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Most of the things to do in Heraklion cluster in and around the old town and the Minoan ruins of Knossos. You can see the city’s core sights in one full day, but two to three days let you add museums, beaches and a day trip without rushing. Entry prices below are standard adult tickets for 2026. See our best time to visit Heraklion guide to choose the right season, and the main Heraklion travel guide for an overview.
Things to Do in Heraklion: Ancient History
Palace of Knossos
Knossos is the largest Bronze Age archaeological site on Crete and the ceremonial centre of the Minoan civilisation, with the reconstructed Throne Room and the famous dolphin frescoes. It sits 5 km south of the city centre on Knossos Avenue, and bus 2 runs there from the central bus station. Standard adult entry is €15, a combined Knossos and Archaeological Museum ticket costs €20, and the site is open daily 08:00 to 20:00 in summer and 08:00 to 15:00 in winter. Arrive before 10:00 to beat the tour buses.
Heraklion Archaeological Museum
This museum holds the world’s most important collection of Minoan art, including the Phaistos Disc and the Snake Goddess figurines. It is on Xanthoudidou Street, a five-minute walk from Lions Square. Adult entry is €12 in summer and €6 in winter, and it is open daily except Tuesdays, 08:00 to 20:00 in summer. Budget at least two hours, and pair it with Knossos using the €20 combined ticket.
Koules Fortress
The Koules is a 16th-century Venetian sea fortress guarding the entrance to the old harbour. Adult entry is €4, and it is open daily 08:30 to 19:00 in summer, closing at 15:30 in winter. The roof terrace has the best view of the harbour and the fishing boats, and the vaulted halls below once stored grain and wine for the Venetian fleet.
Things to Do in Heraklion: Old Town and Venetian Landmarks
Morosini Fountain (Lions Square)
The Morosini Fountain, built in 1628, is the centrepiece of Eleftherios Venizelou Square, known locally as Lions Square for the four stone lions that support its basin. It is free to visit, and the surrounding cafes are the busiest meeting point in the city. The fountain is the natural starting point for walking 25 Avgoustou Street, the main pedestrian shopping street. In summer, music and street performances often set up nearby; see our Heraklion events and festivals page.
Venetian Loggia
The Venetian Loggia on 25 Avgoustou Street was built in the early 1600s as a meeting place for nobles and now houses the town hall. It is free to view from outside, and the arched arcade is one of the best-preserved Venetian buildings in Greece. It sits directly opposite Saint Titus Church, so you can see both in ten minutes.
Agios Titos Church
The Church of Saint Titus on 25 Avgoustou Street dates to the Venetian period and holds the skull relic of Saint Titus, Crete’s patron saint. Entry is free, and the church is open daily roughly 08:00 to 19:00. It was rebuilt in the 19th century after an earthquake, but the interior keeps its Byzantine-influenced layout.
Things to Do in Heraklion: Museums and Culture
Historical Museum of Crete
The Historical Museum of Crete, on Sofokli Venizelou Avenue near the waterfront, covers Crete from the Byzantine era to the Second World War and holds two paintings by El Greco, Crete’s most famous artist. Adult entry is €7.50, and it is open Monday to Saturday 09:00 to 17:00, closed Sundays. The rooms on the 1941 Battle of Crete are the strongest section.
Natural History Museum of Crete
The Natural History Museum, on the waterfront at Sofokli Venizelou Avenue, has an earthquake simulator and a good display on Cretan wildlife. Adult entry is €7.50, and it is open daily 09:00 to 18:00 in summer. It is one of the few indoor options that works well with children on a rainy day.
Cretaquarium
Cretaquarium, about 13 km east of the centre near Gournes, is one of the largest aquariums in the Mediterranean, with 60 tanks of Mediterranean and tropical species. Adult entry is €10, and it is open daily 09:30 to 19:00 in summer. It pairs well with a stop at the sandy beach at Karteros on the way back. For bus and car-hire details, read our Heraklion travel tips and FAQ.
Things to Do in Heraklion: Beaches and Day Trips
Amoudara Beach
Amoudara is a 7 km sandy beach running west from the city, backed by hotels, beach bars and tavernas. Sunbeds with an umbrella cost roughly €8 to €12 per set in summer. City bus 1 runs there from the centre every 15 to 20 minutes and costs €1.50. The beach shelves gently, which makes it one of the safer options for children. To stay within walking distance of the sand, see our where to stay in Heraklion guide.
Day Trip to the Lasithi Plateau
The Lasithi Plateau, about 70 km southeast of Heraklion, is a fertile highland plain ringed by mountains and dotted with old stone windmills. You need a car or a guided tour, and the drive takes about 75 minutes each way. The Diktaion Andron cave (€6 entry), the legendary birthplace of Zeus, sits on the plateau’s edge and is open daily 08:00 to 20:00 in summer. The warmer months are the best for this drive; see our Heraklion weather by month page for conditions. Most car-hire desks cluster near the port; see our Heraklion neighborhoods guide to orient yourself.
