Greece is, in itself, a country that offers great holidays to everyone who visits it. Many of its cities stand out as truly remarkable places. The city of Heraklion, the capital of the island of Crete, is one of them. This city has everything from historical monuments to fine sandy beaches where you can relax for a few days. That is why we at OK Mobility propose some great ideas to discover this jewel of the Mediterranean.
The Palace of Knossos, a treasure near the city of Heraklion
We start with one of the most famous historical sites in all of Europe, the Palace of Knossos. This site is known to be the center of the Minoan civilization and is an essential stop if you are visiting the city of Heraklion. It is only 5 kilometers away and, as such a well-known site, it is very easy to reach.
The legend of the labyrinth of the Minotaur, built by Daedalus for King Minos, is associated with this place. When you visit, you will find a complex of buildings that are quite well preserved considering the period they date from. Inside the complex, you will find the throne room or the queen's baths. Undoubtedly a place full of legend and history.
As a tip, if you go during the high season, it is recommended that you purchase your tickets in advance and online to avoid waiting in line, as it tends to get quite crowded.
Archaeological Museum, an essential visit
No trip to the city of Heraklion, or to Greece in general, would be complete without a visit to its archaeological museums. This, in fact, is one of the most important in Greece so you should not skip it. In this museum you will find objects that will tell you the history of Crete in a journey of more than five thousand years. Most of the exhibits belong to the Minoan civilization, making it a very good complement to the visit to the palace. In addition, you can admire some of the original frescoes that were removed from Knossos for better preservation.
Historic center of the city of Heraklion
The historic center of the city of Heraklion or its "old city" is one of those places that will transport you to another era. The walls that welcome visitors to the area used to protect it in the past, and they are already a highly recommended visit in themselves.
In the old city you will find old buildings integrated with new ones that give rise to a curious mixture of architectural styles. Highlights include the Cathedral of San Tito and the old Venetian Exchange. It is not a site that will take you a long time to visit, so you can combine the walk around the area with other plans. You can visit the area and see its most representative spaces in one morning.
Relax on its beaches
The city of Heraklion has a port and, of course, beaches located outside the city. If you are looking for a more relaxing day of sunbathing and swimming in the waters of the Mediterranean, you will not be disappointed. Perhaps one of the most famous is Ammoudara, a beach of fine sand and turquoise blue waters that is easy to reach from the city. However, if you are looking for a beach which is different, with a unique and characteristic touch, you will have to go a little further, to the south of the island.
Specifically, we refer to the beach of Matala, a beach famous for the caves excavated in a nearby rock face. It is interesting that people lived in these caves during the hippie period on this island in the sixties and seventies.
Places outside the city of Heraklion
If you have enough time, do not rule out touring this island a little more in depth, because it has a lot to offer. From ancient Orthodox monasteries like Moni Arcadi to towns like Chania, which are steeped in history. Also, if you are looking to combine your trip with some of the best hiking in the whole Mediterranean, Crete is a good place for it In this sense, the Samaria Gorge offers you a natural route through wild Greece that takes between 4 and 6 hours. It is located in the Samaria National Park and is a treasure trove of flora and fauna.
Don't forget that you can visit this island in the most comfortable way possible thanks to the car rental offers in Heraklion we have prepared for you, designed to make the most of your stay.
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