Places to visit un Heraklion

Heraklion Ferry Port Terminal Facilities:

Heraklion ferry port has extensive facilities that cater for all needs of its visitors. Inside the port area but also within walking distance of the port you will find many shops and restaurants, as well as travel agents and tour operators. There are numerous hotels ranging from luxury class to small rent-a-room and youth hostels.

Those with disabilities will find good wheelchair access onboard all ferries operating to the islands, and to international destinations. However passengers are advised to inform their ferry company of any special needs when making their reservations.

Parking is available at the port for both the short and long-term, with designated areas available for those with disabilities.

Minoan Lines ferries services the Heraklion to Piraeus ferry route, Heraklion to Thessaloniki port and Patras-Corfu-Igoumenitsa. The Heraklion-Piraeus route is operated twice daily during summer season, departing Heraklion at 22:00 and arriving in Piraeus at 5:00 the next morning. There is also a midday sail during the summer season departing Heraklion at 11:00.

The journey time is 7 hours. The Heraklion-Thessaloniki route is serviced twice a week during the low season (Tuesday and Friday) and three times a week during the high season (Monday, Wednesday and Friday). The stops en-route also change depending on the season and sometimes the day of the week, however most ferry sailings are Heraklion - Santorini - Paros - Tinos - Skitahos - Thessaloniki. The journey time is 23 hours.

Minoan Lines ferries operate daily ferry crossings too from Heraklion to Piraeus and links many of the Greek Islands with mainland Greece and Italy. The company has been in business for over 30 years, servicing the Aegean and Adriatic Sea ferry routes.

Timetables:

Crete to Piraeus ferries timetable with ANEK Lines:

• HERAKLIO to PIRAEUS 21:00 05:30
• PIRAEUS to HERAKLIO 21:00 05:30

Crete to Piraeus ferries timetable with MINOAN Lines:

• HERAKLION to PIRAEUS 22:00 05:00 
• PIRAEUS to HERAKLIO 22:00 05:00

Places to See

Landmarks:

• The Minoan Palace of Knossosit the site of the most important and best known Minoan palace complex in Crete. It is located some 5 km south of Heraklion. According to tradition, Knossos was the seat of the legendary Cretan king Minos. The Palace is also connected with further legends, such as the myth of the Labyrinth and the Minotaur, as well as the story of Daidalos and Ikaros. 
• Venetian Walls 
• Loggia (Greek: Λότζια) 
• Lions Square (Greek: Πλατεία Λεόντων)

Museums and Galleries:

• Heraklion Archaeological Museum, open summer daily 8am-7.30pm, closed 1 January, 25 March, Easter, 1 May, 25-26 December, includes admission to Knossos Palace - houses the most important and representative finds from Minoan civilisation and excavations across the island of Crete. Highlights include statues of the Snake Goddesses, the famous Bull-Leaping Fresco, the enigmatic and mysterious Phaistos Disk, and Minoan seals and jewellery. Also includes a number of finds from Classical Greek and Roman periods. 
• Museum of the Battle for Crete and National Resistance - recounts the tale of Cretan and Allied resistance against Nazi invaders in World War II 
• Museum of Natural History andHistorical Museum

Getting to Heraklion Ferry port:

Getting to Heraklion Ferry port by Car

Its very easy to reach Heraklion ferry port by car, Heraklion is in the center of the north coast of Crete Island, if driving from Agios Nikolaos, take the national road and drive towards west, which is the shortest way to reach Heraklion and follow signs to the ferry port. From within the town of Heraklion drive towrds north or along the sea side and follow signs. Driving from Rethymnon or Chania to Heraklion, take the national road, drive towards west and follow the signs.

Getting to Heraklion Ferry port by Taxi

Taxis are cheap in Greece and can be easily found in every place. Several radio taxi companies are available in Heraklion or eslewhere in Crete Island and can easily pre book your transport to Heraklion ferry port.

Source: www.AFerry.to