Things to do in Heraklion

Activities, attractions and tours

Heraklion showing general coastal views
Koules Fortress which includes a bay or harbour
Heraklion showing street scenes
St. Minas Cathedral featuring religious aspects, street scenes and heritage architecture
Heraklion Port featuring rocky coastline
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Most popular experiences in Heraklion

Tours & day trips

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Knossos - Zeus Cave - Old Traditional Villages-Olive Oil Factory

Knossos - Zeus Cave - Old Traditional Villages-Olive Oil Factory

Activity duration is 7 hours and 30 minutes
10.0 out of 10 with 155 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is €115 per adult
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Private & custom tours

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Private Tour-Knossos Palace Zeus Cave Olive Oil Mill & Wine

Private Tour-Knossos Palace Zeus Cave Olive Oil Mill & Wine

Activity duration is 8 hours
10.0 out of 10 with 59 reviews
Free cancellation available
The previous price was €124 and current price is €99 per adult
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Adventure & outdoor

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Crete: Land Rover Safari on Minoan Route

Crete: Land Rover Safari on Minoan Route

Activity duration is 8 hours
9.8 out of 10 with 163 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is €94 per adult
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Classes & workshops

See all 25 activities
Kleanthi Olive Farm: Guided Tour with Local Delicacies Tasting

Kleanthi Olive Farm: Guided Tour with Local Delicacies Tasting

Activity duration is 1 hour and 15 minutes
10.0 out of 10 with 16 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is €21 per adult*
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Holiday & seasonal tours

See all 13 activities
Dia Island: Semi-Private Full Day Sailing Trip with meal

Dia Island: Semi-Private Full Day Sailing Trip with meal

Activity duration is 6 hours
10.0 out of 10 with 1 review
Free cancellation available
Price is €85 per adult
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What to do in Heraklion

Popular places to visit

Heraklion Port which includes a marina

Heraklion Port

4/5(104 reviews)

Spend an afternoon wandering around this ancient harbor and admiring the fortress and ancient walls or take a trip to one of the nearby islands.

Heraklion Port
Columns in the Palace of Knossos

Palace of Knossos

4.5/5(83 reviews)

Take a tour around one of Europe’s most spectacular archaeological sites, where Greek myths have been made and great treasures discovered.

Palace of Knossos
Heraklion Archaeological Museum which includes street scenes

Heraklion Archaeological Museum

4.5/5(57 reviews)

One of Europe’s most important museums has five millennia of Cretan history on display, including the exceptional Minoan exhibit.

Heraklion Archaeological Museum
Historical Museum of Crete showing street scenes

Historical Museum of Crete

4.5/5(24 reviews)

Trace the history of this ancient town through its numerous periods and discover traditional art and fascinating stories.

Historical Museum of Crete
Heraklion Loggia featuring interior views and heritage architecture

Heraklion Loggia

4/5(23 reviews)

Take a look around this stunning Venetian monument, also the site of the Heraklion town hall.

Heraklion Loggia
Koules Fortress showing a castle and heritage architecture

Koules Fortress

4/5(20 reviews)

The prominent symbol of Heraklion, this imposing fortress by the harbor has protected the city for over 500 years.

Koules Fortress
St. Titus Church featuring a church or cathedral, religious aspects and a square or plaza

Agios Titos Church

Dedicated to the patron saint of Crete, this Byzantine church has been renovated and repurposed by some of the world's greatest historical empires.

Agios Titos Church
Morosini Fountain showing a fountain

Morosini Fountain

4/5(37 reviews)

Don’t miss this ornate fountain in Heraklion’s central square, which once brought daily drinking water to thousands of inhabitants.

Morosini Fountain
Natural History Museum of Crete

Natural History Museum of Crete

4.5/5(13 reviews)

Don’t miss the chance to learn about Crete’s unique natural environment at this excellent modern museum.

Natural History Museum of Crete

Areas of Heraklion

Knoss palace on the Crete,Greece

Nea Alikarnassos

You'll appreciate the restaurants during your time in Nea Alikarnassos and you might want to plan a stop by Heraklion Port and Heraklion Archaeological Museum while you're in the area.

Nea Alikarnassos
Aerial view of the harbor of the famous resort Chersonissos, Crete, Greece

Hersonissos

Heraklion showing boating, a marina and château or palace

Archanes-Asterousia

Kreta - Malevizi - Fodele Beach

Malevizi

The ruins of the palace of Knossos are spectacular. You are able to walk around and through the majority of the rooms and get some great pictures. Definitely worth a visit and I'd also recommend going to the archaeological museum in Heraklion which is about 5km from Knossos, you can get a combined ticket for 16 euros!

Skalani

Frequently asked questions

Is Heraklion worth visiting?
Renowned for its coastal beaches and history, discovering awesome things to do in Heraklion is easy. Be sure to add Historical Museum of Crete to your trip itinerary while here.
How do I spend a day in Heraklion?
Historical Museum of Crete and Ammoudara Beach are two great places to kick-start your adventures. Be sure to check out the shopping and dining options in Heraklion while you're here too.
What is the top tourist attraction in Heraklion?
Historical Museum of Crete is one of the top tourist attractions in Heraklion and should be high on every must-do list of the area.
Is three days enough to stay in Heraklion?
Three days in Heraklion is enough to enjoy the city's leading attractions. Many guests spend three days on average. Historical Museum of Crete, Ammoudara Beach and Natural History Museum of Crete are highly rated sights. Like to discover more? Stick around a little longer to visit nearby hotspots like Hersonissos.
Is Heraklion a walkable city?
If exploring on foot sounds like your type of getaway, Heraklion is a great destination. Find leading attractions, like Historical Museum of Crete, within walking distance of downtown. You can also go for a stroll around Ammoudara, a cool neighbourhood located about 5 kilometres from downtown.
What are some activities to do in Heraklion with kids?
Deciding what to do in Heraklion with kids has never been so easy. Whether you're taking a trip with teenagers or toddlers, there's a range of family-friendly attractions to keep them entertained here.

What to do in Heraklion for adults?
Minos-Miliarikis Winery and Boutari are just a couple of the things to do in Heraklion. With plenty of activities available, there's something here for everyone to experience.
Are there free things to do in Heraklion?
In Heraklion, Ammoudara Beach is a popular spot for anyone planning to enjoy the city without opening their wallet. Also, wander around the green spaces and other neighbourhoods, and ask a local tour guide for ideas. It's an easy way to explore the best free things to do in Heraklion.

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