Heraklion is the beautiful capital of Crete – it combines the hallmark of Greece, the ancient monuments, with loads of Venetian architecture and turquoise waters of the Mediterranean Sea. What can you see there? What are the best tourist attractions you can find in Heraklion? We’ll go over exactly that in today’s guide.
Heraklion
Introduction
Heraklion is the capital and the largest city of Crete, the largest Greek island. It makes for a decent starting point for exploring Crete, especially if you want to see the Knossos Palace (which you likely do). As for the city itself, its centre is relatively small, so you can get away with exploring it by foot alone. If you want to see the area around the city, though, you may want to either rely on buses, taxis or hire a car.
The former Venetian Harbour
Heraklion’s picturesque waterfront
You’ll find quite a few buildings scattered around Crete which represent Venetian architecture. This is due to the centuries that Venetians reigned over Crete – one of the best examples of these remnants are in the beautiful old harbour with the imposing Koules fortress in the background. You can take a stroll along the promenade which starts here, connecting this part of the coast with the new harbour.
Archaeological Museum
Heraklion’s most famous attraction
If you’re into that whole history thing, then you certainly can’t miss out on the Archeological Museum of Heraklion. You’ll find an incredible collection scattered across the 20 available halls – both artworks and everyday objects from the Neolithic to the Hellenistic period. It’s one of the most important museums of not just Greece but Europe as a whole. Among the exhibits, you’ll encounter the famous Phaistos Disc and the Ring of Minos.
Agios Titos
the oldest church in Heraklion
The Saint Titus Cathedral is one of the buildings which reflect the turbulent history of Heraklion. It was founded in the 10th century, though Venetians were responsible for much revision. Even more revision came when the Ottomans came to rule the area, as they rebuilt the church into a mosque. Only in 1920, when the island was incorporated into Greek territory, was the church converted into an Orthodox church (demolishing parts of it, like the minaret, in the process).
The interior of Agios Titos hides an important relic for the Greeks – the skull of Saint Titus, the first bishop of Crete. Keep in mind that the temple is still a religious site, so it is advisable to plan your visit for a day other than Sunday if you don’t want to barge in in the middle of a mass.
Koules Fortress
A famous fortification in Heraklion
Koules Fortress is one of the most recognisable buildings in Heraklion. It’s also sometimes referred to by its Italian name, ‘the Fort on the Sea’. You’ll find it, a little stone box, at the very end of the harbour. Though the foundations of the fortress were likely built much earlier, it only became a sturdy defensive building under the rule of the Venetians in the 16th century, as they tried to strengthen their coastline against Turkish forces.
Today, the cute little fortress is one of the symbols of Heraklion, serving as both a great viewpoint and an iconic tourist attraction.
The Church of Agia Ekaterinis (St Catherine) of Sinaites
Ecclesiastical Museum of Heraklion
The monastery of Sinaites was likely established somewhere around the 10th century, though the actual church we see today is from the 16th century, from the Venetian times. It’s located near the Cathedral of Saint Minas (more on that in a moment). As with the previous church, this, too, was converted into a mosque during the occupation of the Ottomans. Today, the Church of Agia Ekaterinis houses a museum with numerous manuscripts, well-preserved frescoes and a collection of icons from the Byzantine period, mainly by Mikhail Damaskinos.
Morosini Fountain
Lions Square
The Morosini Fountain is, you guessed it, also from the Venetian era, named after Francesco Morosini, the Doge of Venice from 1688 to 1694. It’s located at the Lions Square, otherwise known as Eleftheriou Venizelou Square (just call it the Lions Square, it’s fine). The fountain consists of four lions, water flowing from their mouths.
The square is home to many cafes, bars and restaurants. As such, it’s a popular meeting spot for both tourists and locals alike. It’s a great place to sit down for a moment and take in the rhythm of the city.
Agios Minas Cathedral
The largest church in Heraklion
The Orthodox Cathedral of Agios Minas is one of the largest churches in the whole of Greece. Its construction dates back to the 19th century, when battles were being fought against the Ottoman Empire. The interior of the building is very impressive – the majestic chandeliers, intricate stained glass windows and richly decorated pulpit are an incredible memory. One notable aspect is the fresco depicting Christ Pantocrator. The Cathedral is a must-see for monument-lovers.
Beaches around Heraklion
Beaches of Crete
You’ll find many wonderful beaches in Crete – thankfully, the area around Heraklion is no exception. If you’re staying in Heraklion and you’d like a nice place to relax in, we recommend Amoudara Beach, about 3 miles away from the city centre. The beach, as with many in Crete, was awarded with the Blue Flag status, meaning it’s exceptionally clean and well equipped. The Amoudara Beach extends over an area of almost 4 miles and is divided into several zones. As such, you’ll find both the crowded popular zones and the more secluded ones.
Knossos Palace
An ancient monument near Heraklion
And, lastly, the most obvious point of interest – the Knossos Palace. If you want to immerse yourself in the land of myths, you’ll find Knossos just a few miles away from the centre of Heraklion. Allegedly, the labyrinth was located right beneath the Knossos Palace – the same labyrinth which trapped the minotaur. Even beyond that, it’s still a palace from thousands of years ago. Apart from the ruins, the whole area around Knossos is beautiful, so it’s a great spot for photos.
You can get there from the centre of Heraklion by bus (line 2) or by taxi (for around €10).
If you’re planning on visiting Crete, make sure to include Heraklion on your list! You’re likely heading to Knossos anyway, so you’ll be right next door. You can find everything here – from wonderful beaches to unique architecture, centuries-old monuments and a bit of modernity too. Hope you’ll enjoy it just as much as we did!
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