Heraklion, the largest city of Crete, is a popular destination for the island’s visitors, as it combines recreation and tours to archaeological sites and museums. While walking on the paved streets of Heraklion, in the old city, one can observe the alternation between picturesque and modern styles, as buildings from different time periods stand side by side. Historical buildings, relics of past eras, unravel Heraklion’s long history.

You can be acquainted with a small part of the city’s and the island’s glorious history in Heraklion’s many museums. The Archaeological Museum, the Historical Museum, the Museum of Byzantine Icons, the Museum of the Battle of Crete, the Natural History Museum and the renowned archaeological excavations of Knossos are the most important among them.

Very close to Heraklion, you can find organized beaches, certified by a blue flag. Even if you do not have a car, the beaches can be accessed by bus, with the furthest one being 40 minutes away. Arina, Ammoudara and Amnissos are the most significant beaches.

The area around Heraklion presents great interest, as it includes traditional settlements, such as Archanes and Arolithos. You can also find, at one hour’s distance by bus, the famous aquarium Cretaquarium, one of the largest in the Mediterranean.