Heraklion Holidays

Crete's capital and largest city, Heraklion gives you world-class museums, the legendary Knossos Palace on your doorstep, and a vibrant urban scene that comes alive after dark. It's perfect for anyone who loves history, you're literally staying where Europe's first advanced civilisation began, while enjoying all the perks of a modern Mediterranean city.

🏖️  Holidays to Heraklion 2026

• ☀️ Summers hit 26–30°C with barely a cloud in sight. Spring and autumn sit in the low-to-mid 20s — ideal for sightseeing without melting.

• 💶 A pint of local beer runs about €3–5 and a meal for two with wine comes in around €30–50. It's a proper city, so prices are a touch higher than the quieter resorts, but still brilliant value compared to back home.

• 🏺 You're staying where European civilisation literally started. Knossos Palace — home of the Minotaur legend — is just 5km down the road, and the Archaeological Museum is one of the most important in the world.

🏛️ Why do we love Heraklion holidays?

• 🏺 Home to Knossos Palace – Europe's oldest city and cradle of Minoan civilization

• 🏛️ World-class Archaeological Museum with the planet's finest Minoan collection

• 🌃 Vibrant nightlife scene with rooftop bars, clubs, and late-night tavernas

• 🍽️ Incredible food scene from street food to upscale dining

• ✈️ Super convenient with the airport just 5km away

🏨 Heraklion Hotels 2026/2027 — Where to Stay

From boutique city pads to polished five-star stays, Heraklion puts you at the heart of both ancient history and modern Greek life. The best spots give you easy access to cultural sites by day and the buzzing nightlife by night. Have a nosy at some of our fave picks below...

For Couples

• Lato Boutique Hotel — Stylish harbourfront hotel with knockout views over the Venetian fortress. The rooftop restaurant serves Mediterranean dishes with panoramic sea views, and you're a stone's throw from the old town's best bars and restaurants. Proper sophisticated.

• Olive Green Hotel — A 100% eco-friendly boutique hotel bang in the centre, just 300m from Lions Square. In-room tablets, rainfall showers and complimentary handmade breakfast. Modern, sustainable and cool as anything.

• Galaxy Hotel Iraklio — Modern five-star just outside the city centre with pools, gardens and a 24-hour wellness club. Ten-minute walk to the historic centre, and Knossos is a quick drive. Great for couples who want resort-style comfort with easy city access.

For Culture Lovers & City Breakers

• Capsis Astoria — Elegant four-star sitting right on Plateia Eleftherias, the city's main square. Rooftop pool with views over the Venetian port, and the Archaeological Museum is literally steps away. Perfect if you want to be in the thick of the action.

• Aquila Atlantis Hotel — Central four-star with rooftop pool, spa and easy walking distance to the main museums and old town. A solid, well-reviewed base for exploring Heraklion's cultural highlights.

Luxury

• GDM Megaron — Five-star elegance right in Heraklion's shopping and cultural district, overlooking the old harbour. Rooftop pool with sea views, an on-site spa with hammam, and the Archaeological Museum is a short stroll away. If you want luxury with city-centre convenience, this is the one.

• Ethereal White Resort — Sleek boutique luxury with contemporary design and premium service. For anyone seeking a stylish urban retreat that puts you right at the centre of Heraklion's vibrant cultural scene.

Budget-Friendly

• Castello City Hotel — No-frills 68-room city hotel near the port with a rooftop bar on the fifth floor. Walking distance to the main sights, and won't empty your wallet. Solid pick for a city break base.

• Ibis Styles Heraklion Central — Reliable, centrally located and wallet-friendly. You know what you're getting with Ibis — clean, comfy and perfectly placed for exploring. Job done.

More Heraklion hotels

🌞 Best time to go on your Heraklion holidays

Heraklion has a long sunshine season and a vibrant year-round atmosphere thanks to its big local population, cultural events and city energy.

• Spring (Apr–Jun) – warm, breezy and perfect for sightseeing, old-town exploring and beach trips without the intense summer heat. Flowers bloom, terraces fill, and the weather sits comfortably in the low–mid 20s.

• Summer (Jul–Aug) – hot, lively and full of Mediterranean energy. Expect high 20s to low 30s, long beach days, late dinners outdoors and a proper holiday buzz across the city.

• Autumn (Sep–Oct) – a sweet spot for warm seas, golden evenings and quieter sightseeing. The temperatures stay summery, and cultural events pick up again - ideal for couples and foodies.

• Winter (Nov–Mar) – mild, local and atmospheric. Many tourists disappear, but the city stays open, with museums, cafés, shops and historic sites still buzzing with everyday life. Cooler days (around 12–16°C) make it great for exploring.

🧳 Heraklion Holidays 2026/2027 — Travel Guide

Heraklion is about diving deep into history during the day and embracing modern Greek city life by night. Whether you're exploring ancient palaces or eating your body weight in Cretan cheese, this city delivers.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Families

• 🏺 Knossos Palace — Take the kids to the legendary labyrinth of King Minos, just 5km south of the city. It's one of Europe's most important archaeological sites and genuinely fascinating for all ages. Bus number 2 runs every 15–20 minutes from the city centre.

• 🐠 CretAquarium — One of the biggest aquariums in the Mediterranean, about 15km east toward Gouves. Over 2,500 marine creatures across 60 tanks, from sharks to jellyfish. Brilliant rainy-day backup.

• 🏖️ Ammoudara Beach — A massive 7km stretch of sandy beach just west of the city with Blue Flag status, watersports and sunbed hire. Easy to reach by local bus or a short drive. Link up with Amoudara for nearby hotels.

• 🏛️ Heraklion Archaeological Museum — One of the most important museums in Greece, packed with Minoan treasures including the famous Bull-Leaper fresco and the Phaistos Disc. Kids who've just seen Knossos will love connecting the dots here.

💑 Couples

• 🌅 Venetian Harbour sunset stroll — Walk the harbour wall to Koules Fortress as the sun drops behind the mountains. Grab a cocktail at one of the waterfront bars and watch the fishing boats bob. Dead romantic.

• 🍷 Wine tasting in the Archanes region — The vineyards just south of Heraklion produce some of Crete's finest wines. Several wineries offer tastings and tours, and the drive through the countryside is gorgeous.

• 🏛️ Historical Museum of Crete — A comprehensive journey from Byzantine to modern times, including two original El Greco paintings. Less crowded than the Archaeological Museum and properly fascinating.

• 🍽️ Rooftop dining — Heraklion's got a brilliant rooftop scene. Several restaurants around the old town serve upscale Cretan cuisine with panoramic views over the city and sea.

👯 Groups & Mates

• 🍻 Plateia Venizelou (Lions Square) — The city's main square surrounded by bars, cafes and late-night eateries. The Morosini Fountain sits in the middle and the whole area buzzes from afternoon aperitifs to the small hours.

• 🎶 Ikarou Street — The main nightlife strip with everything from cocktail lounges to dance clubs. It gets properly lively in peak season, so rally the troops and get stuck in.

• 🛍️ 25th of August Street — Heraklion's main pedestrianised shopping street with boutiques, cafes and ice cream stops. Leads from Lions Square down to the harbour — ideal for a group wander.

• 🎉 Bouzoukia night out — For a proper Greek evening, find a bouzoukia venue (live Greek music club) and throw plates. Well, maybe just dance. It's an absolute experience.

🏛️ Culture Vultures

• 🏰 Koules Fortress — The imposing 16th-century Venetian fortress at the harbour entrance. Inside you'll find exhibitions on the city's history, Venetian cannons and finds from shipwrecks around Dia Island. The rooftop views are unreal.

• 🏛️ Venetian Loggia — Now the City Hall, this beautifully restored Renaissance building on 25th of August Street is one of the finest examples of Venetian architecture in Crete.

• 📖 Nikos Kazantzakis Museum — The hometown writer of "Zorba the Greek" is celebrated at his birthplace museum. His grave on the Martinengo Bastion has one of the best views in the city.

• ⛪ Cathedral of Saint Minas — One of the largest cathedrals in Greece, with stunning frescoes and an impressive interior. Right in the centre, next to the much smaller original church.

Day Trips & Beaches

• Ammoudara Beach - 7km of sandy beach just west of the city

• Agia Pelagia - scenic bay perfect for swimming and snorkelling (20km away)

• Traditional villages - explore authentic Cretan rural life in nearby mountains

• Winery tours - visit local vineyards producing excellent Cretan wines