Sights  

Knossos

The Palace of Knossos constituted the seat of King Minos and is located on a lush hill about 5 km southeast of Heraklion. It was built around 2000 BC and by the middle of the 14th century, it was destroyed and rebuilt three times. The first excavations began in 1878 by Minoas Kalokairinos and continued by Evans in 1900.
Information: +30 2810 231940, +30 2810 226470, +30 2810 226092, +30 2810 224630

Festos

It is built on a hill south of Geropotamos river, 62 km southwest of Heraklion. It was built around 1900 BC and was one of the most important centers of the Minoan civilization. The palace was destroyed in the 15th century BC, but the city continued being inhabited.
Information: +30 28920 42315

Gortyn

An ancient city that has been inhabited since the Neolithic era. At the end of the 4th century BC it was one of the largest cities in Crete. The 2nd century BC, it became the capital of the Roman province of Crete. It is located 45 km south of Heraklion.
Information: +30 28920 31144

Archaeological Museum

It is one of the greatest museums in Greece. It is located in the center of Heraklion, at Eleftherias square. It includes exhibits from all periods of the Cretan history whilst the Minoan collection is one of the most significant in the world.
Information: +30 2810 279000, +30 2810 279086

Historical Museum

It includes Byzantine-Medieval collections, historical collections along with relics of the Cretan revolutions, folklore collections (weaving, embroideries, musical instruments, etc.) and personal belongings and manuscripts of Nikos Kazantzakis. It is located 0.5 km from the center of Heraklion, on the coastal road. 
Information: +30 2810 283219, +30 2810 288708

Natural History Museum

The exhibits have a three-dimensional character and its theme includes mineralogical, zoological, paleontological samples etc. 
It is located 1 km from the center of Heraklion on the coastal road. 
Information: +30 2810 282740

Cretaquarium

It is located in Gournes, 15 km east of the city of Heraklion. It is a modern aquarium for the marine life of the Mediterranean. It is one of the biggest aquariums in Europe and constitutes one of the biggest marine science centers in the Mediterranean.
Information: +30 2810 337788

Archanes

A picturesque village with a history of 5000 years. It constituted a reference point from the Minoan years due to its location and culture. It is located 16 km from the city of Heraklion. You can visit the Museum of Cretan History and Tradition (information +30 2810 751853, +30 2810 731721), Vathipetro, where the first wine press of 1600 BC is found, and the Minoan Cemetery in Fourni. You can also enjoy the famous traditional cuisine.
Information: +30 2810 226470, +30 2810 226092

Fodele

A picturesque village, full of orange trees, lemon trees, wild trees, waters and caves, crossed by Pantomantri river. It is the birthplace of the famous painter El Greco. The house where he was born has been preserved and converted into a museum. It is located 7km west of Agia Pelagia.
Information: +30 2810 521500

Spinalonga

An islet located in Elounda Bay, 94 km from the city of Heraklion. In ancient times it was fortified, while over its ruins, the Venetians built a powerful fortress. Since 1903, the residents of the surrounding areas that were infected by Hansen's disease were evicted on the island and soon it was turned into a Leprosarium.
Information: +30 2810 288394