Best Things To Do in Heraklion

Crete' s capital city offers a wide variety of unforgettable experiences. From hot air ballo oning over its charming streets to enjoying a relaxing horseback ride on the hillsides, there is something for everyone.

Whether you choose from some of the best tours of Heraklion, dive into the sea for your first dive, visit the abode of the legendary King Midas, visit islands in the Libyan Sea on a leisurely cruise or discover the origin of the mythical Minotaur at the Palace of Knossos, you name it. In this article you will find a selection of 12 must-do activities in Heraklion.

For those who wish to indulge in the natural beauty of Crete with a half-day excursion in the majestic mountains of Finikia and Giouchtas, one of the most recommended activities is a horseback riding tour.

During your horseback ride in the mountains of Heraklion, you can climb the steep slopes of the abode of Zeus in the company of an expert local guide. And as you ride, you'll enjoy the area's cool breeze and historical relics.

Once you reach the top, you'll have the chance to recharge your batteries with some of the snacks that are usually included in such experiences, such as a refreshment with a local drink while the anecdotes continue. A little later comes the invitation to indulge in a Cretan lunch, accompanied by wine, usually on the house.

The Palace of Knossos represents the splendour of Minoan Crete. Discover the secrets of the city's historical remains as you approach the ancient home of King Minos. This palace complex, made up of more than 1,500 interconnected rooms, will immerse you in a labyrinthine structure that evokes the popular myth of the Minotaur at the heart of the trading empire that spanned the Aegean Sea.

As you explore the complex, the legends of the Minotaur, the mythological creature that terrorised the Cretans millennia ago, come to life. Witness the advanced development of the convoluted site, as well as the original throne of King Minos, which has stood for over 3,500 years.

Despite its millennia-long history, it was in the first quarter of the 20th century that British archaeologist Sir Arthur Evans found the excavations of this complex. And you will have the opportunity to unravel its mysteries with your ticket to the Palace of Knossos in Crete during the approximately 90-minute tour.

The Palace of Knossos is the greatest testimony of the Minoan civilisation, considered one of the most sophisticated ancient cultures in Europe. To close your visit, the frescoes that adorn its façade offer a summary of the visual art of this culture. The invitation is to immerse yourself in the history and mythology of Crete with a visit that will not leave you indifferent.

Follow the olive oil and wine production and tasting route in Crete. Accompanied by an experienced local guide, you will enjoy an experience that will sharpen your senses between two stars of Minoan culture.

Explore a winery and a mill, during an olive oil and wine tour in Crete, where you will learn first-hand about the process of making these exquisite Cretan flagship products while indulging in exclusive tastings.

Another great thing about this type of experience is that you are often invited to sample the flavours of Crete, the authentic local cuisine with lunch included, while marvelling at the backdrop of Heraklion's scenery.

And as if the above offerings weren't incentive enough, some of the family-run wineries are immersed in art galleries. At the end of the day this is a luxury tour at regular prices - what more could you ask for?

With your ticket to the Archaeological Museum of Crete you open the doors to 27 different galleries covering over 5,000 years of history. This is home to the largest Minoan collection in the world and can be reached in a variety of ways, including by tour bus.

Amongst its exhibits are: the Sphinxes of the Serpent Goddess, the Bee Pendant from Malia, the fascinating head of the bull from Knossos and a wide variety of decorative weapons, pottery, frescoes, clay figures and gold jewellery. The Archaeological Museum of Heraklion is one of the most important museums in Greece.

Other museums that might also interest you are:

• The Historical Museum of Crete, which collects pieces of art from the Venetian, Byzantine and Turkish periods, including the famous Festus Disk.
• The Natural History Museum of Crete, a must-see destination for things to do in Heraklion with children, as the huge dinosaur fossil is a real eye-catcher for the little ones.

All in all, the rich history of all these places invites you to take a tour of Heraklion's museums.

Discover the underwater wonders at the "Thalassokosmos", better known as the CRETAquarium, one of the attractions recommended even by the Times, it is an ideal stop if you are visiting the city with young children.

With your ticket to the CRETAquarium in Heraklion you dive into the depths of the ocean surrounded by sea turtles, dusky grouper, red scorpion fish, bull sharks and 250 other species. This aquarium houses more than 2,000 marine creatures in 60 different habitats.

Explore the caves and fissures of the Mediterranean, where rays and scorpion fish glide sinuously. In the open ocean, behold the imposing presence of sharks stalking in search of food. Watch jellyfish and colourful clownfish in shallow, open tanks. In short, you can appreciate the infinite diversity of the fascinating underwater world.

The CRETAquarium is located near the town of Gournes in Crete, just 15 km east of Heraklion. We must say that its location is privileged, next to it there is a beach where you can take a dip.

Immerse yourself in the thrill of more than 50 slides and attractions, such as the Aqua Slalom, the thrilling Black Holes and the fun-filled Rio Loco. When you buy your tickets for the Acqua Plus water park in Crete you get tickets for an adrenaline rush perfect for the whole family.

Dive into the main pool or slide down the thrilling 80 metre slide, the Black Hole or the Crazy River. If you're in the mood for a relaxing activity, you can also take a leisurely stroll along the lazy river or in the refreshing whirlpool. The park also has a beautifully landscaped garden section, where you can admire the Cretan flowers, elegant palm trees and colourful bougainvillea.

Enjoy a day full of fun and natural wonders at this amazing water park just 26 kilometres east of Heraklion.

Discover Heraklion aboard a double-decker sightseeing bus with a 48 hour ticket. Yes, as you read, with a ticket for the Heraklion Hop on Hop off sightseeing bus you enjoy free transport for 2 days. Explore the city's iconic landmarks from the Old Harbour Square, via Ammoudara Beach, to the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion.

Immerse yourself in Cretan civilisation, history and architecture as you learn about ancient and modern Crete through the audio guide in 8 languages, including English. See the streets and monuments from a safe perspective while appreciating the panoramic views. Hop off and on at any bus stop all day long between 09:15 and 17:15.

An important fact is that this bus operates between May and October. The invitation is to explore Heraklion at your own pace to discover all that this charming town has to offer.

Let yourself be carried away by the beauty and diversity of the islands, caves and lakes that surround the Cretan capital. It's all about indulging in the natural charms of the city with the best day trips from Heraklion.

One of the most popular day trips is to visit the island of Spinalonga, also known as the fortress island of Crete, because of its history as a fortress, prison and leper colony over the centuries. Explore this place full of fascinating stories and discover its historical importance.

The next option is to book one of the best cruises in Heraklion to the most famous of the Cycladic islands in the Aegean: Santorini Island, the Greek island of reference. The journey is as fascinating as the island itself. Although you can get there by car ferry, if you ask mehow to get to Santorini from Heraklion? My answer would be: by cruise ship, where the adventure begins as soon as you set foot on the boat.

Finally, this selection would not be complete without mentioning the turquoise waters of Hippie Beach and the Mátala Caves, a staple of Crete's blue mythology. This place is shrouded in an aura of mysticism. It was inhabited by hippies in the 1960s and 1970s, who found refuge in the caves carved into the rocks. Explore its secrets and immerse yourself in its unique atmosphere.

City-tours are quite common, however, the capital of Crete offers extra attractions. You can tour the interior of the city with an electric bike tour of Heraklion and get up close to the Agios Minas Cathedral, an architectural beauty that is a mainstay of the city. See the 4 lions of the Morosini Fountains, visit the Municipal Market or the Church of St. Titus and let's not forget the Venetian Harbour.

On the other hand, you can explore the outlying areas of Heraklion by four-wheel drive or hot air balloon. For those who prefer to see the city from above, there is the possibility of a hot air balloon flight over Heraklion. What does the ride usually cover? Overflight to the Lasithi plateau. This is the perfect type of activity for small groups, so you can enjoy your holiday in Crete with some privacy.

Finally, if you fancy an immersive activity, you can take part in a tour of Crete in an off-road vehicle. The experience is fun, as they usually travel around the reservoir of the Aposelemis basin to follow the route of the ancient Minoan road where you can see the shepherds in their natural environment. Also, during this tour, the entrance to the Cave of Zeus or Dikteon Cave is a highlight. This type of experience also usually includes transport to your accommodation, lunch and drinks.

When it is said that Crete has many of the most beautiful beaches in the Mediterranean, Day Island undoubtedly stands out among the coves of reference. Don't miss out on the opportunity to snorkel its waters by booking a catamaran cruise to the island of Dia Island from Heraklion.

A shuttle service is often included to take you to the harbour. There, you board a catamaran and receive a safety briefing from the captain. You then set sail for the beautiful island, where you visit places such as Agios Georgios and the Panagia cave.

One of the attractions of this type of experience is that you are free of worries. The service on board the catamaran is usually all-inclusive and you will have access to entertainment such as snorkelling equipment, paddle board, aqua mat, kayak, and others.

Don't miss the opportunity to do your first dive! This is one of the most popular and exciting activities on the best beaches of Heraklion. You can do it by visiting the beaches and coves in the south of Crete at Chania Beach for example, or in the north of the city, where Balos Beach and the pearl: Agia Pelagia stand out.

This type of experience usually includes transport to and from your hotel. Once on the beach, the operators provide you with everything you need to dive into the crystal clear waters of the Aegean.

Even if you have no previous experience in scuba diving, don't worry, the diving baptism is perfect for you because it starts with a theoretical and practical class in which you will learn everything you need to get started in this water sport.

During the class you'll learn the role of each piece of diving equipment, the underwater communication signs, as well as the safety rules you must respect underwater. After the instruction, it's time for a dive of 45 minutes or more. Admire the marine flora and fauna of Crete. Swim alongside the sea turtles, schools of fish and corals present in the area. At the end of the activity, you will have time to continue enjoying the beach at your leisure.

Trekking is another of the things to do in Heraklion. There are routes of all levels of difficulty and popular areas for hikers include the Rouvas Gorge, the Sarakina Gorges and the Samaria Gorges, the latter being the most recommended as it is suitable for all ages and offers beautiful stream crossings, gorges and springs.

The Samaria National Park, as well as the rest of the gorges, allows you to enjoy its routes between 01 May and 31 October, the rest of the year it is closed.