Port of Heraklion

The city of Heraklion is located on the central-eastern part of Crete, the largest island of Greece. Heraklion is the island's most important civic center — its capital and its financial, social and scientific hub. Considering its size, it is the 4th largest city in Greece.

The history of Heraklion begins many centuries ago with the Minoan civilization. Knossos was its center, and Heraklion is said to have been its main port. The area developed largely thanks to the Minoans' overseas trading, giving Heraklion a strategic position between three continents (Asia, Africa and Europe) — which later made it a target for many would-be conquerors.

The Venetians ruled the city for many years and contributed significantly to the island's architecture and to the growth of overseas trade; Heraklion's port soon became the most important in the eastern Mediterranean, at the crossroads of the major commercial sea routes. After the Ottoman conquest and a short period of autonomy, Crete was united with the rest of Greece in 1913, and Heraklion was recognised as its capital in 1971.

Today Heraklion, like the rest of Crete, relies economically on tourism, international trade and agriculture. Its main attractions include the Venetian fortress "Koules", the walls around the old city, Lions Square in the center, and the church of Saint Titus. Heraklion's international airport, "Nikos Kazantzakis", is one of the busiest in the country, especially in summer, with connections from all around the world.

Many internationally recognised personalities were born in Heraklion, including the writers and poets Nikos Kazantzakis (known for "Zorba the Greek") and Odysseus Elytis (Nobel Prize in Literature, 1979), as well as the celebrated painter Domenikos Theotokopoulos, better known as El Greco.

The region is best known for its olive oil, cheese and barley rusks (paximadia). Raki, a traditional Cretan spirit, is another local favourite.

Heraklion's region includes Knossos, Hersonissos, Malia, Alikarnassos and Stalis, and lies close to the Lasithi region — Aghios Nikolaos, Sissi, Elounda, Istron and Ierapetra. Santorini is a top destination connected to Heraklion by sea, and the most popular short escape: less than two hours away on our vessels.