Heraklion: Best Things to Do
SIGHTSEEING
You must visit Heraklion Archaeological Museum to see all the interesting pieces of art from the ancient Greece. Located it the city center, this museum is known as one of the greatest museums in Greece and the best one in the world for Minoan art. It contains the most notable and complete collection of artefacts of the Minoan civilization of Crete island. Every step you make in this museum will have its own special moment. Just get ready to be surrounded by the most amazing pieces of art and admire it till the very corner of your eyes.
Heraklion Archaeological Museum
DOWNTOWN
While downtown area has many things to offer, Minoan Palace of Knossos comes with its uniqueness and has been known as one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city. It is the main Bronze Age archaeological site at Heraklion, a modern port city on the north central coast of Crete. This palace is a circa-1600-BC royal palace that’s reconstructed in the early 1900s and linked to the myth of the Minotaur. If you’re looking for interesting historical attraction and would like to know it more, this palace is definitely a great landmark to visit. The heat can be too overwhelming, though. Bringing your own cold water is recommended.
Minoan Palace of Knossos
SHOPPING
The excitement just getting started. Farmers Market Pateles will have your attention fully. Because this traditional market has lots of things to offer. Not only you’ll find great stuff, but you’ll also experience the melting pot of Heraklion society in this market. Apart from the typical fruits and vegetables that are mostly produced in Crete, you’ll also find spices, dairy products, olives, herbs, and honey in very good prices. Not to forget the clothing section. As one of the most famous markets in the city, many tourists has been spending their time to get good local stuff here. So, get ready to have fun with many good choices and find your favorite items. Talos Plaza would be another good place for shopaholics out there. It is a seaside mall featuring stores for clothing, shoes, books, a cinema, and coffee shops. This is an interesting place for shopping. While you’re deciding what item you’re going to buy, the stunning sea atmosphere will always be there to embrace your attention. After a fun shopping, sitting at their coffee shop will definitely make this shopping trip memorable with the existence of the sea. Shopping never been this fun.
Farmers Market Pateles
Talos Plaza
FOOD & DRINK
Heraklion city has some of the most unique cuisines and drinks for you to offer. While Dakos is the city’s traditional cuisine, Raki is the best traditional drink that’s popularly known in the city. Dakos also known as Ntakos is a Cretan meze consisting of a slice of soaked dried bread or burley rusk topped with chopped tomatoes and crumbled feta or mizithra cheese. While Raki is a sweetened, often anise-flavored, alcoholic drink that’s often served with seafood or meze. Other cuisine like Kalitsounia and drink like Tsikaudia are also popularly known in the city. Pamper yourself with the never-before-seen cuisines and drinks.
CULTURE
Heraklion is popularly known as a favorite travel destination. The existence of gorgeous old buildings, culture, delicious cuisines, natural beauty, welcoming people, and vibrant nightlife are just some of a handful reasons the city receive many tourists every year. As their official language, Greek is spoken by 99% of the population. But Greek English is also spoken here.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
October is the best time to visit Heraklion city. The busiest months happen in June, July, and May. These months are expensive, from the hotel rates to the flights.
HOTEL
A relax stay with a cool atmosphere is guaranteed at the Lato Boutique Hotel. This exotic hotel is overlooking the stunning Sea of Crete. It’s only a 7-minute walk from the Historical Museum of Crete and a 9-minute walk from the 16th century Koules Fortress. The colorful and the laid-back rooms will be the most memorable thing when you’re staying here. Not only it completed with many needed equipment, the gorgeous view of the sea is just the thing you need the most. Other amenities like bright restaurant, breakfast buffet, a bar, a gym, a hot tub, and a steam rooms are ready to be your every-day routine. Enjoy living elegantly in the most exotic atmosphere. Next to commercial buildings, Galaxy Hotel Iraklio comes to you with all 5-star qualities. This well-appointed hotel is just a 13-minute walk from Heraklion Archaeological Museum and 2 km from the Venetian-built Koules Fortress. The sophisticated rooms come with all modern equipment featuring balconies with pool and city views. Head to their 2 restaurants (1 with a bar) to embrace the taste of the city. The outdoor pool and a sundeck will be your favorite spot to spend the afternoon. Don’t forget to enjoy and practice healthy life style at their fitness center.
Lato Boutique Hotel
Galaxy Hotel Iraklio
RESTAURANT
Peskesi restaurant will accommodate your visit with the most beautiful decoration and room setting. Restaurant like this is the kind of place that’ll add excitement to your travel. As one of the best-known restaurants in Heraklion city, it offers best traditional cuisines and drinks, gorgeous surroundings, impressive taste, and impeccable service. Surprise yourself with many other things this restaurant offers. Nothing is better that to have a dine at the nearby sea and surrounded by the lovely sea breeze. Paralia restaurant is just that place. Located gorgeously right by the sea, this restaurant comes with the best and efficient service. The deliciousness of the local seafood will definitely occupy your visit with the lovely company of the local drink, Raki. This experience is undoubtedly the most romantic thing you’ll ever do in the city.
Peskesi
Paralia
CAFE
The perfect drinks at News Cafe are undeniable. This stunning cafe has a lovely atmosphere, offers delicious food, nicely decorated, and great services. No wonder why this cafe is a favorite place for relaxing and chilling. As one of the best cafes in the city, this one cafe is definitely can’t be ignored. A must do. A unique flavor of coffee can be tasted at Crop cafe. Known as the best coffee shop, this cafe offers an authentic way of serving coffee. They filter the coffee using high single origin beans. With affordable prices, this cafe is the best place for all coffee lovers out there. To add choices to your visit, this cafe also provides traditional beers together with dishes with unique flavors.
News Cafe
Crop
BAR AND NIGHTLIFE
The Bitters Bar has a huge selections of drink for your night special. This cocktail bar offers the most fun atmosphere with great service. Whether you’re with partner or solo, the loveliness of the staff and the customers won’t let you go through the night alone. Known as one of the best bars in Iraklio city, it offers great music, amazing staff, and good environment. The talented bartenders are ready to make delicious cocktails for your visit. It is such a lovely thing to surround yourself with great things while you’re traveling at a destination. Swing Thing bar also comes with the best service for your fun night out. It offers great environment, tasty drinks, great service, and lively music. All these things will make your night memorable in this beautiful city. The bar also offers affordable prices in a lovely atmosphere.
The Bitters Bar
Swing Thing
INTERESTING PLACE
Once you’re in Heraklion city, the beauty of Koules Fortress is can’t be missed. It is a fortress located at the entrance of the old port of Heraklion, Crete, Greece. This famous fortress was built by the Republic of Venice in the early 16th century. With all the histories it went through, this place is still standing beautifully today serving its visitors classiness, beauty, and history. The surround sea will absolutely add charm to your visit. As a city full of historical spots, this next place is also an interesting fortress you need visit, it’s called Venetian City Wall. It is a series of defensive walls that surround the city. The first city walls were built in the Middle Ages, but they were completely rebuilt by the Republic of Venice. These fortifications have made it one of the best fortified cities in the Mediterranean. The walls itself remain largely intact to this day. Now they are considered to be among the best-preserved Venetian fortifications in Europe.
Koules Fortress
Venetian City Wall
INSTAGRAMMABLE SPOT
If you want to include the city vibe into your picture, Morosini Lions Fountain is definitely the best place for it. As one of the most visited spots in Heraklion city, this Venetian fountain has become the admiration of people. Just by the classiness of the stunning statues in the old city surrounding makes this spot very special. As the city that’s situated near the sea, visiting its beach becomes a must. Ammoudara Beach is presented to you with its stunning white sand beach with the most beautiful turquoise sea color. The clearness of the water will add enjoyment to your visit. Whether you’re coming in the middle of the day or in the calm afternoon, this beach always serves its beauty to its visitors. While the Heraklion nature never fails to impress, the stunning old building of Venetian Loggia will become another good spot for your Instagram feeds. This lavish city hall structure was built in the Venetian period with an elegant atrium. With its uniqueness, this hall is also used for special events from the local people. Your camera will totally love this kind of object, classic color, stunning styles, and perfect details.
Morosini Lions Fountain
Ammoudara Beach
Venetian Loggia
What else in Greece
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