I-Heart-Mykonos-tank-top.jpg
Greek-flag-socks.jpg
Santorini-luggage-tag.jpg
save-water-drink-ouzo-t-shirt.jpg

Irakleio in a Day

Here’s our simple guide for how to see the best of Irakleio in a day including the Archaeological Museum, Icon Museum, Historical Museum and Venetian Harbour.

Fisherman in the Harbour in Irakleio on CreteFisherman in the Venetian Harbour in Irakleio

You can just about fit Irákleio’s main sights into one long day if you take advantage of early and late opening times. But check the hours for each attraction first, as you may need to switch this itinerary around a little on certain days.

Irakleio in a Day: Morning

Irakleio Archaeological Museum on CreteIrakleio Archaeological Museum

8:00am

Get an early start at the Archaeological Museum. If you haven’t had breakfast yet, start your visit with a coffee and pastry in the museum coffee shop.

10.30am

Walk down Odos Dedalou, the main shopping street, and turn right when you reach the end at Platia Venizelou. Continue down Odos 25 Augoustou, stopping to admire the Venetian Loggia. Just beyond, peek into the lovely Áyios Títos church, set back on a small square. Continue to the end of the street, where it reaches the waterfront.

The Venetian Fortress in Irakleio Harbour on CreteThe Venetian Fortress in Irakleio Harbour

11.30am

Walk out along the colourful harbour and visit the Venetian Fortress. Be sure to climb to the top for the city’s best views. See our full page about Irakleio's Harbour and Venetian Fortress.

Irakleio in a Day: Lunch

12.30pm

Have an early lunch by the waterside at Taverna Paralia, with lovely views out to sea. It’s one of our favourite places to eat in Irakleio, and we always try to get a table with great views of the harbour and the Venetian Fortress.

Irakleio in a Day: Afternoon

Map showing location of Historical Museum in Irakleio on CreteMap (c) Google Maps

1.30pm

From Paralia, walk along the waterfront to the Historical Museum, which is only 5 minutes away. It’s not a huge museum and you’ll probably spend an hour or so here. You can certainly see the highlights in that time. See our full page about the Historical Museum.

3.00pm

Return to Platia Venizelou and have a closer look at the Morosini Fountain. You’ve got some time to kill, but there’s no better spot for people-watching. Have a welcome rest at Bougatsa Kirkor and try Crete’s traditional custard pastry, the bougátsa, or relax in the adjacent El Greco Park.

Irakleio's Icon Museum on CreteIrakleio's Icon Museum on Crete

4.30pm

Visit the Icon Museum, which should take you less than an hour, and see the cathedral and church of Áyios Mínas, both on the same square. See our full page on Irakleio’s Icon Museum.

Afterwards, there’s still time for a last look at the Minoan treasures in the Archaeology Museum, which is open until 8pm. You can then have a pre-dinner drink in one of the bars behind Dedalou Street and congratulate yourself for seeing Irakleio in a day!

Where to Stay in Irakleio

Our Irakleion pages

  • Irakleio’s Archaeological Museum is Crete’s most important museum and contains some of Crete’s oldest artefacts, Minoan frescoes and the Phaistos Disc.

    Irakleio’s Archaeological Museum

    Irakleio’s Archaeological Museum is Crete’s most important museum and contains some of Crete’s oldest artefacts, Minoan frescoes and the Phaistos Disc.

  • Irakleio’s Icon Museum in the church of Ayia Aikaterini is a small but impressive collection from the world’s best icon painters.

    Irakleio’s Icon Museum

    Irakleio’s Icon Museum in the church of Ayia Aikaterini is a small but impressive collection from the world’s best icon painters.

  • Here are some of the things you’ll see when walking around Irakleio, the capital of Crete, including churches, squares, and the beautiful Venetian Loggia.

    Walking Around Irakleio

    Here are some of the things you’ll see when walking around Irakleio, the capital of Crete, including churches, squares, and the beautiful Venetian Loggia.

  • Irakleio’s Historical Museum is officially called the Historical Museum of Crete and contains the only work by El Greco that is still on his native island.

    Irakleio’s Historical Museum

    Irakleio’s Historical Museum is officially called the Historical Museum of Crete and contains the only work by El Greco that is still on his native island.

  • Irakleio’s Venetian Harbour is one of its most attractive features, and a stroll around here with a visit to the Venetian Fortress that guards it is a relaxing treat.

    Irakleio Harbour and Venetian Fortress

    Irakleio’s Venetian Harbour is one of its most attractive features, and a stroll around here with a visit to the Venetian Fortress that guards it is a relaxing treat.

Enjoy this page? Please pay it forward. Here's how...

Would you prefer to share this page with others by linking to it?

  1. Click on the HTML link code below.
  2. Copy and paste it, adding a note of your own, into your blog, a Web page, forums, a blog comment, your Facebook account, or anywhere that someone would find this page valuable.

Latest Posts

RSS

  1. Athens Airport: New Curbside Pick-up Rules Take Effect June 7

    In efforts to improve the passenger drop-off and pick-up experience and in view of the expected increase in international traveler arrivals, Athens International Airport (AIA) announced that it would…

    Read More

  2. Study Reveals the Tourist ‘Types’ that Pick Thessaloniki for Holidays

    Art lovers, active types and foodies are among the ‘travel tribes’ that select Thessaloniki, as their holiday destination, found a visitor profile study released this week by the Thessaloniki Hotels A…

    Read More

  3. Greece to Protect Historic Athens Cinemas Ideal and Astor

    The Greek Environment Ministry’s Central Council of Architecture (KESA) has decided to protect Athens’ Astor and Ideal cinemas designating the two historic landmarks as cultural monuments, said the Gr…

    Read More

  4. Thessaloniki Metro Almost Ready, Greek PM on First Test Run

    Thessaloniki’s highly anticipated metro, to serve almost 250,000 commuters a day once completed, is almost ready with the Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis taking a test ride this week. Mitsota…

    Read More

  5. Thessaloniki Food, Nightlife Winning Over More Tourists

    The nightlife and food are two of Thessaloniki’s strong points attracting more visitors to the northern port city, found a satisfaction study released this week by the Thessaloniki Hotels Association…

    Read More

  6. Air Passenger Traffic to Greece Continues to Mark Sharp Rise

    Passenger arrivals across all airports in Greece marked a sharp increase in the first four months of the year up by 7.4 percent compared to pre-Covid 2019 and by 38.4 percent over the same period in 2…

    Read More

  7. Greece Among Top Choices of British easyJet Flyers this Summer

    British holidaymakers flying on easyJet are picking Greece this year, according to a poll conducted by the budget carrier. More specifically, according to the survey carried out on 2,000 British adult…

    Read More

  8. Uber Launches On-demand Boat Service on Mykonos Island, Greece

    Ride-hailing company Uber recently announced that it will launch a new seasonal private charter boat service on the Greek island of Mykonos. Available from mid-June to October, “Boat” will be an on-de…

    Read More

  9. Mykonos Tops Airbnb’s Most Searched Int’l Destinations by US Travelers in Q1

    The Greek island of Mykonos is the top most searched for international destination by US travelers seeking Airbnb accommodation in the first quarter of the year, according to the Airbnb 2023 Summer re…

    Read More

  10. Greece’s Regional Airports Outdo Pre-Covid 2019 Traffic Levels in April

    Greece’s 14 regional airports exceeded pre-Covid 2019 levels last month handling a total of 1.6 million passengers, said managing company Fraport Greece. More specifically, according to Fraport data…

    Read More