Some photos of Heraklion archaeological museum. Was really fun and interesting. But I feel I wanted more time then I had to explore it all. After the guide was done we had only 20 min to explore the rest or buy some suverni. Would be great if it would have been 1-1,5 hours after extra. But overall it was a great enjoyment.

This museum is phenomenal! Informative, clearly laid out, fabulous collection of artefacts. Super helpful for understanding and appreciating the history and culture of the Minoan people (especially alongside a visit to Knossos Palace). I would recommend spending at least two hours here—I did 1.5 hours and wished I had more time. Entry was free on the day I visited.

The Heraklion Archaeological Museum is an absolute must visit in order to gain an understanding and appreciation of the astonishing Minoan civilization. Suggest visiting the Archaeological site of Knossos first and then visit the archaeological museum. Focus especially on the Phaistos Disc, the priestesses with the upraised arms, and the amazingly beautiful frescoes. Suggest you allow two to three hours to get a good tour of the museum. Also, keep in mind that after 1450 BC, Crete had a blended Mycenaean-Minoan culture.

Totally a MUST-visit after Knossos palace. The collections are absolutely incredible - so detailed, beautifully displayed, and full of context that really ties everything together. You finally get the full picture of Minoan history, myths, and daily life (and honestly, it makes Knossos make so much more sense 😅). I loved how well-organized everything is - from tiny gold jewelry to fresco fragments. Ypu could easily spend hours here if you’re into ancient culture. Unfortunately I came 1.5h before closing so I still have a feeling that there was so much more to see. Tip: go after Knossos, not before - it’s like getting the answers after the adventure 😉

Had the option of coming here as part of a Knossos tour. It is a complete no brainer to choose to visit as the museum amplifies and expands your appreciation of the history of Crete particularly after visiting Knossos. I was unable to book tickets online beforehand, but the queue was worth standing in for 15-20 minutes, i'm unsure how long it is normally but there was on a Wednesday a later opening time of 1-8, so it was just a one of those things. However it was a superb building and rooms to view and look at the archaeological finds. Everything was densely packed in but was thoughtfully laid out and I could have spent much longer than the 1.5-2 hours I had available, and this was just prioritising the first floor with the Minoan finds.

Amazing place full of items mainly from Knossos Palace. I would recommend visiting this place prior to seeing Knossos Palace. There is a cafe with a great view over the part of Heraklion and sea port. To avoid the crowds i believe it is better to come in an afternoon.

What can I say, the archaeology in this museum is amazing. The amount and quality of the finds on display at stunning. It covers all throughout the ages. We visited Knossos before visiting the museum, everything just slots into place and you get to understand the history and relevance of the finds.

The only reason this museum has 4 stars instead of 5 is because it's still undergoing renovations! Do not let this put you off though! Any nature lover visiting Crete should come to this museum. Everything is translated into English and it is jam-packed full of information and wonders to explore and look at! As you enter there is a long row of lockers that are free to use so you dont have to carry your bags around with you (I really appreciated this). The museum is set out over numerous floors, so there are quite alot of stairs in the building but there are also lifts available. The discovery centre part of the museum I imagine is pretty useful for kids and school education groups. I imagine that once the renovations are complete this museum really will be in good condition. I thoroughly enjoyed all the specimens on display and the different modes of information being displayed (films, interactive panels, information panels etc).

Interesting museum if you want to learn about the nature of Crete and the Mediterranean, however the main exhibits have not changed in as long as it has existed. It is located in a unique building of Heraklion which used to be a factory. It is right on the seaside but it unfortunately has no accesible viewpoints or balconies. I think it is worth visiting at least once though.

The museum is interesting for sure, but the live animals that are kept there are sadly in bad and unhealthy conditions. Enclosures seem dirty and the water they have is dirty too with algae growing in the drinking water and it just seems sad overall. I can not understand why live animals are treated like this especially in a place that has "museum" and "university" on the building. Take care of your animals.

Interesting museum but unfortunately the earthquake simulator was not open. Lots of stuffed animals on view but also some live ones. Spent about 1,5 hours there leaving a little wiser about Crete ( Greece) and its natural history. Worth a visit.

Very informative. The stuffed animals look quite real. But what makes me very sad is that they exhibit live animals here. Half of the showcases are uninhabited or “Under Construction” because the animals are probably not doing very well here and are dying. Only freedom is species-appropriate!

Quite nice, but it was quite hot on the upper floors when we were there (September 2025). The earthquake simulator, which we were most looking forward to, wasn’t working.

The museum is currently under renovation, so some areas are closed, but it remains open to visitors. We had a wonderful visit and enjoyed the diverse educational exhibits about Crete’s nature and wildlife. The interactive displays and discovery center for kids make it a great experience for families. The building is unique and right by the sea. Some parts like the earthquake simulator are still being developed, but overall the visit was very rewarding and worth it.

An interesting building and facade, but much more impressive inside in the courtyard. It is currently a government office building.

The busiest cafe downtown, and for a good reason. They have a huge pastry selection, and an excellent coffee! The only problem is that they don't have price tags or descriptions for the pastries so you have to ask the counter girls, which seems like tierd of answering.

Looks nice, it’s not really accessible, You can only see outside and the terrace

Nonetheless, we decided to first visit the Venetian Loggia and then follow the outer walls of the fortress and we had 2 amazing finds. At Venetian Loggia, one of the best views is this "bottom-up" shot of the facade that we took with 2bearbear. Along the outer walls of the fortress, we found that... For the full details of our visit to the Venetian Loggia and outer walls of the fortress, along with details of our 5 months Round The World (RTW) travels, visit 2bearbear today!

Lavish City Hall structure built in the Venetian period with an elegant atrium & hall for events. I visited in the off season so there was no one around which made it perfect for photography! You can only walk around outside and admire the exterior architecture. Easy place to swing by on your way to/from the town square.

Currently the townhall but before it used to be the seat of power of Venetian overlords. Picturesque building

I Very Please To Have Visit Here, I Was Amazing By The Beautiful Little Court Yard.

I had an awesome time walking around the historical museum of Crete with two of my friends, and it was an awesome place to spend part of our small trip to Heraklion! The building has 3 floors, excluding the ground floor, and every one is full of interesting information and relics from the past of Crete! There is also a nice restaurant on the first floor

This museum exceeded my expectations! Really well laid out with a lot of information on all eras of Crete - from the Byzantine empire through to WWI and WWII. I especially loved the recreated office of Nikos Kazantzakis and the Greek president (at the time of WWII) with their donated belongings. Highly recommend visiting to get a deep and thorough insight into Crete’s history and culture.

Learned so much about the history of Crete here- very well organized details on the occupation by the Romans, Byzantines, Venetians, Ottomans, to finally gaining their statehood after several centuries

Amazing museum with a deceiving amount of relics inside from multiple different eras! Wether you like ancient Greek relics, ww2 artifacts or old artifacts from bygone eras there is lutteraly everything! Also a nice little cafe to take a break.

This museum is close to the Venetian Harbor so it makes a good day outing combined with an early morning walk We loved the two original El Greco paintings!

Really enjoyed going here. Very informative, value for money and easy to walk to from the port , 5 minutes

It's a nice place to walk around but it isn't that big some very cool artifacts. Id say it's only going to entertain you for about 1-2 hours.

The main square is a lively place with lots of restaurants and shops around—perfect for a casual stroll or a meal. However, during our visit, the fountain wasn’t working, which was a bit disappointing. Still, the atmosphere and variety of places nearby made it worth the stop.

The wonderful Morosini Fountain, in the heart of Heraklion old town. I couldn't help but think the effect this fountain had on the city when it was unveiled in 1629. Incredibly ornate marble font with carved frescos depicting local life and well being. Meanwhile just metres away locals share al fresco dining, could be a mirror image from the fountain.

The fountain is nice. Beautiful carved frescoes all over. However, the fountain was never "on" in the 2.5 days I was there. At night, cockroaches come out of the cracks by the base. The fountain area is packed with tourists that give off a positive vibe and energy. Surrounded by restaurants all over the place and street shops hawking various wares. The fountain is at least 350 years old.

Great central location in Heraklion, Cretes capital city. Lots going on here, squares to sit and people watch, cafes,bars and restaurants plus shopping. If you're after historical- lots to see too. If you're looking for smaller and more picturesque, go to Agios Niklaus.

The vibrant social spot where, even if you don't speak the Greek [never late to try it], you can melt right into the local life. Coffee shops in Greece are a true social institution, the kind Starbucks can only envy. Take your "frapé", sit back, and soak up the lively animated conversation and joy of the locals while tracing the ever lasting attempts of foreign powers to leave their marks in Hiraklion.

Lovely fountain, we stopped here on our guided tour of Herakleion. Was here during the very end of the season and it was still incredibly busy so dread to think how packed this would be in the summer. Fountain wasn't actually on when we visited so not as majestic as hoped. Still wonderful architecture.

Nice meeting place at the historical center of the city. The fountain dates from the seventeenth century. Beautiful cafes and shops nearby.

We were drawn in by the beautiful design and atmosphere, and it completely lived up to our first impression! The food was amazing, every dish was great, but the lamb was truly exceptional. There were plenty of vegetarian options and even some vegan ones, all clearly marked on the menu. I also loved that each dish mentioned how many kilometers away it was first created – such a thoughtful touch. The wine was excellent, and although there was a small mix-up at first with our waiter, the service was great afterwards. We even got complimentary dessert and an aperitif. For such an upscale place, the prices were surprisingly fair, about €72 for a full meal, four glasses of wine, and sparkling water. Highly recommended!

We visited this restaurant back in June, and only now are we finally writing the review — but it truly deserves it! This is such a wonderful place with a very pleasant atmosphere and absolutely delicious, authentic Cretan cuisine. The flavors were simply incredible. Our waiter recommended a local wine that turned out to be the best we tasted during our entire stay in Crete - we even searched for it everywhere afterwards to take some home. That’s how good it was! The hospitality was outstanding: we were even treated to a complimentary dessert and raki. A special thank you to our amazing waiter, Kosmos, who made the experience unforgettable. If we ever return to Crete, we will definitely come back to Heraklion just to visit this restaurant again. Highly recommended!

Went here in September with a group of friends for lunch. We did not have a reservation, but luckily there was a table available although the place was packed with people. Everything about our meal there was superlative, significantly surpassing any expectations we had. It is not even just about the food - it is an entire experience - from the restaurant design, smelling incense in the air, being introduced to hand washing rituals with a traditional herbal concoction. I simply loved every second spent at Peskesi. The service was absolutely impecable and don't get me started about the food. It's authentic Cretan fine dining at incredibly reasonable prices. When we first saw the place, we thought to ourselves that we will never financially recover from this meal, but it was totally not the case. Everything we ate was truly special and well thought through to respect local ingredients and gastronomy. Definitely the best food we had in Crete :)

This restaurant is outstanding in every way. The staff are friendly, attentive, and very knowledgeable about the menu, happy to accommodate any special requests. The food is incredible - the Dolmadakia were so tasty we couldn’t resist ordering more, and the meat dishes were excellent. The menu is clear and informative, showing the origins of each dish. We had a fantastic experience. definitely a must-visit.

Absolutely amazing experience at Peskesi - we arrived early afternoon as walk ins and were asked if we could wait an hour for a table which we were happy to do! We sat in the shade and were given menus, ordered some lovely wine based on recommendations, and were also given some complimentary cheese, olives, and tomatoes. We were happy to wait and the atmosphere was super calm and tranquil. The menu was really interesting to read as it goes into detail regarding the organic ethos of the restaurant and details how far away the food for each dish travelled to make to from farm to plate. A really good range of price points too! We ordered 4 starters and 2 mains and honestly for 3 that was too much, we were stuffed but very happy! The salads were beautiful, so fresh and light. The lamb just completely fell apart and the rice was amazing, while the chicken was moist, flavoursome, and hearty. Our selection of starters were all fantastic: baked potatoes with cheese, crispy cheese rolls with fig jam, and marinated anchovies - all beautiful. The staff were fantastic (especially the LFC supporting waiter), super attentive and made our experience absolutely gorgeous. The complimentary bread and beetroot dip was delicious, as was the rose raki and sweet treat at the end. Would highly recommend while in Crete!!!

Tried "Local lamb with traditional yoghurt". It was amazing. The surrounding rice had absorbed all the broth and the flavor. The staff was very hospitable and took interest in serving me better. The vibe of the ancient building supplemented by music, lighting and aroma was mesmerizing.

This is a greate restaurant, but you can probably tell that by the sheer amount of good reviews. The staff were very kind.We had the pork & goat specials of the day, they were both great, we rather preffered the goat, as the pork was a bit too sweet, seemed like it was missing some acidity. They also offered us a starter and a dessert on the house, both were good. Keep in mind that you should make a reservation before hand, or they will offer to make one for you when you get to the restaurant, we went there at about 16:00 and they had the first available table at 17:30. Overall highly recommend this spot.

We wanted something traditional and off the beaten track (always the best places), and sure enough, that is what we found. An absolute gem of a restaurant, a short walk out of Heraklion City centre. As you walk along the suburban, residential street, you begin to think you’ve made a wrong turn. But keep on going and then appears a set of stairs. Probably not for the disabled, but guess you can’t have it all. At the top, is a beautifully laid out, coveted terrace, with an assortment of plants and beautiful view. We were immediately greeted with the warmest of welcomes and seated straight away. After perusing the drinks menu, we were recommended the house white wine, which is made in house. I have to say, it’s the best white wine I’ve had in Greece, with floral notes and a hint of lemon and pepper. At €6.90 for half a litre, you just can’t argue at the value. The menu is varied and, although I’m not a fan of menu pictures, on this menu, they truly assist with your choices as they are numbered and do show you exactly what you are about to receive. We selected the greek salad, souvlaki and goat to share between. A platter of bread, black olive tapenade and tomatoes arrived. Following came the meal and what a meal it was. The Greek salad was plentiful, tasty and complemented everything on the plate. The goat in tomato sauce, what can I say? If you’re not a fan of bones, then this isn’t the dish for you, but I don’t mind at all. The goat just fell off the bone. The tomato sauce, rich and so full of flavour, without overpowering the taste of the goat. Souvlaki is something I haven’t tried before, so was keen to give it a go. Again, the meat was tender and flavoured with aromatic spices and went so well with all the other dishes we had ordered. If I was to have it again, and this is just my personal choice, I would ask for no chips. For me, you just didn’t need them with all the other flavours and textures. Another half lite of the homemade wine was ordered. (Yes, it was that good!!) our waiter was attentive, but not in your face. After finishing the main course, we debated if there was enough room for dessert. No need to debate, as before we knew it, a plate of fresh watermelon, the most moist, light, lemon cake and creamy ice cream was delivered to our table, totally complementary, alongside the obligatory raki. Total price for the whole meal, including wine was €38. Simply the best value for money. We genuinely cannot find fault with here at all and will make it a place to visit again.

This place was very nice and the people very friendly 👨‍🍳 The food is very traditional and you can find some very good and tasty omelets done in a traditional cretan way 🇬🇷🍳 The staff was super friendly and welcoming 🙏🏻 Seems a lot of locals go here and is busy all day around ☀️

In every aspect - Wonderful! The atmosphere is quiet and friendly, easygoing, staff are warm and welcoming. The food is absolutely fantastic, rustic, local flavors and seasoning, made from local ingredients. They also have a badge of honor of sorts, as they are endorsed as “genuine local cuisine” by local authorities. Don’t miss out on the vine leaves (dolomades) and zucchini flowers stuffed with rice, the pork belly and pork sausage, the Greek salad, and the local dessert. Thank you Angelo!

Amazing food fresh local ingredients all the staff members were nice and helpful and took the time to tell us about the dish and what’s special about it Definitely recommend to pay a visit and try all the amazing food

A special place! I was searching for traditional food and am happy I found it tucked away in a quiet neighborhood. Best meat pies I’ve had, and love the horta.

I visit this taverna since many years. I’ve been loved their cuisine. Coming back this year I’ve noticed that the level has gone down. Some dishes (the One in photo) is still superbe, but I sadly have to say that I’ve eaten the worst Mousaka tasted in greece. I suggest you to change the Mousaka chef.. it’s terrible

A very positive experience with this restaurant. The staff was very professional and friendly, and they were also very quick with the service. As for the food - it was very tasty. Do consider experimenting with the starter meals as they are fantastic, even if you're not very hungry - take at least one plate of some starter dish and share it with your friends or family. I tried Ntolmadakia - they were absolutely fantastic. Grilled meat of any kind - is very tasty. It can be a bit tough in some pieces but it was really tasty. Salads are also fresh and tasty. We also got raki and some cakes on the house. The prices will surprise you as they are very very reasonable. I would gladly go there again.

I think about this meal at least twice a week. Cretan salad was the best we had on the island. Every dish was perfection. Cannot recommend enough. Service was typical Greek service, they bring your food and leave you alone to enjoy your meal. I prefer this in comparison to the western style of checking in every 5 minutes, they came about twice which was much more appropriate! They also gave us a little dessert and ouzo on the house.

Highly recommended! a charming spot with a great atmosphere. Even when sitting indoors, it feels open and inviting. The staff were very friendly and the food came out quickly. We tried the ribeye with sweet potato cream and mayonnaise cream- simply amazing, perfectly cooked with precise flavors. The overall vibe is fantastic. There was space at lunch, but for dinner it’s best to book ahead.

The food is absolutely outstanding – true works of art, a sea of flavors with silky textures. Compliments to the chefs! The staff are attentive, warm, and have a wonderful sense of humor. Our waiter, Konstantinos, was exceptionally professional. The location may take a little effort to find, but the sound of the carillons will guide you right to it

The food was excellent — the tartare was simply the best! There might be a bit less meat than in a classic tartare, but the combination of flavors was pure magic. All the dishes were very tasty and perfectly balanced, and the presentation was a solid 5 out of 5. We’ll definitely be coming back!

Would give 6 stars. Amazing taste, presentation. My fave meal of our euro trip. Great staff, and decor. Good portions too! We got the fish roe and meat ball , unreal! The staff were so nice. They brought us dessert on the house.

2025.10/Unfortunately the food doesn’t taste such spectacular as it looks like. I’m disappointed to read such good reviews and expect much more, and, at the end, not to be satisfied by the taste of the food. The only tasteful dish was the greek salad, children version. Also after 40 minutes the main dish arrived cold as if the hot table never been invented😬. I hate to choose a place with good ratings and at the end to eat just for hungry reasons😔. Disappointed.

Located in a beautiful alley filled with cafes. Creta cuisine with a modern twist with an amazing amount of wine to choose from. We ordered the sheep spaghetti and the goat ragout and it was incredible! Never had anything like that before.

Amazing Mediterranean seafood cuisine, variety of wines in a very cosy environment. Not crowded at all. Don’t let the fancy appearance discourage you- the spectacular value is worth the little extra money. And don’t forget to take your kids too - there is a big fun outdoor fenced playground right next to the restaurant so you can see them play while enjoying the well deserved dessert 😉 And if the luck is in your favour and the wind is right you might witness the planes landing from the north across the city right above your head - you don’t get that chance to see this up close very often! 👌🏻

Very good and fresh sea food. We had lobster spaghetti and grouper , some nice salad etc. the service was just perfect. The restaurant is next to the airport and playground but it’s ok.

This is one of the best fish restaurant in crete island. You can enjoy very tasty seafood menu. In addition to Greek seafood, you can find sushi menu as well. Staffs are very friendly and professional.

We loved this restaurant! Super recomendable! The food was delicious and the team was very professional and attentive. Thank you very much to Vitaly from Ukraine because he was mega nice. Also a playground is located next to the restaurant, so our son was very happy.

As it says on the tin, it’s a seafood restaurant and from what we ate it was good if a little expensive The wine list has a few not too pricey Crete wines starting at €24 but quickly run up to €68 and for other wines you get into big 3 figure costs , some excessively pricey Very nice place , friendly staff good service. Just don’t go when the wind is from the west as the restaurant is right under the flight path and is very noisy, planes only a couple of hundred metres up as they fly out 😲

Very lovely seafood restaurant if you want quality seafood and nice atmosphere. It is a bit expensive, but good quality. Service very nice and friendly. It can be quite noisy as the planes flys over as the airport is near buy. But definitely worth a visit. Our seafood pasta was delicious.

Amazing sushi!! Tuna tartare was the best I’ve ever had! Staff were really nice 😊

We ate here on our first night in Crete and the experience wasn't beaten the whole holiday. Nearly all of the dishes we tried were excellent, we tried a bit of everything for a Greek meze/ tapas sort of experience. We were also recommended some incredible natural white wine which is pictured. The staff were lovely, the setting was lovely. If you're in Heraklion you have to check it out. The craft beer bar across the road is also really good, and the owner of there agreed that Parasties is a special spot. We'd go back in a heartbeat.

The restaurant was lovely. We sat on the terrace overlooking the street and really enjoyed the pleasant atmosphere. The staff was attentive and welcoming, and made sure we had everything we needed. The dishes were very nice — the Greek salad, in particular, was excellent. Overall, we had a wonderful experience and would be happy to return.

Went here twice in a week. Modern Greek. We ordered the beetroot Risotto both times. Delicious! Nice atmosphere and friendly staff super knowledgeable about their dishes and wine. The grilled calamari is exceptional. Absolutely loved it.

What can I say. The food was just impeccable. In every dish you could feel the care and pride that went into the creation of the flavors and presentation. We wished we had a second stomach to have a second full meal! If I’m back in Heraklion I’ll definitely visit again!

One of our favorite meals in Greece! Everything was absolutely amazing - The highlights were the starters: a delicate, flavourful raw red snapper plate and a twist on the traditional Cretan pie. Our mains were also great, all very juicy and tender. Thank you to our waiters who were very kind and helpful with their reccomendations!

We had lunch at Parasties during our stay in Heraklion and the experience was flawless in every way. The restaurant has a pleasant location with a relaxing view and a welcoming atmosphere, perfect for enjoying a peaceful break in the heart of the city. The meat dishes are the real highlight: everything is perfectly cooked, using fresh ingredients and delivering authentic flavors. We tried several grilled specialties, and each one stood out for its taste and quality. The lamb and the ribs, in particular, were incredibly tender and flavorful. The house wine was also excellent – aromatic and well-balanced, pairing beautifully with the meal. The service was impeccable: the staff were friendly, attentive without being intrusive, and always ready to recommend dishes and pairings with genuine professionalism. A restaurant that combines traditional Cretan cuisine, great attention to detail, and warm hospitality. Definitely worth a visit if you’re in town.

We stopped in for a snack and everything was excellent. We had a bottle of the house wine which is a grape we weren’t familiar with but very much enjoyed. The bread with olive oil is not to be missed. Everything is so good I wouldn’t hesitate to have anything that appealed on the menu.