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The fortress walls rise out of the water - Iraklio, Iraklio Province, Crete

Overview

Crete鈥檚 capital, Iraklio (also called Heraklion), is Greece鈥檚 fifth-largest city and the island鈥檚 economic and administrative hub. It's also home to Crete's blockbuster sights: the must-see Heraklion Archaeological Museum and the nearby Palace of Knossos, which both provide fascinating windows into Crete's ancient past.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

  • Historical Museum of Crete

    Historical Museum of Crete

    Iraklio

    If you鈥檙e wondering what Crete鈥檚 been up to for the past, say, 1700 years, a spin around this engagingly curated museum is in order. Exhibits hopscotch鈥

  • Tourists looking at the Phaistos Disc inside the archaeological museum of Heraklion in Crete that hold the most important and complete collection of the Minoan civilisation of Crete on the 28th of August 2022 in Crete, Greece. Many of the artefacts in the museum come from Knossos, the largest Bronze Age archaeological site on the Greek island of Crete. (photo by Andrew Aitchison / In pictures via Getty Images) 1245671474 aitchison, greek, heraklion, neolithic, phaistos disc, archaeological, artefacts, ceremonial, civilization, culture, explore, holiday, remains, statues, tourists, viewing

    Heraklion Archaeological Museum

    Iraklio

    This state-of-the-art museum is one of the largest and most important in Greece. The two-storey revamped 1930s Bauhaus building makes a gleaming showcase鈥

  • Koules fortress in the old Venetian harbor. Heraklion, Crete, Greece; Shutterstock ID 2256844939; your: Barbara Di Castro; gl: 65050; netsuite: Digital ; full: poi 2256844939

    Koules Fortress

    Iraklio

    After six years of restoration, Iraklio鈥檚 symbol, the 16th-century fortress called Rocca al Mare by the Venetians, reopened in August 2016 with a brand鈥

  • Ayios Titos Church - Iraklio, Iraklio Province, Crete

    Church of Agios Titos

    Iraklio

    This majestic church dominates the eponymous, palm-studded square. It had Byzantine origins in AD 961, was converted to a Catholic church by the Venetians鈥

  • Grave of Nikos Kazantzakis

    Grave of Nikos Kazantzakis

    Iraklio

    A simple tomb in the well-preserved Martinengo Bastion south of the city centre honours Nikos Kazantzakis (1883鈥1957), Crete鈥檚 most acclaimed 20th-century鈥

  • Monastery of St Peter & St Paul

    Monastery of St Peter & St Paul

    Iraklio

    One of Iraklio's most striking ruins, this 13th-century Dominican monastery has been rebuilt and repackaged (mosque, movie theatre) numerous times鈥

  • Museum of Christian Art

    Museum of Christian Art

    Iraklio

    Housed in a 13th-century monastery that was later a mosque, this tiny but fascinating museum features well-displayed historic religious artworks from鈥

  • Natural History Museum

    Natural History Museum

    Iraklio

    In an imaginatively recycled power station, a 10-minute walk west from 25 Avgoustou along the waterfront, this museum uses huge dioramas and a terrarium鈥

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