A Day in Heraklion

You can easily find what to do and what to see in the largest city of Crete, Heraklion. Forget about travel guides and just let yourself wander through the charming streets of the city of Heracles.

25th August Street – 1.5 hour

Once on 25th August Street, you can safely turn off the navigator and go forward to see all the main attractions. Just like Ariadne’s thread, the city connects the center to the Venetian harbor and Koules Fortress. Most of the major landmarks are along this route so you won’t miss any of them by any stretch.

Lion fountain, the meeting place for lovers and tourists who got lost, X-century church of Saint Titus, and the City Hall (Loggia), the most elegant building in the city. Loggia was the Club of the Duke and now the city officials. Do not hesitate to enter the yard and see everything in details. The former club for the local nobility has been expertly restored, and now you can admire the rejuvenated Venetian architecture of XVII century.

If the doors to Basilica of Saint Mark are open, feel free to visit it. Built in 1239, it houses the Municipal Art Gallery of Heraklion today. It is especially pleasant to view the canvases of modern artists at noon, when the weather outside is torrid and you enjoy the refreshing coolness of the stone arches. By the way, pay attention to the greenish columns: they were taken from the Knossos Palace, where, according to the legend, Minotaur lived.

Going along 25th August Street, do not forget about the main value of the islanders. We mean the art of relaxation, which is expressed in the enjoyment of food and leisurely conversation. Stop somewhere in an open-air café and watch the locals having lively conversations at the neighbouring tables. This is a national feature of all the residents, and the merchants take it to the extreme. 

Market – 2 hours

25th August Street smoothly flows into 1866 Street, where the Central Market is located. It is practically lined with stores clanged together and is a sacred place for those hunting for delicacies, sweets, different things, and works of art.

Fishermen lay out their fresh catch on ice, farmers fill the shelves with fresh fruit, cheeses, and sausages… Both locals and tourists crowd here. Experienced travelers are looking for the legendary Cretan textiles made from handmade natural fabrics, tapestries, handmade carpets, and silver at this motley but well-ordered market. The fact is that Cretan silver is very special as they process and polish it so that it cannot be distinguished from white gold.

Local jewelry manufacturers will be glad to talk with you and tell about their work, and if you agree to buy something, they will help you to choose what will fit you best. Believe us, it will be a really “your” thing.

Cretan cuisine – 2.5 hours

Cretans claim that their cuisine is different from the Greek one. Perhaps, they really use more herbs on the island but in other things, it’s hard to judge.  To be able to see the difference, you should live here for at least half a year. Anyway, who needs these comparisons if you can just enjoy your meal as the ancient Greeks did.

If this is your first time in Greece, order meze: it is not just one dish but at least six different ones. As for us, we prefer souvlaki (barbecue), a large portion of Greek salad, and ice cream for dessert. Want something typically Cretan? Ask the waiter to bring something of local, authentic dishes, for example, Cretan pies with meat and cheese or smoked pork.

You can try Cretan tastes almost everywhere: from restaurants to small three-table private taverns. The most popular places are concentrated on the embankment. We recommend the Kastella restaurant opposite the fortress where they serve a delicious seafood cocktail as well as Ippocambos with its “Herculean” portions and a delicious grilled octopus. 

Embankment – 1 hour

After a hearty meal, your sacred duty is to spend the most calories. There is nothing better for this than a walk along the Embankment to the Koules fortress, surrounded by the sea. The views of the old but perfectly preserved citadel and turquoise waves will be a wonderful background for your pictures.

Built by either the Venetians or the pirates to protect the marina and port, today the fort is a nice place for walking, enjoying the wind, and admiring the brightly painted fishing boats. You even may buy some fresh catch here. This is where fishermen often sell sponges and beautiful shells just from the sea. If you are still looking for gifts, local artisans selling their works along the pier offer interesting handmade souvenirs. 

Beach – 2 hours

Cretan beaches are the inestimable wealth of the island. There is a variety of the beaches here: several-kilometers long and small ones, hidden in the rocks; pebble and sandy where the sand can be golden, snow-white, reddish, and even dramatically dark. But the closest to Heraklion is Ammoudara Beach. Located just 5 km from the city, it is easy and simple to get to by taxi or bus.

A long well-kept sandy beach is surrounded by hotels, had all sorts of amenities and corners to enjoy and relax. You can lie on a sun lounger in the shade drinking iced coffee frappe or can drive a jet ski in the sun. If you want, you can take a windsurfing lesson at the only school of this sport on the whole island. You can guess that it is located right there, on Ammoudara Beach. In principle, you can spend the whole day here: sunbathe and swim in the morning, hide in the shade in one of the many cafes and taverns in the afternoon, and enjoy the sunset in the evening. 

Our timing with a guide is far from the guideline to follow. You can start your day in Heraklion from the beach and spend only 20 minutes for shopping. You may even miss some attractions or perhaps find some of your own unexplored corners of Heraklion. We mainly planned our day trip as a slow walk. But there may be much more programs for a day tour to the island capital: culinary tour or relaxation program, beach therapy or study of the history and mysteries of Crete. Next time we will definitely have a walk in the style of the ancient Minoan kings and queens.