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Experience the best of Heraklion

Heraklion, the largest city on Crete, is a Venetian-walled port near Knossos, the Minoan palace, and the museum that holds its treasures.

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Heraklion is the capital and main port of Crete, wrapped in Venetian walls and bastions of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. The Koules fortress guards the old harbour mouth, and Lions Square has the Morosini Fountain, held up by four stone lions. Nikos Kazantzakis, the author of Zorba the Greek, is buried on the Martinengo bastion under a simple wooden cross.

Five kilometres south, Knossos was the centre of the Minoan civilisation, and its restored palace rooms, painted columns and frescoes give a sense of a Bronze Age court. The Archaeological Museum in the city holds the finds, including the faience snake goddesses and the Phaistos Disc. Further south, the Messara plain has the palace of Phaistos and the Roman city of Gortyn, and the beach village of Matala has caves cut into its cliff.

Cretan meals begin with dakos and snails fried in oil and vinegar, followed by graviera cheese, wild greens and lamb baked in the oven. The Archanes and Peza vineyards south of the city make some of the island's best-known wines, and raki follows dinner.

  • 1 hop-on hop-off route
  • Free cancellation on 94% of experiences
  • 4.8 across the top 24

Top 10 attractions in Heraklion

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  1. Number 1

    Palace of Knossos

    4.74k reviewsfrom $1
  2. Number 2

    Malia

    4.93k reviewsfrom $34
  3. Number 3

    Kera Kardiotissa Monastery

    4.92k reviewsfrom $37
  4. Number 4

    Archanes

    4.82k reviewsfrom $1
  5. Number 5

    Aposelemis Canyon

    4.91k reviewsfrom $74
  6. Number 6

    Heraklion Archaeological Museum

    4.61k reviewsfrom $1
  7. Number 7

    Rethymno (Rethimno)

    4.4655 reviewsfrom $42
  8. Number 8

    Cretaquarium (Thalassokosmos)

    4.1406 reviewsfrom $17
  9. Number 9

    Venetian Walls

    4.4387 reviewsfrom $23
  10. Number 10

    Watercity Water Park

    4.1377 reviewsfrom $37

Special offers in Heraklion

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Was/now prices come from the operator, never from us.

Hop-on hop-off in Heraklion

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Day trips from Heraklion

145

Landmarks and attractions in Heraklion

44

Museums and galleries in Heraklion

10

Cruises and boat trips in Heraklion

6

Guided tours in Heraklion

137

Walking and bike tours in Heraklion

8

Food and drink experiences in Heraklion

53

Outdoor and adventure activities in Heraklion

24

Nature and wildlife tours in Heraklion

19

Desert and safari experiences in Heraklion

9

Family days and theme parks in Heraklion

6

Shore excursions from Heraklion

11

For kids in Heraklion

6

Signature experiences in Heraklion

Go beyond Heraklion

  1. Agios Nikolaos · 55 km

    Spinalonga

    7–8 hr4.42k reviewsfrom $23
  2. Agios Nikolaos · 55 km

    Katharo Plateau

    8 hr4.9748 reviewsfrom $97
  3. Chania · 104 km

    Marathi Beach

    6 hr, 30 min4.91k reviewsfrom $23
  4. Chania · 104 km

    Venetian Lighthouse

    4 hr4.81k reviewsfrom $23
  5. Santorini · 122 km

    Red Beach

    5 hr4.957k reviewsfrom $29
  6. Santorini · 122 km

    White Beach

    5 hr4.937k reviewsfrom $86
  7. Milos · 166 km

    Kleftiko Beach

    7 hr4.98k reviewsfrom $66
  8. Milos · 166 km

    Sarakiniko Beach

    3–7 hr4.91k reviewsfrom $80
  9. Mykonos · 236 km

    Mykonos Town (Chora Mykonos)

    4 hr4.89k reviewsfrom $30
  10. Mykonos · 236 km

    Little Venice

    4 hr4.88k reviewsfrom $1
  11. Kos · 259 km

    Eleftherias Square

    2 hr4.235 reviewsfrom $9
  12. Bodrum · 280 km

    Castle of St. Peter (Bodrum Castle)

    5–6 hr4.81k reviewsfrom $26

Questions about Heraklion

What is there to do in Heraklion?
We list 491 experiences in Heraklion. The largest groups are day trips (168), attraction tickets (20), city tours (20), museum tickets & passes (10).
What are the top attractions in Heraklion?
Ranked by the experiences that visit them, the top attractions in Heraklion are Palace of Knossos, Malia, Kera Kardiotissa Monastery, Archanes.
What is the most popular experience in Heraklion?
By number of traveller reviews it is "5Hour Safari Tour in Crete(Heraklion)with Quad,Jeep,Buggy & Lunch", rated 4.8 out of 5 from 1,285 reviews.
Is there a hop-on hop-off bus in Heraklion?
Yes. We list 1 hop-on hop-off bus tour in Heraklion; the most reviewed is "Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus Tour in Heraklion" with 178 reviews.
How long do tours and tickets in Heraklion take?
The typical experience in Heraklion lasts about 6.5 hours; the middle half run between 4 hours and 8 hours.
Can I cancel a booking in Heraklion?
The operator lists free cancellation on 95% of the 491 experiences we hold for Heraklion. The cut-off differs by experience and is shown on each product page before you choose a date.

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