Things to Do in Heraklion: Museums and Forts
Heraklion is the capital of Crete and a working port, so most of what is worth doing here is indoors or inside old stone walls. The strongest days combine the Archaeological Museum, the Palace of Knossos and a walk along the Venetian harbour. Euro is the currency. Cards work at the state sites, while small boats, kiosks and village tavernas often want cash.
Heraklion Archaeological Museum
The museum is at Xanthoudidou 2, next to Eleftherias Square. It holds the Phaistos Disc, the Snake Goddess figurines and the Bull-Leaping fresco. Entry is EUR 20 from 1 April to 31 October and EUR 12 from 1 November to 31 March. In summer it opens 08:00 to 20:00, and in winter 08:30 to 15:30. Wednesday is the odd day: 13:00 to 20:00 in summer and 10:00 to 17:00 in winter. The last entry is 20 minutes before closing.
Palace of Knossos
Knossos lies about 5 km south of the centre and is part of the UNESCO-listed Minoan Palatial Centres, inscribed in July 2025. Full entry is EUR 20 and reduced is EUR 10, all year. It has its own ticket, and there is no combined ticket with the museum. Summer hours run to 20:00, then shorten through September and October, and from 1 November the site closes at 17:00. Opening is from about 08:30 in winter. Paving is uneven and shade is scarce, so wear sturdy shoes and go early or late in summer.
Koules Fortress
The Venetian sea fortress at the harbour mouth costs EUR 10, or EUR 5 reduced, and it is closed every Tuesday. Inside are exhibition rooms in former storerooms, prisons and residences, plus cannons. The roof terrace gives views over the port.
Two more museums on the waterfront
The Historical Museum of Crete, at Sofokli Venizelou 27, holds two El Greco paintings. It is open daily 09:00 to 17:00 in summer, and from 1 November it is closed on Sundays and public holidays. Entry costs a few euros. The Natural History Museum of Crete, also on Sofokli Venizelou Avenue, has an earthquake simulator called Enceladus. Tickets run about EUR 8 to 12, and it closes earlier on weekdays from November to April.
Free days and closures
State sites are free on 6 March, 18 April, 18 May, the last weekend of September and 28 October, plus selected Sundays from November to March. Check the day before, because the first and third Sunday are both quoted. Most state sites close on 1 January, 25 March, 1 May, Orthodox Easter Sunday and 25 and 26 December. Do not take stones or sherds from any site.
Beach time
The old harbour and the area around Koules are a working port and not a place to swim. Ammoudara is an organised beach with facilities, about 5 km west of the centre. Karteros is about 7 km east, under the airport flight path, and Agia Pelagia is about 23 km north-west in a sheltered cove. Summer winds from the north can make exposed beaches rough.
Wildfire risk is high from April to October, so follow local closures if you head out of town.
Read more: Sightseeing in Heraklion covers the old town landmarks in more detail.
Official pages and booking
Check hours and prices on the Hellenic Heritage Knossos page and the museum portal . Guided options can be compared on GetYourGuide .