Heraklion
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Heraklion (Greek Ηράκλειο, also transliterated as Heraklio, Iraklion or Irakleio) [1] is the major city and capital of the largest Greek island of Crete. Its Archaeological Museum holds the remains of the 3000-year old Minoan civilization, which grew aroud the nearby legendary palace of Knossos (of Minotaur fame), as well as Byzantine churches and a well-preserved Venetian wall and fortress from the 15th century.
[edit] Understand
Heraklion (or Herakleion, Iraklio, Irakleion) is the capital of Crete and an industrialised city of around 155,000 residents. The modern city has been disfigured by a lack of any comprehensive planning or any serious commitment to preservation, which has resulted in a traffic-choked urban horror overlaying historical remains of potentially immense interest, but the knowledgeable visitor will still be able to trace the past under the ugly urban sprawl of the present. However, during the last years, things have began to change and efforts are made in order to bring out the beauty of the city's rich cultural history. The core of the city is still enclosed and defined by the Venetian wall, which includes seven outjutting bastions. In the southernmost of these, the Martinengo Bastion, is the grave of Nikos Kazantzakis, standing on a windswept hilltop with its moving inscription, "I hope for nothing. I fear nothing. I am free."
[edit] Climate
Heraklion has a Mediterranean climate. Summers are hot and dry with clear skies. Dry hot days are often relieved by a system of seasonal breezes. Winters are mild with relatively little rain and rare frosts. Current weather conditions can be found here.
[edit] Get in
Located in the middle of the island, all roads lead to Heraklion. Heraklion has a busy harbour and very busy airport and usually is the starting point of travels to Crete and nearby islands.
[edit] By plane
Olympic Airways and Aegean Airlines fly in from Athens and other major Greek cities. During summer, Sky Express flies to several Aegean islands.
[edit] By bus
[edit] By boat
There are ferries from Athens (Piraeus) to Heraklion, Minoan Lines and Anek Lines - and also from Thessaloniki ,Cyclades and Dodecanese to Heraklion. G.A. Ferries and Hellenic Seaways The frequency is reduced in the winter.
[edit] By car
[edit] Get around
[edit] By Ferry
There are Highspeed Catamaran and normal ferries from/to Heraklion, Athens (Piraeus), Thessaloniki, Cyclades and Dodecanese. The frequency is reduced in the winter. An up-to-date site with domestic ferry schedules is here.
[edit][add listing] See
[edit] Landmarks
- The Minoan Palace of Knossos it the site of the most important and best known Minoan palace complex in Crete. It is located some 5 km south of Heraklion. According to tradition, Knossos was the seat of the legendary Cretan king Minos. The Palace is also connected with further legends, such as the myth of the Labyrinth and the Minotaur, as well as the story of Daidalos and Ikaros. Excavation has revealed that the site was continuously inhabited from the Neolithic period (7000-3000 B.C.) until Roman times.
- Koules, the Venetian castle in the Harbour (Greek: Κούλες)
- Venetian Walls (Greek: Τείχη)
- Loggia (Greek: Λότζια)
- Morosini Fountain (a.k.a. Lions Square) (Greek: Λιοντάρια)
- St. Minas Cathedral (Greek: Άγιος Μηνάς)
- St. Titus Church (Greek: Άγιος Τίτος)
- St. Chatherine of the Sinaites Church (Greek: Αγία Αικατερίνη Σιναϊτών)
- St. Mark's Basilica (Greek: Βασιλική Αγίου Μάρκου)
[edit] Museums and Galleries
- Heraklion Archaeological Museum [2] 2 Xanthoudidou Street, tel +30-2810-224630, 280370, fax +30-2810-332610, houses the most important and representative finds from Minoan civilisation and excavations across the island of Crete. Highlights include statues of the Snake Goddess, the famous Bull-Leaping Fresco, the enigmatic and mysterious Phaistos Disk, and Minoan seals and jewelery. Also includes a number of finds from Classical Greek and Roman periods. The Heraklion Archaeological Museum is one of the world's great museums, embodying a whole splendid vanished culture. At least two hours should be allowed to see it, and it could easily take longer. For those seriously interested in that culture, it will be worth while to make two visits to the museum, one before, and one after, visiting Knossos and other Minoan sites: seeing the museum first will enhance your understanding of the sites, and after seeing the sites, you'll be better able to understand the artifacts in the museum when you return. Note: The Heraklion Archeological Museum closed in November 2006 for renovations. A temporary, partial exhibit was supposed to open in July 2007. The museum's current status and date of full reopening are uncertain.
- Museum of the Battle for Crete and National Resistance Recounts the tale of Cretan and Allied resistance against Nazi invaders in World War II.
- Museum of Natural History, University of Crete, S. Venizelou Ave., Tel./Fax: +30 2810 324366,[3].
- Historical Museum of Crete, 27, Sofokli Venizelou Ave. /7, Lysimachou Kalokerinou St., Tel: (++30) 2810 283219, 288708, [4].
- Lychnostatis open-air Cretan folklore museum, Tel: +3028970-23660, [5]. Su-F 9AM-2PM. €4,50.
- CretAquarium Thalassocosmos aquarium, +30 2810-337788, [6]. Open daily 9AM-9PM (May-Oct 15); 10AM-5:30PM (Oct 16-Apr).
- Nikos Kazantzakis Museum [7]. Open daily from 9AM-7PM (Mar-Oct); 10AM-3PM (Nov-Feb), €3, tel +30 2810-741689, in the village of Myrtia (Varvari) 15 km. south of Heraklion, directions on the museum's web site [8] focuses on Crete's most prominent modern intellectual figure.
[edit] Other
- Ichthyology enthusiasts will be interested in Cretaquarium-Thalassocosmos, open June -September 09:00-21:00 October-May 09:00-19:00 tel Reception: +30 2810-337788 Bookings: +30 2810-337888, fax: +30 2810-337882 [9], the biggest aquarium in the Eastern Mediterranean. Located about nine miles east of Heraklion on the National Road (signposted) or by Cretan Intercity Bus (tel +30 2810 246530); for more information call the Reception number, above.
[edit][add listing] Do
- Heraklion Summer Arts Festival - from June to September
- Amoudara the city's beach area; a three kilometer strip of sandy beach, lots of cafes, bars and hotels and the site of "Technopolis", a modern multiplex cinema and open-air theatre.
- Horseback riding, experienced and amateur riders can ride at the beach of Karteros, or take riding lessons at Ippikos Omilos Hrakliou, located 6km east of Heraklion, in Karteros.
Horseback riding at the sandy beach of Karteros -6km east of Heraklion
- Rock Climbing, localers and visitors can climb on a 50 foot rock at the suburb of Karteros, east of Heraklion. Safety equipment is provided, but one can use his own gear too.
- Water fun, at the nearby Water City and Aqua Plus water parks.
[edit] Learn
- The University of Crete [10] is the leading higher education institution on the island of Crete. The University was established in 1973 and operates under the supervision of the State. The seat of the University is in Rethymno, with Heraklion hosting the School of Sciences and Engineering and that of Health Sciences.
[edit] Work
[edit][add listing] Buy
- Visit the central open market in Meidani square and buy mountain herbs, spices and folk natural remedies.
[edit][add listing] Eat
[edit] Budget
[edit] Mid-range
- Heraklion Sailing Club (Greek: Istioploikos or Ιστιοπλοϊκός) Heraklion Harbour, GR-71262 Heraklion. Tel: 0030 2810 22 8118 Classic seafood restaurant facing the Venetian Castle, beloved by Heraklion's locals. Specialities include charcoal grilled fish, seafood salads, clams, and the award winning mussel risotto. Located in the harbour and opposite the Venezian castle (Koules)in the former premises of the port refrigeration plant, east of the Port Authority. Sailing Club membership is not required for the restaurant.
- Pagopieion (Ice-Factory) is a "quirky", very different restaurant and cafe/bar, at St Titus square, by the church. You can sit outside and enjoy the setting, or you might be tempted by the dramatic decor to sit inside. Either way, the food is excellent, the menu different and interesting - Mediterranean with a twist. Good fish too.
[edit][add listing] Drink
- Tsikoudia (Greek, Τσικουδιά - also called Raki, Ρακή), the local spirit. Although it is always served in restaurants for free after all meals, it is worth trying any of the dedicated to tsikoudia small bars (Ρακάδικα - Rakadika)while listening to Cretan folk music.
- Cretan wine. During the Venetian period of the island, the wine of the Malvasia variety from the greater region of Heraklion was one of the most expensive wines in Europe. Although today it has lost its glory, you can still find very nice wine varieties and local labels. Local varieties include the very dark red kotsifali and mandilari.
- Greek coffee
[edit][add listing] Sleep
[edit] Hotels
[edit] Budget
"Hostels", there are not many hostels available in Heraklion, but if one searches hard he can find a couple of them. Both are situated in the city centre, only a 10' drive from the airport and a 5' drive from the port. One can go there by taxi. Most taxi drivers know where these hostels are. Actually, I can't think of a better way to find them. The taxi fare from the airport to the hostels at the city centre should cost less than 10 euros, and from the port less than 6 euros.
[edit] Mid range
[edit] Splurge
[edit] Contact
[edit] Stay safe
- Garden Shop Thiefs, One may get robbed in a garden markets or garden shops. There is a thief who has become a legend in tourist rip offs called Kostas Grammatikakis. It is said that in Heraklion he has been sued by at least a thousand victims. Be aware!
[edit] Cope
[edit] Get out
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