Historical Museum of Crete
This page may contain affiliate links, see our disclaimer here.
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:
- the Battle of Crete
- the writer Nikos Kazantzakis
- artist El Greco
- traditional rural Cretan home and folklore
Visit the Museum by Bus
 |
Herakion Hop On Hop Off Bus This is a relaxing way to see Heraklion and get your bearings around the city. The bus visits:
|
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
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 Musem 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 - 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 Veneziano Boutique Hotel is a beautifully renovated noble home is tucked in a side street yet very
central to the walking and shopping streets of central Heraklion. Enjoy a
little bit of history and a whole lot of style here in this exquisite
hotel. Only 650 metre walk to the museum.
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 Mueum of Crete.
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.
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.
"We trust you have enjoyed these tips from the team at We Love Crete. Evíva!"
Contact us
with further questions or feedback. We love to hear about your travels
in Kríti and Greece. Let us know of any updates or additions, errors or
omissions. Help us make this website the best it can be. Kaló Taxidí!
- Home
- Crete Travel
- Historical Museum of Crete
