Matala Beach

Located just 67 kilometers southwest of Heraklion, Matala Beach is one of Crete’s more widely popular areas and for good reason. Visitors can rent bamboo umbrellas and sun beds for use right on the golden sand beach, which is accented by a towering cliff face. Caves leading into the face of that cliff were once used by hippies and other drifters. Although they’re long gone, it can be interesting to observe them. This beach is excellent for swimming, surfing, snorkeling, and even scuba diving.

Tymbaki Beach

Just a few kilometers further down the coast is Tymbaki, which is close to both Heraklion and the village that bears its name. This beach is made up of small pebbles and is a great place to relax and enjoy the sunshine. However, this beach isn’t the best choice for families with small children or those who like to swim. The high winds generate waves that could be dangerous. Because of this, though, the beach is a haven for those who love water sports, such as surfing.

Agia Pelagia Beach

Located northwest of Heraklion, Agia Pelagia is another welcoming village with a long, golden brown sandy beach. A calmer beach, due to natural protection from high winds, this beach also offers rental accommodations for those wishing to stay longer than one afternoon. The village of Agia Pelagia features a tourist area with a host of taverns to liven up the evenings spent away from the sand and shore.

Lygaria Beach

Lygaria Beach offers a soft sand beach just 23 kilometers northwest of Heraklion. The beach is narrow, but relaxing with calm, warm waters for swimmers and snorkelers. Surrounded by grassy hills, the beach is supplied with parasols and chairs for visitors to use at their leisure. Between the shore and the hills, a line of shops, cares, taverns, and rental accommodations make Lygaria Beach a one-stop destination for sun-worshipping tourists.

Amoudara Beach

Located in the Gulf of Heraklion, Amoudara Beach can be found five miles west of the capital, along the north coast. While this area doesn’t boast as many amenities as some of the other beaches on this list, the smooth, golden sand and calm, blue waters more than make up for the lack of amenities. In fact, this beach was awarded the EU Blue Flag award for its pristine, clean waters. There are a few offerings, as far as accommodations and taverns in the village near the beach.

From popular sands to more secluded shores, these beaches offer a little something for everyone. In fact, these beaches are popular amongst locals and tourists alike!

The post Best Beaches to Visit in Heraklion, Crete appeared first on .

Archaeological Museum

The Archaeological Museum of Heraklion contains one of the richest collections of findings from Gortyn, Phaestos, Knossos, and Aharnes, and other ancient sites. Exhibits at the museum span 5,500 years starting at the Neolithic period to the Roman times. The first room of the museum was constructed between 1904 – 1907 on the ruins of the Catholic Monastery of Saint Francis, which was destroyed by an earthquake that occurred in 1856.

A second room was added later and in 1937 the present building that houses the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion was built. Permanent exhibitions of the museum include jewelry, marble statues, pottery, items that were excavated in palaces, public buildings, and cemeteries, and more.

Historical Museum

The Historical Museum of Heraklion was founded in 1953 by the Society of Cretan Historical Studies. The museum showcases the culture and history of Crete from early Christian times to the modern era. The museum has a total of 22 rooms where you can view paintings of El Greco, photographs of Crete in the past, personal items that belonged to Nikos Kazantzakis, sculptures, and ceramics.

The building the museum is housed in is a two-storey neoclassical building that was built in 1903. The site where the building was constructed was the site of a mansion that belonged to the Kalokerinos family. The goal of the Historical Museum of Heraklion is to collect and preserve valuable archaeological and historical material.

El Greco Museum

Located near the Gate of Bethlehem, across from a chapel, is the El Greco Museum. The museum is dedicated to the famous Cretan painter named Domenicos Theotokopoulos who was known as “El Greco.” The museum has copies of works by El Greco. The building that the museum is housed in was in ruins, but restored starting in 1982 with the help of the Greek Ministry of Culture. The village of Fodele, where the museum is located, is said to be the birthplace of El Greco who was born in 1542. The only two original pieces by El Greco that are in Crete are at the Historical Museum of Crete, not far from the El Greco Museum.

Minos Winery

Minos Winery is in Peza Village, 17 km from Heraklion. The winery is still in use today and produces about 900,000 bottles of wine each year, but the site also serves as a museum. The history of the family making wine begins when they would do so for travelers who were passing through the area. In 1932, Miliarakis became one of the leading wine producers in Crete. The winery become the first company in Crete to make bottled wine in the 1952.

Visit some of the museums in Heraklion, Greece to get a taste of its history and culture.

The post Museums to Visit in Heraklion, Greece appeared first on .

The climate of Heraklion, Greece is hot-summer Mediterranean. Summers tend to be hot and dry and winters are mild with moderate rainfall.

This weather forecast in Heraklion, Greece, will vary from year to year. The averages that you see below represent historical weather data. Here is the typical weather forecast throughout the year for Heraklion, Greece:

January

• Temperature: 48.2° F (9° C) – 59.5° F (15.3° C)
• Precipitation: 90.1
• Climate: 16 days of rain on average, 119.9 hours of sunshine, water temperature 62.8° F (17.1° C), 10 hours per day of daylight, UV-index 3
• Humidity: 68%

February 

• Temperature: 48° F (8.9° C) – 59.9° F (15.5° C)
• Precipitation: 67.6 mm
• Climate: 13.6 days of rain on average, 132.3 hours of sunshine, 11 hours of daylight per day, water temperature 61.5 ° F (16.4° C), UV-index 4
• Humidity: 66.1%

March 

• Temperature: 49.5° F (9.7° C) – 62.1° F (16.7° C)
• Precipitation: 58.2 mm
• Climate: 12 days of rain on average, 181.5 hours of sunshine, 12 hours of daylight per day, water temperature, 61.7° F (16.5° C), UV-index 5
• Humidity: 66%

April

• Temperature: 53.2° F (11.8° C) – 68° F (20° C)
• Precipitation: 28.5 mm
• Climate: 7.7 days of rain on average, 234.8 hours of sunshine, 13 hours of daylight per day, water temperature 62.8° F (17.1° C), UV-index 7
• Humidity: 61.7%

May

• Temperature: 59° F (15° C) – 74.3° F (23.5° C)
• Precipitation: 14.2 mm
• Climate: 4.4 days of rain on average, 298.5 hours of sunshine, 14 hours of daylight per day, water temperature 67.1° F (19.5° C), UV-index 9
• Humidity: 60.8%

June 

• Temperature: 66.4° F (19.1° C) – 81.1° F (27.3° C)
• Precipitation: 3.5 mm
• Climate: 1.3 days of rain on average, 356.2 hours of sunshine, 15 hours of daylight per day, water temperature 73.4° F (23° C), UV-index 10
• Humidity: 56.3%

July

• Temperature: 70.9° F (21.6° C) – 83.7° F (28.7° C)
• Precipitation: 1 mm
• Climate: 0.3 days of rain on average, 368.3 hours of sunshine, 14 hours of daylight per day, water temperature 77.7° F (25.4° C), UV-index 11
• Humidity: 56.6%

August  

• Temperature: 71.2° F (21.8° C) – 83.3° F (28.5° C)
• Precipitation: 0.6 mm
• Climate: 0.4 days of rain on average, 343.5 hours of sunshine, 13 hours of daylight per day, water temperature 79° F (26.1° C), UV-index 10
• Humidity: 58.3%

September

• Temperature: 66.7° F (19.3° C) – 79.5° F (26.4° C)
• Precipitation: 17.7 mm
• Climate: 2.4 days of rain on average, 275.8 hours of sunshine, 12 hours of daylight per day, water temperature 77.7° F (25.4° C), UV-index 8
• Humidity: 61.2%

October

• Temperature: 61.7° F (16.5° C) – 74.1° F (23.4° C)
• Precipitation: 64.9 mm
• Climate: 7.8 days of rain on average, 206.9 hours of sunshine, 11 hours of daylight per day, water temperature, 73.9° F (23.3° C), UV-index 5
• Humidity: 65.5%

November

• Temperature: 56.1° F (13.4° C) – 68° F (20° C)
• Precipitation: 59 mm
• Climate: 10.6 days of rain on average, 145.5 hours of sunshine, 10 hours of daylight per day, water temperature 69.1° F (20.6° C), UV-index 3
• Humidity: 67.7%

December

• Temperature: 51.4° F (10.8° C) – 62.6° F (17° C)
• Precipitation: 77.9 mm
• Climate: 15.1 days of rain on average, 115.4 hours of sunshine, 10 hours of daylight per day, water temperature, 65.1° F (18.4° C), UV-index 2
• Humidity: 67.7%

Heraklion, Greece enjoys a variety of weather from the hot summers to the mild winters with rain.

Find the current weather forecast for Heraklion, Greece here:

Accuweather – Heraklion, Greece Weather Forecast

Weather.com – Heraklion, Greece Weather Forecast

The post Heraklion, Greece Weather: Temperature and Climate appeared first on .

About Ancient Rizinia

The Ancient city of Rizinia is located on top of Patela Hill, about a few miles north of Prinias village. The area was occupied since 1500 BC, during the Hellenistic and the post-Minoan period. A temple was found on the eastern side of the hill, and research refers to it as worshiping a goddess bearing weapons and the snake.

On the leading site of the plateau, two more temples from the seventh century BC have been excavated. One temple, with a more evident Greek influence and similar to the temple of Apollo in Dreros, Crete (an ancient site near Razinia) and the other temple with Minoan influence probably dedicated to the ancient Greek goddess Rea, defender of the family. On the western side of the hill from 4th or 5 the century BC, a castle was found, which an ancient cemetery is.

Ancient Rizinia gives you a superb view of the mountains of Lassithi and the valley of Messara. You will also find the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion Crete, where discoveries from Ancient Rizinia are hosted. There you also tour and engage in activities such as sports.

What to Do When Not Visiting Rizinia

While not visiting Rizinia, you can spend some time seeing the sites in Heraklion. Visiting the Knossos Palace should be your number one thing to do. It is the most famous historic attraction with a fascinating audio tour that you can download on your phone. You should consider fishing and snorkelling at Dia island. The equipment will be provided along with fruits and refreshments. Swim in the crystal water and take a walk along cedar trees on the island or relax in the quiet bay overlooking Heraklion.

Board an open bus with a 48-hour ticket and explore Heraklion city. There are eight bus stops along the way, which are admirable. Accustom yourself to the Cretan history, civilization and architecture and learn the differences between the modern and old Heraklion city.

Getting to Ancient Rizinia

Getting to Ancient Rizinia should be a fascinating trip. You can get there by booking a ferry to Heraklion from Santorini, Athens and more islands. You can also get there by renting a car and tour Ancient Rizinia.

Paying a visit to Ancient Rizinia should be the most rewarding tour you can give to yourself or your family. It provides an unforgettable and remarkable experience. You will find yourself wanting to visit there again and again.

Source:

Wikipedia – Prinias

Wikipeda – Dreros, Crete

The post See the Amazing Ancient Rizinia (Prinias) Near Heraklion appeared first on .

About Labyrinth Theme Park

You’ll find the Labyrinth Theme Park situated on 15 hectares in the hills above the town of Hersonissos. That’s in the north of the island of Crete, the most populous island in Greece, within a scenic resort area. It’s also the historic center of the Minoan civilization, with roots dating back to 3500 BC.

The park itself is a monument to the area’s historical heritage. It’s filled with themed attractions that both celebrate the area’s rich history while teaching visitors all about its significance within the annals of human civilization. It accomplishes this through fun and educational activities that keep visitors enthralled and entertained for hours on end.

What to Do at Labyrinth Theme Park

There’s no shortage of fun activities in the park for visitors of all ages. Informative videos about the Minoan civilization play throughout the day in the park’s projection room. Visitors can play a round of mini-golf, enjoy archery, or even go on a donkey ride!

That’s not all there is to do, however. Visitors can also go quad riding on a custom-built track on the property. They can also go for a walk through the eco-garden or see the animals in the park’s mini-farm. Or, more adventurous types can try their hands at escaping Atlantis – the famed underwater city – or tackle the Trojan Horse-themed Laser maze.

But the heart of the park is its Labyrinth, which offers 1300 square meters of twists, turns, and dead ends. It’s the work of world-renowned maze designer Adrian Fisher, who drew inspiration from the mythical labyrinth that ancient Minoan legend insists once existed on the island. It was said to be the home of the Minotaur – a fearsome half-man, half-bull – which was imprisoned within so it could never escape and harm the island’s inhabitants.

Getting to Labyrinth Theme Park

The Labyrinth Theme Park is easy to reach from almost any location on the island of Crete. It’s just 25 kilometers away from the airport, should you decide to make it your first stop upon arriving on the island. But if you’re already touring the historic capital city of Heraklion, you’re well within range, too. Because the park is located in the island’s most popular resort area, it’s also a short walk from the Crete Golf Club, the Village Heights Resort, and the Acqua Plus Water Park.

So, if you or your family are going to be in the area, you should visit the Labyrinth Theme Park. It’s intellectually stimulating and fun and will give you a new perspective on the ancient civilization that once called Crete home. Plus, it’s not every day that you can have the chance to come face-to-face with the fearsome Minotaur!

Source #1

Source #2

The post Visit the Labyrinth Theme Park in Hersonissos appeared first on .

Knossos Palace

If you have never been to Heraklion before, you won’t want to miss the chance to visit the Knossos Palace. This Minoan palace was once considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Although it is in ruins, it is still impressive, especially if you think about when it was built. Be sure to take a tour so that you can get the most out of your visit. If you have some extra time, you won’t want to miss the Labyrinth, which is where the Minotaur was said to have lived. This is an especially great place to visit for history buffs and fans if the Greek mythological stories.

Archaeological Museum of Heraklion

Located near a pedestrian zone, the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion is a place you absolutely need to visit, especially if you have an interest in the ancient culture of the island. Although you don’t need to visit Knossos to appreciate this museum, it really does help. Many of the frescoes that were found at the ruins of the castle are actually on display here. Otherwise, the elements of the outdoors would ruin them. Browse through other artifacts such as ancient jewelry that looks remarkably similar to a lot of our modern jewelry, clay pots, examples of both Linear A and Linear B, the early scripts of the Ancient Greek language, and sculptures that were found at various dig sites. If you want a quick and efficient overview of the museum, consider hiring a guide.

Hop-On Hop-Off Bus

Are you looking for an easy way to see all the main sites of the city in only one day? Consider taking the hop-on hop-off bus that takes you through to all the major sites and landmarks that Heraklion has to offer. This is the most efficient and carefree way to see what the city has to offer. If you only have a few hours, you can circle the route once and not get off the bus. Just sit and listen to the narration to get an overview. If you do want to stop at some of the sites in advance, plan things out so that you won’t miss the chance to take any tours that you want to. For example, if you know you want to visit Knossos, be sure to arrive there with enough time to explore and take all the tours you want.

It isn’t ideal to only have one day to spend in Heraklion. However, it is possible to get a nice overview during your stay.

The post Things to Do in One Day in Heraklion, Crete appeared first on .

However, once an archaeological site is excavated, the artifacts don’t necessarily stay on the site. They are taken to another location where they can be protected, studied, and also enjoyed by a wide variety of people. The Heraklion Archaeological Museum is one of those places, and if you find yourself visiting Heraklion on the island of Crete, you won’t want to miss this important site. Here’s more information:

Details About the Museum

The Heraklion Archaeological Museum was first built in 1883, but back then, it was a small museum with a basic callection of artifacts. Today, the museum looks much different than that! It is one of the biggest archaeological museums in Greece and has a total of twenty rooms. Each of these rooms has a theme and covers a certain part of Crete’s history. Room I covers Ancient Greece from 6000 B.C. to the pre-palatial period, which is a period of time that predates the vast Minoan palaces that are located on the island. Room II spans from 2000 B.C. to 1700 B.C, and so on until Room XX (Room 20), which has an impressive collection of sculptures from the Classical Era of Greece.

A History that Spans 5500 Years

Since the history of Crete is so vast, this museum is fairly large and houses an impressive collection of artifacts. Besides showing the artifacts, guests will also learn about the various stages of Crete’s history, which make up a span of around 5500 years and starts with the Minoan Period, which is looked at as one of the earliest civilizations in Ancient Greece. The museum is laid out in a logical way, with each room highlighting a certain aspect of Crete’s vast history.

Types of Artifacts that Are Found in the Museum

Although much of Crete’s early history focuses on the Minoans, this isn’t all that the museum highlights. There are artifacts present from every known time period in Crete. As a result, the types of artifacts that can be found are vast. These include writing tablets featuring both Linear A and Linear B script, ancient jewelry, statues, vases and pots, grooming items, and other household items.

How to Experience the Museum

In order to get the most out of this museum, you can certainly wander around and take it all in on your own. The museum is incredibly well labeled and if you don’t mind reading plaques, this is a perfectly enoyable way to peruse through its rooms. It is also possible to take a guided tour. Depending on how interested you are in this phase of history, you could easily spend several hours or even more than one day here!

Sources:

Wikipedia – Heraklion Archaeological Museum

The post Don’t Miss the Heraklion Archaeological Museum appeared first on .

Visit Knossos Palace

Knossos Palace is a Minoan palace that is over 20,000 square meters. It is the largest of the Minoan palatial structures. The original Knossos Palace was built around 2,000 BC, but was destroyed in an earthquake around 1700 BC. No time was wasted in building the newer palace. During the middle of the 15^th century BC, the Achaeans took over the island of Crete and the palace. The palace of Knossos contained 1300 rooms and four wings that are arranged around a central court. The labyrinth ruins and red columns are a must-see when visiting Heraklion.

Explore the Fortress of Koules

The Fortress of Koules is located at the entrance of the old port of Heraklion. It was built by the Republic of Venice during the 13^th century. The Fortress of Koules is a Venetian castle. “Koules” means fortress in Turkish. When it was built, the fortress was intended to be storage for food and military supplies. It was also a prison and quarters for the officers. When the fortress was destroyed by an earthquake in 1303 and was rebuilt later by the Genoese. Another restoration of the fortress would be completed by 1540 and that’s how it is seen today. The architecture is Venetian style. The view from the fortress is quite amazing and you’ll find historical information scattered throughout as you explore.

Visit the Caves of Matala

Approximately 70 km south of Heraklion you’ll find the Caves of Matala. Matala is the most ancient village in Crete. What’s left of this former fishing village now lies under the sea. The artificial caves are built on the coastline of Messara Bay. The caves were first carved and used as dwellings and places of worship dating back to the prehistoric period. During the 1^st and 2^nd Century they would be used as tombs. The caves are surrounded by beautiful turquoise sea and gorgeous sand.

Matala Beach

Matala Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Greece. It is located approximately 65 km south west of Heraklion. The beach runs 300 meters long and features light golden sand and beautiful water. There are sun beds and umbrellas available for rent. You will find amenities and accommodations near by. This is a great beach to visit if you’re in the area exploring the Caves of Matala.

Amoudara Beach

Just 5 km from Heraklion, you will find another gorgeous beach called Amoudara Beach. This beach also boasts golden sand, clear water, facilities, and accommodations and taverns nearby. If you’re looking for a day of relaxation, swimming, and sunning, this is a great spot for your family.

When visiting Heraklion, you won’t be at a loss for things to do. If you want to immerse yourself in history or just sunbathe, there is something for you in this city and in the surrounding area. 

The post Things to Do in Heraklion, Crete With Families appeared first on .

Enjoy the Music

Cretan music is slightly different than the traditional music found throughout the rest of Greece. The reason for this is because of the Cretan lyra, a special stringed instrument that is played with a bough, and the Cretan lute, an instrument that is strummed like a guitar. Other traditional musical styles throughout Greece feature the bouzouki, instead. The Alai Cretan Cuisine restaurant in Heraklion has a traditional Cretan band every Thursday night. Sample the local cuisine while taking in the music!

Shop With the Locals

The Laiki Agora, or people’s market, is a time honored Greek tradition that most larger towns and cities adhere to. In Heraklion, the Laiki Agora market takes place every Saturday and is popular with visitors and tourists alike. For locals, this is a chance for them to buy fresh, local food that is straight from the source. Visitors to the city can catch a glimpse of local culture while searching for traditional Cretan goods to bring home.

Learn About Cretan History

Cretans are proud of their history and there are several opportunities throughout Heraklion to explore it. For example, the Heraklion Archaeological Museum is a great place in the city to learn about the past. With artifacts starting in the Neolithic Period (7000-6500 BC) and going all the way up to Roman times, the museum gives a 5000 year overview of the history of Heraklion. You should also visit the ruins of Knossos Palace. Most of the artifacts from the palace, however, are housed in the Archaeological Museum.

Eat Traditional Cretan Food

Experiencing the cuisine on the island of Crete will be one of the highlights of your trip, as long as you find the right places to visit! You will find fresh produce in abundance on the island, and the cuisine reflects this. Ippokambos is a traditional restaurant located near the water and is known for having some of the best seafood in the city. When you arrive at your hotel, just ask them where their favorite restaurant is. If you tell them you want to dine with locals, they’ll point you in the right direction.

Experience Nightlife With the Cretans

When it’s time to hit the town, it’s fun to go wherever the locals go. Cretans love their traditional food and music and many of the popular hotspots feature both.Peninta-Peninta is a local hotspot that also features fresh, local food and even has bands playing traditional Greek music while you dine. Don’t let the fact that it serves food fool you! The best time to go is after 10 PM and continues until people go home, as is typical for most of Greece!

The post Visit These Local Gems in Heraklion appeared first on .

About Knossos Palace

Traditionally called a palace, the archaeological site of Knossos on the island of Crete, is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Greece. The site hosts hundreds of thousands of tourists every year who come to see the extensive restorations that were done by the site’s excavator, Sir Arthur Evans, during the early 20th century. The first excavation of the site was done in 1878 by Minos Kalokerinos. The next excavations were done by Evans in 1900 – 1913 and 1922 – 1930. Evans excavations would undercover much of the palace.

Sir Arthur Evans restorations were important for a few reasons. If he had not done this work to preserve, restore, and protect Knossos, much of it may have been lost. The restorations done also help visitors to get an accurate look at and understanding of the importance of spaces such as the Throne Room. Not all of the restorations done by Evans is accurate, but they give insight into the skill of Minoan painters and architects.

The Minoan palace covers an area of 20,000 square meters. Knossos Palace had impressive features including a variety of materials used, painted plaster, wall-paintings, passages, and marble revenant. There are also signs of advanced technology used by the Minoans in the structural and architectural features as well as drainage and water-supply systems.

Visit Knossos Palace on Crete

Knossos Palace is a historical attraction that will complete your trip to Crete. Knossos Palace is located 5 km from Heraklion, the capital of Crete. The site is very large, but you can take a guided tour or if you prefer you can walk around and explore on your own. If you take an organized tour of Knossos Palace, you won’t have to worry about transportation and you will have the benefit of a knowledgable guide. A guided tour of the palace takes about two hours. If you tour Knossos Palace on your own, there are many informative boards so you’ll know exactly what you’re looking at.

You can buy a combined ticket that will allow you to see both Knossos Palace and the Heraklion Archaeological Museum. The museum is not on the site of the palace, but it is a good place to visit if you want to view findings from Knossos Palace that will help you get a better understanding of the site.

Getting to Knossos Palace can be done by taxi, public transportation, or car. If you drive, there is plenty of parking near the site. Knossos can be reached from the Iraklio bus station. The bus goes directly to Knossos, it is the last stop.

The post Visit Knossos Palace on Crete appeared first on .

The island of Crete is well known for having some of the most beautiful beaches in Europe. However if you are not a beach buff (or have had enough sand and sun during your stay), there is plenty more to see and do on the island. In addition to the historic Minoan ruins on Crete, those looking for a view of the past can visit The Heraklion Archeological Museum, Historical Museum of Crete, or head to the edges of the city to view the old Venetian Walls.

For the size of the island (just over 3,000 square miles), Crete is home to an enormous amount of historical and cultural artifacts.

Here are just a few of the places to see in Heraklion to revisit the past.

The Heraklion Archaeological Museum
The Heraklion Archaeological Museum is one of the leading museums in the world for Minoan art. Built in Heraklion (the previous home of the Minoan Civilization), the Museum houses one of the largest collection of Minoan art and artifacts. The majority of pieces in the Museum are from the Palace of Knossos, but the collection also includes items from other Minoan sites all around Crete. On the second floor of the Museum, visitors can view the original frescoes from Knossos.

Tourist Note: Most of the displays have English-language labels. Just in case, you may want to purchase a guide book in the lobby.

The Venetian Walls
In the 13^th century when the Byzantine Empire began to be partitioned, Crete was acquired by Venice and was ruled by the Venetians for over four centuries in which they referred to the island as the Kingdom of Candia. In the 15^th century, the Venetians built walls around their city of Candia. The walls extend about 4.5 kilometers in length and form a triangle around what is referred to as “Old Heraklion.” There are seven heart-shaped forts and four city gates.

Not all parts of the wall are still standing, but the gates and forts have maintained well over the years. Of the gates, two are incredibly popular among tourists: the Panigra Gate also called the Chania Gate (built around 1570) on the western edge of Heraklion and the Gate of Gesu or Kainouryia Gate (built around 1587(on the southern edge of the city. Depending on what part of the walls you are visiting, some of the gates and fortresses allow access on top providing unparalleled views of both the city of Heraklion and the Sea of Crete.

Historical Museum of Crete
While the Heraklion Archaeological Museum features works from the Minoan era, the Historical Museum of Crete displays art and artifacts from the early Christian time up through the present. As the island passed hands many time over the years, the Historical Museum offers a range of pieces from different periods of Heraklion’s and Crete’s pasts. A major point of interest of this museum is two paintings of Doménikos Theotokópoulos who is formally known as El Greco. El Greco was born on Crete and these two paintings are the only pieces of his work on the entire island.

The post Revisit the Past on Your Tour of Heraklion, Crete appeared first on .

The first attraction that I’m going to share with you is something that I would fly all the way to Heraklion just to do. It’s called Escape House, and it’s guaranteed to rival the most fun experience you’ve ever had in your entire life. Each room in the house is a different themed mystery game that you and your group get to participate in, with the object of the game, of course, being to escape from the room. For example, there is an explosion room. The game is that you and your group are locked in a room and there is a ticking time bomb with 45 minutes on the clock. You and group must figure out who brought you there, who locked you inside, and for what reason? But most importantly, you must figure out a way to get out of the room before the clock hits zero! Escape House is a perfect activity for travelers of all ages, and is really affordable.

If you are traveling with kids, you’ll want to check out the Cretaquarium Thalassocosmos. This aquarium will have the children wide-eyed and fascinated, as they bounce around from tank-to-tank. You’ll want to get there early to beat the crowds, but even without the foot traffic, you’ll want to set aside about two to three hours if you wish to see everything that this aquarium has to offer.

Heraklion boasts some of the most amazing museums in all of Greece, with the Herakleion Archaeological Museum being one of the best. There is so much to see in this museum that you can easily look up and see that four hours have gone by. The museum itself is beautiful, as it was recently renovated, but the museum also does a magnificent job of detailing the history of the ancient Minoan artifacts that they have on display. Each of the displays are labeled in both Greek and in English.

Another fantastic museum is the Historical Museum of Crete. Each room is themed with plenty of text panels that are full of information, detailing the history of the island of Crete. This museum is well worth your time while you’re on the island.

Lyrarakis Winery is often referred to as the best winery on the island of Crete. When you visit Lyrarakis Winery, you’ll be taken on a tour of the winery and given a great history lesson of the winery and the process in which their wines are made. The tour concludes with a wine tasting, with cheese and crackers, which includes several different wines that are made at the winery. As one would probably guess, these wines are available for purchase at the end of the tour. The staff is terrific, and this is sure to be one of the highlights of your trip to Heraklion.

Finally, you’ll want to see the ancient site of the Palace of Knossos. Take a guided tour so that you can fully appreciate what it is that you’re seeing with your own two eyes, and walking on with your own two feet. You won’t believe it!

The post About Heraklion: The Largest City On Crete appeared first on .