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Heraklion

Photo Crete Heraklion

Heraklion : Travel information before you go!

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Discover the destination

Being both the capital of Crete and one of the four regions of the island, along with Chania, Agios Nikolaos and Rethymon, Heraklion (120,000 inhabitants) is located on the northeast coast, about halfway between the two ends of the island. Served by a brand new motorway along the coastline and by an international airport, Heraklion is also the largest Cretan port. Dotted with many historic sites, its surrounding areas are protected from the rampant, uncontrolled anarchic tourism along the coast. The landscape offers mountains, plains and plateaus, covered with olive trees as far as the eye can see. In striking contrast, the coastline running down from the heights of Ligaria to the village of Limenas Hersonissos is dense with hotels, from the simplest to those of the highest quality located in the east of Heraklion, and a variety of construction types, demonstrating the uncontrolled urban development.

pros

  •   Diversified hotel services
  •   The proximity to a rich history

cons

  •   Significant scale of urbanization
  •   beaches of unequal quality

Weather Heraklion

  All overall indicators 87/100 Excellent
Weather May Year's weather
  • Temperature indicators   94/100 Excellent
  • Bad weather indicators   98/100 Excellent
  • Sunbathing indicators   90/100 Excellent
  • Swimming indicators   60/100 Good
  • Wind indicators   70/100 Good
  • Temperature indicatorsOptimal :

    Maximim temperature between 22°C and 24°C, the perceived temperature is <30°. 

  • Bad weather indicatorsDry / Optimal :

    Little or no rain (less than 1.5mm per day). 

  • Sunbathing indicatorsSunny / Optimal :

    Sunny (over 80% sunshine). 

  • Swimming indicatorsWind :

    High air temperature (>24°C), pleasant to high sea temperature (between 22°C and 24°C), moderate to strong winds (between 12 mph and 18 mph). 

  • Wind indicatorsWarm breeze :

    Near optimal comfort: strong to moderate winds (between 12 mph and 18 mph) in a warm atmosphere (>24°C). 

Visit Heraklion

  • To see

    The visit of the ruins of the palace of Knossos, the Minoan ruins of Festos and the palace of Malia mean history lovers will find plenty to do. The Venetian fortress is also a great visit.
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    To do

    You can also visit the famous Archaeological Museum of Heraklion, which embraces the entirety of the Minoan civilization, or discover Fodele, the village where it is said that the painter Domenikos Theotokopoulos was born, better known by the name El Greco (1541-1614).
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    To think about

    If you arrive in the middle of summer, do not overload your luggage, and make sure to bring along light cotton clothes.
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  • To avoid

    Avoid making a call to the UK from your hotel room, otherwise the bill will be quite hefty. Opt for phone cards as there are telephone booths everywhere!
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    To try

    Restaurants are in abundance here. Here you will find typical Cretan dishes such as gyros, Greek salad, slouvakia and moussaka.
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    To bring back

    On the markets, you can find food, herbs, olive oil and Cretan cheese. In the shops, CDs of local music are sold. The raki is cherished as an institution, taste it and bring a bottle back for your friends.
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Greece Travel guide

Greece Greece, All you need to know!

Best selection of hotels in Heraklion

Places to sleep in Crete this summer

Places to sleep in Crete this summer

Crete is the home of the Minoan civilization and its priceless history is exposed to the world thanks to the various relics found all over the island. Beautiful sunny beaches, a large hotel infrastructure, the biggest island of the Mediterranean can today boast being a much appreciated tourist destination. ...

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Heraklion in pictures

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  • Club Marmara Athina Palace, Heraklion, Greece
  • Lookéa Bali Paradise, Rethymnon, Réthymnon, Greece
  • Capsis Kladissos Sofitel, Heraklion, Greece
  • Club Lookea Santa Marina, Heraklion, Greece
  • Knossos Beach, Heraklion, Greece
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Heraklion in pictures

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