Heraklion can be explored through its fortifications, museums and medieval old town districts. The fortified complex of Venetian Chandakas dates from the 15th century and is considered one of the most important monuments of its kind in the Mediterranean region. The old town districts offer opportunities for walks in the heart of the city. For planning, you can combine these discoveries with museum visits and the city bus services.
Fortifications and City History
Castello del Moro (Koule), a Venetian coastal fortress, stands at the entrance to the old harbour. During Turkish rule, Cretan revolutionaries were tortured and imprisoned in its rooms. Changes from this period are also part of its architectural history: the upper sections of the fortress and the surviving base of the minaret date from the Turkish period. Historically, Castello del Moro had two floors. The ground floor contained 26 rooms, which housed captains or were used to store food and ammunition. This makes it possible to understand the complex not only as a fortification, but also through the different functions of its rooms.
Jesus Gate was one of the three main entrances to the city. It stood beside the bastion of the same name on the south side of the Candia fortifications. After its restoration, the gate was reopened to the public and serves as the venue for “AN ODYSSEY”, a permanent exhibition about N. Kazantzakis. Check the current opening hours if you are planning a visit.
Museums and Art in the City
The Heraklion Archaeological Museum displays representative finds from every period of Cretan prehistory and history, from the Neolithic to Roman times. Its collection of Minoan antiquities is internationally significant. The collection therefore spans far more than a single period and makes the museum a key destination for the archaeology of Crete.
The Basilica of Saint Mark also combines a historic building with a cultural purpose: it now houses the municipal art gallery and is often the setting for art and handicraft exhibitions. If you would like to plan your visit around an exhibition, check the current programme in advance. For a different focus, the Archaeological Museum offers a collection spanning the Neolithic to Roman times.
Old Town and City Buses
The medieval old town districts in the heart of Heraklion offer opportunities for walks. This makes short distances on foot an option in their own right, alongside bus services that reach other named destinations. Blue city buses serve Heraklion from early morning until late evening. One city bus route connects the harbour with Knossos and Skalani. Check the operator’s current timetable for your journey.
Within the Wider Heraklion Destination
The wider Heraklion destination also includes the rural area of the Municipality of Heraklion. There, routes offer opportunities for hiking, cycling and driving; there are also opportunities for climbing and caving, as well as forest trails. The villages in the rural area preserve features of Cretan architecture and their own distinct historical memories. Vineyards and olive groves are also part of the landscape. Traditional eateries serve dishes prepared with fresh local produce.
For planning, it is useful to distinguish between the city and the wider destination: the fortifications, old town districts and museums define the urban focus, while the municipality’s rural area complements it with villages, landscape and outdoor activities. When choosing your accommodation, consider which of these themes matter for your stay, and check bus connections if you want to include the destinations mentioned.
Discover more destinations: Plora, Gouves, Kalochorafitis, Damasta, Aghia Pelagia, Klima, Kokkinos Pirgos, Agia Irini.
Go to the overview of the wider destination: Heraklion.
