What to do in Heraklion

Activities, attractions and tours

Heraklion which includes general coastal views
Heraklion which includes general coastal views
Koules Fortress featuring a bay or harbour
Heraklion which includes street scenes
St. Minas Cathedral showing heritage architecture, street scenes and a church or cathedral

Heraklion Attractions

Let Expedia help you to experience the best that Heraklion has to offer! If you’re planning a trip to Heraklion, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling to Heraklion with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Places of interest in Heraklion

Heraklion is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay in Heraklion, and make it a breeze to explore Heraklion and the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in Heraklion to make sure that you enjoy your holiday to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit to Heraklion, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights in Heraklion.

Heraklion attractions

Heraklion has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions in Heraklion to keep you entertained. Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of Heraklion.

Looking for things to do in Heraklion can be time-consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine of Heraklion or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to Heraklion attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season. Happy trails!

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Most fun & popular experiences in Heraklion

Tours & day trips

See all 245 activities
Knossos-Zeus Cave -Old Traditional Villages-Olive Oil Factory

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

Activity duration is 7 hours and 30 minutes
10.0 out of 10 with 155 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is £99 per adult
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Private & custom tours

See all 119 activities
Private Tour-Knossos Palace Zeus Cave Olive Oil Mill & Wine

Private Tour-Knossos Palace Zeus Cave Olive Oil Mill & Wine

Activity duration is 8 hours
10.0 out of 10 with 59 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is £108 per adult
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Wildlife & nature

See all 15 activities
Crete: Land Rover Safari on Minoan Route

Crete: Land Rover Safari on Minoan Route

Activity duration is 8 hours
9.8 out of 10 with 163 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is £82 per adult
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Cruises & boat tours

See all 10 activities
Plaka, Spinalonga, Agios Nikolaos - Small Group Winter Tour

Plaka, Spinalonga, Agios Nikolaos - Small Group Winter Tour

Activity duration is 8 hours
Free cancellation available
Price is £66 per adult
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Weddings & honeymoons

See all 3 activities
Private Photoshoot In Analipsi

Private Photoshoot In Analipsi

Activity duration is 45 minutes
Free cancellation available
Price is £69 per traveller*
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Recommended things to do in Heraklion

Number of things to do
269
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia
Crete Uncovered: Your Complete Island Guide: £4
Top 5 things to do
Half-day tours
With kids

What to do in Heraklion

Popular places to visit

Heraklion Port which includes a marina

Heraklion Port

Spend an afternoon wandering around this ancient harbor and admiring the fortress and ancient walls or take a trip to one of the nearby islands.

Heraklion Port
Columns in the Palace of Knossos

Palace of Knossos

Take a tour around one of Europe’s most spectacular archaeological sites, where Greek myths have been made and great treasures discovered.

Palace of Knossos
Heraklion Archaeological Museum showing street scenes

Heraklion Archaeological Museum

One of Europe’s most important museums has five millennia of Cretan history on display, including the exceptional Minoan exhibit.

Heraklion Archaeological Museum
Historical Museum of Crete which includes street scenes

Historical Museum of Crete

Trace the history of this ancient town through its numerous periods and discover traditional art and fascinating stories.

Historical Museum of Crete
Koules Fortress showing heritage architecture and a castle

Koules Fortress

The prominent symbol of Heraklion, this imposing fortress by the harbor has protected the city for over 500 years.

Koules Fortress
Heraklion Loggia featuring interior views and heritage architecture

Heraklion Loggia

Take a look around this stunning Venetian monument, also the site of the Heraklion town hall.

Heraklion Loggia
St. Titus Church featuring street scenes, a square or plaza and a church or cathedral

Agios Titos Church

Dedicated to the patron saint of Crete, this Byzantine church has been renovated and repurposed by some of the world's greatest historical empires.

Agios Titos Church
Morosini Fountain showing a fountain

Morosini Fountain

Don’t miss this ornate fountain in Heraklion’s central square, which once brought daily drinking water to thousands of inhabitants.

Morosini Fountain
Natural History Museum of Crete

Natural History Museum of Crete

Don’t miss the chance to learn about Crete’s unique natural environment at this excellent modern museum.

Natural History Museum of Crete

Explore areas of Heraklion

Knoss palace on the Crete,Greece

Nea Alikarnassos

You'll appreciate the restaurants during your time in Nea Alikarnassos and you might want to plan a stop by Heraklion Port and Heraklion Archaeological Museum while you're in the area.

Nea Alikarnassos

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Day trip destinations from Heraklion

Aerial view of the harbor of the famous resort Chersonissos, Crete, Greece

Hersonissos

Ammoudara which includes general coastal views

Ammoudara

Heraklion featuring a coastal town, heritage architecture and boating

Archanes-Asterousia

Kreta - Malevizi - Fodele Beach

Malevizi

Tempels des Pythian Apollo.

Gortyna

Near Karteros Beach, walking along the highway you see amazing views

Karteros

The ruins of the palace of Knossos are spectacular. You are able to walk around and through the majority of the rooms and get some great pictures. Definitely worth a visit and I'd also recommend going to the archaeological museum in Heraklion which is about 5km from Knossos, you can get a combined ticket for 16 euros!

Skalani

#LifeAtExpediaGroup

Knosos

Frequently asked questions

Is Heraklion worth visiting?
Renowned for its coastal beaches and history, discovering awesome things to do in Heraklion is easy. Be sure to add Historical Museum of Crete to your trip itinerary while here.
How do I spend a day in Heraklion?
Historical Museum of Crete and Ammoudara Beach are two great places to kick-start your adventures. Be sure to check out the shopping and dining options in Heraklion while you're here too.
What is the top tourist attraction in Heraklion?
Historical Museum of Crete is one of the top tourist attractions in Heraklion and should be high on every must-do list of the area.
Is three days enough to stay in Heraklion?
Three days in Heraklion is enough to enjoy the city's leading attractions. Many guests spend three days on average. Historical Museum of Crete, Ammoudara Beach and Natural History Museum of Crete are highly rated sights. Like to discover more? Stick around a little longer to visit nearby hotspots like Hersonissos.
Is Heraklion a walkable city?
If exploring on foot sounds like your type of getaway, Heraklion is a great destination. Find leading attractions, like Historical Museum of Crete, within walking distance of downtown. You can also go for a stroll around Ammoudara, a cool neighbourhood located about 5 kms (3 miles) from downtown.
What are some activities to do in Heraklion with kids?
Deciding what to do in Heraklion with kids has never been so easy. Whether you're taking a trip with teenagers or toddlers, there's a range of family-friendly attractions to keep them entertained here.

What to do in Heraklion for adults?
Minos-Miliarikis Winery and Boutari are just a couple of the things to do in Heraklion. With plenty of activities available, there's something here for everyone to experience.
Are there free things to do in Heraklion?
In Heraklion, Ammoudara Beach is a popular spot for anyone planning to enjoy the city without opening their wallet. Also, wander around the green spaces and other neighbourhoods, and ask a local tour guide for ideas. It's an easy way to explore the best free things to do in Heraklion.

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