Crete (Heraklion)

Greece

Things to do in Crete (Heraklion):

View the Gallery View of the Crete Plateau

Crete (Heraklion) Restaurants

Cheap (10)

Thraka

One of the best souvlaki gyros shops in town. Pitta bread filled with meat, chips, yoghurt, tomato and onion makes a delicious and cheap meal. Alternatively, try the thraka souvlaki, served with a... read more
Affordable (11)

Tartufo

Long-established Italian restaurant and popular pizzeria that serves pizzas cooked in a traditional-style wood-fire oven, as well as pastas, Italian salads and starters. It also offers a choice of... read more
Good quality (7)

Alana Restaurant

Set in a beautiful courtyard, surrounded by bougainvillea, in the Old Town of Rethymnon. This restaurant offers a Greek and Mediterranean menu with a large selection of starters, meat, fish and... read more

Crete (Heraklion) Nightlife

Chilled (7)

View Cafe

Enjoy an ice-cold beer or cocktail at the View Caf�, overlooking the bay of Hersonissos in the picturesque village of Koutouloufari. read more
Live Music (9)

Kali Kardia

The owners perform Cretan music every night at this traditional taverna in the Old Town of Chania. read more
Clubbing (11)

Status Club

A popular mainstream club in the centre of Hersonissos that regularly features party nights and guest DJs. read more

This Month in Crete (Heraklion) (October):

By Carol Palioudakis

Shopping: In Heraklion town, stroll down Dikaiosinis and parallel Daidalou street if you're shopping for clothes, shoes, jewellery or leather goods.

Sightseeing: The Chestnut Festival is held in Elos, near Kissamos. Join in the day's music, dancing and feasting in the village square to celebrate the region's major crop (18 October).

Key areas: Visit the quintessential Cretan village of Kritsa, seven kilometres from Agios Nikolaos, and explore the narrow, winding streets and crafts shops. It's famed for its lace, weaving and textiles.

Day trips: Explore Argiroupolis, the ancient Roman city of Lappa and nearby Lake Kournas, west of Rethymnon. Admire the wonderful Roman floor mosaic dating from the first century BC, the ancient necropolis, waterfalls and lake. You'll also find a choice of tavernas for lunch.

Crete (Heraklion) Trivia

October: Tsikoudia, also known as raki, is a strong Cretan spirit produced from the must-residue of the wine press and containing about 36% alcohol. It is often offered in tavernas at the end of a meal as a digestive.
September: The skull of St Titus, the patron saint of Crete, is kept in the church of St Titus in Heraklion. When the town fell to the Turks in 1669 the skull was transported to Venice, but it was returned in 1956.
August: The Greek national anthem is probably the longest in the world, with 158 verses. It is based on a poem written in 1823 by Greek poet Dionysios Solomos.