Heraklion, Crete: The capital of history and entertainment
Heraklion is the capital of Crete, the largest island in Greece. It is located on the northern coast of the island.
History
Heraklion is a city with a rich history. The area has been inhabited since antiquity and has witnessed significant historical periods, such as the Minoan, Roman, and Byzantine.
The most important historical sites in Heraklion are:
- The Palace of Knossos, the largest and most important Minoan palace.
- The Palace of Phaistos, another important Minoan palace.
- The Acropolis of Gortyn, an ancient city that was the capital of Crete during the Roman period.
- The Aqueduct of Heraklion, an impressive Roman aqueduct that supplied the city with water.
Attractions
Heraklion offers a variety of attractions for visitors. In addition to historical sites, the city has many museums, churches, mosques, and other historical monuments.
Some of the most popular attractions in Heraklion are:
- The Heraklion Archaeological Museum, one of the most important museums in Greece, where exhibits from ancient Crete are on display.
- The Museum of Natural History of Crete, where exhibits about the nature and history of Crete are on display.
- The Museum of Folk Art and Traditional Culture, where exhibits about traditional Cretan art and culture are on display.
- The Zaros Lake, an artificial lake located in the suburbs of Heraklion.
- The Pan-Cretan Stadium, a modern stadium that hosts international sporting events.
Beaches
Heraklion has many beautiful beaches for visitors to enjoy. The beaches of the city are organized and offer all the amenities, such as sunbeds, umbrellas, restaurants, and bars.
Some of the most popular beaches in Heraklion are:
- The beach of Heraklion, a large beach located in the center of the city.
- The beach of Ammoudara, a large beach with white sand and crystal-clear waters.
- The beach of Gouves, a beach with pebbles and turquoise waters.
- The beach of Agios Nikolaos, a beach with pebbles and sand.
- The beach of Elounda, a beach with white sand and crystal-clear waters.
Food
Cretan cuisine is known for its fresh ingredients and traditional recipes. The most popular dishes of Cretan cuisine are:
- Chortadela, a salad with various greens.
- Gamopilofo, a dish with rice, meat, and vegetables.
- Tsigariasta, a dish with meat, onions, and wine.
- Pastitsio, a dish with ground beef, vegetables, and pasta.
- Karydiato, a sweet with coconut.
Entertainment
Heraklion is a lively city with many entertainment options for visitors. The city has many nightclubs, bars, restaurants, and cafes.
Also, Heraklion hosts many festivals and cultural events throughout the year. Some of the most popular festivals in Heraklion are:
- The Cretan Music and Dance Festival, which is held every summer and presents traditional Cretan music and dance.
- The Heraklion International Film Festival, which is held every autumn and presents films from around the world.
- The Heraklion International Literature Festival, which is held every spring and presents Greek and foreign writers.
Accommodation
Heraklion offers a variety of accommodation options for visitors. The city has many hotels, guesthouses, apartments, and studios.
Port
Heraklion is an important port in the Mediterranean. The port of Heraklion is divided into two sections, the cargo port and the passenger port. The cargo port serves the trade of Crete with the rest of Greece and the world. The passenger port serves ferry routes to and from Crete, Piraeus - Athens the Cyclades islands (Santorini, Ios, Naxos, Paros, Mykonos …etc) and the Dodecanese islands (Kasos, Karpathos, Chalki, Rhodes ...etc).
The website www.Ferries.gr is the perfect way to find information on all ferry routes from / To Heraklion. You can search for routes based on the date of departure and destination, and learn about all the companies that depart and the prices of tickets.
