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| Heraklion |
| The seat of the Minoan Kingdom |
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| King Mino's Palace at the Knossos archeological site. |
By far the largest of Crete's four regions, Heraklion is the seat of Crete's capital and largest city (population 127 thousand), Heraklion town. A bustling metropolitan center, with traffic-clogged streets, disturbing air pollution levels, mainly due to the proximity of the city's extremely busy international airport, and constant infrastructure construction activity, Heraklion hosted part of the soccer competition of the 2004 Olympics in its brand new Olympic Soccer Stadium.
The biggest draw of Heraklion town is the Archeological Museum, the second most important exhibition space of antiquities in Greece, next to the National Archeological Museum in Athens. Minoan finds from Knossos and all over Crete are shown here, in airy rooms under mostly natural lighting: vases, frescoes, arms, figurines, everyday decorative and household items, and other exhibits, dating back three thousand years or more.
The number, range, and level of preservation of the finds are staggering. In addition, there is a good amount of other sightseeing to be done in the city and spending a morning walking around the bustling streets of the old center is rather pleasant.
The city was a major economic and administrative metropolitan center during the island's Venetian rule era (1204-1669) and it shows in its perfectly preserved, massive Venetian walls that line the perimeter of the old town. Its port, one of the biggest in the country, links Crete with Athens, Italy, and other destinations in the Aegean.
Just 10 km (6 miles) outside of Heraklion town lie the ruins of King Mino's palace in Knossos. Discovered and excavated by British archeologist Arthur Evans, starting in 1900, Knossos is one of the most important archeological sites in a country full of important archeological sites.
Occupying an estimated 20,000 sq.m., the palace was the seat of government of history's first naval power,the Minoan kingdom. The lack of fortifications around the palace in a testimonyto the Minoan's tight control of Crete and their absolute domination of the island's waters. Since there was no apparent threat, there was no reason to build walls around the seat of government.
The major beach towns of the north coast are Hersonisos and Malia, east of Heraklion town. They are packaged-tours resorts, with nice beaches, every conveivable kind of hotel accomodation, from rooms-to-rent to mega luxury hotels, a fair amount of kitschy glitz and a roaring party atmosphere during the summer months. If partying all day and all night is your idea of a summer holiday (and, why not?) then this is your target destination.
Matala, on the south coast, is the destination of choice for the make-love-not-war crowd of the 60's and today's. Think Haight Asbury meets Portobello Road on the Aegean. Put on the map in the 1960's when it became a major hippy destination, after Bob Dylan and Keith Richards, separately, supposedly spent a few days here, Matala is a pretty beach surrounded by sandstone cliffs dotted with ancient cave tombs.
The inland routes of Heraklion are less dramatic and picturesque than the other regions' but that is not to say that they are of no interest to the visitor. For example, the wine region south of Arkalochori, with its rolling hills and pretty villages, is worth visiting, as is the village of Archanes, lovingly restored to its original state. |
| The Highlights |
- The Archeological Museum of Heraklion.
- The Minoan palace in Knossos.- A walk around Heraklion town during a busy morning.
- The Minoan palace in Festos.
- The restored village of Archanes.
- Fodele, the birthplace of El Greco and site of the El Greco museum, located at the house where he was born.
- Matala, for a mental trip back to the 1960's.
- The major resort towns of Hersonisos and Malia for 24-hour partying
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| We Recommend |
- A guided tour of the site in Knossos.
- A guided tour of Heraklion's Archeological Museum.
- Visit Hersonissos or Malia, or both, at night, for frenzied partying.
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| We Do Not Recommend |
- The major resort towns of Hersonisos and Malia because of 24-hour partying.
- Spending more time than you absolutely have to in Heraklion town, because of the air pollution and the noise.
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| Read our users' reviews... |
| Heraklion never sleeps |
Although I find your site extremely interesting, I think that your coverage of Heraklion Town is lacking, especially compared to that of other cities in Crete. I agree that it is a noisy and busy town, but I think that it has a lot to offer to the visitor, both in entertainment and dining. The beaches you mention are but a fraction of the choices facing the visitor, while you say nothing about the vibrant night life of the city. It may be a "small Athens", as many call it, but Heraklion never sleeps.
Sandy Koutsogianni, Greece
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| There is no other region [in Crete] which can really compete with Matala |
After a very enjoyable two-week stay at Dimitris Villa in April 2005, we just want to say a few words of our impressions. Since 1994, we have visited Matala and Dimitris Villa eight times. After several car trips all over Crete we are quite sure that there is no other region on the island which can really compete with Matala! Nowhere else you can find such a fascinating scenery like that of Zeus and Red Beach, with their marvellous yellow-white limestone rocks - and nowhere else are out of the way creeks at the sea with such "comfortable" smooth yellow-white rocks (some of them are even shady). The absolute highlight this year, however, was the sight of three huge vultures at a distance of less than 50 meters over the lonely hills of the southern part of Matala. And, last but not least, there is no breakfast place in Matala with nicer surroundings than that of Dimitris Villa.
Katrin Fasatos, UK and Greece
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| Useful Information |
| The country code for Greece is 0030 (from the US and Canada: 01130). |
| Police Station |
| There are police stations in every major and secondary town, usually at the central square or on main street. For emergencies, dial 100. |
| Hospital |
| There are two major hospitals in Heraklion town: the University Hospital (2810 392111) and the Venizelos Hospital (2810 368001), and medical centers in every major town. |
| Pharmacy |
| There are pharmacies in every major town. Opening hours are 8 am to 2 pm, Monday through Friday. There usually is a pharmacy open in the off hours within driving distance. |
| Tourist Agency |
| Kamari Tours (Tel: 2810 228701, 2810 228991, Fax: 2810 229988, www.kamaritours.gr), Grecomar Tours (2810 346672, 2810 330189, airport office: 2810 330119, www.grecomar.gr), Millenium Travel Center (2810 344522. www.millenium.gr). |
| Foreign Press Outlet |
| Heraklion is a major tourist destination and there are foreign press outlets everywhere, including most mini markets. |
| Internet Cafe |
| There are Internet cafes in every major resort area these days, and some travel agencies provide Internet access, and not only to their clients. |
| Car Rental |
| Almost all travel agencies also provide car rental services. Prices are almost the same everywhere and supply is abundant. |
| Bank |
| All major Greek banks have branches and ATMs in Heraklion town, the resort area of Hersonissos, and other secondary towns. They handle all major transactions, such as money transfers, cash advances on credit cards, and money wires. Banking hours are Monday through Thursday 8am-2pm and Friday 8 am-2.30 pm. Full service ATMs are also available in all major towns, and some minor ones. |
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