Heraklion

About Heraklion
Heraklion is the major city and capital of the largest Greek island of Crete. Its Archaeological Museum holds the remains of the 3000-year old Minoan civilization, which grew aroud the nearby legendary palace of Knossos (of Minotaur fame), as well as Byzantine churches and a well-preserved Venetian wall and fortress from the 15th century.

Climate
Heraklion has a Mediterranean climate. Summers are hot and dry with clear skies. Dry hot days are often relieved by a system of seasonal breezes. Winters are mild with relatively little rain and rare frosts

Get in
Located in the middle of the island, all roads lead to Heraklion. Heraklion has a busy harbour and very busy airport and usually is the starting point of travels to Crete and nearby islands.

Get around
By Ferry
There are Highspeed Catamaran and normal ferries from/to Heraklion, Athens (Piraeus) to Heraklion, Minoan Lines , Anek Lines and Superfast Ferries - and also from Thessaloniki, Cyclades and Dodecanese to Heraklion. G.A. Ferries , Sea Jets Santorini Maritime and Hellenic Seaways . The frequency is reduced in the winter. Also every summer there is One Day Cruise from Heraklion to Santorini by cruise boat or highspeed catamarans
By bus
You can use public city bus network to get around Heraklion but you have to figure out the line to your destination. There are usually no routes or schedules posted at the bus stops. Buses do not stop at bus stops, unless you signal the driver by raising your arm. Basic ticket costs 0,90 €.
Line 1 goes to/from the airport.
Line 2 takes you to/from Knossos.

See
Landmarks
The Minoan Palace of Knossos
Archaeological Museum and Knossos Site
Koules, the Venetian castle in the Harbour
Venetian Walls
Loggia
Morosini Fountain
St. Minas Cathedral
St. Titus Church
St. Chatherine of the Sinaites Church
St. Mark's Basilica

Museums and Galleries
Heraklion Archaeological Museum
Museum of the Battle for Crete and National Resistance
Museum of Natural History
Historical Museum of Crete
Lychnostatis
CretAquarium Thalassocosmos
Nikos Kazantzakis Museum

Do
Rock Climbing, localers and visitors can climb on a 50 foot rock at the suburb of Karteros, east of Heraklion. Safety equipment is provided, but one can use his own gear too.
Water fun, at the nearby Water City and Aqua Plus water parks
Heraklion Summer Arts Festival - from June to September
Amoudara the city's beach area; a three kilometer strip of sandy beach, lots of cafes, bars and hotels and the site of "Technopolis", a modern multiplex cinema and open-air theatre.
Horseback riding, experienced and amateur riders can ride at the beach of Karteros, or take riding lessons at Ippikos Omilos Hrakliou, located 6km east of Heraklion, in Karteros.

Eat
Heraklion Sailing Club Heraklion Harbour, GR-71262 Heraklion. Tel: 0030 2810 22 8118 Classic seafood restaurant facing the Venetian Castle, beloved by Heraklion's locals. Specialities include charcoal grilled fish, seafood salads, clams, and the award winning mussel risotto. Located in the harbour and opposite the Venezian castle (Koules)in the former premises of the port refrigeration plant, east of the Port Authority. Sailing Club membership is not required for the restaurant.
Pagopieion (Ice-Factory) is a "quirky", very different restaurant and cafe/bar, at St Titus square, by the church. You can sit outside and enjoy the setting, or you might be tempted by the dramatic decor to sit inside. Either way, the food is excellent, the menu different and interesting - Mediterranean with a twist. Good fish too.

Drink
Raki, also known as Tsikoudia, is the the trademark of Cretan day and night life, a strong clear drink similar to Grappa in Italy or Orujo in Spain. It is made out of the 'must' of grape skins and twiggs after the local production of the white wine. It doesn't taste like aniseed, as opposed to the Turkish raki. Most raki is 80 proof, about the strength of most vodkas, but some are much stronger. It's often served in small glasses after dinner with a plate of fruit or other dessert.
Cretan Wine: Try the distinctive Cretan wine, produced in the island for at least 4000 years. Labels: Sitia, Peza Union. The Cretans themselves drink so called 'open' wine, straight out of the barrel, like fresh white wine, and the sometimes very old dark rusty red wine, a bit like port.
alimeli, alikarnassos (near the main road ikarou), ☎ 2813009281. from 7 in the morning to 12 in the night. sweets,crepes,waffles,ice cremes

Get out
Faistos
Matala
Agios Nikolaos
Rethymno
Anogia
Chania
Samaria Gorge
Spinalonga