Why go
- City in Crete, Greece.
- Served by Tatoi Airport.
History
Heraklion, Herakleion or Iraklion, is the largest city and the administrative capital of the island of Crete and capital of Heraklion regional unit. It is the fourth largest city in Greece, and the largest city in the Greek islands, with a municipal population of 179,302 (2021) and 211,370 in its wider metropolitan area, according to the 2011 census. The greater area of Heraklion has been continuously inhabited since at least 7000 BCE, making it one of the oldest inhabited regions in Europe. It is also home to the ancient Knossos Palace, a major center of the Minoan civilization dating back to approximately 2000-1350 BCE, often considered Europe's oldest city. The palace is one of the most significant archaeological sites in Greece, second only to the Parthenon in terms of visitor numbers.
Where to stay
Mikinon 5, Chalandri 152 33, Greece · bondliving.gr
St. Barbara, 65 Ethnikis Antistaseos Street N. Psychiko, Athina 152 31, Greece · one360skylineathens.com
Thiseos 6, Likovrisi 141 23, Greece · se-room.com
Strati Mirivili 3-5, Chalandri 152 33, Greece · mirivili.gr
Leof. Kifisias 2, Marousi 151 25, Greece · thefictionathens.com
Ippokratous 3, Marousi 151 23, Greece · sites.google.com
Pellis 6, Kifisia 145 61, Greece · nafsika.gr
Mak Milan 8, Athina 111 44, Greece · greensuiteshotel.gr
Tatoiou 103, Kifisia 145 64, Greece · lidahotel.gr
Leof. Thiseos 103, Ekali 145 78, Greece · lifegallery.gr
Kifisias 23, Tatoï 136 77, Greece · dekeliahotel.gr
Kolokotroni 32, Kifisia 145 62, Greece · kefalarisuites.com
Char. Trikoupi 48, Kifisia 145 62, Greece · donkeyhotels.gr
Filadelfeos 2, Kifisia 145 62, Greece · theoxeniapalace.com
Heraklion 712 01, Greece · booking.com
Idras 12, Ag. Paraskevi 153 42, Greece · xdream.gr
Komninon Argonafton 12, Dionisos 145 72, Greece · anastaziahotel.gr
11, Olimpias str, Marousi 151 24, Greece · civitelattik.gr
T.K, Parnithos 332, Acharnes 136 72, Greece · cavallaripalace.gr
Κηπουπόλεως 4 και, Samou, Acharnes 136 71, Greece · hotelgiorgio.com
Leof. Neas Erithreas, Nea Erithrea 146 71, Greece · aachen.gr
Δήλου, Psichari και, Athina 144 52, Greece · platonhotel.com
Pl. Kornarou 43, Iraklio 712 01, Greece · hotelolympic.com
Tatoiou 227, Metamorfosi 144 52, Greece · hotelanesi.gr
Chelidonous 78, Kifisia 145 64, Greece · hotelpines.com
Λεωφόρο, Parnithos 388-392, Acharnes 136 71, Greece · parnispalace.gr
Pitiountos 37, Athina 111 42, Greece
Indoor
Acharnon 49, Kifisia 145 61, Greece
Indoor
Indoor
Indoor
Sofokli Venizelou, Iraklio 141 22, Greece
Ελ. Βενιζέλου 154 και, Romilias, Nea Erithrea 146 71, Greece · domotel.gr
Restaurants & places to go
Restaurant · restaurant · botrinis.com
Kebab, Fast Food · Σουβλατζίδικο Features: takeaway, delivery, vegan options · 8 & 11 Δορυλαίου & Σούτσου, Αθήνα, 11521 · kalamakimou.gr
Greek, Restaurant · Greek & Mediterranean restaurant in Kipseli, with live music after 20.30 pm · pame-tsipouro-pame-kafeneio.gr
Seafood, Greek, Regional, Coffee Shop, Restaurant · Excellent seafood but also salads and some meat plates. Features: outdoor seating, takeaway · 9 Πλατεία…
Coffee Shop, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 08:00-17:30; Sa 08:00-18:45; Su 08:00-17:00 Features: outdoor seating, takeaway · 190 Αλεξάνδρας, Αθήνα, 11522 · coffeeisland.gr
Pizza, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo 12:30-24:00; Tu-Su 00:00-00:30,12:30-24:00 Features: takeaway, delivery, step-free access · 12 Κοδριγκτώνος · dominos.gr
Burger, Fast Food · Opening hours: 24 ώρες το 24ωρο Features: takeaway · 104 25 Μαρτίου & Κ. Βάρναλη, Πετρούπολη, 13231 · everest.gr
Asian, Restaurant · Opening hours: Su-Th 12:30-23:30; Fr-Sa 12:30-23:59 Features: outdoor seating, vegan options · wagamama.com.gr
Sandwich, Fast Food · Opening hours: 24/7 Features: outdoor seating, takeaway, delivery, vegan options, step-free access · 71 Ηρακλείου, Αθήνα · b-eat.gr
Cafe · Δισκοπωλείο/Καφέ/Μπαρ · 16 Σολωμού, 10683 · vinylio.gr
Cretan, Cafe · Γωνιακό καφενεδάκι, με κρητική χροιά. Έχει και χορτόσουπα. · Σινώπης
Chicken, Fast Food · Opening hours: Su-Th 12:00-00:00; Fr-Sa 12:00-01:00 Features: takeaway · 3 Πλ. Ελευθερωτών, 15232 · kfc.gr
Mediterranean, Greek, Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu-Su 13:00-01:00 Features: outdoor seating, takeaway, step-free access · 1 Αίγλης & Δρόσου, Κηφισιά, 14564 · omikronrestaurant.gr
Souvlaki, Kebab, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Su 10:00-01:00 Features: outdoor seating, takeaway, delivery · 5 Γεωργίου Λύρα, Κηφισιά, 14564 · mpamphs.gr
Italian, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 14:00-00:15; Sa, Su 13:00-00:15 Features: delivery · 34 Βασιλέως Γεωργίου, Χαλάνδρι, 15233 · yiannislucacos.gr
Mexican, Fast Food · Opening hours: Su-Th 12:30-02:00; Fr 12:30-02:30; Sa 12:30-03:00 Features: vegan options · ancho.gr
Fried Chicken, Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu-Fr 17:00-00:30; Sa, Su 13:00-00:30 · 59 Αγίου Σωστή · chickenpicnic.gr
Chinese, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 13:30-00:00 Features: outdoor seating, takeaway · 7 Αναξαγόρα, Νέα Ερυθραία, 14671 · facebook.com
Dessert, Brunch, Chocolate, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Su 10:00-23:00 Features: outdoor seating · 48 Τρυπιά Ν., Νέα Φιλαδέλφεια, 143 41 · fairytale.com.gr
Salad, Juice, Smoothie, Coffee, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-18:00; Sa 10:00-17:00 Features: delivery, vegan options · 40 Αγ. Κωνσταντίνου, Μαρούσι · hippieshake.gr
Indoor
Crepe, Burger, Fast Food · Opening hours: Tu-Fr 07:00-03:00; Sa-Su 01:00-03:00 Features: takeaway · 3 Ίμβρου, Νέα Ιωνία, 14232 · milucrepesburgers.business.site
Donut, Sweets, Takeaway, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Su 06:00-21:30 Features: takeaway · 163 25ης Μαρτίου, Ίλιον, 13123 · nanoudonutshouse.com
Indian, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Sa 18:00-01:00, Su 14:30-24:00 · 42 Λαρίσης, Αθήνα, 11524 · redelephantathens.gr
Brunch, Coffee Shop, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Su 08:00-21:00 Features: outdoor seating, delivery · 7 Λασκαρίδου, Πανόρμου, 11524 · sambacafe.gr
Sushi, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 13:00-01:00 · 18 Αιμιλίου Βεάκη, Περιστέρι, 12134 · yuzu.gr
Pastry, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Su 08:00-22:00 Features: outdoor seating · 8 Αναξαγόρα, Νέα Ερυθραία, 14671 · glikovanilia.business.site
Czech, Restaurant · Opening hours: Su 12:30-01:00; Mo closed; Tu 12:30-01:00; We 12:30-01:00; Th 12:30-01:00; Fr 12:30-01:00; Sa 12:30-01:00 · 5 Δήμου… · bohemia.com.gr
Oriental, Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu-Su 12:30-24:00; Jan 01-03, Aug 7-26 off Features: vegan options · tastesofdamascus.wordpress.com
Gyros, Souvlaki, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 12:00-24:00 · 8 Ιωάννου Φωκά · m.facebook.com
Regional, Kebab, Steak House, Restaurant · Opening hours: 12:30-00:30 Features: takeaway, step-free access · 12 Αθανασίου Διάκου, Πεύκη, 15121 · facebook.com
Juice, Sandwich, Pastry, Soup, Salad, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 08:30-18:00; Sa 10:00-18:00; Su 10:00-17:00 Features: vegan options · tobazaki.com
Falafel, Fast Food · Opening hours: Su off; Mo-Fr 12:00-23:00; Sa 14:00-22:00 · 3 Λογοθετίδη Βασίλη, Αθήνα, 11524 · facebook.com
Bistro, Restaurant · Opening hours: 08:00-24:00; Jan 01 09:00-24:00; Dec 31 08:00-22:00 Features: vegan options · 26 Εφέσσου, Νέα Φιλαδέλφεια, 143 41
Italian Pizza, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 13:00-00:00 · 63 Ασπασίας, 15561
Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Th 13:00-23:00, Fr,Sa 13:00-24:00, Su 14:00-22:00 Features: vegan options · 43 Θεμιστοκλέους · cookoomela.gr
Vietnamese, Chinese, Asian, Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu-Th 17:00-00:00; Fr, Sa 13:00-00:00; Su 13:00-23:00 Features: step-free access · 3-5 Παπαφλέσσα
Syrian, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo, We, Th, Su 12:00-23:00; Fr, Sa 12:00-24:00
Thai, Restaurant · Opening hours: Sa-Su 14:30-23:00; Tu-Fr 15:00-23:00 · 38 Μακεδονομάχου Πραντούνα
Hot Dog, Sandwich, Fast Food · Opening hours: Su-Th 18:30-06:00; Fr-Sa 18:30-07:00 · 3 Δημητρίου Σούτσου, 11521
Pastries, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Su 08:00-21:00 Features: outdoor seating, takeaway · 160 Τατοΐου & Γ. Ρίτσου, Κηφισιά, 14564
Meat, Fish, Restaurant · Opening hours: Su 12:00-01:00; Mo-Sa 13:00-01:00
Barbecue, Restaurant · Barbecue restaurant · 64 Κωνσταντινουπόλεως, Περιστέρι, 12133 · basegrillathens.gr
Grill, Restaurant · Grill restaurant · 2 Σοφοκλέους, Περιστέρι, 12134 · hoocut.com
405 more places in the Ultimate edition. See the Ultimate edition →
Airports
Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH) 20 km to the centre
Attiki Odos, Spata Artemida 190 04, Greece — You board from the indoor waiting area — no need to plan for the weather. ✈ 52 airlines (Aegean Airlines, Olympic Airlines, easyJet, Ryanair…) · direct flights to 104 destinations incl. Barcelona, Heraklion, Larnaca, London, Rome… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 52 airlines, 104 direct destinations
- Aegean Airlines A3 (A320, Dash 8-400, A321, DH8, A319, A330-200…) · 65 routes: Abu Dhabi, Alexandria, Alexandroupolis, Astypalaia, Barcelona, Belgrade, Berlin, Brussels, Bucharest, Budapest, Cairo, Chania, Chios, Cyclades Islands, Duesseldorf, Frankfurt, Geneva, Heraklion, Ikaria, Ioannina, Istanbul, Kalymnos, Karpathos, Kavala, Keffallinia, Kerkyra/corfu, Kiev, Kithira, Kos, Larnaca, Leros, Limnos, London, Lyon, Madrid, Manchester, Marseille, Milano, Milos, Moscow … +25 more
- Olympic Airlines OA (Dash 8-400, A320, A321, DH8, A319) · 43 routes: Alexandroupolis*, Astypalaia, Barcelona*, Belgrade, Bucharest, Chania*, Chios*, Cyclades Islands, Heraklion*, Ikaria, Ioannina*, Istanbul, Kalymnos, Karpathos, Kavala*, Keffallinia*, Kerkyra/corfu*, Kithira, Kos*, Leros, Limnos*, London*, Lyon*, Madrid*, Manchester*, Marseille*, Milano*, Milos, Mykonos*, Mytilini*, Paris*, Paros, Rhodos*, Rome*, Samos*, Skiathos, Skiros*, Sofia, Syros Island, Thessaloniki* … +3 more
- easyJet U2 (A319, A320) · 9 routes: Berlin, Edinburgh, Geneva, Hamburg, London, Manchester, Milano, Paris, Rome
- Ryanair FR (737-800) · 6 routes: Bergamo, Chania, London, Paphos, Rhodos, Thessaloniki
- Lufthansa Cargo LH (A320, A321) · 4 routes: Berlin*, Duesseldorf*, Frankfurt, Munich
- Norwegian Air Shuttle DY (737-800) · 4 routes: Copenhagen, Helsinki, Oslo, Stockholm
- Air France AF (A319, A320, A321, A320) · 3 routes: Marseille, Paris, Toulouse
- Alitalia AZ (A320, A319, A321, 32S) · 3 routes: Larnaca, Rome, Venice*
- Big Sky Airlines GQ (J41) · 3 routes: Heraklion, Kastoria, Kozani
- Egyptair MS (737-800, Embraer 170, Dash 8-400) · 3 routes: Alexandria, Cairo, Heraklion
- Scandinavian Airlines System SK (A321, 737-700, 737-700, 737-800) · 3 routes: Copenhagen, Oslo, Stockholm
- Transavia France TO (737-800) · 3 routes: Lyon, Nantes, Paris
- Air Malta KM (A320) · 2 routes: Malta, Sofia
- Air Transat TS (330) · 2 routes: Montreal, Toronto
- American Airlines AA (A320, A330-200, 767) · 2 routes: London*, Philadelphia
- Croatia Airlines OU (A319, Dash 8-400) · 2 routes: Dubrovnik, Split
- Germanwings 4U (A319) · 2 routes: Cologne, Stuttgart
- Pegasus Airlines PC (737-800, A320) · 2 routes: Istanbul, Izmir
- Swiss International Air Lines LX (A319, A320, A321) · 2 routes: Geneva, Zurich
- Transavia Holland HV (737-800, 737-700) · 2 routes: Amsterdam, Eindhoven
- Aer Lingus EI (A320) · 1 route: Dublin
- Aeroflot Russian Airlines SU (A320, A321) · 1 route: Moscow
- Air Armenia QN (735) · 1 route: Yerevan
- Air Baltic BT (73C) · 1 route: Riga
- Air China CA (330) · 1 route: Munich
- Air Moldova 9U (Embraer 190) · 1 route: Chisinau
- Air One AP (A320) · 1 route: Venice
- Air Serbia JU (A319, A320) · 1 route: Belgrade
- All America A2 (143) · 1 route: Sitia
- Austrian Airlines OS (A320, A321) · 1 route: Vienna*
- British Airways BA (A320, 767) · 1 route: London
- Brussels Airlines SN (A319) · 1 route: Brussels
- Bulgaria Air FB (Embraer 190) · 1 route: Sofia
- Cathay Pacific CX (A321) · 1 route: Doha
- Cyprus Airways CY (A320) · 1 route: Larnaca
- El Al Israel Airlines LY (737-800) · 1 route: Tel-aviv
- Emirates EK (777-300ER) · 1 route: Dubai
- Etihad Airways EY (A320, A321) · 1 route: Abu Dhabi
- Gulf Air Bahrain GF (A320) · 1 route: Larnaca
- Iberia Airlines IB (A320) · 1 route: Barcelona*
- KLM Royal Dutch Airlines KL (737) · 1 route: Amsterdam
- LOT Polish Airlines LO (734, Embraer 195, Embraer 175) · 1 route: Warsaw
- Middle East Airlines ME (A320) · 1 route: Beirut
- Qatar Airways QR (A321, A330-200, A330-300) · 1 route: Doha
- Royal Jordanian RJ (Embraer 175, Embraer 195) · 1 route: Amman
- S7 Airlines S7 (A320) · 1 route: Moscow
- Tarom RO (737-700) · 1 route: Bucharest
- Turkish Airlines TK (A320, A321, 737-800) · 1 route: Istanbul
- Ukraine International Airlines PS (734, 73N) · 1 route: Kiev
- Ural Airlines U6 (A320) · 1 route: Krasnodar
- US Airways US (A330-200) · 1 route: Philadelphia
- Vueling Airlines VY (A320) · 1 route: Barcelona
Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.
Tatoi Airport 5.7 km to the centre
Tatoi, I, GR
Getting there by ferry
Piraeus Ferry Port
Ferry terminal · 17 km from the centre · ANEK LINES
E7
Ferry terminal · 17 km from the centre
Αναχώρηση Μινωικών Γραμμών Κρήτης
Ferry terminal · 17 km from the centre · Minoan Lines
Λάντζες Ρούσσης
Ferry terminal · 18 km from the centre
Πειραιάς
Ferry terminal · 18 km from the centre
Piraeus - Kamatero
Ferry route
Piraeus - Psara
Ferry route
Chios (Mesta) - Piraeus
Ferry route
Piraeus - Chios
Ferry route
Piraeus - Syros - Mykonos - Chios - Mytilini
Ferry route · Hellenic Seaways
Where things are
Local search powered by Geoverts and geo-intelligence by Better Mapping
base map © OSM
Photographs
credit: Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons · See source page
When to go
Tourist season
May – September
The warmer, longer-day half of the year is the safest bet for a first visit.
Shoulder season
April, October
Cooler and quieter, with fewer visitors and better value.
Worth avoiding
Deep winter
Short days and the coldest weather — check local conditions before travelling.
Getting there & around
Getting there. The nearest airport on record is Tatoi Airport. Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below. By water: 5 ferry terminals within 20 km (nearest: Piraeus Ferry Port, 17 km); routes include Piraeus - Kamatero, Piraeus - Psara, Chios (Mesta) - Piraeus.
Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for Heraklion (Iraklio), Greece. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.
Local transit
Bus, Rail · Schedules & GTFS data (official feed)
Bus · Schedules & GTFS data (official feed)
Private aviation
On-demand charter, jet cards and the semi-private scheduled carriers that serve this city.
Broker · Any aircraft via operators worldwide · Global charter broker with 30+ offices; private jets, group charters and cargo.
FBO, charter, management · Managed fleet · FBO network and management across Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific.
Fractional, jet card · Embraer Praetor, Bombardier Challenger & Global, Gulfstream · Fractional ownership and jet cards in North America and Europe.
Charter, management · Large-cabin & VIP airliners · Geneva-based operator known for large-cabin and VIP airliner charters.
Charter, management, FBO, MRO · Managed fleet worldwide · General Dynamics company: charter, completions and FBOs in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the US.