scubish.com: Scuba diving Heraklion - Greece

Heraklion (Greek Ηράκλειο, also transliterated as Heraklio, Iraklion or Irakleio) is the major city and capital of the largest Greek island of Crete. Its Archaeological Museum holds the remains of the 3000-year old Minoan civilization, which grew aroud the nearby legendary palace of Knossos (of Minotaur fame), as well as Byzantine churches and a well-preserved Venetian wall and fortress from the 15th century.

Understand

Heraklion (or Herakleion, Iraklio, Irakleion) is the capital of Crete and an industrialised city of around 155,000 residents.

Get in

Located in the middle of the island, all roads lead to Heraklion. Heraklion has a busy harbour and very busy airport and usually is the starting point of travels to Crete and nearby islands.

By plane
Olympic Airways and Aegean-Cronus Airlines fly in from Athens and other major Greek cities.

By bus

By boat
There are ferries from Athens (Piraeus), Thessaloniki and the Cyclades. The frequency is reduced in the winter.

By car

See

Landmarks

The Minoan Palace of Knossos it the site of the most important and best known Minoan palace complex in Crete. It is located some 5 km 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 Venezian castle in the Harbour (Greek: Κούλες)

Venetian Walls

Loggia (Greek: Λότζια)

Lions Fountain (Greek: Λιοντάρια)

Museums and Galleries

Heraklion Archaeological Museum , 2 Xanthoudidou Street, tel +30-2810-224630, 280370, fax +30-2810-332610, open summer daily 8am-7.30pm, closed 1 January, 25 March, Easter, 1 May, 25-26 December, admission €10, concession €5 - includes admission to Knossos Palace - houses the most important and representative finds from Minoan civilisation and excavations across the island of Crete. Highlights include statues of the Snake Goddesses, the famous Bull-Leaping Fresco, the enigmatic and mysterious Phaistos Disk, and Minoan seals and jewellery. Also includes a number of finds from Classical Greek and Roman periods.

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 Homepage: http://www.nhmc.uoc.gr/

Historical Museum

Heraklion Summer Arts Festival - from June to September

Amoudara the city's beach area; a three kilometer strip of sandy beach, lots of cafes, bars and hotels and the site of "Technopolis", a modern multiplex cinema and open-air theatre.

Horseback riding, experienced and amateur riders can ride at the beach of Karteros, or take riding lessons at Ippikos Omilos Hrakliou, located 6km east of Heraklion, in Karteros.

Rock Climbing, localers and visitors can climb on a 50 foot rock at the suberb of Karteros, east of Herklion. Safety equipment is provided, but one can use his own gear too.

Buy

Visit the central open market in Meidani square and buy mountain herbs, spices and folk natural remedies.

Eat

Budget

Mid-range

Heraklion Sailing Club (Greek: Istioploikos or Ιστιοπλοϊκός) Heraklion Harbour, GR-71262 Heraklion. Tel: 0030 2810...