If you want to tour Heraklion in a fast, economical and comfortable way, you can travel by tourist bus with unlimited stops. It is ideal to visit the Archaeological Museum, the Venetian Walls and the Knossos Palace.
Carla Yaquer
9 min read
Heraklion | Sergey Kozak
Heraklion is the port capital of the island of Crete, a getaway to this destination is ideal to enjoy long and hot summers. During your stay you can visit the best local beaches, taste the Cretan gastronomy, explore the archaeological sites of the area or opt for a sightseeing bus tour.
The sightseeing bus tour with free stops is a great option if you want to discover the city on your own. The itinerary is your choice, it is a versatile option with two routes covering the most important sites of Heraklion. You can go up to the second floor to feel the breeze on your face, or stay on the air-conditioned second floor.
The Heraklion sightseeing bus is available during daytime hours, so you can hop on and off as long as your pass is valid.
If you decide to take the red route it will take about an hour to complete, you can also intersperse the tour with the blue route. The red route departs from the Port of Heraklion, while the blue route departs from the Apollonia Hotel, located near the Ammoudara area.
Archaeological Museum of Heraklion
The Archaeological Museum of Heraklion is one of the largest museums in Greece, so it is a must stop. You can take advantage of the bus tour the city's tourist bus, to stop by this space. Here you will learn more about the Minoan communities and their artistic representations.
Greece was very different from how it is known today, in fact its ancient people were the first European community. They were known as the Minoans and their culture belonged to the Bronze Age, around 2000 BC.
In this museum you will also find the Disk of Festos, it is made with clay and has an inscription in Minoan signs that have not yet been deciphered. You will also see many works that use the legend of the Minotaur. It is a symbolic figure in Greek mythology, which tells the revenge of the god Poseidon to punish the ambition and disobedience of King Minos.
The entrance fee to this interesting museum is around 4 €. It is located in the center of the city, so during this stop you can visit sites in the surroundings, such as:
Church of Agios Titos: it is located on August 25th street. It is a Byzantine and Orthodox church, whose history gathers important data about the Roman Empire. It is very important for the Cretans, as St. Titus is known to be the patron saint of Crete.
The Venetian Loggia: it is a monument of the Venetian period that was built in 1630, formerly it was the meeting point of wealthy representatives of Heraklion.
Shopping promenade: it is located in the center, you will find a variety of stores with typical Greek objects.
Plaza des Lions: it is a lively square, with a variety of taverns in the surroundings. It is known for the Venetian fountain of the four lions.
Important! Remember to plan ahead for the stops you plan to make, this way you can get the most out of your ticket.
Crete Museum of Natural History
The Natural History Museum of Crete was founded in 1980 and is responsible for protecting the flora and fauna of the Mediterranean. In particular, the species that thrive in Heraklion and on the island of Crete. There is a seismic table that functions as an earthquake simulator, which allows you to experience the sensations produced by this event.
It has multimedia rooms and interactive rooms, where you can experience life in sandy, wooded and desert ecosystems. In the live area, you can learn more about the Giant Dinotherium, an elephant that lived on the island in prehistoric times.
Before continuing your tour, be sure to stop by the optical illusions area, explore the ancient Greek ship and interact with the protected animals in the aquarium. Admission is around €5.
The Minoan Palace of Knossos
The island of Crete attracts hundreds of historians, captivated by the archaeological sites of Heraklion. One of the most important is the Minoan Palace of Knossos, which is located on the outskirts of the city and was built by the Minoan civilization 2000 BC.
The facade retains its essence, but underwent reconstructions after fires, tsunamis and earthquakes throughout history. You can walk through the Throne Room and the Queen's chambers.
You are also allowed access to royal rooms and the souvenir store. It remains open until 5:00 p.m., so I recommend you prioritize this interesting stop. The entrance fee is around 6 €.
It is easy to recognize the Venetian Walls or Walls of Heraklion, because they surround the old town. It is a must-see and enriching stop, as it merges the Byzantine and Venetian period.
They are open around the clock, ideal for getting the best views of the city. You can take pictures and visit sites in the surroundings while waiting for the next bus. I suggest you go to:
Fortress Roca al Mar: it has an impressive structure, it was used by the Venetians as a kind of castle. Later, the Turkish empire turned it into a prison. To learn more about its history, you can enter the museum where there is a collection of artifacts.
Venetian Bridges of Heraklion: it is one of the best places to watch the sunset, while enjoying the sounds of the Mediterranean coasts.
Port of Heraklion: it is a space that is usually very crowded, but it is worth walking around the area. It is located away from the city center, so I recommend you to take advantage of the tourist bus ride to make this stop.
Tomb of Nikos Kazantzakis
In one of the Walls of Heraklion, is the tomb of the famous Greek writer Nikos Kazantzakis. He had great contributions to modern Greek literature, that is why this monument is respected on the island of Crete.
The best way to book is online, so you can secure your trip around the city. Heraklion is known for its great social and cultural movement. It attracts tourists from all over the world, captivated by the beauty and secrets of the capital of the island of Crete.
There are several buses running through the city, which prevents the lines from collapsing and reduces waiting times. However, when booking your ticket online, you can take advantage of a cancellation policy that guarantees a full refund. Please note that cancellations must be made at least 24 hours in advance.
The length of the tour can vary, depending on the stops you wish to make. Some people complete it in four hours, while most people take a full day to take advantage of the convenience of the bus.
Remember that you can create your own itinerary, make stops for lunch, and hop on and off without limit. It is an ideal activity to share with family, if you go with children you will probably have to adjust the itinerary, as they tend to get tired during long tours.
The Heraklion sightseeing bus pass costs from 15 € per person, this price does not include entrance to other local attractions. It is excellent value for money, as it runs for twenty-four hours and allows you to cross the city quickly.
Nightlife in Heraklion is varied and fun, you can experience a night of live music, visit the best bars in town or sample local food at street stalls. You can also walk around the harbor area, it is usually illuminated all year round.
However, if you want to ride the bus late at night, keep in mind that the pass is valid for one day, but the buses do not operate at night. Their regular schedule is from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Anyway, the idea is to be able to tour Heraklion during the day, in order to appreciate in detail its colorful streets. During the day you will have enough time to visit the monuments and attractions, located near the stops.
One of the advantages is that the second floor is air-conditioned, ideal for hot summers where you just want to cool off.
This tour is ideal if you have little time, or if you prefer to see the city on your own. You will be able to walk without limits and stay at each stop as long as you wish. Children under five are free, so it's a great option if you are looking for activities to do with children in Heraklion.
The best part is that you will not be adrift, as it includes an audio guide in your language. Additionally, the cost of the ticket includes a headset.
Another advantage of this bus is that it is easier to reach emblematic sites far from the center. Public transport in Heraklion is good, however the lines do not cover the farthest points.
In addition, it is cheaper to book a tour on the tourist bus of Heraklion, since with 15 € you can afford only five tours per person on public transport. This tour allows you to visit more than ten sites, again it all depends on planning and time management.
This tour is also an excellent option if you are visiting Heraklion for the first time.
Low season: if you want to enjoy the low season, definitely the best months are March, April, May, June and December. Tourist crowds are low, you will feel like you are on a private tour.
Summer: If you want to take shelter from the heat, the best option is to take the tourist bus. Bring sunscreen and stay hydrated during the tour, as temperatures are around 30° and humidity is overwhelming.
Meltemi wind season: the biggest inconvenience to travel comfortably on the second floor of the bus may be the meltemi winds, which occur between June and August. Don't worry! You can stay on the second floor.
Rainy season: the rainiest months are November, December and January. Although you can travel on the second floor, it is more complicated to get around the city.
Prepare a list with the places you want to visit, that step will save you time and make the tour easier. Planning is a must when visiting a city as emblematic as Heraklion.
Don't lose your map, as it will help you locate the next stops.
After getting off at each stop, you have approximately one hour to take the red line. You also have two hours before the blue line bus passes by. Use this time to get to know the surroundings, but be on time at the bus stop so you don't miss the next one.
There are trained personnel on board the bus, you can ask for help if you have any doubts.
Remember that you can combine the blue and red route at no additional cost.
