Heraklion, Crete's capital, close to the Minoan palaces of Knossos and Phaistos: its museum, Venetian fortress and what to see in and around the city.
Situated near the two major archeological sites of Crete, Knossos Palace and Phaistos Palace, Heraklion is the perfect base for your exploration! The region itself is lovely, with stunning beaches to discover and a lively town, full of hidden gems from the Venetian period.
Heraklion is the most popular region of Crete and is located on the eastern side of the island, between Rethymno and Lassithi. Its beautiful capital, Heraklion Town, is one of the busiest cities in Crete.
In the Heraklion region, you will find two of the most important Crete monuments: Knossos Palace & Phaistos Palace.
Being over 20,000 square meters big, the Minoan Palace of Knossos is the largest of all Minoan palatial structures. The remains of colorful murals, imposing red columns and the glorious throne room will make you feel transported into the Minoan Era.
The Minoan Palace of Phaistos is the second most important Minoan site, after Knossos. It is located on the east side of Kastri hill, boasting a beautiful natural setting and attracts history enthusiasts from all over the world!
Even though it has an often crowded city center, the main Town keeps its fairytale vibe. Strolling around the town, you will come across Koules fortress, at the Venetian port, Turkish and Venetian fountains, Venetian buildings, the Venetian Loggia and museums, such as the Archaeological Museum, the Historical Museum and the Museum of Natural History.
If you are not a big fan of sightseeing, though, you should head to the beautiful beaches! The northern and southern coasts of the region are fringed with some amazing beaches, such as the former hippies paradise, Matala beach, Agia Pelagia and Malia.
For those who want to spend their holidays in Crete by the beach, there are many hotels close to these beaches!
