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Showing 9 articles
Most visitors get exactly one day in Heraklion, and most of them spend it queuing at Knossos in the worst of the afternoon heat. It does not have to go that way. This is the order we would put the day in — the palace first thing, the Old Town on foot while the shade still favours you, the museum indoors when the sun is at its worst, and the Venetian harbour at the end. Every time and price below comes from our own booking calendar, so you can plan the day around what is genuinely running rather
Crete's red wines are easier to enjoy than to read. The island's leading red grape is almost never named on the front of a bottle, the two appellations built on it print no recipe at all, and the most confident Englishlanguage writing about Cretan wine repeats three claims that Greek planting and appellation records flatly contradict. This is the grapebygrape, labelbylabel version: what the four native reds taste like, why they are blended rather than bottled alone, what a PDO and a PGI
A Knossos guided tour is the difference between walking past a low wall and understanding why the wall matters, because the site itself carries almost no explanatory signage. Nearly every guided tour sold for Knossos is a guide-only service: the state entrance ticket is a separate €20, bought in your own name. This guide sets out what a guided visit actually includes, what it costs once the ticket is added, and how to combine the palace with the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, where the origina
Private boat tours Heraklion visitors book range from half day catamaran cruises to Dia Island to full day sails along the north coast. This guide compares every format, explains what happens on board, and breaks down prices, seasons and departure logistics. It also covers the classic mistakes first time charterers make. By the end you will know exactly which boat, route and time slot fits your group.
Ammoudara Beach combines a long sandy coastline with easy access to Heraklion city. Organised sections, water sports and beachfront restaurants make it a practical base for families, couples and active travellers. This guide covers swimming conditions, the best parts of the beach, transport and experiences around Ammoudara Heraklion.
The Venetian fortresses of Crete still guard harbours, hilltops and remote islands across the coast. Some have become city landmarks, while others require a boat journey or a steep walk to reach their walls. This guide covers their history, the best fortresses to visit and how to include them in a trip around Crete.
Arkadi Monastery is one of the most important historical and religious sites in Crete. Its peaceful courtyard and Renaissance church stand at the centre of a story shaped by learning, resistance and the events of 1866. This guide covers the history of Moni Arkadiou, what to see and how to plan a visit from Rethymno.
Chania Venetian Harbour is the historic and social centre of western Crete’s best-known city. Its waterfront brings together a Venetian lighthouse, Ottoman architecture, old shipyards and narrow streets shaped by centuries of trade. This guide explains what to see, where to walk and how to experience Chania Old Town beyond its busiest promenade.
Spinalonga is one of Crete’s most affecting historical sites, a small fortified island shaped by war, trade, displacement and isolation. Its Venetian walls surround the remains of an Ottoman settlement and the community created by people sent there during its years as a leper colony. This guide explains the history of Spinalonga Island, how tickets work and the best ways to reach it by boat.