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Historical Museum of Crete

Historical Museum of Crete in Heraklion

Historical Museum of Crete

The Historical Museum of Crete

27 Sofokli Venizelou Avenue, Heraklion

The exhibitions of this museum show the history of Crete from 330 AD to the end of WWII.

This collection is housed in a beautifully restored three-storey neoclassical mansion near the seaside in downtown Heraklion, the capital of Crete. The museum is in easy walking distance from the pedestrian central streets, and from the Liondaria Square. The building itself has been declared a Historical Building and a Work of Art.

Museum collections include:





Visit the Museum by Bus

Heraklion Hop On Hop Off Bus

This is a relaxing way to see Heraklion and get your bearings around the city.

The bus visits:

  • Historical Museum of Crete
  • Knossos Palace
  • Archaeological Museum
  • Koules Fortress
  • Old Gates
  • a total of 10 stops


More tips for visiting the Historical Museum of Crete.

  • Enjoy the interactive media exhibitions
  • Audio guides are available in English
  • If you are not a history buff, allow 1 hour for the visit
  • At the shop and bookstore, right next to the entrance, are a range of books published by the Society of Cretan Historical Studies, and other books on Cretan history and culture
  • Take a break at the cafe at the museum
  • Or pop across the road to Cafe Mare near the seaside
  • This is a very active museum which is part of the cultural life of Crete, do not be surprised to find a current exhibition at the time of your visit
  • Check opening hours on their website before you set out, as holidays and opening times may change



One Day in Heraklion - Walking Notes - The Old Port of Heraklion

Independent Walking Tour of Heraklion

When you make your independent walking tour around Heraklion, you will want to visit the following fascinating spots:

  • Knossos Palace
  • Archaeological Museum of Crete
  • Natural History Museum of Crete
  • Historical Museum of Crete
  • Liondaria Square
  • 25th of August Street
  • Koraii Cafe Quarter
  • 1866 Markets
  • Old Harbour and Venetian Arsenal
  • Koules Venetian Fortress
  • Agios Titos Church
  • Kournaros Square



Walking Notes

Day 1 in Heraklion

Needless to say,it is imperative to see Knossos Palace as a priority, which is 5 km out of town, and the Archaeological Museum. Visiting these two fascinating locations, as well as enjoying lunch and dinner will make a very full day on your first day.

  • Knossos Palace - get there early and allow 3 hours
  • Lunch at Plani or O Magos
  • Archaeological Museum - allow 2 hours if you are not a history buff
  • Enjoy great shopping along the pedestrian streets - especially Dedalou Street
  • Dinner at Efta Baltades or Veneto
  • Evening drinks in the Koraii cafe bar quarter

Day 2 in Heraklion

We help with some suggestions below for your independent walking tour around Heraklion.

  • Start early with breakfast of bougatsa at Liondaria Square, see the Morosini Venetian Fountain
  • Walk down 25th August Street, see the Venetian Loggia and neoclassical architecture
  • See beautiful Agios Titos Church and Square
  • Follow 25 August Street down to the water, see the Old Harbour and visit Koules Venetian Fortress
  • Then continue west along the seafront, along Venizelou Avenue, until you come to the Historical Museum of Crete
  • Allow 1 hour for the exhibitions if you are not a history buff
  • Have a coffee break at the museum cafe or by the sea at Mare cafe-bar
  • Continue on to the Natural History Museum of Crete (especially good for kids), also on Venizelou Avenue by the sea, allow 2 hours for the visit
  • Enjoy a lunch break at the museum or at Mare cafe-bar
  • Then walk back to Liondaria along Chandakos Street, enjoying its many interesting shopping and displays, it is a little out of the way and not a busy or famous shopping street, but no less interesting
  • From the Liondaria walk up 1866 Street to enjoy the street markets
  • At the end of the markets you will arrive at Kournaros Square where you can enjoy a relaxing coffee in the shade, see the old Turkish coffee house and the Bembo Fountain.
  • In the evening relax in the Koraii cafe bar quarter for cocktails, dinner, drinks and coffees, perhaps a game of backgammon known as tavli
  • We suggest a unique Cretan dinner at Peskesi
  • More about Heraklion here
  • More about the Heraklion Region here



Historical Museum of Crete
Accommodation Tips

Kings Blue - Apartments in Heraklion town with view to the Old Port

Kings Blue - Port View Apartment - located very close to both the Old Harbour and the Historical Museum of Crete, this makes a comfortable and central place to stay in the town of Heraklion. 350 metres to the museum.


The budget Mirabello Hotel has a rooftop terrace with views to the Med, in central Heraklion, Crete
Backpack clipart blue white

Mirabello is a budget hotel set a few streets back from the Liondaria, in an easy central location. This hotel is family run with only 25 rooms and represents good value. Located only 280 metres from the Historical Museum of Crete.


Lato Hotel Heraklion Crete

The Lato Hotel - our pick for downtown Heraklion because it is close to the port, the airport, the bus station and all the funky cafe bars. It also has great views over the romantic old harbour and terrific service. A great pick if you have travelled a long way or are awaiting your flight home. Enjoy the rooftop restaurant.



Video

Below is a video of the Historical Museum of Heraklion:




Getting Here

The Heraklion International Airport is 5 km from the city centre. Regular flights arrive from Athens, Greece and many European cities.

Local buses depart every 20 minutes or so from the airport to the city centre.

Taxis are available - prebook here with Crete Cab to minimise fuss - the journey to the city centre takes around 10 minutes.

Take a 1 hour flight from Athens to Heraklion with Aegean Airlines or Olympic Air, with many flights available per day.

Or take a 9.5 hour overnight ferry from Pireaus port of Athens to Heraklion port.

More on flights and ferries below.

When you book with our car rental partners - Rental Centre Crete - you are supporting a local company with excellent service and an easy online booking procedure. We are sure you will be well looked after by Harry and his team. Choose from hybrid or non-hybrid vehicles.


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We trust you have enjoyed these tips from the We Love Crete team. Evíva!

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