Experience
Greece

BUCKET LIST TRAVEL : HERAKLION

The port city

Greece’s fifth largest city is full of charm and deserves to be explored. The seafront is lovely to walk along and the old town, surrounded by ramparts, is full of lively squares and 15th-century buildings. The vibrant nightlife doesn’t outshine the main tourist attractions, notably the extraordinary archaeological museum.

ON THE GREEK WINE ROUTE

You won’t regret leaving the seafront to explore the inland regions. A few kilometres from the hustle and bustle of the city and its seaside ambience, time seems to stop in the flower-filled villages you pass on the road.

Rows of vines weave through the lush hills overlooked by Mount Juktas. Well known for its vineyards, the region is becoming more and more popular with food and wine enthusiasts. Built on a tradition inherited from Antiquity, Crete has developed wine-growing expertise and a famous understanding of wines. With its cool winters and long, dry summers, the Mediterranean climate is perfect for growing grapes. In the last few years, people in Crete have reclaimed their local grape varieties, giving the wines a surprising elegance and complexity. Almost two-thirds of the country’s vineyards are in this region, which is responsible for nearly 80% of the wine produced in Crete.

Visitors must explore the winemaking estates which grow the local grape varieties. Many wineries offer tastings and explain their process and passion as you wander through the vines and weave through the valleys. On your way back, take a seat in a village taverna to enjoy some regional food and sample some of the local produce. You can eat fresh from the market or with site-farmed ingredients. Lamb chops from the barbecue, grilled feta drizzled with olive oil and served with battered courgette flowers. Delicious! Far from everything, it’s an authentic slice of heaven on earth.

Must-sees in Heraklion

Vineyards in the hinterland of Heraklion

THE PALACE OF KNOSSOS

A few kilometres from Heraklion, the centre of Minoan civilisation can be visited early in the day to avoid the crowds. The excavated ruins and the colourful frescoes tell the story of the palace and the life of a European civilisation four thousand years ago.

THE CRETAQUARIUM

No fewer than 2,500 marine creatures from all over the world live in this high-tech aquarium. A visit to this world of sharks, rays, jellyfish and corals is made even better by the interactive installations loved by people of all ages.

THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM

One of Crete’s prized locations, this Bauhaus-style building is home to objects spanning seven thousand years, from the Neolithic to the Roman era, and includes an unbelievable Minoan collection. Treasures include jewellery, sarcophaguses, pottery and the famous frescoes from the Knossos and Tylissos sites.

KOULES FORTRESS

Looking over Heraklion, the Rocca al Mare (sea fortress) was built by the Venetians in the 16th century to protect the port and the city from Turkish attacks in the time of Süleyman the Magnificent. It then became a prison. The lion, symbolic of Venetian power, adorns the marble reliefs on the exterior walls of the building.

ACQUA PLUS WATERPARK

This waterpark is set within a magnificent garden on the side of a hill, the oldest in Greece! Amongst the palm trees and other exotic trees, waterslides in this natural oasis of greenery are a thrill for people of all ages.