty of their original ornamentation.
Heraklion Archaeological Museum
After you have visited the Palace of Knossos, you should also visit the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion, one of the most important museums in Greece and Europe, showcasing the vast majority of remnants found in excavation in all sites in Crete, including Knosos, Phaistos and more. The present building was constructed between 1933 and 1937 on the site of the imposing Venetian Franciscan friary destroyed by an earthquake in 1856. The museum houses a variety of cultural events and from time to time organizes temporary exhibitions in Greece and abroad.
Morozini Fountain
Designed in the same style as the Piazza San Marco in Venice, Morozini Fountain is situated in the center of Venizelou square and was inaugurated by the Venetian administrator Francesco Morozini, who managed to bring water from Archanes’ springs to the thirsty town of Heraklion in the early 17th century through a complicated – for that period system of pipelines and channels. The basin of the fountain stands on a circular base and comprises eight lobes decorated with scenes from Greek mythology. At the center of the fountain, on a high octagonal pedestal sit four proud lions with water flowing from their mouths. This is the heart and the rendezvous point of Heraklion, where no matter for business or leisure, locals and visitors gather to share glances and perhaps a few words.
