 Heraklion/Iraklio (Ηράκλειον), Greece
Heraklion, or Ηράκλειον in Greek, is the capital of the island of Crete, and is also the fourth largest city of Greece. The city is also known as Iraklio. It covers 109 sq km (42 sq mi) on the northern cost of Crete. It has a population of around 140,000 (2011 estimate).
Heraklion, Crete
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Guide to Heraklion Hotels
Here's a list of hotels in Heraklion that you can book online, with full description, star rating, address, location map, evaluation, and prices as offered by different booking sites. This helps you to make your room booking with the site that offers the best price.
More on Heraklion
The area of Crete where Heraklion is located has been inhabited as far back as 2000 BC, during the time of the Minoan civilization. The present-day city of Heraklion traces its founding to AD 824 by the Saracens who were ejected from Al-Andalus by Emir Al-Hakam I. They took over Crete from the Byzantine Empire, and proceded to built a protected city with a moat.
Today Heraklion is an important shipping port for Crete. It is also the port of call for ferries coming from Piraeus (Athens), Santorini, and other Greek Islands.
Heraklion market place
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Going to Heraklion
By Plane
You can fly to Heraklion from Athens by Olympic Air, Aegean Airlines and Athens Airways. The city receives many chartered flights from major European cities during the summer months.
By Boat
You can take the ferry from Piraeus (the port city for Athens), Thessaloniki, the Cyclades, and the Dodecanese to Heraklion. There are more services during summer than in winter.
Greek Orthodox Church of Crete, Heraklion
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Getting around Heraklion
The main form of transport is the public buses. However, they serve locals rather than tourists. You won't find any details on bus routes at the stops. Often the buses simply stop anywhere you hail them. The basic ticket costs €1.30. There aren't that many taxis around, so the other option is to consider renting a scooter to ride around.
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Places of Interest in Heraklion
- Koules
- Morosini Fountain
- Palace of Knossos
- Venetian Walls
Museums in Heraklion
- Heraklion Archaeological Museum
- Historical Museum of Crete
- Museum of Natural History
- Museum of the Battle for Create and National Resistance
Churches and Monasteries in Heraklion
- Dominican Church of St Peter
- St Catherine of the Sinaites Church
- St Mark's Basilica
- St Minas Cathedral
- St Titus Church
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Lastly, let me line up a selection of books which you may want to read ahead of your trip. You can get them directly from Amazon.
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