English
English
Experience the best of HERAKLION Greece
Top attractions
Heraklion travel inspiration straight to your inbox
Explore new cities with curated experiences, instant cashback, exclusive deals and essential travel tips!
- Head right to the front of the line with these entry tickets to the Heraklion Archaeological Museum and indulge in a world of precious artifacts and important history of the Minoan civilization.
- Visit the period rooms that help you with a chronological representation of the ways of the civilization.
- Browse through a complete collection of artifacts that include priceless remains of Greek history and date back 5000 years.
- Visit exhibits such as the Phaistos Disk and the “Snake Goddess” for a deeper insight on your tour.
- Marvel at precious Minoan art and frescos that are centuries old.
- Head right to the front of the line with these entry tickets to the Heraklion Archaeological Museum and indulge in a world of precious artifacts and important history of the Minoan civilization.
- Visit the period rooms that help you with a chronological representation of the ways of the civilization.
- Browse through a complete collection of artifacts that include priceless remains of Greek history and date back 5000 years.
- Visit exhibits such as the Phaistos Disk and the “Snake Goddess” for a deeper insight on your tour.
- Marvel at precious Minoan art and frescos that are centuries old.
Inclusions
- Entry tickets to to Heraklion Archaeological Museum
- These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.
- Experience the Heraklion Archaeological Museum – one of the most famous museums in Europe and home to the most priceless pieces of Minoan history and art.
- With an English or German audio guide to download onto your smartphone, explore this vast collection of antiquities at your own pace.
- Travel back in time as you study artifacts from Cretan prehistory and history, dated over 5,500 years from the Neolithic period to Roman times.
- Some exhibits you surely shouldn’t miss are the Golden Bee Pendant, Phaistos Disc, Snake Goddess, Stone Bull's Head Rhyton, and King Mino’s Ring.
- Admire Minoan frescoes such as the Bull-Leaping Fresco, Prince of the Lilies, Ladies in Blue, and more.
- Your in-depth guide will share both historical information and 80+ lesser-known anecdotes from ancient times. Feel free to listen to this guide after your visit, too.
- Experience the Heraklion Archaeological Museum – one of the most famous museums in Europe and home to the most priceless pieces of Minoan history and art.
- With an English or German audio guide to download onto your smartphone, explore this vast collection of antiquities at your own pace.
- Travel back in time as you study artifacts from Cretan prehistory and history, dated over 5,500 years from the Neolithic period to Roman times.
- Some exhibits you surely shouldn’t miss are the Golden Bee Pendant, Phaistos Disc, Snake Goddess, Stone Bull's Head Rhyton, and King Mino’s Ring.
- Admire Minoan frescoes such as the Bull-Leaping Fresco, Prince of the Lilies, Ladies in Blue, and more.
- Your in-depth guide will share both historical information and 80+ lesser-known anecdotes from ancient times. Feel free to listen to this guide after your visit, too.
Inclusions
- Admission to all parts of the Museum
- Self-guided English or German audio tour for your smartphone (Android & iOS only)
- Offline content (text, audio narration, and maps)
Exclusions
- Live Guide
- Smartphone and headphones
- Transfers and transportation
- This Museum experience is suitable for wheelchair users.
- Photography (without flash and tripods) is allowed.
- Be sure to download your ticket and audio tour in advance while connected to Wi-Fi, as mobile signals at the site may be unreliable.
- You’ll need storage space on your phone to download the audio guide (100-150 MB).
- The audio tour is incompatible with Windows Phones, iPhone 5/5C or older, iPod Touch 5th generation or older, iPad 4th generation or older, and iPad Mini 1st generation.
- After booking, you’ll receive an email with detailed instructions for accessing and downloading your audio tour. Don’t forget to check your spam or junk folder in case it lands there.
- Make sure your smartphone is fully charged and bring your headphones to enjoy the audio tour without interruptions.
- Keep in mind that entrance queues can be long, so you may need to wait before entering.
- These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.
Why Visit Heraklion?
- Ancient Remains: The Fort of Koules and Old Town are incredible remnants of the olden days that deserve your attention. Make sure to visit Knossos which houses archaeological remains from the Bronze Age.
- Keepers of Historical Artifacts: No Heraklion tour can be completed without visiting the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, the Natural History Museum of Crete, and the Historical Museum of Crete.
- Doric Architecture: The Doric structure of the Cathedral of St. Minas and Agios Titos Church still evokes reverence from centuries past.
- Gorgeous Beaches: Make sure to visit the Malia, Matala, Hersonissos, and Agia Pelagia beaches in Heraklion. Their gorgeous aquamarine shades will soothe your soul.
- Delectable Cretan Cuisine: A Heraklion tour will also feature incredible and homely Cretan cuisine. Think delectable seafood prepped with olive oil and garnished with tomatoes picked off the garden.
- Quiet Getaway: Heraklion is quite underrated as compared to the other islands, hence if you are looking for a quiet island to unwind, Heraklion is the place for you.
Plan Your Visit to Heraklion
Facilities
Visitor Tips
- Guided Tours: Every historical site, like the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, Knossos City, and Ruins of Koules has audio-guided tours to help you understand the essence of the city better.
- Photography: You can click pictures everywhere except the sections in the Heraklion Archaeological Museum that have a ‘no photograph’ sign.
- Wheelchair Accessible: All 27 halls of the Heraklion Archaeological Museum is wheelchair accessible. There are ramps at the main entrance and you can ask for wheelchairs free of charge. The Knossos city may have stony patches where wheelchair maneuvering is difficult, however, there are guards and people there to help you through.
- Toilets: The first floor of the Heraklion Archaeological Museum is connected to the elevator and has wheelchair-accessible toilets. The Knossos City and Koules Fortress also have clean toilets.
- Choose Early Hours: It is recommended that you visit the Knossos Palace early in the morning or late afternoons, as after 11 AM, the parking areas are almost always fully booked.
- Comfortable Shoes: To explore the Knossos Palace, Heraklion Archaeological Museum, and the Ruins of Koules, you have to walk a lot. Wear closed and comfortable shoes.
- Carry Sunscreen: There is very little shade in these historical sites. Please wear sunscreen or sunglasses, wear light clothing, or carry a hat.
- Opt for Guided Tours: To deeply understand the colonial history and Heraklion culture, it is best to book an audio-guided tour. You also have the option of listening to the recording after the tour is over.
- No Mobiles: Mobile phones are forbidden inside the Archaeological Museum.
- Use the Cloakroom: There is a backpack depository on the ground floor of the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, where all your bags and luggage should be deposited.
All Your Heraklion Tours Questions Answered
Q. What is the best way to book Heraklion Day Tours?
A. Booking Heraklion Day tour tickets online is the best way to unlock great deals and discounts.
Q. Can I buy Heraklion tour tickets online?
A. Yes, you can purchase Heraklion tour tickets online.
Q. Are there discounts on Heraklion Day Tour tickets?
A. Book your Heraklion day tour tickets online to unlock great deals and discounts.
Q. How to reach Heraklion?
A. Heraklion has the second biggest airport in the city. The Iraklion airport is well connected to its city. The best way to reach the city from the airport is to take the bus from Line 6.
Q. What is there to see in Heraklion?
A. The oldest city in Europe, Knossos city, the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, and the Ruins of Koules Fortress are some of the popular historical sites in Heraklion.
Q. What is the best time to visit Heraklion?
A. May to June and September to October are the best time to visit Heraklion because the weather is pleasant and there is considerably less crowd than in the peak summer months.
Q. Is Heraklion suitable for wheelchair users?
A. Heraklion is arguably the most wheelchair-friendly tourist destination. Everywhere from the Heraklion Archaeological Museum to the Koules Fortress, you will find ramps and elevators at the main entrance.
Q. Is Heraklion worth visiting?
A. If historical ruins, gorgeous beaches, and delectable Cretan cuisine call to you, Heraklion will be one of your best trips. The city has tons of archaeological sites and gorgeous beaches to win you over.
Q. What is the authentic Cretan experience?
A. The authentic Cretan experience also includes eating in taverns, listening to the local musicians, and the sea lapping away at the shore. Dakos, kalitsounakia, gamopilafo, and the signature Cretan Tsikoudia are some of the most delicious Cretan dishes that you must try when going on a Heraklion day tour.
Q. What are some other places nearby Heraklion?
A. Elafonissi, Gavdos, Chrissi, and Koufonisi are some other islands near Heraklion. All of them provide a gorgeous, sandy escape from the day-to-day tribulations of city life.
Q. How many days do you need to explore Heraklion?
A. Depending on your exploration zeal, you may spend three to four hours at every attraction. Three to four days is enough to explore the entire city.