Heraklion travel guide

Heraklion Tourism | Heraklion Guide

You're Going to Love Heraklion

With a population of 137,154, Heraklion is a must-see destination in Crete, Greece. It is one of the most popular cities to visit in the country. We recommend you stay at least 5 days in order to fully appreciate everything Heraklion has to offer.

When to visit Heraklion

Heraklion in April
Estimated flight+hotel price
£185
2 travellers
Flight to Heraklion
3 nights at hotel
Heraklion in April
Estimated flight+hotel price
£185
2 travellers
Flight to Heraklion
3 nights at hotel

How to Get to Heraklion

Plane

When flying to Heraklion, you’ll arrive at Heraklion Airport Nikos Kazantzakis (HER), which is located 3 km from the city centre. Airlines that fly from the United Kingdom to Heraklion include British Airways, Corendon Airlines Europe and easyJet. The shortest flight to Heraklion from the United Kingdom departs from Edinburgh and takes around 4h 25m.

Car

Another option to get to Heraklion is to pick up a car hire from Rhodes, which is about 303 km from Heraklion. You’ll find branches of GREEN MOTION and AbbyCar Car Rentals, among others, in Rhodes.

Bus

Heraklion’s bus station is located 0.4 km from the city centre.

Plane

When flying to Heraklion, you’ll arrive at Heraklion Airport Nikos Kazantzakis (HER), which is located 3 km from the city centre. Airlines that fly from the United Kingdom to Heraklion include British Airways, Corendon Airlines Europe and easyJet. The shortest flight to Heraklion from the United Kingdom departs from Edinburgh and takes around 4h 25m.

Car

Another option to get to Heraklion is to pick up a car hire from Rhodes, which is about 303 km from Heraklion. You’ll find branches of GREEN MOTION and AbbyCar Car Rentals, among others, in Rhodes.

Bus

Heraklion’s bus station is located 0.4 km from the city centre.

Airports near Heraklion

Airlines serving Heraklion

Lufthansa
Good (4,685 reviews)
KLM
Good (837 reviews)
SWISS
Good (955 reviews)
British Airways
Good (4,648 reviews)
Delta
Good (4,566 reviews)
Austrian Airlines
Good (484 reviews)
Iberia
Good (1,602 reviews)
Air France
Good (985 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (2,103 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (6,024 reviews)
Brussels Airlines
Good (228 reviews)
Finnair
Good (855 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (801 reviews)
TAP AIR PORTUGAL
Good (1,173 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (840 reviews)
Alaska Airlines
Excellent (5,783 reviews)
ITA Airways
Good (740 reviews)
Aer Lingus
Good (736 reviews)
Eurowings
Good (192 reviews)
Norwegian
Good (146 reviews)
Show more

Where to stay in Heraklion

From 5-star hotels such as the Gdm Megaron, Historical Monument Hotel to great affordable options like the Lena Hotel, Heraklion offers a range of accommodations for every taste. Average rates range from around £61 per night for a double room in a 3-star hotel to £109 and up for a 5-star experience. If you’re on a budget, well-reviewed accommodations include Kronos Hotel and Mirabello Hotel.

Where to stay in popular areas of Heraklion

Most booked hotels in Heraklion

Gdm Megaron, Historical Monument Hotel
5 stars
Excellent (9.4, Excellent reviews)
£140+
Yianna Caravel
4 stars
Excellent (9.1, Excellent reviews)
£105+
ibis Styles Heraklion Central
4 stars
Excellent (9, Excellent reviews)
£88+
Galaxy Iraklio Hotel
5 stars
Excellent (9, Excellent reviews)
£110+
Aquila Atlantis Hotel
5 stars
Excellent (8.4, Excellent reviews)
£105+
Knossos Beach Bungalows Suites Resort & Spa
5 stars
Excellent (8.3, Excellent reviews)
£190+

Hiring a car in Heraklion

Hiring a car in Heraklion costs £23 per day, on average, or £114 if you want to hire it for 5 days.

You’re likely to save money by hiring your car at the airport: locations in the city are, on average, 1% more expensive than at Heraklion N. Kazantzakis Apt..

Expect to pay £1.62 per litre in Heraklion (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your car hire, filling up the tank will cost between £19.44 and £25.91. The most frequently booked car type in Heraklion is Standard (Volkswagen Tiguan or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Mini car hire (Peugeot 107 or similar) is, on average, 80% cheaper than other car hire types in the city.

Hiring a car in Heraklion costs £23 per day, on average, or £114 if you want to hire it for 5 days.

You’re likely to save money by hiring your car at the airport: locations in the city are, on average, 1% more expensive than at Heraklion N. Kazantzakis Apt..

Expect to pay £1.62 per litre in Heraklion (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your car hire, filling up the tank will cost between £19.44 and £25.91. The most frequently booked car type in Heraklion is Standard (Volkswagen Tiguan or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Mini car hire (Peugeot 107 or similar) is, on average, 80% cheaper than other car hire types in the city.