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Historical Museum of Crete

The Historical Museum of Crete

27 Sofokli Venizelou Avenue, Heraklion

The exhibitions of this museum show the history of Crete from 330 AD to the end of WWII.

This collection is housed in a beautifully restored three-storey neoclassical mansion near the seaside in downtown Heraklion, the capital of Crete. The museum is in easy walking distance from the pedestrian central streets, and from the Liondaria Square. The building itself has been declared a Historical Building and a Work of Art.

Museum collections include:

the Battle of Crete
the writer Nikos Kazantzakis
artist El Greco
traditional rural Cretan home and folklore

Check Opening Tims for Historical Museum of Crete

Visit the Museum by Bus

Pre-book tickets on the Heraklion Hop On Hop Off Bus

Heraklion Hop On Hop Off Bus

This is a relaxing way to see Heraklion and get your bearings around the city.

The bus visits:

Historical Museum of Crete
Knossos Palace
Archaeological Museum
Koules Fortress
Old Gates
a total of 10 stops

More tips for visiting the Historical Museum of Crete.

Enjoy the interactive media exhibitions
Audio guides are available in English
If you are not a history buff, allow 1 hour for the visit
At the shop and bookstore, right next to the entrance, are a range of books published by the Society of Cretan Historical Studies, and other books on Cretan history and culture
Take a break at the cafe at the museum
Or pop across the road to Cafe Mare near the seaside
This is a very active museum which is part of the cultural life of Crete, do not be surprised to find a current exhibition at the time of your visit
Check opening hours on their website before you set out, as holidays and opening times may change

One Day in Heraklion - Walking Notes - The Old Port of Heraklion

Independent Walking Tour of Heraklion

When you make your independent walking tour around Heraklion, you will want to visit the following fascinating spots:

Knossos Palace
Archaeological Museum of Crete
Natural History Museum of Crete
Historical Museum of Crete
Liondaria Square
25th of August Street
Koraii Cafe Quarter
1866 Markets
Old Harbour and Venetian Arsenal
Koules Venetian Fortress
Agios Titos Church
Kournaros Square

Walking Notes

Day 1 in Heraklion

Needless to say,it is imperative to see Knossos Palace as a priority, which is 5 km out of town, and the Archaeological Museum. Visiting these two fascinating locations, as well as enjoying lunch and dinner will make a very full day on your first day.

Knossos Palace - get there early and allow 3 hours
Lunch at Plani or O Magos
Archaeological Museum - allow 2 hours if you are not a history buff
Enjoy great shopping along the pedestrian streets - especially Dedalou Street
Dinner at Efta Baltades or Veneto
Evening drinks in the Koraii cafe bar quarter

Day 2 in Heraklion

We help with some suggestions below for your independent walking tour around Heraklion.

Start early with breakfast of bougatsa at Liondaria Square, see the Morosini Venetian Fountain
Walk down 25th August Street, see the Venetian Loggia and neoclassical architecture
See beautiful Agios Titos Church and Square
Follow 25 August Street down to the water, see the Old Harbour and visit Koules Venetian Fortress
Then continue west along the seafront, along Venizelou Avenue, until you come to the Historical Museum of Crete
Allow 1 hour for the exhibitions if you are not a history buff
Have a coffee break at the museum cafe or by the sea at Mare cafe-bar
Continue on to the Natural History Museum of Crete (especially good for kids), also on Venizelou Avenue by the sea, allow 2 hours for the visit
Enjoy a lunch break at the museum or at Mare cafe-bar
Then walk back to Liondaria along Chandakos Street, enjoying its many interesting shopping and displays, it is a little out of the way and not a busy or famous shopping street, but no less interesting
From the Liondaria walk up 1866 Street to enjoy the street markets
At the end of the markets you will arrive at Kournaros Square where you can enjoy a relaxing coffee in the shade, see the old Turkish coffee house and the Bembo Fountain.
In the evening relax in the Koraii cafe bar quarter for cocktails, dinner, drinks and coffees, perhaps a game of backgammon known as tavli
We suggest a unique Cretan dinner at Peskesi
More about Heraklion here
More about the Heraklion Region here

Historical Museum of Crete
Accommodation Tips

The Megaron Hotel is a fine hotel renovated from a derelict building. Its location on the foreshore of town, directly opposite the ferry harbour, the marina and the Venetian fortress, and right next to the bus station, makes it a terrific choice for travellers. The modern design is exquisite, upbeat and daring. One of the finest hotels in Crete. 1 km from the Historical Museum.

Lena Hotel is just around the corner, again close to cafes, bars, the Liondaria, Chandakos and Dedalou shopping streets and close to the bus stop for Knossos. 300 metres to the Historical Museum.

This hotel is 1.5 km from the port and within walking distance of the local markets on 1866 Street and the Heraklion Archaeological Museum.

Get a standard, clean room for a budget price, friendly staff,comfortable beds in a central location.

The Lato Hotel - our pick for downtown Heraklion because it is close to the port, the airport, the bus station and all the funky cafe bars. It also has great views over the romantic old harbour and terrific service. A great pick if you have travelled a long way or are awaiting your flight home. Enjoy the rooftop restaurant. 600 metres from the Historical Museum.