Heraklion, Greece travel guide
The primary airport on the Greek island of Crete is Heraklion International Airport. Also known as Nikos Kazantzákis International Airport, after Heraklion native Nikos Kazantzákis, the Greek writer and philosopher. It is the country's busiest airport, and located just 5 km from the main city of Heraklion near the municipality of Nea Alikarnassos. Get from the airport to your hotel or destination easily with a private Heraklion Airport car hire.
The city of Heraklion is home to the an amazing Archaeological Museum, the legendary palace of Knossos, as well as Byzantine churches and a well preserved Venetian wall and fortress from the 15th century. Reserve a car hire Heraklion Airport and tour the sights and monuments of this historic city at your own convenience, and enjoy everything this fabulous Greek island has to offer.
- Local time in Heraklion, Greece:
- GMT+2
- Population of Heraklion, Greece:
- 137,711
Tourist attractions at Heraklion, Greece
Churches and Cathedrals
Heraklion features several churches and cathedrals of historic significance or architectural interest. Spend a day touring its many religious monuments in your own Heraklion car hire, such as St. Minas Cathedral, St. Titus Church, St. Catherine of the Sinaites Church, St. Mark's Basilica and Dominican Church of St. Peter.
Heraklion Archaeological Museum
There are several excellent museums in the city, but this museum is one you do not want to miss as it may define your visit. Here you will find the most important and representative artifacts from Minoan civilization.
Highlights include the statues of the Snake Goddess, the famous Bull-Leaping Fresco, the mysterious Phaistos Disk, and Minoan seals and jewelry.
Amoudara
Spend an afternoon on the city's beach. This three kilometer strip of sandy beach features several cafes, bars and hotels. While you are here catch a movie or a performance at the "Technopolis", a modern multiplex with a cinema and an open-air theater.
Recommended daytrips from Heraklion, Greece
Palace of Knossos
Visit one of the most important and well known Minoan sites. The palace complex is an easy 5 km drive south of Heraklion by car hire. Knossos was the seat of the legendary Cretan king Minos, though you may have heard more about the palace's connection with the myth of the Labyrinth and the Minotaur. The site was continuously inhabited from the Neolithic period (7000-3000 B.C.) until Roman times.
Ferry Tours and Cruises
Take a one day cruise from Heraklion to Santorini by cruise boat or high speed catamaran. You can also take a high-speed catamaran or normal ferry to Athens, Thessaloniki, Cyclades, or Dodecanese from Heraklion and back.
The frequency is reduced in winter, but you should be able to find a decent boat ride to somewhere around this Mediterranean paradise at any time of year.
CretAquarium Thalassocosmos
If you are traveling with the whole family this aquarium is an excellent choice for children and adults alike, and a must see. Reserve a cheap car rental Heraklion and head about nine miles east of Heraklion on the National road, visit the biggest aquarium in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Local conditions for Heraklion, Greece
Thu, 24 May 2012 12:50:00 +0300
Thursday at 12:00 EEST:
sunny intervals. 26°C (79°F)
Temperature: 26°C (79°F), Wind Direction: SSW, Wind Speed: 14mph, Relative Humidity: 35%, Pressure: 1011mb, falling, Visibility: GO
Weather forecast for Heraklion, Greece
-
Thursday
Sunny, Max Temp: 25°C (77°F), Min Temp: 15°C (59°F)
Max Temp: 25°C (77°F), Min Temp: 15°C (59°F), Wind Direction: SW, Wind Speed: 13mph, Visibility: very good, Pressure: 1012mb, Humidity: 25%, Sunrise: 06:08EEST, Sunset: 20:23EEST
-
Friday
Sunny, Max Temp: 24°C (75°F), Min Temp: 15°C (59°F)
Max Temp: 24°C (75°F), Min Temp: 15°C (59°F), Wind Direction: NW, Wind Speed: 11mph, Visibility: very good, Pressure: 1013mb, Humidity: 40%, Sunrise: 06:08EEST, Sunset: 20:24EEST
-
Saturday
Sunny, Max Temp: 24°C (75°F), Min Temp: 16°C (61°F)
Max Temp: 24°C (75°F), Min Temp: 16°C (61°F), Wind Direction: NE, Wind Speed: 9mph, Visibility: very good, Pressure: 1015mb, Humidity: 46%, Sunrise: 06:07EEST, Sunset: 20:25EEST
Airport Information
- Airport name:
- Heraklion International Airport - Nikos Kazantzakis
- Airport code:
- HER
- Phone number:
- (2810) 397 129
- Address:
- Ikarou str, N Alikarnassos, 71601, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
- Map:
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- Distance from airport to Heraklion:
- Heraklion city || 3 Miles / 5 km / 10 minutes by rental car from Downtown Heraklion
- Car Rental office location:
For car rental in Heraklion Airport you can find counters for main car hire companies in the Arrivals Hall, at Heraklion Airport. These car rental companies include:
- Avis
- Budget
- Eurocartell
- Eurodollar
- Eurolease
- Hertz
- Holiday Auto
- Motor Club-Sigma
- Motor Sport
- National-Alamo
- Sixt
- Tourent
- Travel Star
Book your Heraklion car hire vehicle in advance and get the cheapest deals on 7 seater, 9 seater, luxury car and all types of rental car for collection in Heraklion Airport.
For cheap car rental in Heraklion, Greece book in advance with us. The best way to tour Heraklion is with your own rental car, this allows you to move around more comfortably and avoid the hassles of public transportation. Our book engine on the right will find for you the cheapest car hire offers in Heraklion Airport.
Airlines providing airport services to Heraklion, Greece
- Aegean Airlines
- Aeroflot
- Air Berlin
- Air Italy
- Air Mediterrané
- Arkefly
- Arkia
- Athens Airways
- Austrian
- Blue Air
- Condor Flugdienst
- Cyprus Airways
- Czech Airlines
- EasyJet
- Edelweiss Air
- Eurocypria Airlines
- flyLAL
- Germania
- Germanwings
- Hamburg International
- Iberworld
- ISRAIR
- Itali Airlines
- JAT Airways
- Jet2.com
- Jetairfly
- KAVMINVODYAVIA
- Lauda Air
- LOT POLISH AIRLINES
- Malev Airlines
- Monarch Airlines
- Niki
- Norwegian Airlines
- Novair
- Olympic Airlines
- ORENAIR
- ROSSIYA AIRLINES
- S7
- Sky Airlines
- Smart WIngs
- Star1 Airlines
- SUN D'OR
- TAROM
- Tatarstan Airlines
- Thomas Cook Airlines
- Thomsonfly
- Transaero
- TRANSAVIA.COM
- Travel Service
- TUIfly
- Ural Airlines
- Viking Airlines
- Wizz Air Hungary
- XL Airways France
- XL Airways Germany
- Yakutia Airlines
