Top 50 things to do and attractions in Heraklion

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.

This place is amazing. Overwhelmed. One can ask a simple question- how would they build without having today’s technology and tools? You can explore it on your own, taking a local bus from downtown Heraklion for over 2 euros- 2nd zone. Early afternoon there are less people. If you like you can hire a local guide or use your phone to download valuable information. I recommend 2-3 hours of your time. There is a toilet before the gate - nothing inside. There are few benches you can sit while walking around. There is a cafe and souvenir shop with not expensive basic guidebooks in different languages. There is a huge parking lot, I believe for free. We did not need it, since we used a bus.

I really like how certain areas are restored next to the unrestored sections so you can really see the passage of time. Nice open site with plenty of shady spots to sit. Small cafe area at the front is fairly busy, but once you’re inside the grounds it feels very spacious and open.

The Minoan palace of Knossos is the second most visited site in all of Greece. Of course, the most visited site is the Acropolis of Athens. Suggest that you buy a couple good guide books on Knossos, and fully read and absorb them prior to your visit. This enable you to fully appreciate and understand the heroic achievements of the Minoans in creating this beautiful palace. Suggest paying homage to Sir Arthur Evans for excavating and preserving this magnificent archaeological site. Suggest to eat the crowds that you arrive by 0900.

Some photos of the Knossos palace and archaeological site. Was really fun and interesting. But I feel I wanted more time then I had to explore it all. Guide was amazing. But 1 hour extra would been great to walk around by one Self

Awesome historical monument. The reconstructed areas are tastefully done and the excavation has been done so you can really get a feeling for the importance of the site. The Knossos app (if you have a guide they can show you a QR code for the website) let's you see what many areas would have looked like before being ruined, so you can stand in a spot and see what it would have looked like. Well worth a visit.

The site is of course awe inspiring. Simply walking on the same grounds as the amazing ancient Minoans and trying to imagine how the palace looked like with the help of some of the restorative work done is amazing. Still, at times you feel quite lost. Can't truly understand what has been restored(except for the clear ones), what was original and most of the signs don't really help that much either. For such a historical site, there should be an improvement on all aspects.

A must for any history buffs. It’s so interesting and not difficult to walk around. Enjoy your tour with a guide. They will explain everything and help you skip the queue. There is toilets, cafeteria and a gift shop. Plus the resident peacocks and cats. Buses and Taxis easy to get to and from the site.

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.

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.

A beautiful and peaceful place to visit in Heraklion. The cathedral is stunning, both inside and out. It’s a perfect spot to admire the architecture and take in the serene atmosphere. After exploring, it’s a great area to enjoy the view, have some delicious food, and relax with a glass of wine at one of the nearby cafés.

Gorgeous, absolutely gorgeous interior. Bypass other tourist destinations and duck in here for an unbelievably opulent interior featuring fabulous frescoes and ornate chandeliers. By happenstance I wandered inside and was left to wonder why my cruise ship shore excursions didnt have this venue as an option.

It is very well reserved or renovated ? Orthodox church. It has not only very nice stained glass window but also magnificent ceiling picture. There many icons inside the building. From the fresh flowers around saint minas icon, I could feel how much local people respect this saint.

They are renovating so you can only enter the first part of the Cathedral. It stil gives a decent view of the painted ceilings.

A beautiful Cathedral but currently there's renovation work happening inside. There's also a beautiful small chapel next to the cathedral.

This made great impression on me, left a mark. Huge church, but at this time there were some renovations being done.

Beautiful cathedral, stunning architecture and nice design inside and outside the cathedral.

This is truly disgraceful. The ruins of the Venetian fortress are undeniably impressive, which is no surprise given how significant the island of Crete, and especially the city of Heraklion (Candia), was to the Venetian Empire. With a bit of effort, the walls of the old citadel could easily become one of Greece’s most important tourist attractions. Sadly, the authorities seem uninterested in restoring this monument, leaving the walls in the state you see in the pictures: neglected, overgrown with weeds, and almost entirely overlooked by tourists. If the cost of excavation is prohibitive, even a few informational plaques placed here and there would be helpful. But instead, the authorities are doing nothing, and the walls continue to deteriorate year after year, especially given the frequent surface earthquakes in the area.

Wonderful sunset walk with views of the sea. Minus one star for graffiti on historical walls and city scape which detract from its original old world charm.

Impressive old city walls, you can walk on them for some decent views and they'll take you to the tomb which makes for a good viewpoint. They're in need of some love though.

A big part of the walls is under maintenance, but there are a lot of secrets hidden around. Don't miss the theatres and the summer movie nights.

Just drove by/under, looks pretty amazing!

We walked the walls from here clockwise around the old town until we hit the sea. Great walk with some amazing views of the surrounding area, almost no one else on the wall at about 9am while it is still relatively cool. It’s really awesome to see the outdoor theatres that have been established within some parts of the walls, I wish we had time to check them out.

The big walls around Herakleion was made many years ago at the Venetian control time .the walls was the second defence line because in the front was water from sea surrounding the old city,thats why the old name is Handakas witch mean the big trench. Nowadays the walls are perfect for walk or running and the view from the place is breathtaking since the walls start from centrer of the city until the sea side.the west side near bus station is a beautiful small park.

Nice place to visit, great views from the top. For EU citizens born 2000 or later free entrance. In case you order something in the cafeteria on top, ask and check your receipts! We took two slush drinks (colored ice, see the picture), and were told it cost 10€, no receipt provided. When I checked my card transactions next day, they actually charged 13€ instead of 10! For that reason 4 stars only.

Here we have spent the most interesting part of our day! It is a very beautiful and extravagant fortress. For me this is a place where I would definitely come one more time in the future as it is very beautiful. For EU people that has no more than 25 years the entrance is free as for all the museums in Greece as I understood it!

A very nicely renovated and maintained fortress. Built during the Venetian Republic, the construction was completed in 1540, and then in 1669 it came under Ottoman control. The terrace offers a fantastic view of the sea and the city of Heraklion. It can be reached by walking for about 10 minutes from the city center. The entrance fee is 10 Euro/person, free for those under 25. I recommend it to everyone!

Good for a short visit. There's a decent amount of stuff to see and information about the island's history. You can go at the top of it where you can enjoy the views of the surrounding area and stop for a drink if you wish. The entry fee is €10, which is probably the maximum amount that would make sense for this. Would recommend.

Worth the entrance fee of €10 to explore the incredible fortress. Great views from the top across the port of Heraklion. Lots of history inside with some great displays.

The Venetian fortress Rocca a Mare is definitely interesting, even though you can get through it rather quickly. A big plus: EU citizens under 25 get free entry. From the walls you also have a nice view of the harbor and the city. Overall, worth a visit, 4 stars.

Koules Fortress (Greek: Κουλές), also known as the Heraklion Fortress, the Venetian Fortress, or Rocca al Mare, is a medieval seaside fortress in Heraklion, Crete. Built by the Venetians between 1523 and 1540, it impresses with its architecture and offers beautiful panoramic views of the harbor, the sea, and the city. We only walked around the outside and didn’t go inside. There were quite a few tourists, but it didn’t feel crowded. During our visit, we noticed quite a bit of litter and cigarette butts near the entrance, which was a bit disappointing, so it’s important to help keep such historical sites clean. I recommend taking a walk there, especially in the evening when it’s cooler and more pleasant!

A magical palimpsest of Ottoman and Greek architecture and history. A must see for all who visit Herakleion. Human proportioned, yet majestic. A symphony of the ordinary and the sacred. Stunning craftsmanship shapes the wooden sanctuary walls, chandelier and furniture, whilst daylight filtered through the stained glass Ottoman windows, paints the Christian saints in transcendent hues. Truly beautiful. A memory of an innocent childhood, a Memento Mori, and an epiphany. The golden, bejewelled encrusted reliquary containing St Titus's skull a reminder of Venice's departure from the Kingdom of Candia... Herakleion...oh Herakleion, thank you. Yours forever.

Nice place of worship with lovely paintings. No admission ticket

Beautiful bassillica right in the city centre. Beautiful inside and out. Amazing relics on show. Peaceful

wonderful place! Great architecture! look for the signs where the relics of Saint Titus are as I was expecting to see them in the main room of the church. Those are on the left, as you enter, in a separate room.

Rating: 4/5 Price: 5/5 Attraction: 4/5 Entertainment: 3/5 Time: 3/5 Type of entertainment: introverted Short: - it is free to enter, you can’t beat free. - the church is beautiful with making wood work, candles, decorations, stained glass and paintings. - just a church beautiful not super entertaining, however very beautiful. - there isn’t much that happened there when I was there, so no more than 10 mins for me. It’s just a church that is very pretty. Details: there is a gift shop. I would recommend going to the church of agios minas over this church as it is a lot more beautiful, and it’s only 10 mins away.

Really lovely church. Lovely decorations and historic pictures.

Beautifully ornate cathedral, glad we called in.

the best quality and low prices,nice souvenir store a lot of things to see

Inspiring, especially it's gilded reflection in the calm of the old port.

10/10

Nice

(Translated by Google) It's worth walking up to the lighthouse and seeing the ships pass by within breathing distance of you!! (Original) Αξιζει να το περπατησεις μεχρι το φαρο και να βλεπεις τα πλοια να περνουν σρ αποσταση αναπνοης απο διπλα σου!!

(Translated by Google) Nice shop with a beautiful girl @antonella.sic (Original) Ωραίο μαγαζί με μια όμορφη κοπέλα @antonella.sic

(Translated by Google) Very good (Original) Πολύ καλό

We didn't sit at the cafe, but the small neighbourhood around it with the many graffittis gave off a different and interesting kind of urban aura. Walk around if you have the time.

Silent and oldish part of the town with lots of abondoned buildings. Visited in the middle of friday on a hot day, so maybe that's why it was so quiet. There were few constructions on the site so was not able to enjoy the graffiti part, but found few quite nice ones.

Aamazing place hidden in Heraklion. Mostly locals

Very nice place and good food

Great street art

(Translated by Google) A charming neighborhood with lots of street art, and right in the middle of it all, the wonderful Café O'Lakkos with plenty of seating around the square and super friendly service. A fantastic experience! (Original) Charmanter Kiez mit viel Streetart und mittendrin das wunderbare Café O'Lakkos mit vielen Sitzecken rund um den Platz und super nettem Service. Ein tolles Erlebnis!

Cool artistic vibe and graffiti

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.

Art exhibition… very beautiful historic building, helpful personnel there. Always feel welcome to see and explore every new exhibition they have. And of course free of charge. Free entrance.

An interesting and free abstract art exhibit in a historical building

Beautiful building and very interesting free exibition inside

Nice place did interesting and free arts exhibitions

To be clear, this is a former church where they hang a rotating gallery of paintings. It's quite nice to walk through when nearby, and at least the exhibit I saw was lovely, but we're talking a fifteen minute break from the sun more than a full museum.

The building is impressive but the impressiveness of the Art inside depends on what exhibition is currently offered. For my visit it was scenes from Cretan landscapes, which were ok but not amazing.

Beautiful old church, exceptional architecture

It's a late medieval (Venetian) fountain that's worth a quick look but nothing really special. The figurine is interesting, possibly older than the fountain. Can be found at the top of the market.

This oldest fountain in the city was built by the captain Janmatteo Bembo between 1552-1554 however no tourist around, no water running and it was a bit sad to look at it. Government should take a good care of such treasures. It located next to the ottoman fountain - again no water

Unfortunately, the Bembo Fountain turned out to be a huge disappointment. The place is very neglected and poorly maintained. The area around the fountain smells of urine, and it is very dirty and covered in bird droppings. It's sad to see such a historic site in such a state. It's definitely not worth visiting in its current state.

Amazing place history and old vibe

A very important piece in the place's heritage. But needs improvement. Was no water pouring and the smell was... Like pee. Still, worts seeing.

It's an interesting place, it's worth going there to find out the history of what happened or take a guide to tell you all about it. because otherwise it will be uninteresting. Only ruins.

Great place to visit and to learn the history that this fountain holds! A must visit if you arr in the area ''Next to the sebil, the monumental Bembo Fountain is preserved in good condition. It is named after the Venetian Provveditor General (governor) of Heraklion Gianmatteo Bembo, who built it in 1552-54. It was the first time that the people of Heraklion saw running water in the city, showing how important the fountain was. The fountain consists of a spout and a small, rectangular basin. Over the spout is set the headless statue of a Roman official from the Ierapetra area in southeast Crete, while the whole monument is decorated with Venetian family coats of arms."

Looking for a contemplative space to meditate on the human condition? Well step right in for a dose of introspection. “I hope for nothing. I fear nothing. I am free.” If you’re inclined to understand the great man’s words take a seat in this leafy fortress top. Look out towards the open sea, let your mind wander over this city’s profoundly ugly cityscape and get the answers you seek. If his name or his work mean nothing to you, avoid this place. But if you’re curious, read his words. He truly was one of the greats. P.S. Don’t let the cross fool you, the man was a spiritual atheist, to put it mildly.

Nice place to feel free in the middle of the town. The photos depicts the view on top of the city. The grave of the famous Cretan writer alongside the grave of his wife. Free entrance for all.

That is a beautiful place! You can see all of the city of Herakleion on top. The downside is that it could use some tender loving care. It needs cleaning and the greenery needs some water.

Very nice place to walk in the evening until the morning. Beautiful view and romantic sitting. Free entry, no tickets required

As a big fan of Nikos Kazantzakis and "Zorba the Greek", I was dreaming of visiting Crete and his graveyard. Definitely recommend to go to the graveyard even if you're not a fan, but for the view and the plants. Amazing panoramic view of Heraklion.

Kazantzakis’ grave in Heraklion is stark yet profound, crowned with the words “I hope for nothing. I fear nothing. I am free.” A humble hilltop resting place with sweeping city views—more a statement of defiance than a monument.

Amazing hangout spot and super cool views of the city. If I lived in Heraklion then I’d chill here with my friends all day long.

GOOD FUN! The sellers/staff were friendly and welcoming. Lots of wonderful goods on offer and you can find plenty of holiday gifts. We found a shop selling lovely Olive oil bottles. There were 2 places offering food but plenty of other restaurants surrounding the market area. The sellers don’t hassle visitors and the prices seemed very reasonable. The area felt very safe, even though I never saw the Police walking about or in cars. Definitely worth a visit.

It is a good spot to grab something to eat and just generally walk around / browse. Highly recommend visiting it. Enjoy this derpy panicked lion also

Great place to explore and find local stuff.

Decent enough market. A bit repetitive. Lots of shops selling the same stuff. Gold silver leather ect ect. Nice vibe though , lots of places to eat and drink. The street that the market is on. Leads to the sea front. The street is lined with souvenir shops and greek fayre. We spent a couple of hours in total including and coffee break. If you're curious and like to shop then go. It's a market, you know what to expect 😉

Full of cheap tat - less fruit, veg, meat and fish than au would expect. A wonderful mezze place in the middle with a much wider range of dishes than others of the same type. Go there for that alone!

Wonderful place to visit and loads of cheap parking

Amazing lovely Street full of life hustle and bustle

We ate there two times, but it didn’t hit the spot, it was nothing special. The place is located in a cute small square off the Main Street, the service was good, but the food was not that impressive - the octopus was chewy, the tomatoes for the salad were cut in quarters and didn’t seem fresh to me, the zucchini was good, but overall we weren’t impressed. The place is more affordable than others in the vicinity, but I’d recommend that you spend more elsewhere. They serve you a small cake with ice cream and raki with the bill, which I found very cute and did not happen for us in other places in Crete

One of my favourites in the whole trip. The mushrooms carried depth of flavour. The octopus was slow-cooked then grilled, very tender. The moussaka was hearty and fulfilling. The grilled chicken was rather dry, but doesn't detract from the overall positive experience.

What a wonderful experience. The food was outstanding.The staff attentive and brilliant. For the location I was expecting it to me way more expensive but no only was it cheap, they brought out a desert and Ouzo on the house at the end. Greek hospitality at its best Σας ευχαριστώ.

The ambient its very nice and cozy, they have traditional food. You have to x the items on their menu ehich is something new and fun. The food was okay, nothing special, but anyways good to eat. The staff is very friendly. At the end you get free raki and dessert.

We were a group of 8 for lunch and had a fantastic experience! The food was absolutely delicious, well-prepared, and full of flavor. Service was attentive and everything ran smoothly even with a larger table. The only downside was the poor selection of coffee, but apart from that, everything else was excellent. Definitely a place worth visiting in Heraklion!

Excellent food, very busy place, the staff was really working on the clock. The food is fresh, plentifull and tasty. At the end they even have chocolate cake with ice cream and raki on the house. Great place to eat! The ordering system is easy and intuitive, you just mark what you want from the paper menu.

Tucked away in the old town of Heraklion, this restaurant was a fantastic find. The highlight of my meal was the grilled squid yes, it was drenched in olive oil, but somehow, it still worked beautifully. The tzatziki was also spot on, perfectly balanced in flavor. I also tried the traditional pasta with cheese, which was rich and comforting, especially with the delicious broth underneath. My friends explored a variety of meat dishes , all of which were well-executed. The meal ended on a high note with a complimentary serving of rakia and a decadent chocolate cake with ice cream such a thoughtful touch. The service was warm and welcoming, making the whole experience even better. Definitely a place worth visiting in Heraklion

The food was good, we loved our lamb chops and pita with beef souvlaki. The portion was quite huge. The croquette was okay, but so impressed with the taste of it. Otherwise this place is a standard place in the tourist area. The price is ok.

Only negative thing here is too many mosquitos while we’re eating. Had to keep swaying our hands while eating to keep them away from food. Two of us girls ordered 30+ euros for 2 plates of meat ( 1/2 plate of mixed pork&chicken, 1 plate of lamb) and 1 yogurt, one sweets (honeyed fried crispy meatball?) The food is good. Lamb not as good as we had in Athens. But the service is good all waiters speak very nice English

October 2025: we got here because we asked where is the best gyro sandwich. It was next door and closed on wed. So this one was second best. It closed one was called Thraka. So here is a review to the Thraka alternative. The best product here is a gyro sandwich. Different sizes we got the soft pita which was ton of chicken and ton of fries in the sandwich. You have to share this one. After dropping the excess fries and egyro meat, you can finally handle the sandwich. Perfect seasoning. Not too strong for the chicken meat and Krispy macdonalds looking fries. 10/10 for the pita sandwich. We also got Mac and cheese sticks. Fried to perfection but no taste. Also some Greek dessert looks like little desks filled with cream and honey on top. That was great. At the end it's all fried finger food low quality looking grilled meats type of menu. It's a fast food authentic Greek restaurant. So stick with pita sandwich only here. Service was ok friendly and polite. With the older gentleman also standing Infront of the seating area like a maestro. But this one was more suddle than the one in kirkor the famous bougatsa place yelling at the workers. That was stressing is out. Place was clean.

The food was delicious and the portions HUGE! We had the giant pita with chicken gyros (which was indeed the biggest one I’ve ever had, even tho I ordered it without fries) and the chicken gyros in a bread loaf. The waiter was very nice as well - definitely a recommendation, especially to those with a big stomach/appetite!

We stumbled upon this place by accident on our first day in Heraklion, and what a great find! The food is truly traditional and absolutely delicious – the gyros and souvlaki were outstanding. Prices are very reasonable, and the atmosphere is casual and welcoming. We loved it so much that we made a special trip back to Heraklion just to eat here again. Highly recommended!

Food and service were amazing that we came here twice during our holiday. The gyros portion were very tasty and portion size very good for the price. Would definitely recommend. The service was also very good and the staff were very accommodating. Overall, a must visit when in Heraklion and make sure to try the dolmades too they are the best we tried.

Simple family environment restaurant with super friendly staff. They are awesome with kids btw. Good food and large portions. Free raki and chocolate cake after dinner!

We really enjoy a stroll around castles and during our last visit to Crete the Fort was undergoing major works so we were delighted that on this visit it was open. Entrance is €10 pp which is very reasonable. The interior is in very good order but I think a little too finished and at times felt like a modern version of an old structure .... however it is still interesting but somewhat lacking in substance and really would benefit from some displays, as apart from some information boards & a few cannons plus a few other items it us quite sparce. Then upstairs & outdoors, great views over the port & old town. It's easy to see why there were many sieges of this Fort over the years. Worth a visit.

We went there for a night walk; it was really pleasant and romantic 🥰 The port is walkable with a lot of restaurants nearby if you want to enjoy a meal with a cool view 😊 We passed by again another day during daytime. I personally preferred it at night with the lights and reflections… it’s a different vibe 💫 When you pass by there, you are not far from the city center, and you can park your car in one of the parking lots then walk around 10mins (or more depending on the parking location) to reach the port and enjoy the view 🤩

I came to Heraklion on a cruise and was pleasantly surprised how nice it was. This is a port city and the capital of Crete. We docked at the port and it’s an easy walk to the city center. Just follow the yellow line, it’s a clear path and the signage is excellent. It’s a modern city with markets, cafes and great restaurants. Known for the Palace of Knossos. If you’re a history buff, the ancient Minoan civilization and the Archeological museum will intrigue you.

The dam is 3km one way. Free entrance. Excellent place for jogging or hiking. If you like airplane, at the end of the dam, you are across from the airport. You can take photos or videos of the plane taking off the costal line.

Loved the area. Walking by the water is amazing while enjoying the sea life that's swimming around. Got to see a bunch of fish, no sea turtles, but plenty of fish. Also, the old Venetian fortress was amazing as well.

The fort was good, nice marina, lots of good shopping. Good places to eat in the centre of town. Not a lot of historic buildings left. Very busy, local bus was cheap but manic. On return from heraklion buy your tickets at the bus station first

⚓✨ The Venetian Harbor of Heraklion – Where History Meets the Sea 🌊🇬🇷 Standing at the Venetian Harbor of Heraklion, time feels slower — the sound of waves against the old stone walls tells stories older than centuries ⏳💙. Built by the Venetians in the 13th century, this port once welcomed merchants, travelers, and explorers from every corner of the Mediterranean 🌍⛵. The air carries a mix of sea breeze and nostalgia, while fishing boats rest gently beside the ancient fortress of Koules, guarding the entrance like a silent protector 🏰🌅. Golden sunlight reflects over the calm blue water, turning the harbor into a painting — warm tones, rippling reflections, and soft whispers of history 🎨✨. Through my camera 📷, I captured the beauty of contrasts — the old and the new, tradition and life, sea and stone 🌊🪶. Each photo feels alive with the spirit of Crete — timeless, peaceful, and endlessly inspiring 💫🇬🇷. Heraklion’s Venetian Harbor — a living postcard from the past, where every sunset writes a new story. #Heraklion #VenetianHarbor #CreteMagic #TravelPhotography

Traditional bakery, must to try the classical bougatsa with creme and cinnamon. The taste is very similar to a cinnamon roll, and I loved it. We also tried the variation with chocolate cream as topping (similar to Nutella). It tasted like a chocolate crepes. Anyway, we recommend to go with the classical version. Tables for in-place consumption are arranged in 2 or 4 places at most, groups bigger than 4 people may have to split in different tables or to wait a bit.

October 2025: came based on the TikTok videos hype. The classic bougatsa with cream can't tell ya because the kid brought one with castard instead of our order of the classic one. It was perfect, right fluff from the filo dough. I would do away with powered sugar. It was too sweet. Outside seating in October was perfect in the morning. Service: was mediocre, kid didn't get the order right but we didn't bother hassle with getting the right order. During my visit, there was an older gentleman (owner or mgr) standing Infront of the whole outdoor seating area yelling at the kids to clean a table when it's done or get this for that table which may look efficient but it was taking away from the secrene view at the 4 lions fountain that the store over looks. It was stressing us out. Train your staff man, don't hold their hand and micro manage every little move and yell in our face. The price was 4€ for the bougatsa and 4 € for large latte. I would be curious to try both in the next door cafe that was very full as well

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Kirkór (Bougatsa) Caffenio is an absolute gem! If you're anywhere near the area, do yourself a favor and stop by. This place has been serving the BEST bougatsa since 1922 — flaky, warm, and absolutely unforgettable. The traditional Greek coffee is rich and aromatic, and their frappe is spot-on perfection. What truly sets Kirkór apart is the incredible hospitality. Dimitri, the owner, is one of the most welcoming people you'll ever meet. He makes you feel like family from the moment you walk in. Authentic flavors, a cozy atmosphere, and a legacy of excellence — Kirkór is a must-visit. I’ll be coming back every chance I get!

Was dying to try Bougatsa and everything was closed on a Sunday, but luckily we found this place and everything we ate here was absolutely delicios. They have a large variety of Bougatsa (both sweet and savory) at good prices. The tables overlook a small plaza so the atmosphere is super nice :)

Kirkor was on my list for the famous bougatsa, and now I totally get the hype. I came around 13:00 and the place was packed - which already said enough. Besides the great prices, the bougatsa itself is amazing. I tried one with mizithra cheese and one with vanilla cream. The cheese one was good, but the sweet one… absolutely mind-blowing. So soft, perfectly sweet, with just a hint of cinnamon on top, I should’ve probably ordered two of those 😅 The lady working there was super nice and made me feel like at home. Definitely one of those simple-but-perfect local spots you can’t miss in Heraklion.

Small family-run business with traditional Greek sweets (bougatsa). Located in the plaza next to other shops and also serves Greek coffee. Recommend getting the cinnamon and sugar on top. Super fresh and a nice portion

Perfect! The Bougatsa was so delicious! Some claim it’s the best in Greece! Must visit cafe in Heraklion.

Best restaurant in Heraklion for food or drink. Nice place to relax. You find the best chocolate made with a centuries-old recipe, which you can enjoy with strawberries, bananas, cereals or profiteroles.

"Beer from all over the world" - not really. Also not much real craft beer. But definitely more than a solid selection for a "cafe". The best beer I've seen was Orval :-) Fondue - tasty but not exactly my thing

Amazing restaurant with perfect and kind staff. I didn't taste the food but it looks amazing. My order was a beer and a double espresso. I got a small jug of milk with the coffee and nuts and chips with the beer

Delicious iced latte, super friendly staff, and such a sweet touch with the cookies! Great service — highly recommend!

Pretty unique place all around Crete and highly popular. I always choose a chocolate drink and have started experimenting with various flavors. If you go for a chocolate fondue avoid the chocolate drink as that would be too much and rather go for a nice cup of tea. There are also many beer labels available, some scarce among them. Snack are good nothing special. Highly recommended when in Heraklion city center.

Very good cacao. Cosy place. Recommended if you want to have some time out of the crowd. Also very comfy seats so you can read a book.

Nice !! Greek coffee is the best 😍😍

We really enjoyed this museum – small but very interesting. We visited it in less than an hour but stayed another half hour upstairs playing with the fun logic games. Most exhibits actually work, and the staff is very dedicated, friendly and happy to explain and demonstrate. The building itself is impressive, from the Venetian period. A lovely experience, highly recommended!

A great little hidden gem of a museum. it is very informative and they also have working models of the ancient greek inventions. The staff were very friendly and were demonstrating the different technologies. There is a small gift shop upstairs and a place to get refreshments, with an outside balcony area. Definitely worth a visit.

Beautiful museum with amazing replicas that go along with informative videos. The girl at reception comes and explains whilst showing some of the devices as well. You can also buy several items. Exceptional experience in general, definitely a must visit on your Heraklion trip.

Very unique. The ticket as of 2025 is 7€ but it's worth as you can stay and check all the inventions for a few hours. The stuff even make small presentations of some of the machines. Most unique was the automated wine serving maid of Philon.

Wonderful museum!! Do take the time to visit and experience the amazing inventions of ancient Greece and marvel at their ingenuity and resourcefulness. The lovely staff demostrate how the items work and are very eager to explain and give more information about each exhibit. Spend some time on the ground floor taking in all the information, then go up to second floor for a second exhibit, get a Greek coffee and play some of the ancient games that we are still enjoying to this day.

The Museum of Ancient Greek Technology (Heraklion) opened at 9am and a staff told us that there were exhibits on the first level and the second level was more of a cafe and souvenir shop. We started with an introduction of how Greece, sitting at the crossroads of the East and the West was able to receive ideas from around the region and build upon them to create innovative products of their time. Through the exhibits, we also saw foundations of what we would consider modern technologies such as cinematography, automation, encryption and modern warfare. This also prompted an idea from the museum that they believe innovations grow in a circular manner (i.e. rise and decline) as compared to linear (i.e. build upon). Interesting concept, though we think it is more of the latter. In our first exhibit, we saw automation in action. When a priest entered the temple and little the fire in the middle of the courtyard, this fire would heat up the water beneath and trigger the opening of the door. Similarly, when the fire dies down the door closes. Although it uses the principles of conservation of energy and not entirely the automation that we know today, there are some similarities in wanting to achieve an outcome automatically (i.e. opening the door)... For the full review of Museum of Ancient Greek Technology as well as our 5 months Round The World (RTW) trip in 2025, visit 2bearbear today!

Very interesting exhibits and interactive demonstrations from the friendly staff. You can spend up to 1.5 hours if you take the time to read everything. Well worth the 7€ entry and the staff will also store your luggage for free.

This museum has an astonishing collection of home micros and, what's more, these old computers are functional and available to use! An essential place to visit, to learn about the history of computers and the evolution of technology, or to relive the glory of 8/16-bit computing. The owners are also lovely people. They have created this place with care and love and it shows!

I didn't really know what to expect, except for several old systems in working condition, and was happily surprised. Great collection of retro machines (computers and consoles, some VERY rare, quite beyond the set that we typically remember from that time), with applications and games at the ready. Vagelis and Katerina know and love their stuff, and are more than enthusiastic to share this - and how often do you end a guided tour playing Bubble Bobble with your host? Highly recommended for any retrolover, great experience for anyone interested in what came before what we perceive as computing today. I think anything less than the interactive tour is too brief.

A really good space with plenty of stuff to see touch and even play, a really good exhibition of retro and new stuff, 100% a must-visit on your way to Heraklion

Not good

All Computers were still working, and we could even play on them!

(Translated by Google) Very lovingly furnished computer museum. The owners are very personable, humorous and give great tours with explanations and the opportunity to test the equipment on site and play games. Entry is very cheap. All in all, there is a lot of heart and passion in the store. (Original) Sehr liebevoll eingerichtetes Computermuseum. Die Besitzer sind sehr sympathisch, humorvoll und geben tolle Führungen mit Erläuterungen und der Möglichkeit, die Geräte vor Ort zu testen und Spiele zu spielen. Der Eintritt ist sehr günstig. Alles in allem steckt sehr viel Herzblut und Leidenschaft in dem Laden.

(Translated by Google) A must-see for every fan of old computers and consoles. A museum run by true enthusiasts. Paradise on Earth for people raised on 8/16 bit computers. It's also worth taking your family. Good luck and success from Poland. (Original) Miejsce obowiązkowe dla każdego fana starych komputerów i konsol. Muzeum prowadzone przez prawdziwych pasjonatów. Raj na Ziemi dla ludzi wychowanych na 8/16 bitowcach. Warto zabrać tez rodzinę. Powodzenia i sukcesów z Polski.

Interesting building in the middle of the city a small pavilion, Not very clean because too many pigeons.

A busy square featuring a fountain and the statue of Erotokritos and Aretousa saying goodbye to each other. The square is named after Vincent Kornaros who wrote the well known poem of Erotokritos.

A fair rating would be 3.5 stars but there's no such option. The place is at a great location and the rooms that end with a 2 or 3 (e.g. 22, 23 on the second floor, 32,33 on the third, etc) are great, very comfortable, well organized, clean, and have good facilities (coffee maker, fridge, good running shower, etc). Avoid the other rooms as the building design in 2D is like a triangle and these other side rooms are way less spacious, with a way less ergonomic layout, not to mention way louder (especially the side with the rooms ending in "1" are out in the open right above a busy square). These rooms, although they have a way bigger balcony, are overall way below par compared to the 2s and 3s. When it comes to service there is room for improvement. For stays of 6 or 7 nights or longer, it makes sense they'd offer towel replacement or some extra toilet paper rolls, which they don't. And if you ask them you might get a yes/no or "I need to check with central office and let you know". Especially when they are asking you to pay double the cleaning fee (because I asked to be moved after spending one night -of a 6-night stay- at the inconvenient, cramped, and loud "1") they should at least change towels every couple of days as there's no drying rack to hang them to dry plus the bathroom has no window.

A nice square with some small unknown old building and a crossing point for many buses. The most spectacular is the beautiful flowering trees!

The market place in center of city offers great deals and an array of restaurants, cafes and fresh fruits and vegetables. Hand made leather goods, jewelry and Cretan/Greek crafts for souvenirs.

I can't believe I'm leaving a review for such a tiny thing, but this Venetian fountain and guardhouse belongs in one of the museums! It's so well preserved and built yet I can see this being destroyed so easily where it is now...

It's a public space

It's one of the gates to the city, and one that we frequently drove through. It's nice, but not worth going out of your way for.

Excellent service, will definitely go again for that lovely sunset

There is a parking lot above. Lol.

A must see monument of Heraklion. Probably one of the most iconic spots of the city.

nice old Venetian gate, the egining of the market, leave your car into the free parking there and walk

Overall nice place

One picturesque corner of the city

Quick service and well priced for a central parking. You go in, leeave the keys, get your ticket and walk away. Pay on return, car returned promptly and safely. Easy, peasy, lemon squeezy. Worth every penny.

You hand over the keys, they give you a receipt and they park it for you. When you come back, you give them the receipt, pay, and they bring the car back to you. Price is €5.50 for the first hour, and then €1 for each hour after. Staff speak English and gave good indications. No issue with scratches or belongings thankfully, but I would recommend you don't leave anything of value inside and check the car for damage before driving off.

Easy to use and enough signs that I could find it. We were able to keep our luggage in the car and their valet service helped make sure it was safe. The car got tucked away underground so was not exposed to the general public.

for €15 per day (doesnt matter when you pick it up) they valet park your car. Great service, fast!

Really recommendation for city parking. No bells an whistles but the job is done there. You need to leave your key. Location is great, toilets next door. Takes a little to bring and take the car.

Quick service, 8Euro for 4h, incl. Parkservice, a fair price, so close to the city center.

A little tricky to find but a great parking location. Service was excellent and the prices were very reasonable. Large supermarket next door which is handy is you want to get some shopping and then go straight to your car.

Beautiful piece of architecture. Couldn’t walk through them, but even from the sidewalk, they stand out!

Nothing special, crowded roads nearby.

Historical landmark. No access to the public. Looks like it is going under renovations. There is an information board with the history described on it. Very interesting if you're into that type of thing.

Old shipping storage. Working on renovations. Could not get in.

Prominent in the Old Port of Heraklion. Used by the Venetians to build and repair their ships, hence the height and length. Currently being repaired and restored. Impressive structures worth a quick look

Small nice green park on the way between central bus station of Iraklion City and the Venetian Dockyards. Just in front of the harbour with a lot of things to see. Was a great day!

It’s kinda looks bad

tragic....

(Translated by Google) The southernmost of the seven heart-shaped bastions of the city's land wall is the Martinengo bastion. Initially, a round tower was built on the same spot, as shown in the first plans of the new extensive fortification between 1550 and 1552, with strong foundations and special areas for the artillery. This tower was modified and later incorporated into the strongest bastion of the wall and one of the most impressive bastions of the time. It got its name from the military and engineer Gabriele Tadino Martinengo. (Original) Ο νοτιότερος από τους επτά καρδιόσχημους προμαχώνες του χερσαίου τείχους της πόλης είναι ο προμαχώνας Μαρτινένγκο. Αρχικά είχε χτιστεί στο ίδιο σημείο ένας στρογγυλός πύργος, όπως φαίνεται στα πρώτα σχέδια της νέας εκτεταμένης οχύρωσης μεταξύ 1550 κ 1552, με ισχυρά θεμέλια κ ειδικούς χώρους για το πυροβολικό. Αυτός ο πύργος τροποποιήθηκε κ ενσωματώθηκε αργότερα στον ισχυρότερο προμαχώνα του τείχους κ σε ένα από τους εντυπωσιακούς προμαχώνες της εποχής. Πήρε την ονομασία του από τον στρατιωτικό κ μηχανικό Gabriele Tadino Martinengo.

(Translated by Google) It has been renovated. Ideal for an afternoon walk at sunset. (Original) Έχει γίνει ανάπλαση. Ιδανικό για απογευματινό περπάτημα κατά το ηλιοβασίλεμα.

(Translated by Google) Small field for a small team and the area not very clean (Original) Μικρό γήπεδο για μικρή ομάδα και ο χώρος όχι και πολύ καθαρός

(Translated by Google) Nice place for a walk, now there are works going on and it is difficult to access by car (Original) Ωραίο μέρος για βόλτα, τώρα γίνονται έργα και είναι δύσκολη η πρόσβαση με αυτοκίνητο

(Translated by Google) Once they are finished and the projects will not reach 5 stars. (Original) Μόλις τελειώσουν και τα έργα δεν θα φθάνουν τα 5 αστεράκια.

(Translated by Google) Venetian building that is preserved to this day in perfect condition, giving this beautiful city its own character (Original) Βενετσιανικο κτίσμα που διατηρείται μέχρι σήμερα σε άψογη κατάσταση δίνοντας στην όμορφη αυτή πόλη ένα δικό της χαρακτήρα

(Translated by Google) I walked by the fountain a few times but it didn't catch my attention because the water wasn't working, I almost didn't even notice it. (Original) Am mers pe lângă fântână de câteva ori dar nu mi-a atras atenția pentru că nu funcționa apa, aproape că nici nu am observat-o.

(Translated by Google) The most beautiful part of Heraklion especially at night (Original) Το πιο ωραίο τμήμα του Ηρακλείου ειδικά το βράδυ

(Translated by Google) It looks more beautiful at night (Original) Πιο όμορφο φαίνεται το βράδυ

Ena metrio sintrivani,tha mporousan na ftiaxoun kati pio omorfo na teriazi me tin perioxi.

(Translated by Google) The Municipality left it to decay too. (Original) Το άφησε ο Δήμος να ρημάξει κι αυτο

(Translated by Google) not functional at this or past time of our arrival👌 (Original) tohoto ani minulého času nášho príchodu nefunkčné👌

(Translated by Google) A beautiful fountain in an ideal location. Even prettier at nightfall. (Original) Très belle fontaine idéalement placé. Encore plus jolie à la tombe de la nuit.

We discovered this winery by chance and were so glad we stopped. Even without a booking, they quickly arranged a tour for us – we only waited about 15 minutes. The introduction about the winemaking process and local grape varieties was fascinating. The wine tasting was fantastic – five different wines served in a beautiful pergola with stunning views. The food was also delicious, and the service was outstanding. A wonderful experience with warm hospitality – highly recommended!

I have visited this place for two different events, one being a wedding. Lyrarakis winery is one of the best in Crete and it's always a pleasure to taste their wines. The events were well organised and the venue is ideal for such a celebration. A little more attention to detail is needed, such as ironing the tablecloths.

Very cool Wine-Tasting with really gentle people, describing you the different flavours of the wine. We were there when it was the last opening day of the Winery and they started to grill meat which they served us too while tasting the dark red wine. Really Nice - thank you 😊👌

Fantastic experience. We took the picnic option which was well worth the money. We treated like VIPs and taken to a lovely quiet site for our tasting. Wine was excellent - bought 12 bottles for the villa!!

We visited this winery for the picnic package. When we arrived we were offered two glasses of wine to start the tour, the tour was very informative. The best part was the picnic where we were treated like VIP’s, we had our own little spot in the vineyard to sample wines and food. Really unforgettable experience and highly recommend.

We came without any reservation, and after they say we need to wait 1 hour for any chance to stay until they confirm is there any free table. After negative news for us, they gave us bottle of there vine to taste, with all smile and apologies for trouble. Massive respect to them, and next time we will come more prepared for sure.

I visited this vineyard as part of a bachelorette celebration with a group of 8 women, and it was truly an unforgettable experience! From the moment we arrived, the setting was absolutely stunning. Lush vines, beautiful views, and countless picture-perfect spots that made for amazing group and individual photos. We started with a guided tour of the vineyard and winery, where we learned about the entire winemaking process, including a fascinating explanation about the barrels and aging. Our guide was awesome, extremely knowledgeable, engaging, and had a great sense of humor, which made the experience even more enjoyable. After the tour, we did the picnic experience, and the food was beyond amazing. We were served a generous spread that included warm pita, a variety of cheeses, rice/meat stuffed in leaves/flowers, crispy fried zucchini balls, and a unique dessert made with cheese stuffed in pita and sweetened with syrup. Sooo good! The wine tasting was also super fun. We tried a great selection of wines including white, rosé, red, and a sparkling wine, which ended up being everyone’s favorite. Each wine was thoughtfully explained, and the quality was exceptional. We ended up leaving with about 8 bottles (possibly more!) to take home—more than enough for our group of eight, that was included in our experience. The entire day was full of laughter, amazing food and wine, and stunning scenery. It was the perfect combination of fun, relaxation, and a bit of education about the winemaking process. This vineyard experience definitely set the tone for a memorable weekend and was one of the highlights of our trip. Highly recommend for any group looking for a unique and joyful outing!

Ammoudara Beach is a wide, sandy beach stretching for several kilometers just outside Heraklion. It’s easy to reach, well-organized with sunbeds, umbrellas, and tavernas, but also has free areas for those who prefer their own space. The sand is golden and soft, while the water is usually clear and shallow, ideal for families. On windy days, the waves get stronger, making it fun for surfers. With its mix of lively beach bars and quieter spots, Ammoudara offers a balance between relaxation and entertainment.

Very wide beach, brown sand but very clean water. Good for sunbathing, swimming but useless for diving or snorkeling. Nice location.

This was the beach we enjoyed the most. Even though it’s quite simple and you won’t see much while snorkeling, it was always quiet, not crowded, and had a beautiful sunset. The beach closer to the stadium is a bit dirtier. Just stop and relax.

Ammoudara Beach is wide, sandy, and perfect for relaxing under the sun. The water is clean and warm, with a gentle breeze and plenty of space even in the afternoon. Beach bars, cafes, and chill music create the perfect Greek summer vibe!

9€ for two sunbeds and an umbrella including two free drinks. You can either choose coffee or beer. There are quite a few sunbeds so there are always ones free.

It was the only beach that provided a special seating area for people that don't have a hotel reservation nearby. It's offered by Neptuno Hotel, really nice service and the restaurant nearby was also top. We went there several times. You also can park right there, there's nire than enough parking lots and shop for souvenirs in a really nice and clean shopping street. We can totally recommend it.

Very nice beach with fine sand; the main entrance is a bit rocky, but otherwise the sand is very fine. The water is not deep and it’s wonderfully warm. We only had one windy day, but otherwise it was great for swimming. Two sunbeds with umbrella, 12 euros per day.

Amazing award winning winery. We decided to visit having bought some of their wines from Maltby & Greek in the UK, and coincidentally we happened to be on a cruise stopping in Heraklion, Crete. It was less than 30 minutes in a taxi. We arrived with the family and received an extremely friendly welcome from the host Georgios. We had a tour of the wine making process, and one of the vineyards, followed by wine tasting in the vineyard. Douloufakis produce an excellent range of wines, using different varieties of grape and in different styles. I highly recommend a visit to learn more and explore the different aromas and tastes.

A magic Little Place run by honest and passionate people. fantastic variety and quality of wine. The wine tasting has been a very good experience to savour the flavours of the Crete produce. the knowledgeable staff will guide through history and gastronomy. They will leave you plenty of time to taste each wine with plenty of explanations of the wine characteristics and background.

We had a fantastic experience at Douloufakis Winery on the “Arismari” Vineyard Tour & Wine Tasting. The tour was informative, relaxed, and beautifully organized. We learned a lot about the winemaking process, the history of the estate, and the local grape varieties — all shared with passion and deep knowledge. The setting was stunning, surrounded by vineyards and Cretan hills, and the tasting itself was a real highlight. We sampled a lovely variety of wines, all well explained, paired with small bites that complemented the flavors perfectly. Everyone at the winery was welcoming and professional — they created a warm and authentic experience that never felt rushed or overly commercial. This was one of the best wine tastings we’ve done, and we highly recommend it to anyone visiting Crete and looking to explore Cretan wines in an intimate, high-quality setting.

Amazing winery with very knowledgeable and talented staff, i had a blast visiting and going on the tour, the wines are very special and delicious. I learned a lot visiting douloufakis and dafnes in general and i would definitely come back when im in crete

We had an excellent visit and tasting led by Georgios. The wine was delicious but more than that, we enjoyed the tour of the facilities. Visiting during harvest allowed us to catch the wine making process in action. We learned a lot, enjoyed the wines, and also had a well crafted cheese and meat board. More of a meal than a snack! Highly recommend!

Fabulous wine tasting experience at Douloufakis winery - Georgios was so knowledgable and informative and the wines are superb. Excellent value for money. Thank you!

We were recommended to visit this winery and had very nice experience. We wanted to buy some locals wines and host gave us nice introductions to all the wines and we bought some really delicious wines! Must visit

We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Domaine Paterianakis, where we had a lunch with wine pairings and were offered a tour of the cellar to learn more about the production. I appreciate that the pairings were flexible based on our tastes and the kinds of wines we generally prefer. The food was excellent and homemade and the wines were high quality. Niki was a delight and obviously takes great pride in her family's business. We did not choose to ship wine since we have a wine suitcase, but it is possible to ship to some states in the U.S. and they have a lot of information available to help you with this! Overall a great experience and we would happily return on a future visit to Crete!

A fantastic discovery! We’ve tried many Cretan wines over the years, but the wines at Paterianakis Winery are truly among the best. The terrace offers a stunning view over the vineyard — the perfect place to enjoy a tasting. We were especially impressed by the red wines, which reminded us of fine French wines — something quite rare for us, as we usually don’t enjoy Greek reds. Wonderful atmosphere, excellent quality, and a must-visit for every wine lover on Crete!

We had a wonderful wine tasting experience here! The quality and variety of local wines were truly impressive. From the very beginning, we felt a warm and genuine welcome, and the explanations given by our host were amazing. What makes it even more special: the winery is fully run and managed by women. Highly recommended!

From the water to the wine & raki, I was completely impressed by these wines. I went in a little skeptical about the organic side of it but they had a perfect balance and blew me away! Each wine is unique and delicious and I will definitely come back to purchase their wines. The view is breathtaking and the service top notch. Thank you again for a lovely tasting & welcome.

A really love vineyard with high quality organic and natural wines. The hosts are welcoming, knowledgeable and very friendly. It is a family run business, and is one 1 of 2 domaine vineyards on Crete. I would recommend having some nice food there to pair with the wine tasting

Incredible winery worth a visit! My husband and I were traveling in Crete from the US and visited in June 2025. The location is breathtaking, and so are the wines! The staff here are incredibly knowledgeable and are happy to answer any questions you may have. We did a tasting on the patio and enjoyed the incredible views of the vineyard. I will absolutely be returning here and ordering more bottles of wine soon.

Very nice experience good wine wonderful view to the mountains and winery fields.

A glimpse into history and breathtaking views The site features amazing architecture that offers a fascinating insight into how monks once lived. Even if you’re not Christian, it’s well worth adding to your itinerary. The journey there treats you to stunning views, perfect for capturing some memorable family photos. Entrance is only €2 for adults (cash only), and children can enter for free.

Lovely peaceful monastery. I was in shorts so was given a scarf to cover my legs (not necessary for men it would appear). Some very old painting on the walls inside the chapel and some very old books on display in cases. Beautiful buildings and well set out displays. Worth a visit if you're passing that way.

Respect to the nun's that are still living at this monastery. Entrance fee is €2,- Nice to see a little bit of the history, nice shop where you can get memorabilia. We were told tha the monastery is from the year 900 what makes it 1000+ years old.

The old church is beautiful with many nice pics from byzantine time. Too bad that it doesn’t allow to take photo here (even in the souvenir shop). They have lots of nice souvenirs, not just average ones like other places, but ofc it’s quite pricy as well. 2€ for ticket per person if any one doesn’t wanna pay. But i think in Greece generally it’s cheaper then other countries already. U should pay as a contribution for the church/monastery.

Very beautiful place and pretty quaiet. You need to pay the entrance to the Monastery and have a decent clothing (shorts that are below your knees are recomanded and for womans same but with skirts).

Nice place located in the mountains. Worth a visit. €2.00 per person to get in. Photos inside the church aren't allowed

Must see, lovely people. Can also buy honey & olive oil made by them

Perfect experience, especially for kids! The owner is a great guy, gave us a tour of the museum. Not only showed the instruments and talked about their specifics, but also played them for us AND let us and our kids play some of them. Definitely recommend visiting this place!

Small but interesting, especially if you're interested in music or folklore. 10 Euro is not much, you'd get a warm homely welcome, some music, and a welcome liquid! If you have time, have a chat with the knowledgeable workers there, you'll know a lot more about this island!

If you want to learn all about the best musical instruments of the past & learn more about Greek culture, they will show you EVERYTHING and give demos. The best! 11/10 would recommend!!!!

An amazing hidden gem in the crowded Herakleion! This independently run museum is dedicated to the celebration of the traditional instruments of Crete but also other Mediterranean cultures and their evolution in history. It offers a very enjoyable guilded tour with demonstration of many of the instruments! It is a definite must for any visitor! Crete has so much more to offer than archaeological ruins!

A wonderful museum for music lovers and whoever want to know more about the music in Crete and Greece in general! Very friendly guides, who played live for us some of the instrument!

Excellent visit. Highly recommend to have a real immersion into cretean and Mediterranean music instruments

For lovers of good music and true music enthusiasts, a visit to the Heraklion Museum of Musical Instruments is a must. It features instruments from all over the world and offers the unique opportunity to actively participate in meticulously crafted and detailed demonstrations of various instruments. The talented and friendly performers and musicians guide visitors on a delightful journey of listening and learning about instrumental music, especially fine traditional Cretan music. I'm delighted to have participated in such a wonderful visit, and I send my warmest regards to everyone. Enjoy your visit!

We didn't enjoy a cup of coffee here although visiting the area gives a good "local Greek" experience... Specially the street 1866 with all the shops is worth visiting....

Nothing special, going to be a tourist info kiosk soon

Among the few remains from the ottoman empire in crete. It stands alone nicely in the center of Heraklion Just few steps from lions fountain which is a must see as well.

The water is Off...

Nothing

(Translated by Google) Beyond the beautiful historical monument, I would like to mention the image of the city that is full of garbage and dirt, the garbage and recycling bins are suffocatingly full! It's a shame, the city doesn't deserve such an image! (Original) Πέρα από το πανέμορφο ιστορικό μνημείο θα ήθελα να αναφερθώ στην εικόνα της πόλης που είναι γεμάτη σκουπίδια και ακαθαρσίες, οι κάδοι σκουπιδιών και ανακύκλωσης είναι ασφυχτικά γεμάτοι! Είναι κρίμα δεν αξίζει τέτοια εικόνα η πόλη!

(Translated by Google) Nice building, but there's no trace of the coffee shop or public restrooms. (Original) Schönes Gebäude, aber von dem Kaffee und den öffentlichen Toiletten ist keine Spur mehr.

We went for the “Stroll around Greece” package and had a great time. The sommelier was great and took us around the property (outside and the wine cellar) and shared an interesting story about the estate and the process of wine making. The tasting was well organized with 7 different wines we could taste. Also the cold cuts and cheeses were delicious. Would recommend! Total time 90-120 minutes

I booked the wine picnic for my wife and I as a surprise during our honeymoon in Crete. We could not have been more happy with the experience. Touring the winery before sharing a delicious meal coupled with Scalarea’s amazing wine, all from a private garden alcove with a beautiful view of the vineyard, made for an unforgettable time and a highlight of our honeymoon. I cannot recommend the experience highly enough: the staff, ambiance, and wine were all a 10 out of 10. Do yourself a favor and visit!

Such a lovely way to spend an afternoon! We did a cooking class which also included five wine tastings. Would 10/10 reccomend!!

Fully enjoyed out visiting. We got four different glasses of wine and created our own tasing. We arrived too early, before their hours for wine tasting. Really nice staff and good wines.

Just had the most fantastic time with friendly staff. I would highly recommend a tour and tasting experience.

Absolutely a must. The most friendly team. They have a passion for good wine and food. When you visit Knossos Palace take a 10 minute drive to this amazing winery.

We booked the “Stroll around Greece” package, and boy did it deliver! We started with a tour around the vineyard then went to the cellar, both accompanied with an extensive explanation. The wine tasting consisted of 7 wines, which are cultivated all around Greece. The cheese and cold cuts platter was a real delight, especially the wine leaves. The louliatiko desert wine was a nice end of the experience. Would highly recommend!

I really enjoyed my visit to this museum. The artwork is breathtaking, and the collection as a whole offers a rich glimpse into Christian history and heritage. From intricate icons to beautifully preserved artifacts, every piece tells a story. Highly recommended for anyone interested in historical Christian art.

It’s a really impressive museum if you like to learn about the history of that church and the saint minas church history. The artist it contains are incredible and really makes you shudder. I was too stunned by architecture of this church and its history. It really worth the money.

The art work inside this little museum is amazing, coupled with the history and the story behind this -ice makes this place a must see when in Heraklion

An interesting museum where you can learn about the history of Cretan iconography. The museum is not very big, but there are many interesting works on display.

A small museum with some interesting artifacts from the byzantine era. It cost four euros to get in

This is a must see in Heraklion. It’s a small museum in an old church that has beautiful icons, paintings, and other items used in churches throughout the history of Cretan Christianity. The items in the museum are remarkably well preserved, and the museum provides lots of helpful information about the exhibits.

Fascinating little museum on Byzantine Cretan art. Learnt lots, and enjoyed the beautiful artefacts. Enjoyable 30min visit

Unfortunately, the museum was closed, — even though Google Maps clearly showed that the museum was open. It was really frustrating because we came by bus and then had to take a taxi to reach the archaeological site.

For me personally one of the highlights of the trip. Too many items would be a critique. Would have liked more interactive displays as well. Must see visit

Nice small museum over two floors. If you read all the information on display you could see everything in an hour. Entry is €5.

Tried to go here today. It was closed, despite the notice on the door saying it was open. Spoke to a man in a local taverna and he said that he no longer knows what's going on at the museum, the person who set it up died a couple of years ago and now "it just opens whenever the people running it feel like it". Seems a real shame.

You need to visit this museum in order to understand the culture of this island. Vori village is very traditional and beautiful, village square is amazing to drink a Greek coffee or relax on the evening.. Generally Vori village is one of the most beautiful villages that you can find in Crete with carefully restored old houses. Totally recommended.

As other reviewers have noted, this museum is sadly no longer in operation. We turned up at 12pm on a Tuesday and it was closed and seemingly abandoned. Another couple of tourists was also there for the same reason and found it closed. The owner of the shop across the road said that, as far as he knows, the museum is now permanently closed.

Nice museum that explains many aspects of Cretan life that would take years to learn....

Ok I’m. A dork but when you look at Crete as being a major port and gateway to the Middle East then you see how important ship building was to Crete. And this is where they built ships. So cool.

Great Venetian architecture that still stands❤️they are doing some repairs so hopefully these will look even better in a few years time!🤞🤞🤞 some lighting to highlight the stucture would make these look awsome at night!

Sorry but I have never seen such a bad restoration. It is like a newly built bus terminal. However, when you see Heraklion, you understand better how history was massacred. Completely disconnected from the past...

The area is beautiful! There is so much to do and so much to eat. They have a little of everything around the area and recommend going to take a few photos during certain times of the day. It was somewhat crowded when I went but doesn't mean it doesn't have slower times and less crowds!

This place is historical from the time that Venetian people had the control off the island,made from stones in very specific way because the building is very high.they were used as storage facilities for goods in and out the old port near. It was the working place of thousands of People loading them on ships.very nice to see and walk through.

Nice docks. Walk to the Fortezza. It is very nice.

Was not open during my visit to Crete but was very cool to drive by this structure.

Great place. Stopped in based on a local's recommendation. Well worth a visit.

Wonderful shop with homemade herbs and tinctures. Also sells essential oils. Very nice customer service.

Incredible shop! Thank you so much! One of this places which you don’t want to leave ✨😊

This herbal store was a sheer delight to shop in. Some the herbs to use to make their cosmetics they grow and collect wild. High quality herbs in bulk, essential oils and cosmetics and much more. Sakis is very knowledgeable about the herbs abd products.

I found this shop while looking for things to do in Heraklion - and decided to go pay them a visit. I am interested in natural remedies and botanicals and this place did not disappoint! You have tinctures, infusions, spices for food and a whole lot of other things. I spent about half an hour browsing through all their natural products. The man in the shop is Vassiliki’s son and was both knowledgeable and helpful - without jumping at me or being salesy. You can feel this is an authentic, family business that cares about both their products and their customers. I bought a mix of different things for me and for bringing back to relatives at home and am already planning on ordering more online through their website. 100% recommend

Family business, knowledgeable staff. Sample tea of the day. They can help you choose Herbs for healthcare. Also sell spices. If you are traveling abroad and not feeling well, this is a great place to start feeling better.

A lovely shop with natural products and the owner is very nice and explains everything you need to know. If I could I would buy everything there!

It is a very nice, modern and functional space to taste wines. It was very informative and very nice to have a comprehensive tour of the company. Elphida had taken all the time for us and was responsive to any questions we had. She was very enthusiastic and welcoming and very knowledgeable about wines. Wine and food combinations were superb. We also had a Nice chat with Zacharias (one of the owners). We will definitely buy some bottles from you in the Netherlands. Thanks for the list of distributors. Good luck with the next harvest! Greetings Hans and Lia

We had a wonderful visit at Diamantakis winery! First of all, we love their wines & it was really nice to get to visit the winery itself. We did the 1h tour trying 4 different wines and our sommelier was super knowledgeable and informative throughout. They also offer 2h tours with wine & food pairing which would be fun to do. Better to book beforehand to let them know that you're coming! Enjoy!!!

My husband and I had the warmest welcome when visiting this beautiful, family-run winery in the heart of Malevizi, Crete. The owner, Zacharias, showed us some of their ecologically cultivated vineyards, as well as the newly built, modern, tasting room. Elpida guided us through their range of incredible, high quality wines, paired with delicious home made bites from local produce. We had a great time and would highly recommend a trip to Diamantakis. Thank you for the hospitality Zacharias and Elpida, and to Chryssa for booking our appointment.

It was our first time visiting a winery and doing a wine testing and it was an amazing experience! Our guide, Elpida, was very knowledge and fun as she explained us the whole process of making wine; from the moment the grapes start growing from the vines until the wine bottle has been sealed. The wine testing (we booked the "Taste the culture" tour) was meticulously planned, each food was chosen to complement perfectly the wine that was paired with. I would definitely recommend this experience for someone who wants to taste the local wine and cuisine while surrounded by the beautiful scenery of vineyards and olive trees.

We were lucky to be at the Diamantakis Winery during harvest season. Our tour and wine tasting with Elpida was wonderful. Her impressive passion and deep knowledge of Cretan wines truly stood out. Elpida and some of the Diamantakis Winery team (Maria & Zacharias) gave us an incredibly warm welcome. Thank you for one of the most memorable tastings we've ever experienced. Efharisto!

A unique gem in the mainland of Crete! We booked a wine tasting and felt excited from the warm and insightful guidance of Elpida. She was a very interesting, sweet and well-educated scientist who taught us the secrets of the local wine production. We suggest you undoubtedly to visit the winery and taste the culture of Crete.

The service was absolutely fantastic. Elpitha was an excellent guide and kept us entertained. Her knowledge of the winery and wine in general was amazing. Our whole family were made to feel so welcomed. It was an unforgettable experience and their wines are superb.

If you tried a walk on the high dam against the sea and felt thrilling, holy and enjoyable, believe me you are not alone. Take a walk on the wall is dangerous, but with your life risking and the same time obsessed with unstoppable sea view, I think it can be considered an experience.

A great spot to go for a long walk, lots of art and a nice view of the city

It's only good for workout, I think light house is simple and small, but I enjoyed more the view of the sea, the port of Heraklion along the walk, so yes I give 5 stars still !

Nice walk to the light beacon. It's not really a light house, just a light on a pole. It's a 2.3km walk in each direction. There are toilets half way, and some art on the sea wall at places along the route

It was awesome walk there, very long, but interesting Satisfaction of coming here was huge and coming back from there was like a reward

If you have 2-3 hours left in the early evening on your tour don't miss out on this one. The view and scenery are simply beautiful. While we sat on the walls, rested from the ~2km walk to the lighthouse and enjoyed the earthing and calming view, sailing boats returned to harbour while the sun was going down. It's these moments that make a day unforgettable.

Not really a lightHOUSE is it? LOL I did enjoy the brisk walk back and forth though...

Located in the center of a shady park across the street from Bembo Fountain, this amazing statue depicts Erotokritos on his horse bidding farewell to his beloved Aretousa. It is a truly awe inspiring statue, in Heraklion's busy city center.

Very nice statue. Interesting point of view with moving poses in one monument.

Lovely statue of Erotokritos and possibly Aretousa

Probably the most modern statue in Heraklion. It shows both characters in multiple poses at the same time, as if you are watching them in motion.

Approaching folklore literature beautifully

Beatific statue nothing more nothing less

Such a nice plaza!