Things to do in Heraklion: Knossos, the museum and the old harbor
Heraklion is Crete's largest city and its main airport and ferry port, a working Greek city with Venetian walls, a fortress on the harbor and the best archaeological museum on the island. Knossos is 20 minutes away by bus. One full day covers the city and a second covers the palace. The one thing to know is that Knossos fills with cruise groups by mid-morning.
The short answer
- First trip
- Spend a morning at Knossos, an afternoon in the Archaeological Museum, and an evening walking the Venetian harbor to the Koules fortress.
- Where to stay
- Near the old harbor and Eleftherias square for walking, or at a beach hotel east or west of town if you want the sea.
- How many days
- Two days for the city and Knossos. Add one or two if you use Heraklion as a base for the rest of Crete.
- Best time to go
- April to June and September to October: warm, open and less crowded than July and August.
- Book ahead
- A timed Knossos ticket in the early slot, and ferries or a rental car in summer.
- From the airport
- The airport is about 5 km from the center. City bus 78 takes around 20 minutes, and a taxi is shorter.
Where to stay in Heraklion, in brief
The old harbor and the center
first-timers on foot
Hotels between the Venetian harbor, Eleftherias square and the market street are within a ten minute walk of the museum and the fortress. Expect traffic and some late noise on the main streets.
Eleftherias square and the museum area
museum and bus links
Close to the Archaeological Museum, the old town walls and the bus stop for Knossos. Busy by day and quieter in the evening.
Amoudara and the west beaches
beach days with a bus into town
Resort hotels along a long sandy beach about 5 km west. The city bus takes 20 to 30 minutes, so you sleep by the sea and visit the city by day.
Hersonissos and the east coast
a resort holiday with a city day
A resort strip about 25 km east. It is a beach and nightlife base, not a place to walk to Heraklion's sights. Plan on buses or a car.
Things to do in Heraklion
Palace of Knossos
The reconstructed Minoan palace about 5 km south of the center, the largest Bronze Age site in Crete. Go in the first hour, before the cruise groups and the heat, and take a guide or audio guide, because the reconstructions need explaining.
a few days to a week ahead in summer for an early slot
Heraklion Archaeological Museum
The best collection of Minoan finds in the world, including the Phaistos Disc, the Snake Goddess figures and the Knossos frescoes. It reopened in full after a long renovation, so check the official opening hours.
Koules fortress
The Venetian sea fortress at the end of the harbor breakwater. The walk along the mole is free and good at sunset, and the fortress can be entered when open.
Venetian harbor and arsenals
The old harbor with its stone arsenals, where fishing boats still tie up. Walk it in the evening, when the heat has dropped.
Venetian walls and Nikos Kazantzakis's grave
The ramparts that ring the old city are among the largest in the Mediterranean. The author of Zorba the Greek is buried on the Martinengo bastion, with a view over the city.
Morosini fountain and Lions square
A 17th century Venetian fountain in the middle of the old center, surrounded by cafes. A good place to sit for a coffee between sights.
Agios Titos and Agios Markos
Two central churches in the old center, rebuilt after earthquakes and wars. Short visits, free to enter, but dress modestly.
Market street (1866 street)
A narrow lane of cheese, herb, rusk and butcher stalls between Venizelou square and Kornarou square. Come for a look and a snack rather than a meal.
Historical Museum of Crete
A museum of Byzantine and later Cretan history, near the harbor. It is a useful complement to the Minoan sights.
What to book before you go
These sell out. Most of the rest of Heraklion can be decided on the day.
Every tour and ticket in Heraklion, and which to pick- Knossos timed ticketa few days to a week ahead in summer
Entry is by timed slot through the official e-ticket system, and the first slot of the day is quieter and cooler.
- A rental car for the rest of Crete2 to 4 weeks ahead from June to September
Automatic cars and the better rates go first, and public buses will not reach most beaches or villages.
- Ferries to Santorini or Athens1 to 3 weeks ahead in summer
Fast boats to Santorini run mainly in summer and fill on weekends. Overnight ferries to Piraeus sell out in August.
What to skip in Heraklion
- Knossos at 11am in July
It is hot, shadeless and full of tour groups. Go at opening, or in the last two hours before closing.
- Eating on the busiest harbor and square frontages
Menus with photographs and staff calling people in are aimed at day visitors. Walk a few streets back, or eat at the places in our food guide.
- Trying to see all of Crete from here in one day
The island is 260 km long. Pick one direction, such as Knossos, Archanes and the vineyards, rather than racing to the far west.
Best time to visit Heraklion
April to June and September to October are the best months: 20 to 30 degrees, the sea warm enough from late May, and the sights open without the August crowds. Wildflowers and green hills are best in April and May.
July and August are hot, often above 30 degrees, and busy with cruise passengers and package holidays. From November to March it is mild but wet and windy, the sea is cold and many seasonal businesses are shut, though the museum and the city's cafes carry on.
- From Heraklion airportThe airport is about 5 km east of the center. City bus 78 runs to the central bus station in around 20 minutes, and a taxi is quicker.
- In the cityThe old center is flat and walkable. The museum, the market, the fountain and the harbor are all within 15 minutes of each other on foot.
- To KnossosCity bus line 2 runs from the center to the site entrance in about 20 minutes. A taxi is short and easy to share.
- To the rest of CreteIntercity KTEL buses leave from two stations, east and west of the old harbor, for Chania, Rethymno, Agios Nikolaos and Hersonissos. A car is easier for villages, gorges and beaches.
Heraklion in two days
- Day 1
Knossos at opening, back in the city by late morning. Lunch near the market, then the Archaeological Museum. Evening walk along the harbor to the Koules fortress.
- Day 2
The walls and Kazantzakis's grave, Lions square and the churches. Afternoon on a beach at Amoudara or a day trip. Dinner at a taverna in the old center.
Day trips from Heraklion
- Archanes and the vineyardsA wine village about 15 km south of the city with tasting rooms. Easiest by car or a short taxi ride.
- Phaistos and MatalaThe second Minoan palace and a beach town, about 65 km south. Allow a long day by car.
- SpinalongaAn island fortress and former leper colony near Elounda, about 70 km east. Boats leave from Plaka and Elounda, and the drive takes about an hour and a half.
Heraklion: questions people ask
How many days do you need in Heraklion?
Two days cover Knossos, the Archaeological Museum and the old center. Stay longer only if you use the city as a base for the rest of Crete.
Is Heraklion worth visiting?
Yes for the Minoan sites and the museum, which are among the best in Europe. The city itself is a working one with traffic and plain modern streets, so most people spend two days and move on.
How do you get to Knossos from Heraklion?
By city bus line 2 from the center, about 20 minutes, or by taxi. Tickets are sold by timed slot through the official e-ticket system.
When is the best time to visit Heraklion?
April to June and September to October. The weather is warm and the sights are open without the peak crowds of July and August.
Is Heraklion good for beaches?
Not in the old center. The nearest sandy beaches are at Amoudara to the west and Kokkini Hani to the east, and the better ones are a drive away.
Can you visit Heraklion without a car?
Yes, for the city, Knossos and the airport. Buses reach Chania, Rethymno and the north coast resorts. A car helps for villages, gorges and the south coast.
Is Heraklion safe for tourists?
Yes, in normal city terms. Keep an eye on bags in crowded places, take care crossing busy roads, and use licensed taxis.