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Heraklion Excursions



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Heraklion Excursions: Things to do and to see on Heraklion, Sightseeing, Crete

 

 

Heraklion is the biggest city of Crete and the fifth of Greece, concentrating the economical, industrial and administrative activity of the island. It is actually the key business center of Crete and a major cruise destination.

We can help you make all the arrangements for your holidays in Heraklion: Hotels, Ferries, Car Rentals, Tours, Cruises, Island Hopping, Customised holidays, and much more. Off course, if you are a Last-Minute type there will always be great offers for a perfect holiday on this magnificent island.

Heraklion offers a wide variety of activities and sites of interest. Have a look below at the things you can do and see while being on this magnificent island!

Below you will find all the Heraklion highlights, fun things to do, the most famous spots and activities on the island, as well as all the information you need when planning a visit to the villages, the beaches and the museums of Heraklion.

For the better understanding of each location you can always check our map.

 
:: Heraklion town

Location: In Heraklion prefecture, on the northern coast of Crete Description: Heraklion is the capital of Crete and the administrative, industrial and commercial center of the island. This make it a very busy town with the usual problems of a quickly-built modern town, such as traffic and constructions...
Heraklion town
>> Info & Pictures of: Heraklion town  
:: Agios Titos church

Location:
In the town of Heraklion
Description: A beautiful Byzantine building, rebuilt in the 16th century by the Venetians. Later the Turks converted it into a mosque but in 1925 the Greek Orthodox Church renovated and reconsecrated it.
The church of Agios Titos
>> Info & Pictures of: Agios Titos church  
:: Knossos Palace

Location:
A few kilometers south of Heraklion
Description: The palace was built around 2000 BC., it is over 20,000 sq.m. and is made of ashlar stones. It is the largest and most spectacular structure in Greece. It had many floors and beautiful frescoes on the walls.
Knossos Minoan Palace
>> Info & Pictures of: Knossos Palace  
:: Phaestos Palace and City

Location:
Southwest of Heraklion town
Description: The palace is of the most typical Minoan palaces on Greece, while the ancient city of Phaestos used to be the most important centre and the wealthiest of the Minoan civilization.
The Palace and City of Phaestos
>> Info & Pictures of: Phaestos Palace and City  
:: Matala Caves

Location:
About 70km from Heraklion
Description: Located to the north of Matala beach, these caves are artificially carved in to the rocks. They were first inhabited during the prehistoric period, used as dwellings and places for worship.
Nearest village: Matala village
Matala Caves
>> Info & Pictures of: Matala Caves  
:: Hersonisos village

Location:
27 km east of Heraklion town
Description: The best equipped touristy resort in Heraklion prefecture. All kinds of accommodation, restaurants, nightclubs and bars are filling the village with tourists every year.
Hersonisos village
>> Info & Pictures of: Hersonisos village  
:: Matala beach

Location:
Southwestern coast of Heraklion
Description: This is maybe the most famous beach in Greece and it extends over 300 m. Matala beach has smooth golden sand and bamboo umbrellas for rent.
Nearest village: Matala
Matala beach
>> Info & Pictures of: Matala beach  
:: Heraklion Archaeological Museum

Location:
In Heraklion town
Description: This enormous museum covers a period starting thousands years ago, through Minoan, post-Minoan and later periods finds. Highlights include the Phaestos disk, classic Hellenic and Roman sculptures, jewlry and pottery.
Archaeological Museum of Heraklion
>> Info & Pictures of: Archaeological museum  
:: Aquarium

Location:
15km east of Heraklion
Description: A 5000 sq.m. structure, it is both a research center and a fun, impressive aquarium with 32 tanks and 200 Mediterranean marine species. A perfect visit with your children!
The Heraklion Aquarium
>> Info & Pictures of: Aquarium  
:: Natural History Museum

Location:
15-20 minutes from the city centre
Description: Wonderful displays about the flora and fauna, the wildlife of Crete. Children will by no means find it boring, since it is one of the most interesting and engaging museums. You will find also descriptive details for every species.
The Natural History Museum of Heraklion
>> Info & Pictures of: Natural History Museum  
:: The archaeological site of Gortyn

Location:
44 km to the southwest of Heraklion, close to Agioi Deka village
Description: The famous Minoan law code has been excavated on Gortyn as well as a superb Roman Odeon. The finds testify about the prosperity of the ancient city of Gortyn, which used to be an ally of Rome and the capital of Crete.
The Archaeological site of Gortyn
>> Info & Pictures of: The archaeological site of Gortyn  
:: Koules Fortress

Location:
In Heraklion town
Description: The Castle of Heraklion is called Koules. It was built in the 16th century by the Venetians. The earliest castle that was on this site had been destroyed in 1303 by the Turks.
Heraklion Koules Fortress
>> Info & Pictures of: Koules Fortress  
:: The Cave of Agia Paraskevi

Location:
About 30 km from Heraklion town, close to Skotino village
Description: This beautiful cave is an important sanctuary from the Minoan times. A celebration is performed there on 26th July, the name day of Agia Paraskevi.
The Cave of Agia Paraskevi
>> Info & Pictures of: The Cave of Agia Paraskevi  
:: The Venetian Loggia

Location:
On Agios Titos square, Heraklion
Description: This huge building was the centre of the noble society in the Venetian times. Nowadays it houses the Town Hall of Heraklion.
The Venetian Loggia
>> Info & Pictures of: The Venetian Loggia  
:: The tomb of Nikos Kazantzakis

Location:
On a hill overlooking Heraklion
Description: The tomb of Nikos Kazantzakis, the most famous Greek writer, was buried outside the walls of Heraklion because the Orthodox church didn't give its allowance to bury him into a cemetery.
The tomb of Nikos Kazantzakis
>> Info & Pictures of: The tomb of Kazantzakis  

:: The Cave of Eileithya

Location:
Near Amnissos beach, 7km east of Heraklion town
Description: This cave was used as a place for worship of the goddess Eleithya (truth), who was protecting childbirth. During Early christian times, the Christians were using this cave to hide and practice their religion, while in the Minoan times it was also used for cult rituals.
>> Info & Pictures of: Cave of Eileithya

:: Malia archaeological site

Location: Nearby the settlement of Malia, east of Heraklion town
Description: Fossils found in this area testify that it was inhabited during the Neolithic period. Remains of a palace and a cemetery have also be found dating to 2000-2500 BC.
Nearest beach: Malia beach
>> Info & Pictures of: Malia archaeological site
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