What to do in Heraklion

Sit on a harbor wall at Heraklion Port and watch fishing boats bobbing on the sparkling Cretan waters. Visit the ancient fort that protected the harbor and see the old walls that have stood here for over 400 years. Sample local cuisine at one of the many restaurants near the water’s edge. Watch the coming and going of the small ferries that run between the Greek islands or book a passage on one and enjoy a daytrip away from the mainland.

Walk through the chambers of Minoan kings and queens at Knossos and marvel at the grandeur of the ancient buildings. Explore the labyrinthine layout and learn the story of what happened to the mythical architect, Daedalus. Take a tour to find out what treasures have been discovered here since excavations began.

View over 5,500 years of pottery, artwork, tools and weapons when you visit Heraklion Archaeological Museum. Plan to spend time in the Minoan exhibit, which is widely acknowledged as being the best of its kind in the world. Discover Neolithic tools and statues, objects traded with the Egyptians and notable Roman artworks and frescoes too.

Pay a visit to the Historical Museum of Crete and chart the city’s fascinating past from early Christian times through to the modern day. View spectacular Byzantine artwork, visit the writing room of one of Greece’s most famous literary heroes and learn about the Cretan struggle for independence. See how the folk arts of the Byzantine, Venetian and Ottoman periods have all influenced each other. Don’t miss the museum’s prize attractions: two paintings by the great Spanish Renaissance artist Doménikos Theotokópoulos, better known as El Greco.

Stop in Lions Square and admire the beautiful carvings of Morosini Fountain. Imagine the locals nearly four centuries ago filling up their water carriers from the fountain’s lobes and watching as the water gushed from the mouths of the four lions that hold the central basin. Stop for a coffee or a meal in one of the many cafés that line the square and enjoy people-watching as locals and visitors alike make their way through Heraklion’s busiest square.

Visit the Natural History Museum of Crete to explore the different ecosystems in the island’s unique climate and see some of the animals that thrive here. Learn about the species that existed here long before humans. Experience the sensation of an earthquake on the Seismic Table. Children can have fun while learning in the Stavros Niarchos Discovery Center with several interactive exhibits. Rest for a few minutes while you sit down and enjoy one of the excellent shows in the multimedia room.

Visit the Heraklion Loggia and admire the blend of Ionic and Doric architectures that harken back to the time when the city was ruled by the Venetians. Imagine noblemen holding meetings in the columned halls or enjoying a performance in the open arcade area. Look for details such as the reliefs of lions and coats of arms and admire the excellent restoration on this ancient building.