Sights
Agios Minas Cathedral
The city's large 19th-century cathedral, with the older small church of Agios Minas beside it.
- Cruise ships berth on the long eastern quays of the commercial port, some distance from the port gate; depending on the berth there may be a port shuttle bus to the exit. Check locally.
- Knossos is about 5 km south of the centre: allow about 30 minutes each way by bus or taxi and around two hours on site. It is very exposed, so go early in hot weather.
- Knossos is open daily (winter hours from 1 November 08:30–17:00, last entry 16:45) and can close early in bad weather.
- Greece charges a per-passenger cruise levy each time you go ashore, usually added to your onboard account: €5 from June to September, €3 in April, May and October, and €1 from November to March at this port.
Where ships dock
Ready-made days
4hours
Heraklion Archaeological Museum → Lions Square (Morosini Fountain) → Venetian Loggia
6hoursPalace of Knossos → Lions Square (Morosini Fountain) → Koules fortress
8hoursPalace of Knossos → Heraklion Archaeological Museum → Lions Square (Morosini Fountain) → Church of Agios Titos → Koules fortress
Add your ship's times above to see what fits in your time ashore.
Sights
Venetian walls and Kazantzakis's grave
The great Venetian ramparts circling the old city; the writer Nikos Kazantzakis is buried on the Martinengo Bastion on the southern side.
Sights
Koules fortress
The Venetian sea fortress guarding the old harbour; walk out along the mole and climb to the roof for views. Check opening hours locally.
Sights
Heraklion Archaeological Museum
One of the finest museums in Greece, holding the frescoes, figurines and gold of Minoan Crete, including the finds from Knossos.
Sights
Venetian arsenals
Stone vaulted shipyards from the Venetian era beside the harbour road, passed on the walk from the ship to the centre.
Sights
Church of Agios Titos
A church dedicated to the patron saint of Crete, on a quiet square near the Loggia.
Beaches & parks
Georgiadis Park
A shady city park near Eleftherias Square, useful for a break from the heat.
Sights
Venetian Loggia
An elegant arcaded Venetian building, now the town hall, a few steps from Lions Square.
Food & drink
Lions Square (Morosini Fountain)
The city's main meeting place around a 17th-century fountain with stone lions, surrounded by cafés and bakeries.
Boat & day trips
Palace of Knossos
The sprawling Minoan palace site, partly reconstructed in the early 20th century, with throne room, painted copies of frescoes and grand staircases.
Practical
Tourist information point near Lions Square
A tourist information point in the centre near Lions Square. Check opening hours locally.
Sights
Historical Museum of Crete
Crete's story from Byzantine times to the 20th century, including two paintings by El Greco and a room on Nikos Kazantzakis. Summer 2026 hours were 09:00–17:00 daily; winter hours may differ.
Map
Your ship's times
Type your ship's arrival and departure times at the top of this page and everything here is marked for your day. Your times are on your cruise documents or in the cruise line's app.
Heraklion (Crete) publishes its cruise calendar: see the port's schedule ↗
Sources we checked on 2026-10-21: portheraklion.gr portheraklion.gr odysseus.culture.gr historical-museum.gr news.gtp.gr