Heraklion What not to miss?

Will you go to Knossos? The archeological museum was great as well.

Yes we will be visiting Knossos.

I think you can find the memorial to Nikos Kazantzakis there. The author of Zorba the Greek was a diplomat, poet and novelist. If it interests you, his autobiography is "Report to Greco" and tells a novelized version of his life journey. Cretans will be impressed if you are even trying to read Kazantzakis and may offer hospitality and good advice. Ask for a traditional restaurant off the waterfront. The WW2 history of Nazi occupation and resistance is told in "Ill met by moonlight" and "The Cretan Runner" (Patrick Leigh-Fermor, the British soldier and travel writer, kidnapped the Nazi Kommandant of Crete and spirited him off the island. PLF lived on in Greece.) If you can stop off in any of the hill towns, for a drink or lunch, they have been spared the mass development of the coast.

I really like the Rough Guide to Crete. A good investment for both ideas and general information about Crete and it’s fascinating history. Has a very thorough section on Heraklion, things to do and see.

If you are interested in seeing another Minoan site, after you have been to Knossos and the archaeological museum, consider a visit to Phaistos, another Grand Palace site. While it has been excavated, it has not been reconstructed like Knossos. There are tour companies in Heraklion who offer trips there. Also trips to Spinalonga fascinating island near Ayias Nikolaos. Has a fort built by the Venetians, occupied by the Ottomans and then became a leper colony, closing only in the 1950’s.

Hop on a bus to some of the outlying towns such as Archanes. A lovely old town with a museum, archaeological sites and Byzantine churches.

There are Lots of options for visiting wineries, olive oil farms, etc around Heraklion. Google things to do in Heraklion for suggestions and check out the Rough Guide.

Thanks for the tip on Rough Guide to Crete tip and I just put a hold on it at my local library. I am also thinking of a horseback ride on the beach.

We were in Heraklio last June. We walked a portion of the city walls and visited the Nikos Kazantzakis memorial. I don't think you would miss those experiences if your schedule didn't allow time for them. We enjoyed visiting the Koules fortress in the city harbor. The interior of the fort is now a museum with modern exhibits that succinctly provides an understanding of a historical era. There is a small breakwater extending from the fortress that is a pleasant walk and some views of the city from the higher portions of the fortress. Again I wouldn't say this is a don't miss experience but is a pleasant activity for maybe a couple of hours (museum and breakwater) if you are spending additional time in the city.

BTW there is a city bus stop across the street from the Archeological museum that will take you to Knossos, so no need for a car or taxi. The bus seems to run frequently.