Car Rental Heraklion - Exploring Heraklion

Heraklion, or Iraklion, is central to most attractions on Crete, and therefore makes an excellent base for exploring the island by car. Roads have improved over the last few years but plan ahead, as a typical journey can take longer than expected on some of the mountain tracks.

From Heraklion, take highway 90 west to Crete’s second-largest city, Chania, a lovely town with pretty houses, parks and squares. The park next to the market is a great place to relax and hide from the sun under shady trees. Visit the hill of Profitis Ilias to the west of Chania, location of the tomb of Eleftherios Venizelos and his son, Sophocles.

Samaria Gorge, Crete’s most famous region, lies to the south of Chania, starting at the village of Omalos. This 18-kilometre trail, set in a national park, starts at an altitude of 1,227m and ends at the beach of Agia Roumeli. The gorge is open from May to the beginning of October, and should definitely be at the top of your sightseeing list.

In between Heraklion and Chania, on the northern coast is the historical town of Rethimno. Venetian influence is as apparent in the architecture here, as in that of the other large towns on the northern coast, and the well-preserved Venetian fort behind the harbour is an excellent example. The prefecture of Rethimno combines the gentle scenery of the northern and southern coastlines with the precipitous gorges of the Idi and the White mountains.

The most developed resorts on the island, Elounda and Ierapetra, are in the Lasithi region in the east. There are many other resorts in this part of the island, including: Agia Marina, Malia and Sitia. The eastern village of Zakros houses an historic palace, as well as an interesting archaeological site situated on a beautiful beach.