Heraklion Sights & Attractions
The region of Heraklion on the eastern side of Crete has many developed tourist resorts, including Matala, Malia, and Hersonissos. Heraklion Town is actually the largest town in Crete and serves as the main transportation hub for the island, with a busy port and an international airport. The region of Heraklion has many interesting sites to visit, including the archaeological sites of Knossos, Gortyn, and Phaestos, the Fortress of Heraklion Town and various monasteries. Cretaquarium is also a very fun place to visit, especially for children.
You can see below the best Sites in Heraklion: Ancient sites, Museums, Churches, Castles and more. You can filter them by category and location.
Do you want to learn about available activities? Check the best Things to do in Heraklion.
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Minoan Palace of Knossos
Ancient SitesThe Minoan Palace of Knossos, the largest and most famous Minoan site, lies about 5 km south of Heraklion Town. Discovered in the early 20th century by the British archaeologist Sir Arthur Evans, the site covered an area of 20,000 square meters with around 1,300 rooms at its peak. It boasts magnificent frescoes and still bears witness to the ancient Minoans' advanced engineering knowledge.
Phaestos Minoan Palace
GeneralThe Minoan Palace of Phaistos is the second most important Minoan site in Crete after Knossos. Enclosed by Mount Ida and the mountain ranges of Asterousia and Dicte, it bears many architectural similarities to Knossos, but on a smaller scale and without many labyrinths.
Koules Fortress
CastlesKoules Fortress is the symbol of Heraklion Town. It stands at the entrance of the port and dominates the lovely Venetian harbor. The fortress was originally built by the Venetians in the 13th century but underwent some transformations by the Ottomans, who ruled Crete till the late 19th century.
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Morosini Lions Fountain
MonumentsThe Venetian Morosini Fountain was constructed in 1628 and it is one of the most distinctive landmarks of Heraklion Town, as it boasts four imposing lions, as well as relief sculptures. It is located in the city center, in the on Lions (or Eleftheriou Venizelou) Square.
Archaeological Museum
MuseumsThe Archaeological Museum of Heraklion boasts one of the richest collections not only in Greece but also on an international level. It houses findings exclusively from the most important Minoan centers, such as Knossos and Phaistos, as well as from other ancient sites, like Gortyn and Arhanes.
Caves
Ancient SitesThe caves of Matala were chiseled by hand on the rock formations right above the beach thousands of years ago. They are thought to have served as residences in prehistoric times, while, during the 1960s, they became famous for housing an international hippie community.
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Mount Ida Psiloritis
OtherPsiloritis is the highest mountain in Crete, with Mount Ida being the highest summit (2456 meters) and one of the best places to go hiking on the island. The wild landscape of Psiloritis is truly magnificent and on the mountain, you will come across many caves, gorges and forests.
Venetian City Wall
Ancient SitesThe Venetian Walls at Heraklion are part of the old town. The construction project started with the purpose of reinforcing the pre-existing Arabic and Byzantine fortifications but under the threat of a war, a total reconstruction started to seem necessary.
Gortyn Ancient Site
Ancient SitesThe city of Gortyn was one of the strongest in ancient Crete. It lies 44 km southwest of Heraklion, close to the villages Agioi Deka and Kasteli. It is here that the famous Gortyn law code as well as a superb Roman Odeon were excavated. The findings testify to the prosperity of the ancient city of Gortyn, which used to be an ally of Rome and the capital of Crete and Cyrenaica.
Venetian Loggia
GeneralTemporarily closed
In the center of the town, close to the old port of Heraklion, there is an impressive building, the Venetian Loggia. This elegant building that now houses the Town Hall was constructed in the 17th century and was used as a meeting point for the noblemen.
Cretaquarium
MuseumsFounded in 2005, this is the largest aquarium in the Mediterranean. It presents marine life in impressive reproductions of the Mediterranean natural landscapes, offering visitors a chance to see over 2,000 creatures that belong to 200 different species.
Portela Gorge
Outdoor ActivitiesPortela Gorge is located in the southeastern part of Crete and it is 4.6 kilometres long, up to the area of Keratokampos. Hiking there usually lasts about 2-3 hours and the gorge is very popular among experienced canyoners.
Panagia Kaliviani
ChurchesThe Monastery of Panagia Kaliviani is located close to Moires village, in the southwestern part of Heraklion. It is a relatively modern monastery, as it was probably built in the early 20th century.
Agia Ekaterini
ChurchesThe church of Agia Ekaterini of Sinaites was built in the 13th century by the Venetians and, during Ottoman rule, it was converted into a mosque. The church is located in the heart of the town, next to the church of Agios Minas and today houses a collection of rare 15th and 16th-century icons.
Asterousia Mountains
OtherAsterousia Mountains is a 60-km-long mountain range in southern Heraklion, stretching between the Messara Plain and the Libyan Sea. It is one of the most unique places in Crete, being ideal for visitors who enjoy hiking and exploring off-the-beaten-track paths.
Agios Titos
ChurchesThe church of Agios Titos was originally constructed in the 10th century by the Byzantines. Later on, it was renovated by the Venetians and, when Crete was conquered by the Ottomans, it was turned into a mosque. This is where the skull of Saint Titus is guarded.
Ancient Rizinia
Ancient SitesThe ancient town of Rizinia, in the area of Prinias, is located about halfway between Gortyn and Knossos. Archaeological excavations have revealed the ruins of two Archaic temples, a Minoan sanctuary and a necropolis.
Kotsanas Museum
MuseumsHoused in the Venetian mansion Palazzo d' Ittar, in the heart of Heraklion Town, the Kotsanas Museum of Ancient Greek Technology offers visitors a unique opportunity to discover the secrets of ancient Greek technology, through a collection of highly advanced devices, such as an automatic servant, an automatic theater, a hydraulic clock and the Antikythera mechanism.
Kazantzakis Museum
MuseumsThis museum is housed in a modern building in Myrtia. Nikos Kazantzakis was born in Heraklion and is considered to be one of the most important Greek writers of the 20th century.
Tomb of Kazantzakis
GeneralThe tomb of Nikos Kazantzakis is located outside the city walls, in Martinego Tower. On his tomb, the following words have been carved, as was his will: "I hope for nothing. I fear nothing. I am free".
Lychnostatis Folk Museum
MuseumsThis museum offers an original and creative approach to the culture and nature of Crete. It organizes many cultural events, such as educational seminars for kids, audiovisual performances, or traditional dancing events.