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.
Heraklion airport website [url=http://www.heraklionairport.net].]There are daily flights from [[Athens[/url]] airport and other major Greek cities by Olympic Air [url=http://www.olympicair.com/Home.aspx?a_id=549]]and Aegean Airlines [url=http://en.aegeanair.com/[/url].]The recently established Athens Airways [url=http://www.athensairways.com/en/[/url]]also connect Heraklion with Athens. During summer, Sky Express [http://www.greekislands.gr/skyexpress/[/url] flies to several Aegean islands.
From April till early November charter airlines fly directly to Heraklion from many European airports.
Heraklion is connected with the rest of Crete by regular bus lines operated by two KTEL companies [url=http://bus-service-crete-ktel.com/],][http://www.crete-buses.gr/[/url]. The coaches are modern, comfortable and air-conditioned. Fare is reasonable.
There are two bus stations in Heraklion:
* The main station used by lines to/from other prefectures (Chania, Rethymno, Lasithi) and lines to the eastern part of Heraklion prefecture.
* Used mainly by lines to/from the southern part of Heraklion prefecture.
There are ferries from:
*Athens ([wiki=5ea66e4b85fa9287d6b204fdb8169c24]Piraeus[/wiki]): Minoan Lines [url=http://www.ferries.gr/minoan/domesticmain.htm]], Anek Lines [url=http://www.ferries.gr/ANEK/defaulten.htm[/url]]and Superfast Ferries [http://www.ferries.gr/bluestarferries/crete/piraeus-heraklion-ferries/[/url]
*[wiki=6ca5bea86fe229aa3c559cd8cb5fe493]Thessaloniki[/wiki] and [wiki=aa9620faf3df242e19e304dfe3dbdfb0]Dodecanese[/wiki] - G.A. Ferries [http://www.ferries.gr/gaferries/]
*[wiki=e554048ef89fa5cd15e1da990f125216]Cyclades[/wiki]: G.A. Ferries [url=http://www.ferries.gr/gaferries/],]Sea Jets [url=http://www.ferries.gr/sea-jets/[/url]]and Hellenic Seaways [url=http://www.ferries.gr/hfd/[/url].]The frequency is reduced in the winter.
*[[Santorini[/url]] [http://www.ferries.gr/cruises/1santorini.htm]
The only solution is to arrive to one of the big ports of Crete (Heraklion, Chania, Sitia or Rethymnon).
Then you have to hire a car, if you have not done it yet. Remember that you need a written authorization of the car rental company to travel with the car in a ferry.
*Rissakis Group - Rent a car in Heraklion Crete: [http://www.creterentcars.gr/] , Agia Pelagia, 71500 Heraklion, Tel: (+30) 2810811630, +30 6936988690
You can use public city bus network to get around Heraklion but you have to figure out the line to your destination. There are usually no routes or schedules posted at the bus stops. Buses do not stop at bus stops, unless you signal the driver by raising your arm. Basic ticket costs €1,10.
When you get on the bus, hold the bottom half of your ticket in your right hand. The bus driver will grab the top half (side with number value of ticket) and the two of you will rip it in half.
* Line 1 goes to/from the airport. €1,10.
* Line 2 takes you to/from Knossos. €1,50.
The Minoan Palace of Knossos tel: +30 2810 231940, +30 2810 226470, +30 2810 226092, +30 2810 224630 fax: +30 2810 241515 [mailto:protocol@kgepka.culture.gr protocol@kgepka.culture.gr]. Full ticket: €6, Reduced: €3; Special ticket package: Full: €10, Reduced: €5, valid for: Heraklion Archaeological Museum and Knossos Site, Open Winter: Daily 08.30-15.00 Summer: 08.00-19.30. [http://odysseus.culture.gr/h/3/eh351.jsp?obj_id=2369]] Knossos (Greek Κνωσός, the accent is on the second syllable) is the site of the most important and best known Minoan palace complex in Crete. It is located some 5 km (3 mi) 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. Catherine of the Sinaites Church (Greek: Αγία Αικατερίνη Σιναϊτών)
*St. Mark's Basilica (Greek: Βασιλική Αγίου Μάρκου)
*Dominican Church of St. Peter (Greek: Άγιος Πέτρος Δομηνικανών)
Historical Museum of Crete [url=http://www.historical-museum.gr/]]Sofokli Venizelou 27, tel. +30 2810 288708, is a multi-faceted museum narrating seventeen centuries of history on the island, from Early Christian times to the modern era.
*Heraklion Archaeological Museum [url=http://odysseus.culture.gr/h/1/eh155.jsp?obj_id=3327[/url]]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.
*Museum of Cretan Ethnology, Voroi Pirgiotissis - Vori, Heraklion, This little museum, in Vori - a pretty, traditinal village near Gourtys & Faistos - really 'punches above its' weight'. it's full of traditional day-to-day objects such as baskets, farming implements, fabrics etc which depict everyday life in Crete over the last couple of hundred years. AND, unusually, it's very well displayed & perfectly titled, with clear descriptions in Greek & English. Absolutely charming.
*Museum of the Battle for Crete and National Resistance Recounts the tale of Cretan and Allied resistance against Nazi invaders in World War II.
*Natural History Museum of Crete, [url=http://www.nhmc.uoc.gr/[/url]]University of Crete, S. Venizelou Ave., Tel: Reception-Bookings +30 2810 393630, Fax: +30 2810 393636,Email: info@nhmc.uoc.gr. The Natural History Museum of Crete is housed in the renovated former premises of the Heraklion Public Power Corporation, on Dermatas’ Bay and it is the largest exhibition of its kind in the Mediterranean, showcasing the natural environment of Crete and the wider Mediterranean area. Visitors have the opportunity to explore Cretan ecosystems alongside their equivalents in mainland Greece and elsewhere in the Mediterranean via dioramas, i.e. full-scale models of natural landscapes. Other areas are dedicated to exhibits such as the Giant Deinotherium, the largest prehistoric animal ever to live on Crete, the Living Museum, a display of typical animals of Crete and the Mediterranean, the Enceladus, an earthquake simulator where one can experience several earthquakes known to have occurred in different areas in the past, as well as the Erevnotopos Discovery Centre, an area specially designed for younger visitors, where they can dig for fossils and explore Cretan nature hands-on. In 2016 it also holds three temporary exhibitions; "Dinosaurs extreme", with real-size reconstructions of dinosaurs with extreme characteristics (the largest, the smallest, the oldest, the fastest and of course the famous T-rex). The second exhibition, "Light Mysteries", is an exhibition which includes aspects of holography and optics, through experiments and illusions. There is also the display “Crete, a continent in an island“, featuring numerous exhibits and micro-dioramas on the biodiversity and geodiversity of Crete. Qualified personnel can inform you about the exhibits or you can aso have a guided tour.
*Historical Museum of Crete, 27, Sofokli Venizelou Ave. /7, Lysimachou Kalokerinou St., Tel: (++30) 2810 283219, 288708, [http://www.historical-museum.gr/en/[/url].
*Lychnostatis open-air Cretan folklore museum, Tel: +3028970-23660, [url=http://www.lychnostatis.gr/site/english.html].]Su-F 9AM-2PM. €4,50.
*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 [url=http://www.cretaquarium.gr/indexen.php[/url],]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.
*Nikos Kazantzakis Museum [url=http://www.kazantzakis-museum.gr/[/url].]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 [http://www.kazantzakis-museum.gr/index.php?pre_id=1168&id=1168&level=3&lang=en[/url] focuses on Crete's most prominent modern intellectual figure.
Throughout most of the downtown, it is easy to find cheap tavernas (ταβερνα) offering full meals for under €20 for two people (eating alone in Crete would be a bizarre affair.) There are many tavernas on the Western end of the waterfront which offer a great view out over the water, and back towards the Venetian fort. "Thalassinos Kosmos" (Leoforos Sofokli Venizelou 11) is on the far western end: don't be suprised if you are greeted with a kiss, and brought a free dessert at the end of your meal.
A strict budget can be met bu sticking to the supermarkets which provide the usual array of fruits, vegetables and cheese for modest prices (€5/day is quite feasible.)
Definitely don't feel the need to avoid the downtown cafes, who will offer the local breakfast treat bougatsa, a local pastry with cottage cheese, served with honey, or cinnamon and sugar.
Also available are the usual complement of pastry shops for standard meals such as spanakopita (spinach pie) and various cheap deserts.
Heraklion Sailing Club([wiki=8bc30412eeed8bd1f0107b06c6e8b876]Greek[/wiki]: Istioploikos or Ιστιοπλοϊκός) Heraklion Harbour Tel: +30 2810 22 8118. Classic seafood restaurant facing the Venetian Castle. Specialities include charcoal grilled fish, seafood salads, clams, and the award winning mussel risotto. Located 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.
* Herb's Garden (The Roof Garden of Lato Boutique Hotel) The name has been inspired from the traditional Cretan herbs. Stylish, yet intimate and casual. Offers a spectacular view to Heraklion’s Venetian fortress and Cretan Sea. Opens from early afternoon and serves fresh fish, seasonal salads and fine delicatessens accompanied by local aperitifs like ouzo and raki and a variety of fine wines. Later in the afternoon there is special coffee and tea arrangements, fresh fruit juices, great ice cream, summer cocktails and drinks.
There are two hostels in Heraklion. Both are situated in the city centre, only a 10 minute drive from the airport and a 5 minute drive from the port. One can go there by taxi. The taxi fare from the airport to the hostels at the city centre should cost less than €10, and from the port less than €6.
*Seriously, read the online reviews before booking. Not for the faint hearted. Fairly disgusting hostel.
* An excellent family run hotel in Karteros, about 7km outside Heraklion. (On bus route with hourly buses.) A great base for exploring the island either as a stop over as it’s 10 minutes drive from the airport. It has its own pool and is located only 200m from a long sandy beach. Prices depending on season.
Pela Mare Hotel [url=http://pelamarehotel.com/],]Agia Pelagia, Tel: +30 28108 11510, Fax: +30 28181 00001, Email: sales@pelamarehotel.com. Pela Mare Hotel is located in Agia Pelagia situated on a spectacular location offering monumental sea views, 15km west of Heraklion, city center. Standard rates vary from EUR 30,00 up to EUR 120,00 per night. For special rates and discounts visit the hotel's official website.
*Mirabello Hotel [url=http://www.mirabello-hotel.gr[/url],]20, Theotokopoulou, Tel: +30 2810 285052, Fax: +30 2810 225852, Email: mirabhot@otenet.gr. Good value, friendly atmosphere, very helpful staff. Rooms from €30-55 with discounts during low-season. Very centrally situated in a quiet neighborhood of the city. Nice views from the balcony.
*Life Hotel [http://www.irakliohotel.gr[/url], 50, Ikarou Ave, tel:+30 2810 243090 or +30 2810 343088. This hotel is walking distance to port and very close to bus station to catch bus to Knossos Palace, as well as other cities in Crete. Double €70. A good option if staying near the port and walking distance to downtown.
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The Best Western Your Memories Hotel is a three-star S property with the advantage of being regularly inspected to meet the standards of the international brand. It is located about 15 kilometers east of the major Heraklion airport, making it a good choice for first or last night without having to stay in the city. It is also centrally located on the island, so makes a good base for exploring on longer vacations. There is an indoor and outdoor restaurant that serves a breakfast buffet and an indoor/outdoor bar. The restaurant will serve lunches and dinners on request during the tourist season. There is a good-sized swimming pool with separated kiddie pool and playground, and the hotel is set in landscaped grounds in a quiet residential area a 10-minute walk from the busy beach with numerous shops, tavernas, bars and clubs. Rooms, studios, and apartments are well-appointed with mini-fridges, and most have small kitchenettes. There is free Wifi in rooms and around the grounds.
Fully renovated, this modern, minimal-style hotel is right next to Heraklion's vibrant center, with its cafés, shopping center, tavernas and museums but also a short stride from the seashore.
* Accommodation within a modern, friendly and luxurious environment with panoramic views of the Venetian fortress.
* Luxury, comfort and a cosmopolitan atmosphere. Centrally located in a quiet area.
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*Just 20 minutes from Heraklion airport, tucked away on the hillsides of the northern coast of Crete, you will find your beautiful holiday home in Episkopi. Swim in your very own large private pool. Indulge into the privacy of the home and the pool area. Relax rest and heal during your stay at this truly peaceful holiday home. All the comfort you need you will find right here in this beautiful and spacious luxury villa in Crete.
*Newly renovated, award-winning 5-star, Heraklion’s premier hotel for business and leisure. Warm, professional service, modern elegance and superior amenities. 127 rooms and suites (pool or city views), free WiFi, free parking, large pool, 2 gourmet restaurants, complimentary gym (incl. hammam), state-of-the art conference and event facilities, complimentary business center.