10 Things to Do in Heraklion with Kids

Heraklion is a city for the whole family, with a variety of attractions to enjoy. In its magical spaces children can be captivated by the archaeological history, horseback riding, the city's aquarium, the local beaches and the variety of theme parks.

In this port area the little ones can learn and get involved with the Cretan culture. The activities I propose in this itinerary are a great option for everyone, even for adults. For example, you can visit the Archaeological Museum, considered one of the best things to do in Heraklion for the variety of exhibits.

CRETAquarium or Heraklion Aquarium is an ideal attraction to take the kids, if you want to experience the best vacation in the Mediterranean. There are educational programs that will insert the little ones in the maritime history, as it is a protectionist space.

There are 60 tanks that shelter 2000 marine animals, distributed among 200 species. It is the perfect opportunity for children to learn while having fun.

Details of interest

• Price: from 10 €. The audio guide may have an additional cost.
• Location: located near the base of the Gournes Area Force.
• Distance: fifteen to thirty minutes from the center, depending on the transport you use.
• How to get there: you can take a public bus for about 2 €, it will take you about thirty minutes to get to the aquarium. If you want a more private option and arrive in about fifteen minutes, then take a cab for about 24 € or use a rental car.

The Lychnostatis Open Air Museum is ideal to experience the history and archaeological heritage of Crete, from another point of view. It recreates the daily life of the Cretans, in open-air spaces.

It is a fun activity to share with the family, as there are spaces where local legends are narrated. You can also attend a dance show, as well as taste the famous honey of Heraklion.

At the back there is access to a public beach, as the museum is located in the coastal area of Heraklion.

Details of interest

• Price: it costs about 6 €. The audio guide is about 2 €, but it is worth it.
• Location: it is located in the area of Hersonissos, in the coastal area of Heraklion.
• Distance: 25 minutes from the center.
• How to get there: the fastest way to get there is by cab for around 40 €, or by rental car. If you prefer a cheaper option, I suggest taking the public bus for around 3 €.

It is a tourist street and in high season it is usually crowded, as it is one of the main tourist attractions of Heraklion. Its name comes from the massacre of Cretans and British by Turkish tribes in 1898.

While it is a tragic story, it is now a commercial area, where old buildings and archaeological sites abound. In the area you can visit the Church of St. Titus, which is the patron saint of Crete.

You can also visit the Venetian Loggia, which was the meeting place of the nobility. In addition, it is one of the best connection points to other attractions in the city.

If you finish touring the street and you don't know what else to do, I suggest you to take advantage of Heraklion's free-stop sightseeing bus tour. It allows you to see the main monuments of the city, plus one of the stations is located five minutes away from 25 August Street.

Details of interest

• Location: it is a street in the Old Town.
• Distance: it is located about five minutes from downtown.
• How to get there: you can get there walking, if you are in other parts of the city, I suggest you take a bus or a cab so that the children do not get tired.

Children like to connect with nature and animals, so you can plan a family tour around Heraklion. It is a different and ideal destination to appreciate the city from the heights and breathe fresh air.

The mountains of Finikia and Giouchtas are quiet areas, with less tourist influx than other monuments of Heraklion. There are different options for horseback riding, most of them perfectly suited for all ages.

Usually, before you start you will be able to take a training session and tour the area on foot. Horseback riding is a very famous sport in Greece, it was introduced as a discipline during World War II. It can be practiced by children, young people and older adults.

The horses in the area are friendly, so it is a safe experience for children and adult beginners.

From these mountains it is possible to view an incredible natural spectacle, known as the sleeping mountain of the Greek god Zeus. This mountain was born on a plateau of Lassithi, a town one hour from Heraklion, but it is possible to observe from the heights of Finikia and Giouchtas.

Details of interest

• Price: there are tours that include horseback riding, from 70 €.
• Location: Finikia and Giouchtas mountains.
• Distance: it will take you approximately fifteen minutes to get there, both mountains are very close.
• How to get there: some tours include transfer to and from different parts of the city. If you go on your own, I suggest you take bus number 15, which leaves three times a day. It costs about €1 per person and the trip takes twenty minutes. The fastest option is to go by cab for about 15 €.

The museums and palaces of Heraklion are very interesting, their proposals are suitable for all ages, including children. The Archaeological Museum of Heraklion has many Minoan pieces and Cretan art. In addition, it has interactive areas ideal for the little ones.

In this museum also hides a collection of unique archaeological pieces, you will feel like in a labyrinth full of history. It is an experience recommended for children over five years old, who can get more out of the sensory experience and soak up the Greek culture.

On the other hand, the Palace of Knossos is a labyrinthine complex that preserves details of the Minoan culture. Here children can learn more about the myth of the Minotaur, or interact with ancient artifacts.

Details of interest

• Price: there are tours that take you to both sites for around 42 €, they are ideal because they include access without queues. You can also approach on your own, the museum costs about 4 €, while access to the palace is around 6 €. In addition, children under 25 can enter for free.
• Location: the museum is located in the Iraklio area at 712-02, while the palace is at 714-09.
• Distance: from the center to the museum is about a two-minute drive, to get to the palace you will need ten minutes from the center.
• How to get there: if you are moving from downtown, you can walk to the museum. There are also public buses or you can get a pass for the Heraklion tourist bus, which makes stops at both monuments.

With this plan the whole family will have fun on the best beaches of Heraklion, the coves in the area have crystal clear waters and a pleasant Mediterranean climate most of the year.

In Crete there are different types of beaches, specifically in Heraklion you can find shallow beaches, ideal if you are traveling with children. There are some with heated water, with sand or pebbles and most of them have stunning marine colors.

If you decide to visit a pebble beach, be careful. Children are restless and these areas can be dangerous for them. Instead, I suggest you take them to:

• Karteros: it is a sandy beach just ten minutes from the center, ideal for sunbathing in the summer, playing in the sand and eating in the surrounding beach bars. There are hotels where you can stay and there is also the famous Xenia hotel, abandoned in the 70s.
• Palaiokastro: it is about twenty minutes from the center by car and is a lovely beach. There is a bridge over the sand and a medieval Venetian castle called Palaiokastro Fortress.
• Agia Pelagia: it is an option thirty minutes away from the city. Between June and September, many Cretan families move to the area to take advantage of the summer. In addition, there are many water activities for the whole family and the surf is gentle, so it is a safe area for children.

Details of interest

• Price: some beaches are free, while others require an entrance fee or a collaboration. Parking may be charged by the hour or day.
• How to get there: you can access by road or local bus.

Ram Rules is an interactive museum, ideal for exploring children's abilities. It is also known as the Computer and Gaming Museum of Heraklion, as it has arcades. You can check them out, if you like video games and computers.

Children will be able to learn about Greek technology and discoveries, both modern and ancient. Here it is possible to try out computers and gadgets that were used years ago, when the first models were released.

Interesting details

• Price: from 5 € per person.
• Location: located on Meramvellou Avenue, in the Iraklio area.
• Distance: five to fifteen minutes from the city center.
• How to get there: you can get there by bus in eight minutes, walk for fifteen minutes or go by car to get there in about five minutes.

The Experience Crete theme park is ideal for children, focusing on sensory experiences and three-dimensional attractions. In addition, there are displays that explain little-known facts about Minoan culture. There's even a 9D attraction that simulates you're flying above the Palace of Knossos.

You can also travel back in time and experience ancient times. It is so real that some people often cry, laugh and feel adrenaline. Additionally, there are quieter areas where you can appreciate the murals of Knossos.

Details of interest

• Price: from 11 € per person.
• Location: located in the Efessou area.
• Distance: it is very close to the center, depending on the method of transport you use, you can take maximum five minutes.
• How to get there: it is such a close route that you can get there in two minutes by car, or in six minutes if you choose to walk or take the bus.

In Heraklion, children's fun is also a priority, so it's common to find family attractions, such as theme parks ideal for spending the afternoon playing and exploring. The Labyrinth Park is a very complete option, as it offers activities for all ages.

When you enter the labyrinth, you will find mysteries linked to Greek mythology, which you must solve in order to get out. I recommend at least three hours for this adventure, as it can take some time to solve the riddles.

It is a mental challenge, ideal to stimulate the creativity of the little ones. The most important thing is that you never go back, since it will cost you twice as much to find the exit. Note that this park also offers miniature golf courses, archery games, horseback riding lessons and more.

All additional activities cost extra. For example, to ride the Trojan horse, access the underworld game, go horseback riding or ride the ATVs, you have to pay about 3 €.

Details of interest

• Price: to access the labyrinths you must pay around 10 €, children under four years old get in for free.
• Location: the Labyrinth Park is located near the Acqua Plus theme park, in the Chersonisos area.
• Distance: the Labyrinth Park is located about twenty-five minutes from the center.
• How to get there: the best way to get there is by car, although there are also bus stations in the vicinity.

For its part, the Dinosaur Park is just outside the city, specifically in the neighboring mini-city of Gournes. It is an interactive park that features fossil replicas and rooms with animated games.

It is a worthwhile experience, as you will find 50 species of dinosaurs that once inhabited the area. There are statues and interactive robots that kids will love. There is also a museum that preserves their history, as well as a collection of bones.

The fun doesn't stop, you can find excavation areas and a gift store. There are other options, such as walking around the facilities, taking the kids to the playground or taking a ride on the park's mini train, where children under eight years old have the option of a free ride.

Additionally, there is a 5D dinosaur cinema, a planetarium, exhibit halls and augmented reality rooms.

Details of interest

• Price: to enter the Dinosaur Park, you can purchase a ticket starting at 14 €, more expensive plans include entrance to other rooms.
• Location: located in the Gournes area.
• Distance: it is fifteen minutes from downtown.
• How to get there: the best way to get there is by car.