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Heraklion, Greece

Things to Do in Heraklion

Top sights, the tours and tickets travellers book most, hidden gems and day trips.

Most booked:5Hour Safari Tour in Crete(Heraklion)with Quad,Jeep,Buggy & Lunch

Most booked tours and tickets in Heraklion

5Hour Safari Tour in Crete(Heraklion)with Quad,Jeep,Buggy & Lunch

5Hour Safari Tour in Crete(Heraklion)with Quad,Jeep,Buggy & Lunch

4.81,291 reviews5h
Knossos - Zeus Cave - Old Traditional Villages-Olive Oil Factory

Knossos - Zeus Cave - Old Traditional Villages-Olive Oil Factory

5.0766 reviews7h 30m
Dia Island Sailing Cruise with Meal and Water Activities

Dia Island Sailing Cruise with Meal and Water Activities

4.7589 reviews5h
Day Trip to Agios Nikolaos and Spinalonga Island

Day Trip to Agios Nikolaos and Spinalonga Island

4.4460 reviews8h
Knossos & Lasithi Plateau: Zeus Cave, Villages, Olive Oil Tour

Knossos & Lasithi Plateau: Zeus Cave, Villages, Olive Oil Tour

5.0428 reviews7h
Boat Trip in Crete with Guided Snorkeling and Free Pick up!

Boat Trip in Crete with Guided Snorkeling and Free Pick up!

4.7293 reviews4h
Heraklion: Dia Catamaran Cruise Mediterranean Meal & Water Fun

Heraklion: Dia Catamaran Cruise Mediterranean Meal & Water Fun

4.9269 reviews5h
Sailing Trip to Dia with Snorkeling, Dining & Sunset Option

Sailing Trip to Dia with Snorkeling, Dining & Sunset Option

4.9261 reviews4h 30m

Tickets and tours by attraction

The best options for each of Heraklion's top sights, compared.

Top sights in Heraklion

  1. 1Palace of Knossos
  2. 2Archaeological Museum
  3. 3Venetian Fortress
  4. 4Old Town
  5. 5Lion Square
  6. 6Venetian Harbor
  • Walk in the Footsteps of the Minoans: Explore the legendary Palace of Knossos, the ceremonial and political center of Europe's first advanced civilization. See the throne room, the grand staircase, and the intricate frescoes that bring the myth of the Minotaur to life.
  • World-Class Archaeology: The Heraklion Archaeological Museum is arguably the finest in Greece for Minoan art. Marvel at the Phaistos Disc, the Snake Goddess figurines, and the exquisite Bull-Leaping fresco, all displayed in a modern, chronological journey.
  • Imposing Venetian Heritage: Discover the massive sea fortress of Koules dominating the old harbor, and walk along the immense Venetian Walls—some of the best-preserved in the Mediterranean. Don't miss the Loggia, the elegant noblemen's club, and the Morosini Fountain in Lion Square.

Tickets and passes in Heraklion

Quad Safari: Off-Road Day Tour with Dinner & Transfers

Quad Safari: Off-Road Day Tour with Dinner & Transfers

4.9590 reviews5h
Let's get Wet: Watercity Waterpark Admission Ticket

Let's get Wet: Watercity Waterpark Admission Ticket

4.2302 reviews24h
Safari Club: Katharo Route Tour from Agios Nikolaos

Safari Club: Katharo Route Tour from Agios Nikolaos

5.0263 reviews8h

Food and drink experiences in Heraklion

Heraklion SUV Private Guided Wine Tour with Lunch

Heraklion SUV Private Guided Wine Tour with Lunch

5.0174 reviews6h
Crete: Olive Oil, Soap, Wine, Raki - Flavorful Culinary Journey

Crete: Olive Oil, Soap, Wine, Raki - Flavorful Culinary Journey

4.8146 reviews6h

Hidden gems in Heraklion

Places most visitors miss, many of them free.

Agios Minas Cathedral

One of the largest cathedrals in Greece, a grand 19th-century Orthodox church dedicated to the patron saint of Heraklion.

Lakkos District

A formerly neglected neighborhood near the walls that has been transformed by street art into an open-air gallery.

Venezianiko Mylos (Venetian Mill)

A restored 17th-century Venetian windmill located in the suburb of Poros, just east of the city walls.

The Tomb of Nikos Kazantzakis

The simple grave of Crete's most famous writer and philosopher, located on the southernmost bastion of the Venetian walls (Martinengo Bastion).

Museum of Visual Arts

A small, modern museum housed in a renovated industrial building near the harbor.

Day trips from Heraklion

Phaistos & Matala

1 hour by car or bus

Visit the spectacular Minoan palace of Phaistos, dramatically perched on a hill with sweeping views of the Messara Plain. Then, descend to the famous hippie beach of Matala, with its iconic Roman-era caves carved into the cliffs.

The Lasithi Plateau & Dikteon Cave

1.5 hours by car

Journey into the mountains to the fertile Lasithi Plateau, dotted with thousands of white-sailed windmills. Explore the Dikteon Cave, revered in mythology as the birthplace of Zeus, with its impressive stalactites and stalagmites.

Agios Nikolaos & Spinalonga Island

1 hour 15 min by car or bus

Discover the chic resort town of Agios Nikolaos, built around a picturesque lake. From nearby Elounda, take a boat to the haunting island fortress of Spinalonga, a former Venetian stronghold and later a leper colony.

Plan your Heraklion trip

Things to do in Heraklion: FAQ

What are the best things to do in Heraklion?+

Top sights include Palace of Knossos, Archaeological Museum, Venetian Fortress and Old Town. Away from the crowds, try Agios Minas Cathedral and Lakkos District.

What are the most popular tours in Heraklion?+

The most booked experiences on Viator are 5Hour Safari Tour in Crete(Heraklion)with Quad,Jeep,Buggy & Lunch (4.8 stars, 1,291 reviews); Knossos - Zeus Cave - Old Traditional Villages-Olive Oil Factory (5.0 stars, 766 reviews); Quad Safari: Off-Road Day Tour with Dinner & Transfers (4.9 stars, 590 reviews).

How much do tours in Heraklion cost?+

The tours and tickets on this page start between €33 and €189 per person, depending on length and what is included.

Tours and prices from Viator, a Tripadvisor company. Prices change with your dates. We may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you.