Heraklion
Travel Guide
Welcome to our Heraklion travel guide, where we explore Crete’s largest city. This vibrant city comes complete with some of the best archaeological treasures of Crete and Greece, as well as, a diverse food scene and great connections to other Greek islands.
Heraklion may not be quite as picturesque as some of Crete’s other cities, but it more than makes up for that with a fantastic selection of attractions such as great museums and well preserved archaeological sites. The city feels alive and is very much a Greek working city, which contributes to its gritty atmosphere. Heraklion isn’t a beach destination but it is well worth spending a few days in the city to appreciate the sights, the Venetian harbour and the old city streets filled with great restaurants and good shopping. The port is also one of the most major in Greece so ferries and boats to Athens and many other islands leave regularly to continue exploring Greece and it’s islands.
Heraklion Travel Guide Contents
Check out our other Greece Travel Guides:
Rhodes Travel Guide | Chania Travel Guide | Athens Travel Guide | Santorini Travel Guide | Naxos Travel Guide
Heraklion Travel Guide
How to get to Heraklion
Heraklion International airport (HER) is the second busiest airport in Greece and the main airport for Crete. It is located 5km from the city centre. The airport is small but has been recently renovated, so is modern and reasonably well equipped with a small selection of cafes, restaurants, shops and lounges. Arriving into Heraklion by ferry is also popular, so we’ve covered this too. These are the options for how to get to Heraklion, Crete:
Bus – Line 1 and 78 run from the airport to Heraklion city centre from 06:00 to 21:15, every 10-15min. The journey takes 35min and the tickets cost €2 ($2.25) each, one way and can be bought on board. The bus leaves from the inner road outside of the airport so you will need to walk over to it
Taxi – available from outside arrivals, Taxi’s are the most convenient option for getting to the city centre. If your final destination is within the city centre, a flat rate of €20 ($23) will be charged. The journey takes approx 10min
Private transfer – A transfer with Welcome Pickups to the city centre will cost approx €16 ($18) and take 10min. You can book your transfer through their website
From Heraklion Port – Located 500metres from the harbour, the city centre is only a 10-15min walk from the port, so easily accessible by foot. Alternatively, there are plenty of taxi’s available outside the passenger terminal and, depending on your final destination, fares should be €5-€10 ($6-$12) for a journey to the city centre. To book ferries in Greece, use Ferryhopper which covers all ferry operators in Greece on one website/app
From Chania – By public transport, the only way to get to Heraklion from Chania is by KTEL bus which takes approx. 2-3hr, and costs €13.80 ($16) per person. The bus departs from Chania bus station and arrives at Heraklion bus station. A taxi from Chania to Heraklion will cost in the region of €150-€200 ($175-$230)
Areas to stay in Heraklion
Despite being a relatively large city for Greece, the main centre of Heraklion is quite small, making it easy to see most of the city in a short space of time. This also means that you can be close to everything, as long as you stay in the central area. We would advise staying within the city walls, as this is where the city is at it’s best and where most of the attractions, restaurants and shops are. To be closer to the port, stay in the northern part of the city centre, to be closer to restaurants, stay in the south eastern part of the city walls. For some of the cheapest accommodation and apartments stay south west in the city walls
Accommodation in Heraklion
Heraklion has plenty of accommodation options to choose from. The majority of accommodation in the city centre is located within the city walls, with the larger, chain and 5 star hotels being located near the port. While there aren’t tons of hostels, there are a few to choose from, as well as many budget hotels and apartments. Accommodation prices are generally very reasonable, even in the peak season. We would still advise trying to stay and visit out of those peak summer months though, to get more reasonable accommodation prices and more choice. These are some of our top picks of where to stay in Herkalion:
Budget Hostel | Intra Muros Hostel – Located in the centre of Heraklion, close to some of the best nightlife in the city, Intra Muros Hostel is perfect for budget travellers looking for comfort, style, amenities and great value
Mid-range Hotel | Olive Green Hotel – Situated nearby some of Heraklion’s best museums, Olive Green Hotel is a solid mid-range option with clean, well-equipped and modern rooms, a good breakfast offering and rooms to suit the needs of most travellers including families
Apartment | Kings Blue, Urban Suites – For a home away from home type stay, Urban Suites are a great choice. Rooms feature a small kitchen, dining table, seating area and well-designed interiors. For comfort and more space, this is a great option
Luxury Hotel | GDM Megaron Hotel – Located close to the port, Megaron Hotel is 5-star luxury in the centre of Heraklion with amenities including a fitness centre, rooftop pool, restaurant and comfortable rooms
How to get around Heraklion
Within the city walls of Heraklion, you can walk to most attractions and areas within 20-30min, so public transport isn’t necessary. There are also many pedestrianised streets, so public transport isn’t always an option. However, if you do need an alternative to walking, or are visiting attractions or towns outside of the city centre, then here are the options for how to get around Heraklion:
Bus – There are two types of buses in Heraklion, regional and intercity buses which are generally run by KTEL and Heraklion city buses which have a network across the city. For travel in the Heraklion area, Heraklion city buses will likely be the provider and charge between €1.10 ($1.25) and €1.50 ($1.75) depending on the distance. There are two bus stations in Heraklion, the first is near the port and caters mainly to buses going to the west side of the island. The second is in Chanioporta, in the city and caters to buses going to the south of Heraklion prefecture. City buses can be found at stops throughout the city, but it is best to ask a local or accommodation provider for advice on where to catch the bus
Taxi – Taxi’s are available throughout Heraklion and Crete, taxi’s are an affordable way to get around and are the only way to get to destinations that the buses don’t stop at via public transport
Things to do in Heraklion
As a city rich in history and culture, there is so much to explore in Heraklion and many Heraklion attractions to visit. Many of the city’s most popular attractions are based on its history and archaeological findings. We’ve put together a compact list of the top 5 things to do in Heraklion to help you plan your trip:
Heraklion Archaeological Museum – One of the best museums in Crete, the Heraklion Archaeological Museum has the greatest collection of Minoan art and the most extensive collection of items from the Minoan civilization of Crete. Tickets cost €12 ($14) each
Venetian Harbour – Built centuries ago, the large Venetian harbour is a joy to walk around and explore. Go at sunset for beautiful views
Palace of Knossos – The Minoan palace at Knossos is one of the biggest Heraklion attractions. It became the ceremonial and political centre for the Minoan civilization. It is located around 15min drive from Heraklion and tickets cost €15 ($17) per person
Agios Minas Cathedral – Built in the 1800s, this cathedral is one of the largest in Greece and is dedicated to the patron saint of Heraklion. It is free to visit inside the cathedral
Koules Fortress – Located on the Venetian Harbour, this fortress was built in the 13th century by the Venetians and was used to protect the harbour. Spread across 2 floors, it is exceptionally well preserved. Tickets cost €4 ($4.50) each
What to eat in Heraklion
Across Greece, the food is a highlight of any trip and is comforting and delicious. There’s much more to Greek food than the staples that many of us see and hear about regularly, and finding great Greek food while in Greece is a breeze. Meze is one of the most common types of Greek cuisine, which is a selection of small plates, but there is also a range of larger fish and meat dishes, but these are still generally shared between a table. With just over 400 restaurants in Heraklion, there are plenty of different places to try, specialising in both Greek food and international food such as Italian, Japanese and Turkish. Here are our top picks of what to eat in Heraklion, Crete while you’re there:
Dakos – A Cretan meze dish which is formed of a barley rusk topped with chopped tomatoes, crumbled feta or mizithra cheese, and herbs on top
Snails (Kohli) – A delicacy of Cretan cuisine, snails are commonly cooked with garlic, onion, tomato, herbs and olive oil
Shrimp Saganaki – A dish found all over Greece, shrimp saganaki is a dish consisting of beautiful shrimps in a rich tomato sauce with feta crumbled into the sauce, best eaten with lots of bread!
Goat Tsigariasto – A wonderful dish consisting of beautifully tender goat with greens in white wine, lemon, garlic, herbs and olive oil sauce
Loukoumades – These are soft and fluffy deep-fried balls which are known as Greek doughnuts, and soaked in honey. Usually served with cinnamon on top and sometimes, walnuts or sesame seeds
Money
The currency in Greece is the Euro(€). Credit & Debit cards are widely accepted throughout Greece, including in Heraklion, and there are plenty of ATM’s which accept foreign cards. A service charge is rarely added to the bill in Heraklion, but a tip is often given. For a budget or mid-range meal, a tip of up to €5 ($6) is generally the norm if you are happy with the service. For high-end restaurants, a tip of up to 10% is average. For taxi’s, you can round up the fare. Greece as a whole is an affordable destination and accommodation and food is more reasonably priced than in most popular European destinations. Here’s a guide for what you can expect to pay (per person) for:
A local draught beer – $3.50-€5 ($4-$6)
A coffee – €2-€3.50 ($2.50-$4)
Gyros (Greek pita wrap with meat) – €3 ($3.70)
Budget restaurant meal – €10-€15 ($12-$18)
Mid-range restaurant meal – €20-€25 ($25-$30)
High-end restaurant meal – €30 ($35+)
When to go to Heraklion and for how long
The best time to visit Heraklion is in May and June or September to the end of October. The peak months of July and August can get very busy and the weather can get very hot, so it’s best to avoid these months if possible. The southern location of Greece, and particularly Crete, means that the weather is generally good and warm from the beginning of May to the end of October, but April can even be nice, as well as November. As Heraklion is a large city within Greece, it could certainly be considered a year round destination, although direct flights from other European destinations only operate from March to November, so flying via Athens is necessary outside these months. A visit of at least 2-3 days is recommended to cover the main sights in Heraklion but with day trips, this could be stretched to 5 days.
Local language and phrases
For some of the most useful Greek words and phrases to use on your Greek adventure, check out our Greece travel tips section. While English is widely spoken in Heraklion, it’s always good to know a few key phrases, even if just to be polite to locals
Heraklion travel tips
– Heraklion is a safe city and is safe for lone travellers, including lone females
– There are a range of places to eat including those specialising in vegetarian diets
– The tap water is safe to drink in Crete
Heraklion travel guide written in November 2021
This site uses affiliate links. When you click on a link and purchase an item, we may be compensated on qualifying purchases. However, this is at no extra cost to you. See our affiliate disclosure for further information.
Heraklion Travel Articles
Heraklion Walking Tour Videos And Maps
Check out our Youtube Channel for more Heraklion walking tours, and tours for other destinations too.
Heraklion Old Town Walking Tour
A walking tour video highlighting the sights of Heraklion Old Town, and accompanying map showing the route we walked
Heraklion Seafront Walking Tour
A walking tour video highlighting the sights of Heraklion Harbour and Seafront with accompanying map showing the route we walked
Heraklion Venetian Walls Tour
A walking tour video highlighting the Venetian walls that surround Heraklion old Town with accompanying map showing the route we walked
Pin this Herkalion Travel Guide to save it for later!
