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INFORMATION about HERAKLION |
| INTRODUCTION: |
| Heraklion is the most cosmopolitan and therefore the most densely populated prefecture of the island of Crete. Located at an extraordinary site, the prefecture of Heraklion has developed the most important centers of the Minoan civilization. Until nowadays, the municipality of Heraklion has managed to preserve the archaeological integrity of the site from the evolution of the tourist lifestyle of the modern city. |
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| LOCATION: |
| Heraklion is the third consecutive prefecture of the island Crete and it borders with the prefectures of Rethymno (on the left) and Lassithi (on the right). Heraklion comprises of seven counties: Temenos, Viannos, Malevizios, Pyrgiotissa, Kenourgio, Pediada and Monofatsio. |
| AREA: | | 2011 sq.km | | POPULATION: |
| 265000 |
| CAPITAL: |
| Heraklion |
| MORPHOLOGY: |
| The prefecture of Heraklion is situated at the region between the mountains of Psiloritis and Dikti and therefore the morphology of the landscape is mountainous. |
| SEASONS: |
| The prefecture of Heraklion, like all the other prefectures of the Cretan land, has been blessed with a mild climate that renders it the unique resort for your vacations, during all seasons. However, the summer months is considered to be the high tourist season. |
| ATTRACTIONS: |
SIGHTS:
The castle Koules, the Venetian Walls, the churches of Agios Titos, Agios Markos, Agios Minas, the Minoan graves, the Medieval monastery of Agarathos and the fountains of Priouli and Bembo, at the town of Heraklion.
The monastery of Apanosifi and the ruins of Rizinia at Agia Varvara.
The post-Minoan graves at Agia Pelagia.
The male monastery of Panagia Odigitria at Kali Limenes.
The ancient town of Amnissos.
The ancient town of Knossos.
The Minoan palace and the cemetery at Malia.
The Minaon palace, the middle-Minoan grave, the ruins of the Minoan cottage, the sarcophagous of Agia Triada and the churches at Festos.
The ruins of three Minoan cottages at Tilisos.
The relics at Limenas, Hersonissos.
The house of Dominikos Theotokopoulos (El Greco) at Fodele.
MUSEUMS:
The archaeological, the historical ethnographic museum, the museum of natural history and the museum of ecclesiastic art, at Heraklion. Furthermore, the private collections of Kastrinogiannis, Kafatos and Kazantzakis.
The museum at the archaeological site of Gortina, at Agioi Deka.
The stratigraphic museum at Knossos.
The cultural museum "Lihnostatis" at Hersonissos.
NATURE:
The rock, also known as "Drakos" at the village of Agios Miron.
The Minoan sanctuary cave at Arkalohori.
The cave "Hosto Nero" at Arhanes.
The cave "Sarhos" at Asites.
The upland of Omalos, the canyon from Viannos to Amiras and the cave "VIgla" at Viannos.
The cave "Kamares" and the canyon at Zaros.
The upland "Livadi" at Krousonas.
The caves at Matala. |
| SPORTS / RECREATION: |
The water park "Anopolis" at the village Hani Kokkini.
The private water park at Limenas, Hersonissos.
If you like mountaineering, the mountain of Psiloritis is the ideal site. At the region of Prinos, the Prinos lodge shall be waiting for you. The telephone number of the mountaineering club of Heraklion is +30 (2810) 227609.
If you have a boat, you can wharf at the marina of the town of Heraklion or at Hersonissos, where you can refuel. | | ENTERTAINMENT: |
| All through the prefecture of Heraklion, you can find several taverns where you can taste traditional delicacies like kalitsounia, staka, snails e.t.c. You can also find cafeterias and bars, where you can have fun and also taste the traditional raki and tsikoudia. | | LOCAL EVENTS: |
The cultural events "Heraklion Kalokairi" that take place at the garden - theatre "Kazantzakis" during summer at the town of Heraklion.
The floriculture competition at Varvari.
The festival of Panagia on August the 15th at Rodia.
The festival of Agios Ioannis Klidonas on June the 24th, where you can taste fruits and tsikoudia, at Agios Miron.
The two days cultural event during September and the festival of Metamorphosis on August the 6th, at Arkalohori.
The several cultural events and the festival of the grape of Arhanes on August, at Arhanes.
Three day cultural events during August and the memorial for the 820 inhabitants that where executed, on September the 14th, at Viannos.
The festival of the emigrant during August and the festival of Agios Georgios during Easter, at Kasteli.
The festival of the cherry during May, at Krousonas.
Cultural events during July and August, at Mires, Festos and Tibaki.
The festival of Panagia on August the 15th, at Limenas, Hersonissos. | | LOCAL PRODUCTS: |
| At the prefecture of Heraklion you can buy oil, wine, tsikoudia, olives, raisins, fruits, honey, herbs, all kinds of cheese and sausages. You can also find traditional shops with leather products, belts, stivania and knives at the town of Heraklion, as well as weavings and rugs at Zaros and pop art products at Arolithos. | | MAJOR TOWNS / CITIES / VILLAGES |
Heraklion
Heraklion has a multifarious character that is reflected all over the attractive town. Cosmopolitan and picturesque, the interesting town of Heraklion combines in a unique manner the modern lifestyle with the superb natural scenery. Above all, the astonishing archaeological sites of inestimable value embellish the beautiful scenery, lending a tint of excellence to the non-identical prefecture.
Knossos
The ancient town of Knossos is a breathtaking archaeological site that has been the center of the Minoan civilization. At this site, the biggest palace of Minoan Crete, which was surrounded by a whole town, was found and the ruins that you will see if you visit the marvelous settlement, shall definitely amaze you.
Matala
Matala is a small fishermans settlement that has been the national center of the hippies during 60s and 70s. Nowadays, Matala is a cosmic and scenic tourist center, where you can visit the famous natural caves.
Phaestos
The ancient town of Phaestos is a very important archaeological site where you can find another great Minoan palace and an exquisite Minoan cottage.
Hersonissos
Hersonissos is the most organized tourist resort of the prefecture of Heraklion. The infinite beaches and the unrivaled nightlife, especially during the high season, render the region of Hersonissos the ideal place to incarnate the vacations that you have always been dreaming about.
Malia
The village of Malia is a popular coastal settlement. Apart from the traditional and scenic profile of the beautiful village, the settlement also presents unique archaeological features that shall impress you. If you decide to visit Malia, you should definitely visit the Minoan palace, the Minoan cemetery and the reverent monastery of Panagia Galatiani.
ALSO:
The island of Dia.
Dia is a craggy islet, located 7 nautical miles away from Heraklion. At this solitary site, there is begetting house for the Cretan wild goat. On July, a big festival takes place at the church of Analipsi. You can reach the islet of Dia by a trawler. |
| TRANSPORTATION: |
BY FERRY:
From Piraeus, there are frequent timetables to Heraklion on summer, while in winter the itineraries are more rare. The distance from Piraeus to Heraklion is 10 hours and 30 minutes. From Thessalonica, there are also ferries to Heraklion. The distance from Thessalonica to Heraklion is 21 hours. Heraklion is also connected to the Dodekanissa and the Cyclades islands.
Information:
Port authority of Piraeus: +30 (210) 4226000
Port authority of Heraklion: +30 (2810) 244956
Port authority of Thessalonica: +30 (2310) 531505
Piraeus agency: +30 (210) 4124800
BY AIRPLANE:
From the Eleftherios Venizelos airport at Spata, there are flights to the town of Heraklion, all through the year. The duration of the flight is 55 minutes to 1 hour. The airport "Nikos Kazantzakis" is located 5 km far from the center of the town of Heraklion. Heraklion is also connected with Thessalonica, Rhodes and Santorini.
Information:
Olympic airways of Athens: +30 (210) 9363363
Olympic airways of Heraklion: +30 (2810) 229191
Airport of Heraklion: +30 (2810) 245644
BY BUS:
From Thessalonica there are buses that shall transport you to Heraklion via ferry. Heraklion is also connected to the other prefectures of Crete.
Information:
Bus station of Heraklion at Thessalonica: +30 (2310) 525253
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| USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS: |
Police Department: +30 (2810) 282243
Tourist Police: +30 (2810) 283190
Traffic Police: +30 (2810) 282031
Municipality: +30 (2810) 399399
Tourism Agency: +30 (2810) 92943
Port Authority: +30 (2810) 280544
Mountaineering club of Heraklion: +30 (2810) 227609
Port authority of Piraeus: +30 (210) 4226000
Port authority of Heraklion: +30 (2810) 244956
Port authority of Thessalonica: +30 (2310) 531505
Piraeus agency: +30 (210) 4124800
Olympic airways of Athens: +30 (210) 9363363
Olympic airways of Heraklion: +30 (2810) 229191
Airport of Heraklion: +30 (2810) 245644
Bus station of Heraklion at Thessalonica: +30 (2310) 525253 |
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