Heraklion
A working city on Crete's north coast, Heraklion suits travelers who want Minoan ruins, Venetian streets and a base for the rest of the island.
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Heraklion is the largest city on Crete and the island's main administrative center, on the north coast. Travelers arrive here by air or ferry, and the city works well as a first stop or as a base for day trips. The Palace of Knossos, a Minoan palace site, sits a short drive south of the center. The Heraklion Archaeological Museum holds a large collection of Minoan finds from across the island.
Inside the old town you can see Venetian walls, the harbor fortress known as Koules, and narrow streets lined with food shops and cafes. The market streets are the place to try local olive oil, cheese and dakos, a barley rusk topped with tomato and feta. Heraklion suits a trip built around history and food, with two or three days in town before heading to other parts of Crete. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons, while summer is hot and busy.
Heraklion in five
- Go to Knossos before middayKnossos, the Minoan palace about 5 km south of the city, gets busier with tour groups later in the day. Go early and bring water and a hat, since there is little shade on the site.
- Rent a car for the south and the villagesBuses reach the main towns, but the south coast and mountain villages are slow without a car. Read the insurance terms in the rental agreement before you sign.Getting around
- Carry euro cash for small tavernasMany small tavernas, kafeneia and village shops take only cash. Keep small notes for buses, fruit stands and parking.
- Set up an eSIM before you landMountain roads between villages lose signal, so download offline maps before you leave the city. Install the eSIM at home and switch it on after landing.Phones and eSIM
- Check that your insurance covers scootersMany policies exclude scooter and motorbike riding unless you hold a license for that class. Read the policy before you rent one on the island.Travel insurance
Things to do in Heraklion
See all attractions in Heraklion
Need to know
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)
- Entry
- Schengen rules; visa-free for many passports for short stays
- Emergency
- 112 EU-wide, 100 police, 166 ambulance, 199 fire
- Tipping
- Service often included; round up or leave 5 to 10%
- Time
- UTC+2, UTC+3 in summer (daylight saving)
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh15°Low9°Cool, rainyJanuaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 61 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, rainy
- FebruaryPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh15°Low9°Cool, rainyFebruaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 64 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, rainy
- MarchPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh17°Low10°Mild, greeningMarchPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 69 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, greening
- AprilClear5 rainy daysHigh20°Low13°Spring, warmAprilClear
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 26 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring, warm
- MayClear6 rainy daysHigh24°Low16°Warm, dryMayClear
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 32 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, dry
- JuneClear3 rainy daysHigh28°Low20°Hot season startsJuneClear
Good
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 12 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot season starts
- JulyClear2 rainy daysHigh30°Low23°Hot, dryJulyClear
Mixed
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 6 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, dry
- AugustClear1 rainy dayHigh30°Low23°Hot, busyAugustClear
Mixed
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 7 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, busy
- SeptemberClear4 rainy daysHigh27°Low21°Warm, swimming weatherSeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 17 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, swimming weather
- OctoberClear5 rainy daysHigh24°Low18°Warm, quieterOctoberClear
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 29 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, quieter
- NovemberPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh20°Low15°Mild, rain returnsNovemberPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 46 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, rain returns
- DecemberPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh16°Low11°Cool, rainyDecemberPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 70 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, rainy
Average daily high and low in Heraklion, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Heraklion
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
16
- Feels like
- 12°
- Humidity
- 73%
- Wind
- 20 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 8%
Heraklion
10:47 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today22°15°8%Monday: Cloudy. High 22°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 8%.
- Tue24°14°3%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 24°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Wed23°12°13%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 23°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 13%.
- Thu18°15°22%Thursday: Rain. High 18°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 22%.
- Fri16°13°23%Friday: Partly cloudy. High 16°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 23%.
- Sat16°13°3%Saturday: Partly cloudy. High 16°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Sun18°9°5%Sunday: Cloudy. High 18°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 5%.
Updated 10:33 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Day trips by train
- Knossosabout 15 minutes by carThe Minoan palace, the easiest day trip from the city.
- Rethymnoabout 1 to 1.5 hours by carA Venetian old town and harbor on the north coast road.
- Agios Nikolaosabout 1 hour by carA small harbor town on the east coast, good for a lunch stop.
Before you go to Heraklion
Rules for Heraklion, checked
- Greece follows Schengen rules. Check current entry rules and the EU entry scheme on the official Greek government site before you fly.
- Archaeological sites in Greece ban food, drink and climbing on the ruins. Keep to the marked paths at Knossos.
- Smoking is banned indoors in bars and restaurants across Greece. Many tavernas have outdoor tables.
- Some streets in Heraklion's old town are closed to traffic. Read the road signs before you drive in and park outside the walls.
- Carry your passport or EU ID card, since police and hotels may ask to see it.
Plan around Heraklion
Regions, roads and where to base yourself on the island
Read the guideGetting around CreteBuses, rental cars and ferries compared for Crete
Read the guideMoney and costsCash, cards and typical costs on the island
Read the guideVisas and entryWho needs a visa and what to check before flying
Read the guideWhere to stayOld Town, harbor and coast stays compared
Read the guideHeraklion FAQ
Is Heraklion worth visiting?
Yes, for Knossos, the Minoan collection in the Archaeological Museum and the Venetian old town. It is a working city rather than a resort, and it is a practical base for the center and south of Crete.
How many days do you need in Heraklion?
Two to three days. Use one day for Knossos and one for the old town and museum, then add a day trip to Rethymno or Agios Nikolaos if you have time.
Do you need a car in Heraklion?
Only if you plan to see the south coast or mountain villages. The old town is easier on foot, so park outside the walls and walk in.
When is the best time to visit Heraklion?
April and May, and September and October. July and August are hot and busy, and winter is cool with frequent rain.
Is Knossos worth the trip from Heraklion?
Yes, it is the best-known site near the city. It is about 5 km south, so go early in the day to avoid the tour groups.