Crete · Heraklion

Excursions from Heraklion

Day trips and cruises leaving from Heraklion and nearby resorts: the Palace of Knossos, catamaran sailings to Dia, Balos and even a day on Santorini, all with hotel pick-up.

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Heraklion, Crete ★ Loved by 50k+ travellers
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All excursions from Heraklion.

34 excursions
Luxury Catamaran Cruise from Chersonissos to Dia Island Crete

Luxury Catamaran Cruise from Chersonissos to Dia Island

6.5 hours · Sea tours

Our crew member will meet you in Hersonissos port.

from €145 View
Sunset Luxury Catamaran Cruise from Hersonissos Crete

Sunset Luxury Catamaran Cruise from Hersonissos

3.5 hours · Sea tours

Our crew member will meet you in Hersonissos port.

from €80 View
Afternoon Luxury Catamaran Cruise from Heraklion to Dia Island Crete

Afternoon Luxury Catamaran Cruise from Heraklion to Dia Island

5 hours · Sea tours

Our crew member will meet you in Heraklion port.

from €125 View
Morning Luxury Catamaran Cruise from Heraklion to Dia Island Crete

Morning Luxury Catamaran Cruise from Heraklion to Dia Island

5 hours · Sea tours

Our crew member will meet you in Heraklion port.

from €125 View
Premium Catamaran Cruise from Rethymno to Georgioupoli Bay Crete

Premium Catamaran Cruise from Rethymno to Georgioupoli Bay

6.5 hours · Sea tours

Our crew member will meet you in Rethymno port.

from €145 View
Sunset Luxury Catamaran Cruise to Skaleta from Rethymno Crete

Sunset Luxury Catamaran Cruise to Skaleta from Rethymno

3.5 hours · Sea tours

Our crew member will meet you in Rethymno port

from €85 View
Legends of Crete Crete

Legends of Crete

6+ hours

Pick-up and drop-off at hotel entrances or meeting points…

from €69 View
From Hersonissos: Half-Day Pirate Boat Trip with Lunch Crete

From Hersonissos: Half-Day Pirate Boat Trip with Lunch

6 hours · Outdoor

Please arrive at the port of Hersonissos 30 minutes…

from €59 View
Jeep Safari, Goat-Keeping & Cheese Making Crete

Jeep Safari, Goat-Keeping & Cheese Making

10+ hours · Outdoor

Pick-up and drop-off at hotel entrances or meeting points…

from €129 View
Balos Lagoon & Gramvousa Island Crete

Balos Lagoon & Gramvousa Island

10+ hours · Outdoor

Pick-up and drop-off will be at the hotel entrance…

from €67 View
Crete: WaterCity Waterpark Crete

Crete: WaterCity Waterpark

6 hours · Outdoor

Pick-up and drop-off will be at the hotel entrance…

from €42.5 View
Anopolis: Cretan Folklore Night Crete

Anopolis: Cretan Folklore Night

3+ hours · Historical

Pick-up and drop-off will be at the hotel entrance…

from €50 View
Not sure which to pick

Choosing your Heraklion trip.

A quick guide from our Heraklion team, matched to how you like to travel.

Half-day Knossos and HeraklionShort on timeHalf-day Knossos & HeraklionEurope's oldest palace plus the old town, the essentials in well under a day.See the trip Catamaran cruise to DiaTravelling with kidsCatamaran cruise to DiaCalm water, swim stops and space to roam on deck, a firm family favourite.See the trip Most popularBalos Lagoon and GramvousaBest on the waterBalos Lagoon & GramvousaThe island's most famous lagoon, worth the early start for the colours alone.See the trip Day trip to SantoriniOne big day outDay trip to SantoriniA full day on the caldera by boat, the bucket-list add-on to a Crete stay.See the trip
Book with the operator

Booking Heraklion direct.

The local team

You book with the Heraklion team behind the Knossos visits, Dia cruises and city day trips, not a reseller.

Quick to answer

Support daily 08:00 to 22:00 by phone, WhatsApp and Viber.

Flexible pick-up

Arranged around where you stay in Heraklion or nearby resorts.

Clear prices

No third-party platform mark-up added on top.

If we ever cancel a departure for weather or sea conditions, you are offered another date or a full refund.

The destination

About Heraklion.

Heraklion is the capital and largest city of Crete, a busy port town ringed by huge Venetian walls. It grew wealthy under Venetian and Ottoman rule, and its old centre still gathers around the Morosini lion fountain, the covered market street and the harbour fort.

Sitting at the island's heart on the north coast, Heraklion is the gateway to Minoan Crete. The Palace of Knossos is just outside the city, and the region stretches from inland wine villages to beaches and boat trips along the coast. It also makes a natural base for exploring the rest of Crete, west to Chania and Rethymno or east into Lasithi.

RegionCentral Crete
Known forKnossos & the Minoans
PortFerries to Piraeus & the Cyclades
Weather

When to visit Heraklion.

The excursion season runs from April to late October, with warm seas that last well into autumn. Summer is hot and busy, while May, June and September stay comfortable for sightseeing.

MonthAir (day)SeaHow busy
May24°C20°CQuiet
June28°C22°CBuilding
July31°C24°CBusy
August31°C26°CBusy
September28°C25°CEasing
October24°C24°CQuiet
Fewest crowdsMay and October, with mild days and open sites.
Warmest seaAugust into September, ideal for the boat trips.
Best for KnossosSpring and autumn, before the midday summer heat.
Getting here

How to get to Heraklion.

Heraklion is the easiest place to reach in Crete, by air or by sea. Here is how each arrival works and roughly how long it takes into town.

Arriving by air

Heraklion International Airport (HER), named after Nikos Kazantzakis, sits about 5 km east of the centre and is Crete's busiest airport. A taxi or transfer reaches the city or nearby resorts in around fifteen minutes.

Arriving by sea

Ferries from Piraeus dock at Heraklion port, only about 2 km from the centre and within walking distance, with overnight crossings and summer links to Santorini and the Cyclades.

Where to stay

Where to stay for Heraklion.

Pick your base by the kind of trip you want: old-town sightseeing, family beaches or a quieter cove.

Browse hotels near Heraklion
Heraklion town

Steps from the museum, the market and the harbour fort, with Knossos a short hop away. Best for sightseeing and easy pick-ups.

Ammoudara & Kokkini Hani

Heraklion's own beach suburbs, a few minutes from town, handy for a sandy base close to the city.

Hersonissos & Malia

Lively resorts to the east with big beaches and nightlife, popular with families and younger travellers.

Agia Pelagia & the west

A pretty cove west of town, calmer and scenic, good if you want beaches with a quieter feel.

Sights & monuments

What to see in Heraklion.

Heraklion pairs the greatest Minoan sites with a Venetian old town, most of it within a short walk or drive.

Palace of Knossos

The great Minoan palace 6 km south of town, Europe's oldest city and a UNESCO site.

Archaeological Museum

The world's finest Minoan collection, from the Phaistos Disc to the frescoes of Knossos.

Koules Fortress

The 16th-century Venetian sea fort guarding the old harbour, the largest fortress on Crete.

Morosini Fountain

The Venetian lion fountain of 1628 at Lions Square, the lively heart of the old town.

The Venetian walls

The huge ramparts ringing the city, with the tomb of writer Nikos Kazantzakis on the Martinengo bastion.

Agios Minas Cathedral

One of the largest cathedrals in Greece, in the old town beside the market.

Food & drink

Taste of Heraklion.

Cretan cooking is a highlight of the greek cuisine, built on the island’s olive oil, wild greens, cheese and honey. In Heraklion you'll find it on the 1866 market street, the tavernas around Lions Square and the mezze places of the old town.

Try dakos and a plate of local graviera, the little cheese pies called kalitsounia, and finish with a glass of raki. Just south lie the vineyards of Peza and Archanes, the heart of Crete's wine country.

Local specialties to try
Dakos Bougatsa Kalitsounia Graviera cheese Raki Cretan wine
One trusted partner

Plan your whole Heraklion trip.

Book every part of your Heraklion trip with one local team: flights, ferries, transfers, a car and your hotel.

FlightsFind flights to Heraklion (HER) FerriesFerry tickets to Heraklion port TransfersAirport & port pick-up Car rentalRent a car in Crete HotelsStays in & around Heraklion
Practical info

Good to know for Heraklion.

CurrencyEuro (€)
LanguageGreek and English widely spoken
Emergency112 (all services)
Time zoneGMT+2 (GMT+3 in summer)
PaymentsCards accepted, cash for villages
Peak seasonJuly and August
ConnectivityEU roaming, free Wi-Fi common
SafetyVery safe, low crime
Beaches

Beaches near Heraklion.

The stand-out beaches within reach of Heraklion: tap through to plan each one.

Plan your days

How long for Heraklion?

Two days cover the city and Knossos. A few more let you add the wine country, a boat trip and the beaches of the south.

1Heraklion & Knossos
  • MorningThe Archaeological Museum and the old town around Lions Square.
  • AfternoonThe Minoan palace of Knossos, twenty minutes from the centre.
  • EveningDinner and a stroll along the Venetian harbour.
2Wine country & the sea
3Go further
  • Beach dayThe red sand and caves of Matala on the south coast.
  • Or a hikeThe Samaria Gorge to the west, a long but rewarding day.
Before you book

Your Heraklion questions

Where in Heraklion is the pick-up?

Most excursions include pick-up from central Heraklion hotels and nearby resorts such as Amoudara, Kokkini Hani and Hersonissos. Your exact point and time are confirmed after booking.

Can I reach Knossos and a beach in one day?

Some combined trips pair Knossos with the city or a swim stop. If you want a specific mix, tell us and we'll suggest the excursion that fits.

How long is the day trip to Santorini from Heraklion?

It's a full day of 10+ hours including the boat crossing each way, with free time on Santorini. Expect an early start and evening return.

Are the Heraklion excursions family-friendly?

Plenty of them are. Dia cruises and WaterCity are firm favourites for families. Look for the Family tag or tell us your group’s ages.

What if the weather changes?

If we cancel a departure for weather or sea conditions, you're offered another date or a full refund, always explained up front.

Is the Palace of Knossos worth visiting?

Yes. Knossos is the largest Minoan site on Crete and, by legend, the labyrinth of the Minotaur, often called Europe's oldest city. Go early or late in the day to miss the midday heat and the biggest crowds.

Do I need to book excursions in advance?

In high season, July and August, the popular cruises fill up, so it is best to book a few days ahead. In quieter months you can often book closer to the date, but early booking still secures your spot and your pick-up.

Are the excursions suitable for children and families?

Many are, the Dia cruises and WaterCity in particular. Tell us your group's ages and we will point you to the trips that work best for younger travellers.

Are entrance fees and lunch included?

It depends on the excursion. Each trip lists exactly what the price covers and what is extra, such as site entries or lunch, so check the tour page or just ask us before you book.

What should I bring?

For boat trips and beaches, bring swimwear, a towel, water and sun protection. For sites like Knossos, comfortable shoes and a hat make the day easier.

A Time 4 Vacation guide with travellers in Greece
Simple & secure

Booking Heraklion, step by step.

1

Browse & choose

Explore Heraklion excursions by experience, date and price, and choose the option that fits your plans.

2

Reserve online securely

Book your Heraklion day trip in a few simple steps, with confirmation and your voucher sent by email.

3

Start with your guide

On the day, your licensed local guide meets you and handles the details, so you can enjoy Heraklion with ease.

Ready to explore Heraklion?

Tell us your dates and what you have in mind. A local expert will put together the excursions, transfers and stays that fit, usually within a day.