Greece Crete Port Heraklion Venetian Fortress Koule
WHERE ANCIENT HISTORY MEETS TIMELESS SCENERY

Cruise to Iraklion (Heraklion), Crete

Whether you visit Heraklion, Crete to admire the remains of an ancient civilization or simply to soak in the rays on some of the best beaches in Europe, the city is guaranteed to delight and amaze you. Visiting the 3,000-year-old Palace of Knossos is like traveling back to the time of the Minoans, while exploring the Venetian-era Koules Fortress will allow you to learn about history while taking in sweeping coastal vistas. Crete's coast is also magnificent. You can sun yourself on Amoudara Beach during the day, then watch the sunset from horseback as you ride down Karteros Beach.
National Language Greek
Currency Accepted Euro (EUR)

Things To Do in Heraklion

Greece Crete Old Walls Knossos Heraklion

Discover 3,000 Years of History

Greece Crete Old Walls Knossos Heraklion

Greece Crete Old Walls Knossos Heraklion

Discover 3,000 Years of History

Crete has been inhabited for thousands of years and you can dig into all of this history, sometimes literally. The museum inside the Minoan-era Palace of Knossos has archaeological exhibitions, and sights like the Morosini Fountain and St. Titus Church depict more traditional Greco-Roman architecture.

Greece Crete Beach Amoudara

Get a Timeless Tan

Greece Crete Beach Amoudara

Greece Crete Beach Amoudara

Get a Timeless Tan

Grab a spot on Amoudara, a beach located right in the city center where you can also enjoy a glass of Cretan wine or a light meal. Whether you stay on shore or beat the heat with a dip in the crystalline waters, spending time on the beaches of Heraklion, Crete makes for a perfect day.

Greece Crete Island Karteros Beach
Greece Crete Island Karteros Beach

Enjoy an Active Beach Day

Who says a day at the beach in Heraklion has to be lazy? While horseback rides on the beaches of suburban Karteros are often enjoyed at sunset, they're fun any time of day. Or try scaling the sheer limestone wall that rises behind the beach for even more heart-pounding fun.

Greece Crete Dakos Traditional Cuisine
Greece Crete Dakos Traditional Cuisine

Local Cuisine

Come to Crete with an empty stomach! Start with a light Cretan salad, which is made with juicy, locally grown tomatoes, soft cheese from the island's sheep and famous Cretan olive oil, then move on to sumptuous gamopilafo, or "wedding rice," which pairs creamy lemon-butter rice with fall-off-the-bone lamb or goat meat.

Greece Crete Ceramic Dishes Local Shopping
Greece Crete Ceramic Dishes Local Shopping

Shopping

Visit Meidani Square, where locals shop for fragrant spices and colorful vegetables. You'll find Cretan handicrafts at the large open-air market, including "pithoi" ceramics and traditional leather boots. (Before buying any food to bring back with you, be sure you've read your ship's rules about what's allowed onboard.)

Insider's Tips
Insider's Tips
1 If you need a ride somewhere, using a ridesharing app rather than a taxi can help avoid language difficulties.
2 Crete looks small on the map, but traversing the island from east to west can take hours. Don't travel too far from Heraklion if you have limited time in the area.

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