Any suggestions for Heraklion/Crete?

[keenercam]

This is one of the ports where we have no idea what to do. Any suggestions? We will be there in July.

[Langoustine]

Go to the Palace of Knossos (http://www.ancient-greece.org/archaeology/knossos.html). Taxi or public bus is very easy to do.

[keenercam]

Wow, Langoustine, that is very interesting! Are there any beaches or shopping areas that we might do in addition to that? Any restaurants you'd recommend?

[cruisemom42]

There is shopping in the main town of Iraklion. Not a very memorable place in terms of scenery but I seem to recall lots of shops, especially for jewelry.

 

Can't help re: beaches.

[Langoustine]

The two beaches I've been to are Akti, located 7 km east of Heraklion (many beach bars, cafes and taverns) and Ammoudara, 5 km west of Heraklion. The waters were warm and there are many facilities around. In addition, there is a windsurfing school (or was; it's been several years since we were there). You can get to both by public transport or by taxi from Heraklion. Sorry, can't remember offhand the names of any particular restaurants; we just wandered around and looked at what seemed interesting.

[mbeginner]

This is one of the ports where we have no idea what to do. Any suggestions? We will be there in July.

 

 

 

In Heraklion you dock next to the Venetian Harbour, just outside the Ancient City Walls. It’s about 1 kilometer walking to enter the historic center. Exit the cruise terminal building and cross the parking lot. When you exit the port gates, go to the right along the Leforos Nearchoy. Soon you will see the Venetian Fort on your right side, one of the main highlights. Across from it is the gate to the historic city center.

From Heraklion main bus station it’s easy to catch a bus to Knossos or to other places around the island. The bus to Knossos leaves every 10 to 15 minutes. The trip to Knossos takes between 20 to 30 minutes, depending on the traffic. A one-way tickets costs €1,5 per person. The bus brings you in front of Knossos’ site entrance. The bus back you can find at the same spot as the Knossos site is the terminal station.

Heraklion main bus station is located on walking distance from the cruise port. You have to walk about 500 meters. When you exit the cruise terminal building, cross the parking lot and exit the port gates. Walk to the right along the Leoforos Nearchoy. Soon you can see a small bus station building on the other side of the street. You can find the buses and ticket office for Knossos at the back of the building. https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=Unknown+road&daddr=35.341134,25.142145+to:Leof.+Nearchou%2F%CE%9B%CE%B5%CF%89%CF%86.+%CE%9D%CE%B5%CE%AC%CF%81%CF%87%CE%BF%CF%85&hl=en&ie=UTF8&sll=35.341971,25.141976&sspn=0.004481,0.009291&geocode=FSdGGwIdWKl_AQ%3BFU5DGwIdgaN_ASndAkq30luaFDGL6LJRppw-tQ%3BFTxEGwId55d_AQ&dirflg=w&mra=dme&mrsp=0&sz=17&via=1&t=m&z=17

 

Amazing shopping street which runs from the Platia El Venizelou going east to the Porta Chania. Every sort of shop is here: designer clothes or fruit and veg! Upmarket consumer electrics or fresh fish! Knickers or cheese . Fresh ground coffee or a diamond ring

Most memorable shopping experience is a stroll along Odos 1866, the street where the open-air market . Stalls are piled high with everything from seasonal fruit and vegetables, to discount socks, towels and T-shirts. It's also the perfect spot to hunt for typical Cretan souvenirs such as thyme-flavoured honey, dried herbs and teas, olive oil and olive-oil based cosmetics, as well as pumice stones.Another excellent place to browse for souvenirs is 25th Avgoustou, the street running up from the seafront to Platia Venizelou. Look out for museum replicas from Knossos and CDs of traditional Cretan music.For clothes shops, including everything from high street names such as Zara and Benetton to more exclusive one-off boutiques, try Daidalou, the street running east off Platia Venizelou.

Cretan wine also makes a fine gift to bring home.

The beaches near Heraklion - http://www.cretanbeaches.com/Information/Suggestions/beaches-accessible-with-public-transport/

 

I hope that will help

[keenercam]

Wow, mbeginner, your post is incredibly helpful! Thank you so much for taking the time to share all of that information!!! :)

[ski ww]

In Heraklion you dock next to the Venetian Harbour, just outside the Ancient City Walls. It’s about 1 kilometer walking to enter the historic center. Exit the cruise terminal building and cross the parking lot. When you exit the port gates, go to the right along the Leforos Nearchoy. Soon you will see the Venetian Fort on your right side, one of the main highlights. Across from it is the gate to the historic city center.

From Heraklion main bus station it’s easy to catch a bus to Knossos or to other places around the island. The bus to Knossos leaves every 10 to 15 minutes. The trip to Knossos takes between 20 to 30 minutes, depending on the traffic. A one-way tickets costs €1,5 per person. The bus brings you in front of Knossos’ site entrance. The bus back you can find at the same spot as the Knossos site is the terminal station.

Heraklion main bus station is located on walking distance from the cruise port. You have to walk about 500 meters. When you exit the cruise terminal building, cross the parking lot and exit the port gates. Walk to the right along the Leoforos Nearchoy. Soon you can see a small bus station building on the other side of the street. You can find the buses and ticket office for Knossos at the back of the building. https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=Unknown+road&daddr=35.341134,25.142145+to:Leof.+Nearchou%2F%CE%9B%CE%B5%CF%89%CF%86.+%CE%9D%CE%B5%CE%AC%CF%81%CF%87%CE%BF%CF%85&hl=en&ie=UTF8&sll=35.341971,25.141976&sspn=0.004481,0.009291&geocode=FSdGGwIdWKl_AQ%3BFU5DGwIdgaN_ASndAkq30luaFDGL6LJRppw-tQ%3BFTxEGwId55d_AQ&dirflg=w&mra=dme&mrsp=0&sz=17&via=1&t=m&z=17

 

Amazing shopping street which runs from the Platia El Venizelou going east to the Porta Chania. Every sort of shop is here: designer clothes or fruit and veg! Upmarket consumer electrics or fresh fish! Knickers or cheese . Fresh ground coffee or a diamond ring

Most memorable shopping experience is a stroll along Odos 1866, the street where the open-air market . Stalls are piled high with everything from seasonal fruit and vegetables, to discount socks, towels and T-shirts. It's also the perfect spot to hunt for typical Cretan souvenirs such as thyme-flavoured honey, dried herbs and teas, olive oil and olive-oil based cosmetics, as well as pumice stones.Another excellent place to browse for souvenirs is 25th Avgoustou, the street running up from the seafront to Platia Venizelou. Look out for museum replicas from Knossos and CDs of traditional Cretan music.For clothes shops, including everything from high street names such as Zara and Benetton to more exclusive one-off boutiques, try Daidalou, the street running east off Platia Venizelou.

Cretan wine also makes a fine gift to bring home.

The beaches near Heraklion - http://www.cretanbeaches.com/Information/Suggestions/beaches-accessible-with-public-transport/

 

I hope that will help

 

This is very helpful, we'll be there in Oct on the Prinsendam, thank you.

Allan & Marlane