Heraklion Sitia ferry

Heraklion Guide

The Greek city of Heraklion is the capital and largest city on the island of Crete. A popular visitor attraction near the city is Knossos, which is around 5 km from Heraklion. This important archaeological site was the Palace of King Minos and home to the Minotaur, if legend is to be believed. The palace was built over the remains of a former Neolithic settlement in around 1900 BC.

An important attraction in the city itself is the Archaeological Museum which can be found on one corner of the central Eleftherias Square, in a converted power station. The museum collects and displays many artefacts from Knossos, Archanes, Phaestos, Zakros and many other important archaeological sites on the island. The museum's collection spans several thousand years and includes the Phaestos disc, classic Hellenic and Roman sculptures, frescos, jewellery, wall paintings and pottery.

Visitors to Heraklion can take a ferry from the port, which is important for both passenger services and cargo, to destinations including Santorini, Ios, Paros, Mykonos and Rhodes. There are also daily sailings to the mainland port of Piraeus.

Sitia Guide

Sitia is located on the Greek island of Crete and is one of the island's least visited locations. Built during Venetian times, the town was later destroyed and then rebuilt by the Turks although unfortunately little remains from this period. However, there are some indications dotted around of the town and region's past which may be of interest to visitors. A popular reason to visit the town is to enjoy its long sandy beach where the swimming is good and various water sport opportunities exist. Also popular in the area are its monasteries, including Toplou, its archaeological sites, its palm forested beaches and its mountains which are wonderful to trek through.

Crete is the largest and most populous of Greek islands and the fifth largest in the Mediterranean sea, and is also one of 13 administrative regions of Greece. Crete's largest city is Heraklion and although the island has managed to retain some of its own cultural identity it still contributes significantly to the economy and cultural legacy of Greece.

The port at Sitia connects Sitia and eastern Crete with several other Greek islands as well as with the port of Piraeus on the Greek mainland. The town also has a marina which accommodates smaller fishing boats and yachts.