HERAKLION

Venetian port & Koule Fortress

The Venetian fortress of Koules is one of the most beloved and familiar monuments in Heraklion dominates the entrance to the Venetian harbour of Heraklion. The Venetians called it Castello a Mare or Rocca a Mare (Sea Fortress), but Cretans refer to it as “Koules” a corruption of Su Kulesi (Water Tower in Turkish).

    Lions’ Fountain Square

The Lions in Heraklion is the square of the Fontana Morosini is one of the most important monuments the Venetians bestowed on Heraklion.  It dates back to the Venetian era and is more commonly known as Lions Square and features four lions supporting the main basin. When it was built, it offered a solution

to the problem of supplying Heraklion with water, providing 1,000 barrels of water a day.

Venetian City Walls

The city walls of Venetian Candia, one of the major defense strategy and military achievements of its time. The walls embrace the old city of Heraklion while have four main gates, located at the four compass points.

St. Peter & St. Paul Cathedral

The St. Peter & St. Paul Cathedral is one of the most important and biggest Catholic monasteries of the city of Heraklion. Situated approximately in the middle of the seaside wall, it was built from the first years of the venetian domination and belonged to the monastic order of Dominicans.

St. Titus Cathedral

The church of Saint Titus in Heraklion, is one of the most important monuments in the centre of town. It is set in a lovely square with a few cafés and bars.

St. Marcus Basilica

The Basilica of Saint Mark is one of the most important Venetian buildings-monuments in Heraklion. It is located directly opposite the Lions Fountain, in Eleftheriou Venizelou Square in the centre of Heraklion. Today it houses the city’s Municipal Art Gallery.

Archeological Museum

The Heraklion Archaeological Museum is regarded as one of Europe''s most important museums. It houses representative artefacts from all the periods of Cretan prehistory and history, covering over 5,500 years from the Neolithic period to Roman times.

Natural History Museum

The Natural History Museum of Crete is located near the port of Heraklionω and it is dedicated to the natural environment. The museum was established in 1980. It is divided in five sections: Zoological, Botanical, Anthropological, Paleontological-Geological and Mineralogical.

Historical Museum

The Historical Museum of Crete was founded in 1953 and presents a comprehensive view of the First Byzantine period (330 AD) to World War II. It is open from Monday to Saturday, from 09.00 to 17.00, while it is shut on Sundays and holidays.

Knossos & Festus Palaces

The Palace of Knossos is located in North Central Crete and more specifically 5km south of Heraklion in the valley of the river Kairatos. Is the largest Bronze Age archaeological site on Crete and is considered to be Europe's oldest city.

Malian Palace

The Palace of Malia is situated on the North coast of Crete, 3 km East of the town of Malia and is the third-largest Minoan palace in Crete, built in a wonderful setting near the sea. From the architectural point of view the Palace of Malia, is the third- largest of the Minoan Palaces and is considered the most "provincial" of them. 

Archanes Village

Arhanes is situated in central northern Crete, 14 km from the capital Heraklion and 7 km from the Palace of Knossos. It is a lovely village surrounded by olive groves and vineyards and also the archaeological site of an ancient Minoan settlement. Archanes was an important hub in the region during Minoan times as ancient roads were leading from Archanes to Juktas, Anemospilia, Xeri Kara and Vathypetro.

Thalassokosmos Aquarium

One of the largest and most modern aquariums in Europe, CretAquarium was founded and operates as part of the HCMR. It is geographically located on the north-western part of the former American Base of Gournes, where together with the premises of the research institutions of HCMR forms THALASSOKOSMOS - the largest centre for marine science and promotion of the Mediterranean Sea world.

Shopping area

A walk for shopping in Heraklion is usually accompanied by a coffee in one of the many modern cafés and bars in the centre of the town. The most popular street, where you will find famous brands such as the Zara Group, Hugo Boss, Folie Folie, and many others is Daedalus street starting from Lions Square and ending at Eleftherias Square. Apart from the shops located in Daedalou Street there are many small shops off all the main streets. Just have a look along 1866 Street and more so its side streets.

Waterparks

There are two Waterparks in Heraklion, the Acqua Plus located just outside of Hersonissos, on the road to Kastelli and the WaterCity located in the Anopolis Mountains, just up from a resort called Kokkini Hani. Both parks have onsite facilities for showers, locker rooms and small cafes to buy food or drinks. You pay 1 fee to get into the park for a certain amount of time or all day passes.

HERSONISSOS:

Hersonissos port

Hersonissos port or Limin Hersonissos, one of the most popular tourist resorts in Crete, is situated on the north east coast of the island, 28km east of Heraklion. The harbour of Chersonissos is famous for its night life as there are many bars/pubs, restaurants and taverns on the waterfront. Also the visitors can find a large number of shops with jewellery, furs, clothing and souvenirs on the main street.

Lychnostatis museum

The Cretan Open-air Museum 'Lychnostatis' is located in Hersonissos and aims to promote the understanding and awareness of the Cretan folk cultural heritage. Operating since July 1992, it aims to promote the understanding of the Cretan folk cultural heritage and the awareness of the Cretan nature and environment. The museum comprises Cretan farmer houses, a distillery, windmill, church, wine and olive presses, weaving workshops, a garden with medicinal plants and a folk art gallery.

Agricultural Museum & Gallery Menelaus Parlama

The renovated Rural Museum of Menelaus Parlama is located at the traditional village of Piskopiano, 3kms to the south of the port of Hersonissos. Opened from 1988, this museum is housed in the village’s old olive-oil mill (named ‘fabrika’ by the locals). The visitor can gain an understanding of daily life and occupations of the Cretan farmer before the introduction of modern technology.