Hi everyone.
This is the Santorini Dave guide to Heraklion , the large port city and capital of the amazing
island of Crete, Greece.
For many visitors to Crete, Heraklion is largely a transit stop on the way to or from other
parts of the island.
But there is also a certain charm to the city, with a broad mix of Greeks, students, business
people, and tourists, and a handful of world-class attractions to enjoy.
The scenic Heraklion waterfront is home to a picturesque Venetian harbor, protected by
a 2 km long jetty that’s popular for walking.
Along the jetty is an impressive fortress, at the mouth of a marina now used by fishing
boats and yachts.
Directly adjacent is the port, with cruise ships and ferries arriving day and night.
Now everything featured in this video is explored in our Crete Travel Guide, and, along with
all the other top destinations across Greece are explained in far greater depth across
the pages of our website at SantoriniDave.com.
And make sure to subscribe to this channel as we’re constantly adding new content that’ll
help you plan your visit to Greece.
Just beyond the harbor, Heraklion’s waterfront is home to a long pedestrian walkway lined
with great restaurants, that’s perfect for sunset viewing.
In the city’s interior, there are a handful of leafy plazas, including the Central Park
with nearby Morosini Fountain and the Cathedral of Saint Titus.
Heraklion also has lots of great shopping, from international brand name boutiques to
a few central avenues lined with generic Greek souvenir shops.
At night the city really comes alive with a myriad of sidewalk cafes and bars that overflow
into the streets.
Some of Crete's most significant archaeological treasures can be found near Heraklion.
The ancient Minoan palace of Knossos is just 10 minutes from the city center by car, and
is served by frequent daily bus routes from near the port.
The Minoan Palace of Phaestos sits an hour southwest of Heraklion, near the island's
southern coast.
Treasures from these sites and others across the island can be viewed at the excellent
Heraklion Archaeological Museum.
Just beyond the city limits begins the beautiful Cretan countryside, with olive groves, vineyards,
and farmland covering the rolling hills leading up to the mountains.
To the east, the popular resort towns of Agios Nikolas and Elounda are only an hours drive
away, and to the west, the popular cities of Rethymnon and Chania are 1 and 2 hours
away – easily accessed by both bus and rental car.
Heraklion has a terrific food scene as well.
Some of our favorite restaurants include Peskesi, with thoughtfully curated ingredients, sustainably
sourced, rich and delicious food, set in a historic mansion that is rustic yet stylish.
It’s a fine dining establishment without the hefty prices, where you’ll definitely
need to reserve in advance.
Kastella is one of a series of restaurants on the waterfront serving seafood with terrific
sunset views.
And Gianni's Tavern, AKA Tavern of John on the outskirts of Heraklion is an experience
worth the drive.
Operating with no electricity and only candle light, a set price gets you whatever’s being
served that day, with huge plates of meat and fresh vegetables, plus unlimited wine
which you serve yourself straight from the barrels lined up along the back wall.
Heraklion’s best hotels are only a short distance from the port.
Here are 4 of our favorites: The iconic 5 star GDM Megaron overlooks the harbor and
features an excellent rooftop bar and restaurant.
The larger and more business and event friendly Aquila Atlantis Hotel has both an indoor and
a rooftop pool.
Lato Boutique Hotel has a rooftop bar and restaurant overlooking the fortress.
And Olive Green Hotel fronts a leafy public square surrounded by restaurants and small
shops.
As always, you can find lots more detailed information about Crete and the rest of Greece’s
most popular destinations across the pages of our website SantoriniDave.com.
If you enjoyed this video, make sure to like it with a thumbs up, and to subscribe to our
channel as we are constantly adding new content that will help you in planning your visit
to Greece and Beyond.
Thanks for watching.