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  The
prefecture of Heraklion (Iraklio), second from the right, covers an area of 120
km2. and lies between the prefectures of Rethymno and Lassithi. It is the most
populated prefecture of Crete and its capital, the town of Heraklion, is the
capital of the island. Other developed towns and villages are Agia Pelagia,
Malia, Hersonissos, a very well organized summer resort, Epano Arhanes, Nea
Alikarnassos, Myres and Agia Varvara. The climate in the prefecture is very good
with sunshine most of the year. There are various mountains with Dikti mountain
chain and Kofinas being the most important and also a few valleys. You can rent
a car or a bike from many car rentals in the capital and in other developed
tourist vilages or you can use the bus to move from any location of the
prefecture to another.
PLACES OF INTEREST
The prefecture of Heraklion has many breathtaking locations, ideal for nature
lovers. Impressive caves such as Kamares in Zaros and villages with sandy
beaches such as Kali Limenes present glorious images that nature and time have
created.
There are also many areas for climbing and hiking and various summer resorts,
where you can enjoy the sea, while water skiing or wind surfing. A sense of
adventure and a desire for exploration are all you need to discover the beauties
of the Heraklion prefecture.
AIRPORT
Heraklion International Airport, or Nikos Kazantzakis Airport is located about 5
km east of the city. The airport is named after Herkalion native Nikos
Kazantzakis, a Greek writer and philosopher. It is the second busiest airport of
Greece, mostly due to the fact that Crete is a major destination for tourists
during summer. There are regular domestic flights to and from Athens,
Thessaloniki and Rhodes with Aegean Airlines and Olympic Airlines. Also flying
to and from Athens is Athens Airways, whereas Cyprus Airways and Aegean Airlines
fly to Larnaca. Furthermore, Sky Express operates direct flights to Aegean
islands such as Rhodes, Santorini, Samos, Kos, Mytilini and Ikaria. During the
summer period, traffic is intense and the flight destinations are from all over
Europe (mostly Germany, UK, Italy and Russia). The airfield is shared with the
126 Combat Group of the Hellenic Air Force. The take off in western direction
leads directly over the town of Heraklion, which makes it a very noisy city.
LANDMARKS:
The Minoan Palace of Knossos tel: +30 2810 231940, +30 2810 226470, +30 2810
226092, +30 2810 224630 fax: +30 2810 241515 protocol@kgepka.culture.gr. Full
ticket: €6, Reduced: €3;
Special ticket package: Full: €10, Reduced: €5, valid for: Heraklion
Archaeological Museum and Knossos Site, Open Winter: Daily 08.30-15.00 Summer:
08.00-19.30. [23]] Knossos (Greek Κνωσός, the accent is on the second syllable)
is the site of the most important and best known Minoan palace complex in Crete.
It is located some 5 km (3 mi) south of Heraklion. According to tradition,
Knossos was the seat of the legendary Cretan king Minos. The Palace is also
connected with further legends, such as the myth of the Labyrinth and the
Minotaur, as well as the story of Daidalos and Ikaros. Excavation has revealed
that the site was continuously inhabited from the Neolithic period (7000-3000
B.C.) until Roman times.
Koules, the Venetian castle in the Harbour (Greek: Κούλες)
Venetian Walls (Greek: Τείχη)
Loggia (Greek: Λότζια)
Morosini Fountain (a.k.a. Lions Square) (Greek: Λιοντάρια)
St. Minas Cathedral (Greek: Άγιος Μηνάς)
St. Titus Church (Greek: Άγιος Τίτος)
St. Catherine of the Sinaites Church (Greek: Αγία Αικατερίνη Σιναϊτών)
St. Mark's Basilica (Greek: Βασιλική Αγίου Μάρκου)
Dominican Church of St. Peter (Greek: Άγιος Πέτρος Δομηνικανών)
MUSEUMS AND GALLERIES
Heraklion Archaeological Museum [24] 2 Xanthoudidou Street, tel +30-2810-224630,
280370, fax +30-2810-332610, houses the most important and representative finds
from Minoan civilisation and excavations across the island of Crete. Highlights
include statues of the Snake Goddess, the famous Bull-Leaping Fresco, the
enigmatic and mysterious Phaistos Disk, and Minoan seals and jewelery. Also
includes a number of finds from Classical Greek and Roman periods. The Heraklion
Archaeological Museum is one of the world's great museums, embodying a whole
splendid vanished culture. At least two hours should be allowed to see it, and
it could easily take longer. For those seriously interested in that culture, it
will be worth while to make two visits to the museum, one before, and one after,
visiting Knossos and other Minoan sites: seeing the museum first will enhance
your understanding of the sites, and after seeing the sites, you'll be better
able to understand the artifacts in the museum when you return. Note: The
Heraklion Archeological Museum closed in November 2006 for renovations. The
museum's current status and date of full reopening are uncertain.A temporary,
partial exhibit has been opened which is placed at the southern part of the old
museum at I. Hatzidaki street, where someone can see the most important exhibits
of the museum, among which are the Snake Godess and the Phaistos Disc
Museum of the Battle for Crete and National Resistance Recounts the tale of
Cretan and Allied resistance against Nazi invaders in World War II.
Museum of Natural History, University of Crete, S. Venizelou Ave., Tel./Fax: +30
2810 324366,[25].
Historical Museum of Crete, 27, Sofokli Venizelou Ave. /7, Lysimachou
Kalokerinou St., Tel: (++30) 2810 283219, 288708, [26].
Lychnostatis open-air Cretan folklore museum, Tel: +3028970-23660, [27]. Su-F
9AM-2PM. €4,50.
CretAquarium Thalassocosmos open June -September 09:00-21:00 October-May
09:00-19:00 tel Reception: +30 2810-337788 Bookings: +30 2810-337888, fax: +30
2810-337882 [28], the biggest aquarium in the Eastern Mediterranean. Located
about nine miles east of Heraklion on the National Road (signposted) or by
Cretan Intercity Bus (tel +30 2810 246530); for more information call the
Reception number, above.
Nikos Kazantzakis Museum [29]. Open daily from 9AM-7PM (Mar-Oct); 10AM-3PM
(Nov-Feb), €3, tel +30 2810-741689, in the village of Myrtia (Varvari) 15 km.
south of Heraklion, directions on the museum's web site [30] focuses on Crete's
most prominent modern intellectual figure.
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