- Day 1
- Museum, old town, harbour
- Day 2
- Knossos and Archanes
- Knossos
- 5 km from the centre, city bus
- Food
- Old-town tavernas, Archanes
Day 1: museum and old town
Start early at the Archaeological Museum. Then walk to Lions Square and the Morosini fountain (1628), the Venetian Loggia and the church of Agios Titos. Continue down to the harbour and the Koules fortress, and walk the breakwater for the view back over the city.
In the evening, eat in the old-town lanes; Peskesi and Parasties are two well-known choices for Cretan cooking.
Day 2: Knossos and Archanes
Take the city bus or a taxi 5 km to Knossos and arrive at opening time to beat the heat and the groups. Afterwards drive or taxi 7 km on to Archanes, with its restored lanes, Minoan sites and tavernas, and finish with a winery visit if you have a car.
Tips
Book museum and Knossos tickets online in summer. Heraklion's Venetian walls, with the grave of Nikos Kazantzakis on the Martinengo bastion, make a good sunset walk.
Questions before you go
Is two days enough for Heraklion?
Yes, for the museum, the old town and Knossos.
How do I get from Heraklion to Knossos?
By city bus, taxi or car; it is about 5 km.
Where is Kazantzakis buried?
On the Martinengo bastion of Heraklion's Venetian walls.
