Among dozens of excursions around Heraklion, we suggest choosing the following:
Be sure to visit the island’s most legendary attraction — the Palace of Knossos (the very place where Theseus killed the Minotaur). During the tour, guides in Heraklion (about 70 EUR for adults and 35–40 EUR for children) will tell you about Ariadne’s thread, take you along the Royal Road, and even show you a 3,500-year-old bathtub. You can also get here on your own by bus No. 2, buy a ticket for 6 EUR, pick up brochures and spend as much time at the palace as you like. It’s impossible to get lost: there are maps, signs, and explanations everywhere. And be sure to bring a large bottle of water so you don’t have to buy it here at an inflated price.
A sightseeing tour of the historic part of Heraklion. For 20–100 EUR you can take a real journey through time — the guide will show you traces of Byzantium, Venice, and the Ottoman Empire in the streets of the city. If you get tired of history, book an evening tour (from 65 EUR), for example the “Cretan Evening.” Such offers usually include parties or tasting events where wine flows freely, tables are full of national dishes, people sing until morning and dance all night long. You can book excursions with one of the local companies.
A bus excursion from Heraklion to the surrounding areas. For example, visit the Samaria Gorge — you will descend from a height of 1,250 meters along steep cliffs, see wild goats and pass through the Iron Gates (the gorge is only 3 meters wide here). The average cost of such excursions is 55–80 EUR.
Yacht excursions are also very popular among tourists in Heraklion — such a tour usually lasts 8–10 hours. For 350–400 EUR you can rent a yacht with drinks and light snacks, sail into the open sea, go diving, or try fishing.
