Heraklion Crete Travel Tips

Heraklion to Elafonisos

by Bee
London

Hello,

I am planning to travel to Heraklion with my boyfriend to visit my friend who works on the site at Knossos in early June. We will be staying with her for 4 to 5 days in the centre of Heraklion town.

After this we would like to spend another 5 days somewhere more relaxing, preferably on the beach but will need to travel by public transport. Do you have any suggestions for somewhere easily accessible via public transport that is not 'party central' but has a beach a small town and some bars etc.

I love the look of Elafonisos as suggested by my friend but having looked I think without a car this may be unrealistic?

Thanks in advance for any help you can give!

Bee

By the Beach in Crete

Yiasas Bee,

It sounds like an interesting stay you will have visiting Knossos and Heraklion with your friend.

Well, there are so many choices for a 4 to 5 day stay at the beach. We understand you need to take public transport.

We suggest the following places all over the island - from west to east.

• Kastelli Kissamos (you can visit Elafonisi Beach from here)

• Palaiochora (you can visit Elafonisi Beach from here by boat)

• Kalives

• Panormos

• Agia Pelagia

• Matala

• Elounda

• Kato Zakros (all the way in the east)

Each one you can get to by public bus and each one has nice beaches, some have more of a bit of town than the others. You will just have to choose one then make a dedicated day to get there and another to get back.

The closest one that would mean the least amount of travel is Agia Pelagia (22 km). This is a beautiful seaside village with lovely clear waters and a few different bays to visit. It has nice cafes, tavernas and a bit of nightlife. If you like snorkelling or diving, there is good visibility here.

Another beach side option are the five coves of Bali Beaches, just 50 km west of Heraklion and really easy to get to with public transport.

The info pages you will need to decide are:

Beach Accommodation

Beaches of Crete

And here is the bus page for timetables

Tips for visiting Knossos

All about Heraklion

You could easily get from Heraklion to Elafonisi Beach. The trick would be to take the bus from Heraklion to Chania on the first day, then relax and stay in the old town of Chania. Explore the narrow lane ways and old Venetian harbour.

The next day, take the first early local bus to Elafonisi Beach, spend the day on the beach and make sure you get the last bus back before nightfall, and return to Chania.

Kalo Taxidi! Bon Voyage!

Bus Times and Prices Heraklion to Rethymnon

by West End Kaz
(Glasgow)

Hi there,

I am travelling to Rethymnon in May and would like to know the times of the buses from Heraklion and the prices. Thank you.

Kaz

Bus Heraklion to Rethymnon

Yiasas Kaz,

The buses are frequent to Rethymnon with regional buses KTEL. May is shoulder season, so there will be slightly fewer services, however this is one of the main bus routes on Crete, so you will have plenty of choices. See timetable info below.

The journey from Heraklion to Rethymnon town is about 80 km along the north coast of Crete, along the national road. The bus trip costs less than €15 Euro and takes about 1 hour and a half.

You will need to depart from Central Station, which is down near the port in Heraklion. This is a short taxi ride costing less than €8, if your hotel is in the town centre.

See map with Heraklion Bus Stations here.




Rethymnon is a thriving capital city, beautiful for visitors, with lots to see. The old town in the centre is well worth a visit, and we suggest staying within the walls of the old town to soak up the atmosphere of the Venetian architecture, museums, the old harbour and the narrow streets.

From the old town it is a short walk to the bus station (about 450 m), or a very quick taxi ride directly from your hotel. Exploring around the old town, it is easy to get lost and enjoy the timelessness of no schedules...take a look at the old Rimondi Fountain, the old harbour, the ruins of the Venetian Fortezza and the Neratze mosque with its striking minaret. Visit the Guora Gate, the Archaeological Museum and Folklore Museum.

After all your walking you will need a coffee or a frappe, try Cul de Sac, Galero or Home with a view over the water.

In the evenings, take a stroll by the seaside and try one of the incredible restaurants, make sure you try Nostos for fresh seafood, or Sofra or Veneto for atmosphere.



Rethymnon Beach (above) is long wide and sandy, with plenty of space, sun loungers, cafes and restaurants, and runs directly east from the old town.

Heraklion is a busy modern town with some historical pockets and a lot to see. We suggest walking from your hotel to the Liondaria Fountain and from there, exploring in different directions.

You can choose the pedestrian shopping street Daedalou, or the market street 1866, or walk downhill along 25 August Street to the port. Take a coffee at the marina and enjoy the old port, the fortress and the old Venetian storehouses. Walking on you can find the Historical Museum, and perhaps walk back to the Liondaria along Chandakos Street.

The most valuable collection on the island of Crete is shown at the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, it contains relics from many sites dotted all over the island, including Minoan artifacts dating from 2000 BC.

See more about local buses and timetables here

See more about Rethymnon town here

See more about Rethymnon region here

See more about Heraklion here

See more about Heraklion Region here

Kalo Taxidi! Bon Voyage!

Buses to Heraklion

by Rosemary
(UK)

We will be staying east of Heraklion in Limenas Hersonissou in early October.

Is there a quick, reliable way to get from Limenas to Heraklion so we can see the city and museums?

We assume a taxi will be expensive so prefer to try a bus or similar. Thank you!

Hersonissos to Heraklion by Bus

Yiasas Rosemary,

Yes, the taxi is a little expensive for using it everyday - although you could check out the prices on the internet before you get there. There is a link to do this on our page under the heading 'Taxis in Crete', there is a link that says 'Check prices and pre-book a transfer in Crete' on our Getting Around in Crete page

As for the buses, yes they are cheaper and they are coaches, very comfortable and reliable. They are called KTEL and run frequently to Hersonissos.

See more about the local bus service here

The price shows as less than 5.00 Euro each way.

These timetables are relevant for April to September, so the services will be a little different in October. They will still be there, just a little fewer buses.

It is best to double check with the driver on your first day, or email your hotel if you really want to know. Either way you can definitely get to and from Iraklion every day to enjoy the sights and museums.

In Heraklion you can visit the following museums:

• Heraklion Archaeological Museum
• Historical and Folklore Museum
• Natural History Museum

and many others. See more about the museums here

But of course, once in Heraklion, so much can be seen on foot. In fact the fun with a Cretan town like Heraklion are the things you did not intend to find.

Of course, by the harbour you have the Venetian Stores and the Koules Fortress, as well as fish tavernes and many new bars and cafes. Over the years, this part of town has become more beautiful. In fact, in this area we once saw a seller of horta wild greens, selling his fresh greens to the tavernes. Hours earlier, he was on foot, passing a village much further inland. No doubt he collects his greens in the mountains, then walks town by town, with his humongous sack draped over his back, selling to the local restaurants. The miles this man must walk!

25th August Street - while this busy street will have many car rental places and so on, closer to the harbour, further up you will find the haven of Agios Titos church, the Venetian Loggia, and then the Lion Fountain and Square.

Once near the Liondaria the Lion Fountain, you will find yourself in the heart of Heraklion. Sit back and enjoy a coffee and bougatsa traditional pastry dessert, at one of the many cafes. Tell us which cafe served you the best bougatsa, as we have our favourites also, but they are all good and a little bit different.

From here, whether you walk north, south, east, or west, you will be heading to a sight of interest.

Chandakos Street - here you will find quaint boutiques, books shops and travel agents.

Theotokopolou Street - here you will have no shortage of modern cafes and eateries.

1866 Street - Walk into the kendriki agora central markets, where you will find local cheeses, locally roasted coffee, nuts, butchers, honey and handicrafts. Again you will have choices of cafes and eateries. Nearby you will find Agios Minas and the much more humble and quieter Agia Ekaterini Sinaites. This is now a theological museum. We used to like to stop in here and enjoy the peace and quiet, while wondering what these walls have seen over the years.

Daedalou Street - here you can shop till you drop. You will find modern stylish shops and even traditional Cretan CD shops.

Other sights include:

• Kornarou Square and Bembo Fountain
• the Freedom Square
• cafes, bars and restaurants of Koraii

See more about Heraklion here

Have a great trip!

Kalo Taxidi!

Flying from Crete to Rhodes

We want to fly from Crete to Rhodes. We are wondering whether we should stay in a Heraklion hotel during our visit since it will be easier to catch the direct flight to Rhodes from that airport.

Is it better to get a hotel in Chania and then take a bus to Heraklion to catch the flight? I heard it is nicer to stay in Chania.

Staying in Heraklion or Chania

Yes, you can fly from Crete to Rhodes and it is a very convenient way to get to Rhodes, as it is just a short flight of around one hour's duration. Yes, direct flights do leave from Heraklion airport.

Heraklion Airport code is HER and Rhodes Airport code is RHO. Flights do leave from Sitia Airport in Crete during summer season. Sitia Airport code is JSH.

See more information here: Crete to Rhodes & Heraklion Airport

If you only have a short stay on Crete you will find more beauty and historic interest in Chania than in Heraklion.

Chania Town & Chania Hotels

Chania is 145 km from Heraklion airport and the trip is nearly 2 hours by car. You could also stay in Rethymnon which is closer to that airport and very beautiful. Rethymnon is 82 km from the airport and this trip should take just over an hour in the car or taxi.

Rethymnon Town & Rethymnon Hotels

In Rethymnon, you will find plenty of atmosphere within the walls of the old town, with narrow winding streets and Venetian architecture. We suggest staying in the old town to make the most of your stay.

Below we suggest some small beautiful hotels in Rethymnon Old Town:

Casa Moazzo

Avli Lounge Apartments

Palazzino Di Corina

Another handy option for accommodation the night before catching a flight to Rhodes is to stay in a small country village just 14 km from the airport. The village is named Archanes and is very pretty and quiet. In the village you will find plenty of cafes and tavernas. We suggest the Villa Arhontiko, which is comfortable accommodation in a renovated mansion, very characteristic of the area:

Villa Arhontiko - Archanes Village

There is actually plenty to see in Heraklion, the town has lots of interesting nooks and crannies that can be explored on foot because of the wonderful pedestrianised streets. And there is the Archaeological Museum, which has an impressive collection, the the site of Knossos Palace which is only 5 km from town. Of course, if you decide to stay in Heraklion, there are many good hotels and restaurants, just 4.5 km from the airport. We suggest a very handy boutique hotel with excellent service:

Lato Hotel - Heraklion

Kalo Taxidi! Bon Voyage!

Heraklion to Palaiochora After 8pm

by Jackie
(California)

If the ferry arrives in Heraklio at 8pm, can we travel to Palaiochora that night?

Or must we stay in Chania or elsewhere? En route?

Our destination is Palaiochora to visit Elafonisi.

Getting to Palaiochora, Crete

Hi Jackie,

Well, it is physically possible but it would not be the best idea.

It is 210 km from Heraklion to Palaiochora. The wide and large national road travels from Heraklion to Rethymnon and then to Chania. This is a trip of 140 km. The roads from Chania to Palaiochora are windy and scenic, travelling through gorges. Best that this portion of the trip is done in the day time.

You can pre-book a transfer from Heraklion to Chania and stay in the Old Town, have breakfast there and enjoy the historical character, then make your way to Palaiochora mid-morning. The trip from Heraklion to Chania is 140 km and would take around 2 hours by car and on a pre-booked transfer would cost around €145

You may just make the last bus to Chania which departs from Bus Station A in Heraklion down by the port, at 9.00 pm. This trip takes 2 hours and 45 minutes and costs around €14.

It would be best to take a taxi from the port to Bus Station A for around €5. If your ferry is delayed or if the taxi is delayed getting to the Bus Station, you might miss this bus. Check the timetables here, in peak summer there may be a later bus than this. See more about Crete regional bus timetables here

You have the option to stay in Heraklion and take the full journey the next day, or perhaps stay in Rethymnon or Chania to break up the journey. We have suggestions for good accommodation in each location to help you decide.

In Heraklion, we suggest the Hotel Lato because it is a boutique hotel with great service, very close to the port and the bus stop, with lovely views over the old fishing port and fortress.

In Chania, we would suggest the Madonna Studios because they are small and located in the atmospheric old quarter, very close to the harbour.

In Palaiochora, we suggest the Aris Boutique Hotel because it is small, central and run by a local family.

Palaiochora is a great town/village, big enough to have loads of different restaurants and some nightlife, yet small enough to retain its village character.

There are many beaches to visit within walking distance, and of course you can take boat trips to Elafonisi. These leave daily in season. More info from Selino Travel in Palaiochora.

You might also want to consider a boat trip to Gavdos Island, a remote island with untouched beaches, boats depart from Palaiochora as well.

Info pages for this trip:

More about Heraklion here

See more about Rethymnon town here

Info on Chania here

See more about Palaiochora here

Have a great trip!

Kalo Taxidi! Bon Voyage!