{"id":168,"date":"2026-05-04T17:09:20","date_gmt":"2026-05-04T17:09:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/12-conf.iake.gr\/?page_id=168"},"modified":"2026-05-04T23:37:11","modified_gmt":"2026-05-04T23:37:11","slug":"city-guide","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/12-conf.iake.gr\/?page_id=168&lang=en","title":{"rendered":"City Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Venetian Koules Fortress<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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This Venetian sea fortress is located at the entrance to the old port of Chandakas to protect the city. The Venetians called it “Fortress in the Sea,” but today it retains its Turkish name, Koules, derived from Su Kulesi<\/em>. Its construction was completed by 1540, and it fell into the hands of the Ottomans along with the rest of Crete in 1669. For centuries, it protected the city but also served as a prison. From the highest point of the fortress, the view of the harbour and the entire city of Heraklion is unique.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Church of Saint Titus<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Immediately after the conquest of Crete by the Ottomans, it was converted into a Muslim mosque, known as the Vezir Mosque. After the destruction of the complex by the great earthquake of 1856, it was rebuilt by Athanasios Mousis. In 1925, after the departure of the Turks and the exchange of populations, it was converted into a Christian church with minimal interventions. Here is kept the sacred relic of Saint Titus, whose return was made by Saint Mark of Venice in 1966. It is the oldest church in Heraklion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

25th August Street<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The largest pedestrian street in the city. It stretches from the Venetian harbour all the way to the city centre, lined with neoclassical buildings, shops, traditional stores, caf\u00e9s and restaurants. There are also several souvenir shops, traditional costume boutiques and much more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Tomb of Nikos Kazantzakis<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The tomb of the great Cretan writer Nikos Kazantzakis (1883\u20131957) is located at the highest point of the Walls of Heraklion, the Martinengo Bastion, with a panoramic view of the city. His tomb is simple, with a wooden cross and a plaque engraved with his famous words: “I hope for nothing. I fear nothing. I am free.”<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Archaeological Museum of Heraklion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The collection of Minoan antiquities is the most important for Minoan culture in the world. It is one of the largest and most important museums in Greece and one of the most significant archaeological museums in Europe. Housed in a spacious building with 27 rooms, its exhibits span some 5,500 years \u2014 from Neolithic times to the Roman era. Highlights include the Snake Goddesses, the famous frescoes of the Prince of the Lilies, the Phaistos Disc, the Ring of Minos and double axes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u23f0 Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun: 8:00\u201320:00 | Wed: 13:00\u201320:00  |  \ud83c\udf9f\ufe0f \u20ac12<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Natural History Museum of Crete<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Spanning 3,500 m\u00b2 of exhibition space, the museum presents the natural environment of Crete in comparison with Greece and the eastern Mediterranean in an impressive and innovative way. Across four levels, visitors can explore life-size Dioramas, the Giant Deinotherium (the largest prehistoric animal of Crete, living 8.5 million years ago), a Living Museum with local animals, an interactive Children’s Discovery Zone, and Engealdos \u2014 an experiential earthquake simulator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u23f0 May\u2013Oct: Mon\u2013Fri 09:00\u201317:00, Sat\u2013Sun 10:00\u201318:00  |  \ud83c\udf9f\ufe0f \u20ac8<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morosini Fountain \/ Lions Fountain<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The Morosini Fountain (also known as the Lions Fountain) is one of the most beautiful Venetian monuments in Chandax. Water once arrived here from Mount Juktas via the giant 15 km Morosini Aqueduct. Named after Venetian Governor Francesco Morozini, it is decorated with reliefs of Greek mythological marine figures \u2014 tritons and dolphins \u2014 along with Venetian coats of arms. Four lions crown the basin, water flowing from their mouths. Nearby are caf\u00e9s, restaurants and bars perfect for a taste of bougatsa or gyros.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Venetian Loggia \u2013 Heraklion Town Hall<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The Loggia is the building that today houses Heraklion’s town hall. Located on 25th August Street, just north of Lions Square, it was during the Venetian era a gathering place for nobles and lords who discussed the city’s economic, commercial and political affairs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Agios Minas Church<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The magnificent metropolitan church of the patron saint of Heraklion was founded on 25 March 1862 and completed in 1895, designed by Epirot architect Athanasios Mousis. It is one of the most beautiful and imposing churches in Crete and is open to visitors all day. In front of it stands a small church built in 1735 \u2014 the original “little Agios Minas,” as locals call it. Next to the church is a large square with charming caf\u00e9s overlooking the Museum-Church of St. Catherine of Sinai (16th century).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Knossos<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Located 5 km southeast of Heraklion, Knossos is the most iconic remnant of the Minoan civilization. According to tradition, it was the seat of King Minos and is linked to the myths of the Labyrinth and the Minotaur, and of Daedalus and Icarus. It was discovered in 1878 by Minos Kalokairinos, and systematic excavations were carried out from 1900 to 1931.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u23f0 08:00\u201320:00 (last entry 19:45)  |  \ud83c\udf9f\ufe0f \u20ac15  |  \ud83d\ude8c Bus No. 2 “Knossos” from Heraklion<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Historical Museum of Crete<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Founded in 1953 by the Society of Cretan Historical Studies (EKIM), the museum is housed in a magnificent neoclassical building \u2014 the former home of Minos Kalokairinos. Its permanent collections cover Byzantine ceramics and sculptures, coins, Ottoman-era religious relics, objects from the Cretan Revolutions, portraits of Cretan fighters and WWII documents. It is located on Heraklion’s coastal avenue, close to the city centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u23f0 Mon\u2013Sun: 09:00\u201317:00  |  \ud83c\udf9f\ufe0f \u20ac5<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Phaistos<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A city of Minoan Crete located 55 km south of Heraklion, near Tympaki. The ruins stand on a low hill in the Messara Plain with sweeping panoramic views. It is the second largest Minoan palace centre after Knossos, covering 18 acres. Inhabited since 6000 BC, it flourished alongside Knossos until the 1st century BC. According to legend, it was founded around 2000 BC by King Minos, with his brother the mythical Rhadamanthus as its ruler.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u23f0 Daily 08:00\u201320:00  |  \ud83c\udf9f\ufe0f \u20ac8  |  \ud83d\ude8c Regular KTEL buses from Heraklion<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CRETAquarium \u2013 Thalassocosmos<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Located in Gournes, 14 km east of Heraklion, CRETAquarium is the largest aquarium in Greece and one of the most modern in Europe. Its 61 tanks hold a combined 1,600,000 litres of water and are home to 2,500 organisms from 200 species. The site serves as a unique park for research, education, culture and recreation focused on the marine environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u23f0 Daily 09:30\u201316:00  |  \ud83c\udf9f\ufe0f \u20ac12  |  \ud83d\ude8c Heraklion KTEL bus (stop No. 9)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Archanes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Just 14 km from Heraklion, Archanes is one of the most beautiful traditional settlements in Crete. Vivid colours, enticing aromas, restored mansions and surrounding vineyards producing some of the finest Cretan wines. Explore atmospheric neighbourhoods with stone-cobbled streets and lanterns, a Folklore Museum, an Archaeological Museum, a Sculpture Workshop and the Museum of Cretan History and Tradition nearby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\ude8c KTEL bus from the port (~every 1 hour)  |  \u23f1\ufe0f 30-minute journey<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Venetian Koules Fortress This Venetian sea fortress is located at the entrance to the old port of Chandakas to protect the city. The Venetians called it “Fortress in the Sea,” but today it retains its Turkish name, Koules, derived from Su Kulesi. Its construction was completed by 1540, and it fell into the hands of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-168","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/12-conf.iake.gr\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/168","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/12-conf.iake.gr\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/12-conf.iake.gr\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/12-conf.iake.gr\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/12-conf.iake.gr\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=168"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/12-conf.iake.gr\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/168\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":182,"href":"https:\/\/12-conf.iake.gr\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/168\/revisions\/182"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/12-conf.iake.gr\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=168"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}