05 December 2023 Last Updated: 12 December 2023

Explore Heraklion, Crete

The Greek beauty of Heraklion comes from its historical diversity, drawing inspiration from all over the Mediterranean, having been the home to Minoans, Arabs, Byzantines, Venetians, and Ottomans. Heraklion’s ancient history has led the city to become a place full of stories to discover, traditions to celebrate, and wonders to behold. Further embrace Heraklion by immersing yourself in the dreamy Mediterranean lifestyle only Greece can provide, and enjoy the sun year-round, lounge all day long at pristine beaches, or simply revel in new rich tastes and savory flavors.

This dream can become a reality through the Greece Golden Visa. It is a Residency by Investment program which enables almost all non-EU nationals to become Residents in the European Union through the purchase of Real Estate in Greece. Investment Visa has vast experience in working with this program and boasts a wide array of properties available in Greece, including Heraklion and Athens. Feel free to browse through our assortment of Properties in Crete and contact our advisors. They will ensure that your needs are put first and find the best house on the market for you.

Things to do in Heraklion

Palace of Minos at Knossos

The history of Heraklion, and by extension, Crete, starts at Knossos. None rival the Palace of Minos at Knossos in terms of historical importance in Crete. It once was at the core of the ancient Minoan civilization, having served as its administrative, cultural, commercial, and religious center. Nowadays, it is a monument to the legacy left behind by the Minoans and it offers a tremendous opportunity to glimpse at the past, as it is incredibly well-preserved. The Palace is also the birthplace of the still not fully understood Linear A, a Minoan script, and is further steeped in myth, as its name is thought to come from the fabled King Minos, who kept the legendary Minotaur in the Labyrinth below the Palace.

The Archaeological Museum of Heraklion

The Heraklion Archaeological Museum is one of the oldest and most important in Greece and Europe, and it is a must for any vested in further continuing their journey into Crete’s past, spanning over five millennia. Though the museum boasts several pieces from all periods of time in Crete, the center of attention is its collection of Minoan artifacts. Learn in greater detail about the ancient Minoans and how they laid the foundation for Crete to become what it is today. Marvel at the intrinsically made sculptures, artworks, including frescoes, and other artifacts recovered from the Palace of Minos at Knossos.

The Koules Fortress

Natural harbors are aplenty in Crete due to the island’s geography. With the increasing importance of the town of Heraklion, the Venetians, during their rule of the island, felt the need to rebuild and improve upon previous fortifications to protect the city from oncoming attacks and invasions. Originally called Rocca al Mare, literally meaning Fortress of the Sea in Italian, the Koules was at the center of the second-longest siege in history, lasting 21 years. It ultimately fell to Ottoman rule, where it would gain its current name, as Koules is a corruption of the Turkish word Su Kulesi, meaning Water Tower. Nowadays, after countless renovations, it is open to the public and is one of Heraklion’s top must-sees and provides amazing views over the city and the sea.

The Heraklion Old Town

The heart and soul of Heraklion is in its Old Town. A day can easily be spent walking around on foot along the narrow streets and alleyways of the Old Town and soaking up the local Greek atmosphere. After visiting the Koules Fortress, cruise along the Old Town’s waterfront promenade and head to the Agios Titos, a Greek Orthodox church deeply connected to Heraklion’s history. Then, head onto 25 August Street and marvel at Venetian Loggia, built in the 17th century, and a place where noblemen convened to discuss the local issues. Continue your journey forward, and do not forget to pass by the iconic Lions Square, known for the Morosini Fountain, a staple of the Old Town, to take some pictures. Head to the bustling Street 1866, where you can feast on some of the freshest and finest Greek delicacies and buy some souvenirs, and finally, check out the Bembo Fountain, yet another iconic landmark of the city, known for sporting a headless fountain adorned with the Venetian coat of arms.

Matala Beach

Want to take a break from exploring and learning all about Cretan history? Then we recommend heading onto Matala Beach. This part of Heraklion blends a sense of freedom with a calm and tranquillity like no other. Combine it with the beach’s pristine waters, and you have the perfect recipe for a day spent lounging and relaxing by the sun. However, the imposing cliffs that steal the show, rising from the sea and dotted by countless man-made caves along its side. Originally thought to be either tombs or living spaces, the Matala Beach Caves actually used to house hippies in the 60s. This fame stuck around and earned Matala a wide and mainstream appeal as a safe haven for hippies.