Cruises to Crete

256 Reviews
Crete (Heraklion) (Photo:Vladimir Sazonov/Shutterstock)

About Cruising to Crete

It's common for first-time visitors to take one look at Iraklion and marvel at how modern the city is. After all, this is the capital of Crete, the home of Europe's earliest civilization, and birthplace of countless myths and legends. Newcomers tend to expect a small village with antiquated buildings rather than the busy cosmopolitan city that occupies the same ground where Hercules, King Minos, the minotaur and other characters from ancient mythology once roamed.

The magic of Iraklion, though, is the fact that its modern amenities commingle peacefully with its ancient treasures rather than overshadowing them. The result is a vibrant town that manages to look to the future while still embracing its past.

The contemporary shops, hotels and apartment buildings might be the first things to catch a visitor's eye, but scratch the surface of Iraklion's new veneer and the town's glorious history comes shining through. Massive walls built in the 1500's circle the heart of the city like two powerful arms trying to restrain Iraklion from moving too far forward into the modern age. Lovely fountains, ornate architecture and other relics of the past lie scattered throughout the city as well, with many of these attractions dating back centuries ago to the time when Venice ruled the island of Crete.

While the blend of past and present provides a fascinating backdrop, Iraklion's true beauty comes from its simple reflections of everyday Greek life. Its small, unexpected surprises are the things that make the city such a joy to explore -- such as a tiny church with an immaculate flower garden or a hidden courtyard where an elderly man sits alone and softly strums his bouzouki, a Greek instrument similar to the mandolin. The busy public squares and festive taverns may draw more tourists, but to experience Iraklion at its best try strolling the shoreline at dusk or visit the old harbor beside the Venetian fort at sunrise and watch fishermen carefully inspecting their nets in the pink glow of dawn.

At times like these you might wonder if you've somehow stumbled backward into Iraklion's rich past, and you may also find yourself with no desire to leave it.

  • More about Crete

  • Why Cruise to Crete?

  • Crete Cruise Port Facilities?

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Viking Jupiter
Viking Jupiter Aquavit Terrace (Photo: Viking Ocean Cruises)

14 Night
Mediterranean Antiquities

426 Reviews
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Norwegian Pearl
Norwegian Pearl

11 Night
Greek Isles & Italy

2,401 Reviews
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Island Princess
Island Princess (Photo: Princess Cruises)

10 Night
Mediterranean Cruise

1,228 Reviews
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Norwegian Getaway
Norwegian Getaway

9 Night
Europe Cruise

3,266 Reviews
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9 Night
Eastern Mediterranean

3,266 Reviews
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7 Night
Journey To Antiquities

61 Reviews
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20 Night
Mediterranean Cruise

1,228 Reviews
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11 Night
Mediterranean - Eastern Cruise

231 Reviews
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28 Night
Lands Of Legends Eternal Cities & Greek Isles

267 Reviews
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23 Night
World Cruise

1,228 Reviews
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10 Night
Mediterranean - Eastern Cruise

82 Reviews
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45 Night
Ultimate Mediterranean & Atlantic Passage

591 Reviews
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10 Night
Mediterranean Cruise

1,228 Reviews
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10 Night
Eastern Mediterranean

79 Reviews
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10 Night
Eastern Mediterranean

3,266 Reviews
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More about Crete

Why Cruise to Crete?

Pros:

Crete is a land of ancient legends, but the port of Herkalion is impressively modern amid all of the history

Cons:

Because signage is primarily in the Greek alphabet, navigating the city can pose a challenge

Bottom Line:

From ancient ruins to scenic beaches and shops selling local wares, there's always something to do in Crete

Crete Cruise Port Facilities?

A Venetian fort completed in 1540 sits right next to the harbor, and exploring its massive ramparts and cavernous interior can easily occupy an hour or two. Children will especially love poking around the fort, which looks like something you'd find on a Hollywood movie set. A curving pedestrian walkway leads to the fort then snakes out into the sea, offering a picturesque place to jog or stroll. Several restaurants of varying quality line the streets across from the harbor, and during the tourist season it's common to find an outdoor carnival with a Ferris wheel and other rides set up near the shoreline as well.

Good to Know?

For a tourist hotbed, Iraklion is amazingly difficult to navigate. In many Greek cities, streets are identified by both the Greek alphabet (which combines characters and letters) and an English interpretation; not so here. The challenge is that guidebooks in English (including this port profile) feature the, er, English spelling.

Tip: I compared the street names and memorized a few of the Greek letters so I didn't have too much of a problem. Another quirk is that in small towns like this, the street numbers sometimes aren't posted on the shops and restaurants so you just have to wander the street until you find the place you're looking for. I'm one of those people who asks for a lot of directions when I'm traveling because it's a good way for me to chat with the locals, and I normally don't stay lost for very long.

Getting Around?

On Foot: Walking is by far the easiest way to explore Iraklion. The majority of its attractions are clustered in an area five or six blocks wide, and walking from one end of town to the other can be done in less than an hour.

By Taxi: Greek taxis would be fairly inexpensive if drivers didn't tack on so many surcharges; some legitimate and others not. In theory, a cab ride to any location within Iraklion's city limits should never cost more than about 6 euros, but always agree on the fare before you enter the cab to avoid an unpleasant surprise at the end of your trip.

Note: legitimate surcharges include extra baggage, extra passengers, picking you up from the airport/harbor etc; where it becomes bogus is when drivers will try to add these on when they don't apply! Also, some will try to charge passengers the night rate (the one they use between midnight and 5 a.m.) during the day, and if you don't notice that the meter is set that way (to rate 2 instead of rate 1) you could end up paying nearly double. You'll also find the occasional driver who won't use his meter at all -- he might claim that it's broken and simply quote you a really high price instead.

By Rental Car: There are plenty of rental car agencies in town, most of them located on 25 Avgusto Street or one of its side streets. You'll find both large chains and small independent shops, and visitors should expect to pay around 60 euro per day for a small no-frills car, although it never hurts to ask about discounts.

Currency & Best Way to Get Money?

As a member of the EU, Greece uses the euro. Banks are easy to find with several located on 25 Avgusto Street, which bisects the central part of town. Normal banking hours are 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., but most banks close a little early on Friday and hours can also fluctuate according to the season. ATM's are common in case you need cash after the banks are closed.

Language?

Greek, although many people working in the service industry speak fairly good English.

Where You're Docked?

Iraklion's harbor is extremely close to the heart of the city, less than half a mile northeast of the main tourist area. Most of the town's attractions are within 20 minutes walking distance.


Crete Cruise Reviews
Crete is a bit remote, hot and rocky, but the famous site of Knossos helps tell the story of an ancient civilization and should not be missed. Large crowds cans make the overall visit a bit more stressful. We enjoyeRead More
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LibertyBella
I wanted to do all of the Crete excursions, but alas only had one day! Such a beautiful place with so much interesting history! We did Arkadi monastery and Rethymno. Definitely needed more time explore.Read More
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Sc.sun
Did Knossos tour here. Found it to be touristy. Not much to see in CreteRead More
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JBEAS11
October 27, 2022. Docked in Crete at the Bay of Souda. Crete is the largest and most populous of the Greek islands, the 88th largest island in the world and the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. CreRead More
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Capn nemo

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