A beautiful island with sandy beaches and pretty buildings is perfect for an autumn getaway. Heraklion is the largest city on the Greek island of Crete and a popular tourist spot.
Now that the summer is over, most tourists will have packed up and left, making it the perfect time to visit. In between the on and off seasons, there is a window where the destination is still warm but relatively quiet. The mean temperature for September is 24C, with the possibility of it getting up to 27C. Lonely Planet said Heraklion is home to the island’s “blockbuster sights”, including the ancient Knossos Palace, a major centre of the Minoan civilisation dating back to approximately 2000-1350 BCE. Often considered Europe’s oldest city, the palace is one of the most significant archaeological sites in Greece, second only to the Parthenon in terms of visitor numbers. Around the historic city centre, there are also a series of defensive walls, bastions, and other fortifications built earlier in the Middle Ages but completely rebuilt by the Republic of Venice.
The fortifications managed to withstand the longest siege in history, which lasted 21 years, before the city fell to the Ottomans in 1669.
As a UNESCO City of Gastronomy, the food in Heraklion is a must-try. There is a food market where visitors can try local olive oil, raki, wine, honey, and herbs. There are also a number of restaurants serving local food.
Just 30 minutes away is one of the island’s most famed beaches, Ammoudara. It has golden sands and calm, shallow waters, making it ideal for families or those looking for a relaxed swim.
Ammoudara beach has also been awarded a Blue Flag for its cleanliness and outstanding environmental management, reflecting the local commitment to keeping the area clean.
Heraklion is an important shipping port and ferry dock. Travellers can take ferries and boats to Santorini, Ios Island, Paros, Mykonos, and Rhodes. There are also several daily ferries to Athens on the mainland.
Heraklion International Airport, or Nikos Kazantzakis Airport, is located about three miles east of the city. It is the second busiest airport in Greece after Athens International.