Heraklion

Heraklion is the largest port city and capital of Crete Island, Greece. It is an important seaport with regularly scheduled ferries to the Greek islands Ios, Paros, Mykonos, Rhodes and Santorini, as well as daily ferries to Piraeus in Athens. Heraklion is mainly a port of call on eastern Mediterranean cruises, where passengers can spend a day ashore before moving on to the next destination.

The city bears centuries of layered history in its streets and fortifications. The name comes from an ancient port of Heracleium that served as the harbour for Knossos and was named in honour of the hero Heracles. The fortified walls that surround Heraklion were built by the Venetians, who occupied the area from the 13th century until the 1600s, when it was ceded to the Turks, and Turkish occupation ended in 1897. The Venetian fortifications remain largely intact and are considered among the best preserved Venetian fortifications in Europe. The Koules Fortress, ramparts and arsenal dominate the port area, and many fountains of the Venetian era are preserved, such as the Bembo, Priuli, Palmeti, Sagredo and Morosini fountains.

The real draw for most cruisers is the ancient world. Among the most popular tourist sites near Heraklion are the ruins of the Palace of Minos, also called Knossos Palace. In Minoan times, Knossos was the largest centre of population on Crete and is considered by many to be the oldest city in Europe. You can tour the ruins and admire the palace's distinct red columns, reconstructed frescoes, ceremonial halls, and throne room. The Archaeological Museum also holds major collections of Minoan artefacts spanning thousands of years.

Heraklion has a Mediterranean climate with warm to hot, dry summers with clear skies and mild winters with moderate rain. The cruise port is located a short walk away from the Old Town, where most of the city's major attractions can be found. Cruisers can log exactly where their ship docked and what they saw on The Cruise Globe.