text: Greek Cities on Crete | Greece Travel Guides
  Heraklion ©ptg1975/flickr
  There are many interesting cities on Crete of Greece. The first one we are going to introduce is the Heraklion. It is the largest city with the archaeological highlight: Knossos which is the site of the most important and best known Minoan palace complex in Crete. In Greece it is known as Iraklion or Candia, it is only five kilometers south of Heraklion.
  Hence, the main landmark you must see the Minoan Palace of Knossos. It cost about 6 Euros and opens daily from 8:30 am to 3pm. Of course in summer, its opening hours is much longer: from 8am to 7:30pm. Discover the myth of the Labyrinth and the Minotaur besides the story of Daidalos and Ikaros. What's truly amazing here is that it used to be continuously inhabited since the Neolithic period until the Roman times.
  Heraklion's landmarks and fun
  Koules is a Venetian castle in the Harbour not to be missed. There are the Venetian Walls to discover, the Loggia, Morosini Fountain or better known as the Lions Square, the St. Minas Cathedral and the St. Titus Church. If you like religious sites like these, you should also not miss the St. Catherine of the Sinalites Church, St. Mark's Basilica and the Dominican Church of St. Peter.
  Other than horseback riding, rock climbing and water fun at the Water City and Aqua Plus water parks, you can take part in the Heraklion Summer Arts Festival held during June to September. Other highlight is the city's beach area at Amoudara, which features a three kilometer sandy beach with a site of "Technopolis" that consists of an open-air theatre and a modern multiplex cinema.
  Or Haniá is the largest city of the western region with a beautiful port town. The atmosphere is reflecting pretty much the Venetian and Turkish past that it used to have.
  Crete ©amira_a/flickr
  Agios Nikolaos is a little capital of Lasithi which is on the easternmost peripheral unit on the island of Crete. You should take a boat trip up to the coast so as to see the Barbarossa's cave and the old leper colony of Spinalonga. It is not just fascinating because it was previously a Venetian fortress, it is very affordable too. Do remember to bring your swim wear so as to have a dip in the ocean for a lifetime experience.