Car Hire Heraklion - Mini guide to Heraklion

The capital of Crete has long been the cultural, economic and political center of the island. Home to ancient monuments and modern amenities, this city is the gateway to historic Crete.

The magnificent fortress, Koules, stands sentinel over the port. This castle has been used for centuries as protection for the harbor and as a prison. Now it is open to the public for tours. It contains artifacts and weapons from the past as well as dark hallways and cells that used to incarcerate the city’s prisoners.

The city also contains a pre-classical palace, the Knossos, which housed the rulers of Heraklion as they slowly conquered the island’s other cities in ancient times. In the center of the city is the excellent Archaeological Museum of Crete, which displays artifacts from Minoan, classical, Hellenistic and Roman times.

In Heraklion there are many options for entertainment and relaxation. In the city’s tavernas and restaurants can be found the local spirit raki as well as Cretian and international cuisine. For sunbathers there are several lovely beaches near the city.

Heraklion is also an excellent base for exploring Crete. By car it is easy to make day trips all over the island and still be back in the city for by nightfall. The eastern village of Zakros houses a historic palace as well as an interesting archaeological site situated on a beautiful beach.

This city can be reached by daily flights from Athens as well as several other cities around the Mediterranean. Package deals from many European cities are also numerous in the summer.