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Heraklion (Iraklion)

Greece Crete · Port

Ships calling
17ships
Upcoming sailings
419sailings
Average stay
7hours

Having been controlled by Arabic, Venetian and Ottoman empires over the years - it's no surprise that Heraklion is a diverse patchwork of exotic cultures and historical treasures. Celebrated as the birthplace of the Spanish Renaissance artist, El Greco, you can visit to explore the storied ruins of the Minoan empire's capital, and unearth the rich cultural treasures that Crete’s bustling modern capital has to offer.

Cruises visiting Heraklion (Iraklion)78

11-night round-trip cruise from SplitNov 25(Wed) +2 more · MSC Lirica
Per person fromKRW 1,370,000
11-night round-trip cruise from VeniceNov 26(Thu) +4 more · MSC Lirica
Per person fromKRW 1,160,000
10-night cruise from IstanbulNov 27(Fri) · Seven Seas Voyager
Per person fromKRW 13,000,000
10-night round-trip cruise from SplitDec 6(Sun) · MSC Lirica
Per person fromKRW 1,350,000
10-night round-trip cruise from VeniceDec 7(Mon) · MSC Lirica
Per person fromKRW 1,300,000
14-night cruise from CivitavecchiaDec 21(Mon) · Seven Seas Navigator
Per person fromKRW 13,740,000
12-night cruise from VeniceDec 28(Mon) · MSC Lirica
Per person fromKRW 2,080,000
11-night cruise from PiraeusJan 4(Mon) · Seven Seas Navigator
Per person fromKRW 11,120,000
14-night cruise from IstanbulJan 15(Fri) · Seven Seas Navigator
Per person fromKRW 12,200,000
14-night cruise from PiraeusJan 29(Fri) · Seven Seas Navigator
Per person fromKRW 14,210,000
13-night cruise from BariMar 13(Sat) · MSC Lirica
Per person fromKRW 1,750,000
7-night cruise from BarcelonaMar 15(Mon) · Celebrity Infinity
Check price

Showing the next 12 cruises out of 78 visiting this port.

Ports before and after this stop

These ports appear before or after this stop on the same itinerary. The numbers show how often they occur together.

Cruise lines calling here

  • Celebrity Cruises
  • Celestyal Cruises
  • Holland America Line
  • MSC Cruises
  • Norwegian Cruise Line
  • Princess Cruises
  • Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Cruise port in Greece

Heraklion (Iraklion), Crete

Allow about 10 min each way from the terminal to the city center. Average time in port: 8 hours. 23 places to explore.

Ships calling here
17 ships
Upcoming sailings
419 sailings
Average time in port
About 8 hours
Lowest fare
From USD 459

After disembarking

Cruise ships dock at Heraklion (Iraklion) cruise terminals. Allow about 10 min each way from the terminal to the city center.

  • 2 cruise terminals

    The assigned dock is one of Heraklion Passenger Cruise Terminal, Direct City Bus Line 2 to Knossos Palace and varies by sailing.

  • Combined Ticket Discount for Knossos and the Archaeological Museum

    If visiting both the Knossos archaeological site and the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, buy the 20-euro Combined Ticket at the onsite ticket office or official online booking site to substantially reduce the cost and waiting time compared with buying separately.

  • Crete's Traditional Philoxenia and Tsikoudia

    At traditional Cretan tavernas, it is customary after a meal to offer the grape spirit raki (tsikoudia) with watermelon, orange cake, or halva as complimentary hospitality (Philoxenia).

About 8 hours in port: where can you go?

Time available at the destination after subtracting return travel.

Return travel Time at destination

Calculated from the average time in port. Return deadlines vary by sailing; check the daily programme on board.

Between the terminal, city and airport

Travel between the terminal, city center, railway station and airport.

BusAbout 20 minEUR 1.50~EUR 2

Heraklion Cruise Terminal → Knossos Palace

At the city bus stop outside the terminal exit, take bus 2 toward Knossos and get off at the terminus, Knossos. The archaeological site entrance is right there.

WalkAbout 15 min

Heraklion Cruise Terminal → Old Venetian Harbor & Koules Fortress

Exit the terminal and walk about 1.2 km west along the flat coastal promenade to reach the Venetian Old Harbor and the entrance to the Koules Fortress breakwater.

WalkAbout 20 min

Heraklion Cruise Terminal → Lion Square (Lions Fountain)

From the terminal, walk up the gentle hill along 25th of August pedestrian street, passing St. Titus Church and the Venetian Loggia, to reach Lion Square in the city center.

TaxiAbout 10 minEUR 15~EUR 20

Heraklion Cruise Terminal → Heraklion International Airport (HER)

Take a taxi from the stand in front of the terminal. The coastal highway takes about 10 minutes to reach Heraklion International Airport (Nikos Kazantzakis).

Heraklion places to explore

Explore 19 checked places. Select a pin to see its card, or choose View on map from a card.

Heraklion Archaeological Museum
Sights

Heraklion Archaeological Museum

Greece's finest archaeological museum, with outstanding original treasures of Minoan civilization such as the Phaistos Disc, the Bull's Head Rhyton, and the Snake Goddess figurines.

Visit
about 1 hr 30 min
Admission
EUR 12

Visiting together with the Palace of Knossos gives a fuller understanding of Minoan civilization and its artifacts.

Official website
Cathedral of Saint Minas
Sights

Cathedral of Saint Minas

One of Greece's largest Orthodox cathedrals, with room for 8,000 people and impressive golden iconostasis and dome frescoes.

Visit
about 35 min
Admission
Free

An unexploded bomb from World War II that fell in the cathedral courtyard is preserved there.

Koules Fortress
Sights

Koules Fortress

An imposing sea fortress built by the Republic of Venice at the end of the old harbor breakwater in the 16th century. Visitors can explore the winged Lion of Saint Mark relief, underground ammunition stores, prison, and rooftop cannon terrace.

Visit
about 1 hr
Admission
EUR 4

It is closed every Tuesday, and access to the breakwater may be restricted when bad weather creates high waves.

Official website
Historical Museum of Crete
Sights

Historical Museum of Crete

It explores Crete's history from early Christianity to the present, displaying two original paintings by El Greco and the personal belongings and study of novelist Nikos Kazantzakis.

Visit
about 1 hr
Admission
EUR 7

Closed on Sundays.

Official website
Venetian Walls of Heraklion
Sights

Venetian Walls of Heraklion

The Mediterranean's strongest fortress walls, extending for 4.5 kilometers in granite, which withstood a 21-year siege by the Ottoman Empire. A walkway along the top offers views over the whole city.

Visit
about 45 min
Admission
Free

There is very little shade, so bring a hat and sunglasses at midday.

Natural History Museum of Crete
Sights

Natural History Museum of Crete

It exhibits the distinctive ecosystems and fossils of the eastern Mediterranean, and visitors can feel earthquake tremors in a simulation experience.

Visit
about 50 min
Admission
EUR 9

It is on the coastal road, making it convenient to combine with a walk around the old harbor.

Official website

Trips nearby

With enough time in port, you can explore beyond the city. One-way times are approximate.

Knossos

About 20 min each wayTime at destination About 7 hr
  • Palace of Knossos
    SightsPalace of Knossos

    A Bronze Age palace ruin from around 2000 BC, the center of Minoan civilization and the setting of the Minotaur labyrinth myth. It features red columns and dolphin frescoes restored by Arthur Evans.

    There is little shade, so be sure to bring a parasol, a wide-brimmed hat, and bottled water.

  • Little Palace of Knossos
    SightsLittle Palace of Knossos

    A Minoan stone palace annex reached by a paved path northwest of the main Palace of Knossos. This historic site has a Pillar Hall used for sacred rites and is where the famous steatite bull-head rhyton was discovered.

    You can combine your visit with a walk along the Royal Road near the main palace.

    Google Maps
  • Pasiphae Restaurant Knossos
    Food and cafésPasiphae Restaurant Knossos

    Opposite the ticket office at Knossos Palace, it is a place to enjoy lamb gyros roasted with olive oil and lemon, Greek salad, and chilled Cretan beer on the outdoor terrace after visiting the ruins.

    It is right next to the bus stop, making it a good place to use waiting time before or after visiting the ruins.

    Official website Google Maps
  • Taverna To Knossos
    Food and cafésTaverna To Knossos

    A simple, friendly restaurant where, under the shade of grapevines, you can enjoy skewered souvlaki grilled using a family recipe handed down through generations, traditional moussaka, and fresh tzatziki.

    Food is served quickly and the staff are friendly, making it suitable for a port-day itinerary.

    Official website Google Maps

Cruises calling at Heraklion (Iraklion), Crete

419 sailings are grouped into 78 cruises by ship and route.

78 cruises call at this port.

About Heraklion (Iraklion), Crete

Having been controlled by Arabic, Venetian and Ottoman empires over the years - it's no surprise that Heraklion is a diverse patchwork of exotic cultures and historical treasures. Celebrated as the birthplace of the Spanish Renaissance artist, El Greco, you can visit to explore the storied ruins of the Minoan empire's capital, and unearth the rich cultural treasures that Crete’s bustling modern capital has to offer.

Cruise lines calling here: 7 places

Celebrity CruisesCelestyal CruisesHolland America LineMSC CruisesNorwegian Cruise LinePrincess CruisesRegent Seven Seas Cruises

Ports frequently visited before this one

RhodesPátmosAthensMykonosKusadasiKatakolonPalermoLimassol

Ports frequently visited after this one

SantoriniBarKusadasiRhodesAthensKatakolonPiraeusMessina

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