Heraklion Area
Beaches & Ancient Sites
This page may contain affiliate links, see our disclaimer here.
Crete Travel Questions & Answers
Heraklion Area Beaches in central Crete, Greece. Easy to get to, close to the international airport at Heraklion in the centre of the island, the beaches in this part of Crete are spectacular. Ancient sites, mountains, trekking, walking, history and exploring are all on the menu in this diverse region.
On the North Coast
 |
To get to the sights and beaches on the north coast of Crete, take the relevant bus from Bus Station A which is near the port on the north side of town. |
Ammoudara Beach - 7 km to the town beach, west of Iraklion, with many cafe bars and good swimming.
How to Get to Ammoudara Beach - we answer our visitor's question.
Kato Gouves Beach - a town beach to the east of the city, 18 km from town.
Anissaras Beach - a busy resort beach 25 km east of the city.
Agia Pelagia Beach - just 23 km from Heraklion town on the north-west coast, a busy seaside
village with many beautiful bays, crystal clear waters good for diving
and many hotels, tavernas and cafe bars right by the water.
Almyra next to Agia Pelagia BeachOn the South Coast
Heraklion BeachesTo get to Heraklion beaches on the south coast of Crete, take a local taxi for less than 3 Euros to Bus Station B, at Chanio Porta, on the south side of town. Some buses change at the market town of Mires. Take care to listen to instructions about which side of the bus station you bus leaves from. Of course, a car is very handy to make the most of exploring.
Instructions re bus stations here...
Kokkinos Pirgos -
70 km - a pebbly beach at the south of Heraklion near Timbaki, close to
Matala and Agia Galini, there is a great seafood taverna right on the
beach
Matala Beach - 75 km - a very unusual rock formation makes this beach special, as well as its history. Hippies came here in the sixties and seventies, living rough in the sandstone caves. In modern times, a music festival has enlivened that same feeling - held every summer on the beach. Nearby are the beaches of Kommos, Red Sand Beach and Vathi Beach.
Keratokambos Beach - 100 km - a wild beach to find some air and get the wind in your hair.
Explore Heraklion Area
Beaches & Ancient Sites
Heraklion Area
Minoan Palace of Knossos - just 5 km from town, the most spectacular historical sight on the island, dating from around 2000 BC...
Minoan Palace of Malia - 40 km east of town on the north coast, one of the four principal Minoan palaces on Crete...
Mountain Village of Zaros - 44 km south of town, relax in the fresh air in the foothills of Psiloritis mountain range...
Ruins of Gortyna - 50 km south of Heraklion near Agioi Deka, Roman ruins which are exciting to explore and much less crowded than Knossos...
Minoan Palace of Phaistos - 62 km south of Heraklion, south of Mires in the Messara Valley, take the bus from bus Station B and Mires, be sure to check opening times as they vary from season to season, this site is also much less crowded than its sister Knossos Palace...
How do I get the bus to Matala Beach for the Sea Turtle project?...we answer this question for a volunteer...
Hire Car Itineraries
Q&A for independent travellers visiting the Heraklion Area beaches and ancient sites.
Ancient sites in Heraklion - pick up at airport or town
Pick up in Heraklion and Drop off in Chania - a short itinerary by car in Crete, see Rethymnon, Arkadi Monastery, Amari Valley, Lake Kournas, Georgioupolis Beach...
A Meditation Trip to Crete - a group of 7 explore the ancient sites of Crete, especially Gortyna, Phaistos and Knossos
Do you have Tips or Questions for Travel in Heraklion, Crete?
Do you have a secret about beaches in Heraklion, or a tip for other travellers? Or perhaps a question that is not answered here?
What Other Visitors Have Said
Click below to see tips and questions from other visitors to this page...
Heraklion to Karpathos Ferry
Looking for details of ferry times from Heraklion to Sitia, Kasos, Karpathos May 2021 but am drawing a blank.
Can you help?
Best way to travel from Heraklion Airport to Ierapetra?
Would it be better for me to take a bus from Heraklion Airport - or fly to Sitia instead? On the map it appears Sitia is closer. Any help would be appreciated. …
Hiking Mount Giouchtas
Hello,
You have a wonderful website with a lot of interesting and useful info.
I am a solo traveler from Canada and it's my third time in Greece …
Getting from Heraklion Airport to Plaka and Spinalonga
Hello,
I'm looking to travel from London to Heraklion airport (as I believe this is the closest airport to travel visit Spinalonga). I just need some …
Best Places to Stay Near Heraklion, Crete
Hi, my husband and I have booked to go to Greece next year in May.
We will travel to Athens and then take a flight to Crete, arriving in Heraklion …
How Can I get from Heraklion Port to Bali?
Hi, I've been told that ferries can sometimes be delayed and because we are going to arrive from Santorini quite late, I was a bit worried about how could …
Heraklion Airport Taxi to Hora Sfakion Crete
I am planning to travel from Heraklion Airport on Sept 21 to Loutro. Arriving 2.05pm
How long will a taxi take from the airport to Chora Sfakion? I …
Heraklion Airport to Panormos
Hello!
We fly into Heraklion airport on June 19 at 13:55 - we are wondering which is the best way to get to Villa Kynthia in Panormos?
A taxi is …
Kolymvari to Heraklion for Early Flight
Hi, great site, thanks.
We are staying in Kolymvari with a hired car and need to catch a 7am flight from Iraklion in the morning.
Is it OK to …
Heraklion to Kissamos Transport Options
Hello....we are spending 2 nights at the Hotel Iraklio from 12 April until 14 April
On 14 April we need to travel to Kissamos and are staying at the …
Traveling Heraklion to West Crete
Hi,
We will be flying into the airport in Heraklion mid-morning in July and leaving from that airport mid-morning, 7 days later.
So we have 7 days …
What to do in Heraklion
Hi, we are visiting Crete next week and have a couple of questions.
Q1: If we wanted to walk the Samaria Gorge is this too far to do as a day trip …
Ferry from Heraklion to Rethymnon
Hi, we will be spending 4 weeks in Crete at the end of August.
We are looking at varying our travel and wondered if it possible to get a ferry from …
One Week Road Trip from Heraklion Crete
Hello, We will be in Crete for a week and fly in/out of Heraklion.
We'd like to visit archaeological sites, ruins, places of interest and natural wonders. …
Athens to Heraklion Flights
I have a 7 night holiday from 21-28 August in Stalis.
I would like to fly to Athens on the 22nd early flight and get the last flight from Athens to …
Where to Stay Near Knossos, Crete
Hi, let me first congratulate with you for your beautiful website. I looked at the questions and I have not found the right solution for me. I therefore …
Only 2 nights in Crete near Heraklion
My boyfriend and I (28-30yr olds) are flying into Heraklion the morning of Aug 6th and leaving on Aug 8th.
Since I only have a limited time there where …
Beach Near Heraklion for 3 Nights
We are coming to Crete and Santorini for 7 days. If we only stay 3 nights in Crete what is the one spot you would recommend to go and stay?
We are …
Flying from Crete to Rhodes
We want to fly from Crete to Rhodes. We are wondering whether we should stay in a Heraklion hotel during our visit since it will be easier to catch the …
Bus Times and Prices Rethymnon to Heraklion
I am travelling to Rethymnon in May and would like to know the times of the buses to Heraklion and the prices. Thank you
Bus Heraklion to Rethymnon …
Heraklion to Paleochora After 8pm
If the ferry arrives in Heraklio at 8pm, can we travel to Paleochora that night?
Or must we stay in Chania or elsewhere? En route?
Our destination …
What is the best way to get from Heraklion to Chania?
We are flying to Heraklion and staying in Chania in April this year. What is best mode of transportation to get to Chania? We will have a car when we to …
Heraklion to Elafonisos
Hello
I am planning to travel to Heraklion with my boyfriend to visit my friend who works on the site at Knossos in early June. We will be staying with …
Buses to Heraklion
We will be staying east of Heraklion in Limenas Hersonissou in early October.
Is there a quick, reliable way to get from Limenas to Heraklion so we …
Getting Here...
Heraklion Area Beaches and Ancient Sites - arrive from European capitals or via Athens into Heraklion International Airport with code HER.
Or take an overnight ferry from Pireaus Port of Athens, a 9 hour trip.
Fast ferries also arrive from Santorini in the evenings, the trip takes less than 2 hours, details below...
Subscribe To Blog
© 2006 - 2021 We-Love-Crete.com All Rights Reserved.
We are original, independent and unsponsored.
