Heraklion has an international airport and a port with connections to several destinations throughout the year.
Ferries from Athens to Heraklio are available from Athens, Santorini, Mykonos, Paros, Ios, Naxos, and more, with most itineraries taking place on a daily basis during summer.
Conventional ferries sail to Heraklion from Athens. Conventional ferries are slower than high-speed, but they are equipped with modern facilities like restaurants, bars, and shops.
High-speed ferries reaching Heraklion come from other destinations, specifically islands.
The ferry companies that sail to Heraklion are Minoan Lines, Blue Star Ferries, Seajets and Fast Ferries.
➜ Conventional vs High Speed: What ferry should you select?
Booking your ferry tickets is one of the first and most important steps in organizing your holidays in Heraklion.
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We let you in on Heraklion's secrets and guide you through your best holidays ever!
Heraklion is the largest city of Crete and serves as the capital of the whole island.
Its international airport receives domestic and charter flights from abroad, while its port receives most ferries that come to Crete.
The town of Heraklion is built around the port and owes part of its economic strength to it.
From ancient times, its strategic location as a passage point between the East and the West made many civilizations flourish in this city.
Many ancient sites prove this, such as the Minoan town of Knossos, close to Heraklion, which was the most important Cretan town in the Minoan times and was probably destroyed by the eruption of the Volcano of Santorini.
After the Minoan Era, the next most prosperous period for Heraklion is the Venetian Period.
The Venetians conquered the town in the early 13th century and their presence is shown till today with their architectural remnants.
The Venetian Fortress of Heraklion, one of the strongest fortresses in Greece, stands at one side of the port and it is the most famous sight to see in the Town.
Apart from a beautiful and busy town, there are charming beaches and villages all along the prefecture.
The most busy tourist resort in Heraklion is Matala, on the southern side of Crete, which is particularly popular among English people.
Other famous resorts of this prefecture are Agia Pelagia, Amoudara, Malia, Hani Kokkini and Amnissos. These are the most tourism-developed regions of this city and attract thousands of visitors every year.
If you travel along the inland of Heraklion Prefecture, you will see many beautiful villages on the way.
The barren and wild landscape surrounding them protects these places from mass tourism and keeps the traditional, quiet vibes.
Crete is beautiful all year round! Given that it is a large island, Crete has a great diversity of landscapes.
From beautiful beaches to dramatic gorges and from verdant valleys to imposing mountains, there’s always something new to explore!
Heraklion is the perfect place for sightseeing, thanks to its proximity to the most important archaeological sites of the island.
Just a short drive away from Heraklion you'll find Knossos Palace and Phaistos Palace, two of the most important Minoan palaces in Crete.
Also, Heraklion has plenty of nice seashores, picturesque villages, and other sights to behold.
Heraklion, the biggest town in Crete, combines city vibes with natural beauty and archaeological sites in a unique way. It’s the perfect destination for nature lovers and history buffs!
Hop on a ferry from Athens to Crete (Heraklion) for breathtaking natural landscapes, amazing beaches, worldwide famous local cuisine, and warm hospitality!
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In Heraklion, you'll find Matala, a popular place for hippies in the 60s and 70s.
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The Venetian Fortress is the best preserved fortification structure in the Mediterraenean.
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The Venetian harbor in Heraklion town is one of the best spots for strolls and sunset gazing.
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In the past, it was known as "Kastro", "Handax", "Candida" and "Kandiye". It officially took its current name in 1922.
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One of the biggest aquariums in Europe, CRETAquarium, is located in Heraklion.
Exploring the entire prefecture of Heraklion is a great choice for visitors, while it is also possible to visit the nearby Rethymno, Chania and Lassithi.
Moreover, Crete is a good base for island-hopping to the Cyclades islands, even though it’s not very close to them.
Some popular island-hopping routes from Crete are the ones from Crete to Santorini and Crete to Mykonos.
