Holidays in Heraklion

An introduction to Heraklion

First of all, there’s every chance you’ll find Crete’s capital spelt in different ways – Heraklion to some is Iraklio, Iraklion or Irakleio to others. They are all, however, one and the same. As for what to expect, Heraklion is a modern, bustling city and one of the largest in Greece. There are two main squares – Plateia Venizelou and Plateia Eleftherias, the former of which is instantly recognisable thanks to its Lion Fountain. Of the city’s attractions, the main event is the Archaeological Museum. Second in size and importance only to the National Archaeological Museum in Athens, it’s a must for anyone interested in Minoans, with pottery, figurines and sarcophagi in among other exhibits. The historical Museum of Crete, meanwhile, offers another really interesting insight into the island’s more recent past. It includes 13th-century frescoes, coins and jewellery. Museums aside, much of the buzz is found in 1866 – the city’s market street, where there’s a huge choice in bars and restaurants. Here, you’ll find grilled fish and traditional Greek dishes are very much the order of the day. And lastly, there’s no escaping the city’s pretty harbour, dominated by the Venetian fortress. It was their rule, from the 13thcentury onwards, that resulted in much of the city’s architecture, as well as the fortifying walls.

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