Should I spend 1 or 2 weeks in Heraklion?
Should you spend 1 or 2 weeks in Heraklion?
Most people spend one to three days in Heraklion during their visit. The bustling city offers amazing highlights such as the beaches, the famous sights and museums, the cuisine, and the nightlife scene.
Heraklion is a large port city, and the capital of the island of Crete. It's also your most likely arrival or departure point on the island. While many travelers immediately head on to their resort elsewhere on the island, those who linger for a day or two in Heraklion will enjoy world-class historical sights and authentic Cretan cuisine.
Do you have one or two weeks to visit Heraklion? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is one week enough time in Heraklion?
One week provides ample opportunity to explore the entirety of Heraklion at your own pace to swim at the beach, explore the museums and famous sights, dine out at amazing restaurants, and dance the night away. Then you can use the city as a convenient base for venturing into nearby destinations where you'll discover exciting day trip options.
How to spend a week in Heraklion
Don't miss the Palace of Knossos during your trip to Heraklion, as it's one of this destination's most well-known attractions. You should make sure to set aside enough time to see it.
You'll absolutely want to spend some time enjoying the food scene in this city, so make sure you spend time at one of the local restaurants where you can taste the delicious cuisine for a meal or two. The city is home to countless Cretan restaurants that range in style and budget. There are fine dining restaurants as well as local dives with casual street food. The restaurants reflect the island's multi-cultural past with many styles and flavors available.
A few tour suggestions include:
- E-bike Food Tour Tasting in Heraklion ($133)
- Shared Craft Beer & Cretan Flavors Tasting Tour in Crete ($126)
- Private Interactive Cooking Class with Aggeliki ($226)
Heraklion is a very walkable city. With only a day in the city, you'll have no trouble exploring the local sights. Many parts of the town are walkable and doing a walking tour is a great way to see many of the city's sights.
The beautiful beaches await you in Heraklion, so spend the day (or several, if you can) relaxing on the sand or swimming in the water. You'll find world-class beaches just outside of town, if you're willing to explore a little. Agia Pelagia Beach is about half an hour away and Limanakia Beach is also not a bad day trip. If you want to stay closer to town, head to nearby Amnissos Beach.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Trypiti beach and gorge Jeep Safari ($106)
- Sailing Cruise to Dia Island with Meal and Water Activities ($93)
- Rethymno: Sunset Catamaran Cruise with Wine and Snacks ($98)
This city is very popular for nightlife. After the sun goes down, head out to one of the many popular venues around town. The city has some of the best nightlife on the island of Crete. There are many all-night clubs as well as bars that stay open until 2 or 3 in the morning. In particular, there are many British tourists hanging out at the clubs and bars.
Public transit in Heraklion is easy and efficient. In just a few days, you should be able to get around the city quite easily. KTEL buses travel both within town and to nearby villages.
Plenty of amazing museums and famous landmarks make Heraklion a special place to visit. Spend at least one full day visiting the sights that are appealing to you. The city is filled with historical sights and archeological ruins. The impressive Palace of Knossos is a must-see, but also make sure you visit the Koules Fortress, the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, and the Natural History Museum of Crete.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Crete Shore Trip & Knossos Palace from Heraklion (Iraklion) Port ($57)
- Archaeological Museum of Heraklion Tour ($91)
- Minoan Crete: Knossos Palace, Winery Visit and Lunch at Archanes ($220)
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Heraklion.
Heraklion is large enough to spend at least a full day exploring the local neighborhoods, attractions, and activities found around town. It's home to the largest airport on the island of Crete, so if you're arriving by plane, you'll either arrive here, or in Chania, which has a smaller airport.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Sailing Cruise to Dia Island with Meal and Water Activities ($93)
- Rethymno: Sunset Catamaran Cruise with Wine and Snacks ($98)
- Preveli Palm Beach Boat Cruise & Rethymnon Town from Heraklion ($58)
Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.
Shopping in Heraklion is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. There are a number of unique shops around town that sell everything from traditional pottery to homemade jewelry.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Shopping tour in Agios Nikolaos from Makrygialos & Ierapetra ($64)
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Heraklion.
After you've explored most of Heraklion, take a day trip to one of the many beautiful destinations nearby.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Day Trip to Agios Nikolaos and Spinalonga Island ($49)
- Day trip to Rethymno, Chania & Kournas lake ($50)
- Crete and Heraklion Areas Direct Day Trip Vai Beach ($37)
Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.
Another fun day at the beach awaits, so spend more time relaxing and swimming. After all, a beach vacation usually calls for plenty of time to have fun on the sand and in the waves.
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Heraklion.
Is 2 weeks enough time in Heraklion?
With two weeks at your disposal, you'll have more than enough time to take in all that Heraklion has to offer, giving you the flexibility to unwind in your hotel or use Heraklion as a base for day trips to nearby destinations. You can relax while enjoying the beaches, the famous sights and museums, and the cuisine at your own pace. We have some suggestions of things to do below, too.
Heraklion, Crete, Greece
How to spend 2 weeks in Heraklion
With 2 weeks in Heraklion, you'll have plenty of time to enjoy everything the city has to offer at your own relaxed pace. You'll want to spend plenty of time relaxing on the beach and experiencing the city's neighborhoods. You can also relax at your hotel, or casually explore this city looking for hidden gems. Also, consider taking some day trips to nearby destinations where you can explore more of the region.
A few trip suggestions:
- Day Trip to Agios Nikolaos and Spinalonga Island ($49)
- Day trip to Rethymno, Chania & Kournas lake ($50)
- Crete and Heraklion Areas Direct Day Trip Vai Beach ($37)
- Day Trip to Elafonisi Island Direct From Heraklion ($52)
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Heraklion, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
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