 Koules harbor and fortress | ||
| Heraklion | ||
| prefecture | Heraklion | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents | 140.730 (2011) | |
| height | 33 m | |
no tourist info on Wikidata:  | ||
| location | ||
| ||
Iráklio (Greek Ηράκλειο), also outdated Heraklion, is the capital of greek island Crete and the administrative seat of the prefecture of the same name. It is located on the north coast of the island and is one of the largest cities in the country with over 175,000 inhabitants.
background
The name of the city goes back to Heracleswho, according to the Greek legend, went ashore here for the Cretan bull catch. In the late Middle Ages, the city belonged under the name Cándia to the rule of the Republic of Venice and was fortified with a city wall. From 1648 to 1669 the Ottomans besieged the city, under the following Turkish rule the place was now called Kandiye , the Greeks called it Megalokastro, great castle. The name Iráklio has only been in use since 1913.
getting there
By plane
The 1 Heraklion International Airport
(IATA: HER) or Nikos Kazantzakis International Airport is about 5 km east of the city. There are taxis in front of the airport, but there is also the option of taking the city bus to the city center (line 8) or continuing to the bus station. The bus lines 1, 6 and 12 will take you to the bus station in 8 to 10 minutes, the best thing to do is to ask the driver to announce the stop. A Shell petrol station on the left serves as orientation; you have to get off here. Walk back about 50 meters from the bus stop and you will find the new bus station building on the left.
On the way from the bus station to the airport, the petrol station helps with orientation, the bus stop towards the airport is right in front of it. The ticket for the city bus (€ 1.70, 9/2018 as a single trip or € 5 as a day ticket) can be bought in advance at a kiosk or mini market.
If you want to go to the sand-bathing suburb of Amoudara, you can take bus line 1 directly from the airport for € 1.70 - it ends at the western exit of the town and goes along the main street Papandreou-Straße past all hotels and apartment houses. Stops in Amoudara about every 500 m.
In the street
Heraklion can be seen from different places and cities Intercity buses to reach.
By boat
Heraklion can be reached by water from Pireas (Athens), Santorini or Sitia. The port is just north of the city center.
mobility
Almost all places and beaches can be reached by bus. You can also rent a moped, quad or car cheaply on site. There are also a lot of taxis, which are very cheap, especially within the city.
Tourist Attractions
Buildings
- City wall from the Venetian era
- Venetian loggia
- Agios Titos Church
- Grave of the poet Nikos Kazantzakis
- Koules harbor fortress
- Palace of Knossos, about five kilometers south of Heraklion.
Museums
- Archaeological Museum. Focus: Minoan culture.
- Byzantine Museum
- historical Museum
- naturehistorical Museum
various
- Cretaquarium
activities
Visit the historical site of Knossos of the ancient Minoans. Bus no. 2 goes from the center in about 20 minutes and ends directly in front of the "palace" or, more correctly, the remains of the former Minoan town with 80,000 inhabitants with water pipes, sewage system and bathhouses 3,500 years ago.
shop
The shopping mile is Straße des 25. August as a pedestrian zone directly from the Venetian harbor up to the Morozini fountain. Right in the middle is the remarkable Titus Church, which gives the street its name - Titus' name day is August 25th. The Greeks celebrate name days, rarely birthdays.
- Market street Odos 1866
kitchen
nightlife
The nightlife in Greece is usually more exciting than the day, because as soon as the sun goes down everyone comes out of their houses. The city center is full of small cafes, which attracts Heraklion's youth in the afternoon evening. On the beach promenade there are other clubs that are open as cafés during the day and attract the party people in the evening with loud music. All taverns are open late into the night, as you can sit there comfortably, drink ouzo or wine and have a few canapés to eat.
accommodation
Learn
Practical advice
Heraklion is a city that receives thousands of tourists from all over the world every year. Therefore, many of the locals now also speak German, French, English or Russian. At the bus stations, the bus number and destination are also called out in several languages.
trips
Crete is a very varied island, it offers relaxation on the most beautiful beaches, sightseeing at ancient buildings and if it is not too hot you can go for a hike in the mountains. A sightseeing bus drives in and around Heraklion and brings everyone to the places that you have to see.
Ferries and speedboats depart daily from the port to various islands such as Santorini, Rhodes and Mykonos.
