Travel Guide Héraklion

With its 174,000 inhabitants, Heraklion is the first city of Crete and the sixth in Greece. It is also the capital of the island since 1971, after having succeeded to Hania (Chania). The port of this modern city surrounded by imposing Venetian walls is the most important of the island. Victim of the last war, Heraklion is perhaps not the most beautiful city of Crete and yet it is almost an obligatory point of passage for the visitors who disembark by plane or boat on the island. The city's housing is disparate and its tourist sites are not among the most beautiful in Crete. But, in spite of this, Heraklion has a certain charm distilled by its teeming vitality, particularly pleasant during an evening walk along the animated streets of the city center, and by its few quiet and shaded squares at the foot of the churches. Heraklion is a student city with a young population. It is one of the few cities in Crete (if not the only one) that is not entirely oriented towards tourism. Although modest in size, this circular capital city also has historical points of interest that justify at least a one-day stop on your trip. From the old port on the way up to the city center, you will pass old buildings that bear witness to a glorious and storied past. The different occupants of the city (Arabs, Romans, Byzantines, Turks) have each left their mark on what has become a clever mix of different styles: Turkish fountain, Venetian fortress, Byzantine churches, etc.A visit to the archaeological museum is a must, if only to discover, concentrated in one place, many remains of the Minoan civilization. In practical terms, Heraklion is perfect for organizing your stay since it concentrates all tourist services (travel agencies and car rentals) at interesting prices.