Destination information
Must see tourist attractions |
Archeological Museum (5min) |
Ancient City of Knossos (20min) |
City of Heraklion (10min) |
Historical Museum (10min) |
Natural History Museum (10min) |
● Minutes from the port
The Port of Heraklion is the main and the most modern gateway for the transport of passengers on the island of Crete, and it is located right in the middle of the east Mediterranean sea. Heraklion is a large modern city, busy all year round; an important economic center with a rich cultural history.
The Minoan palace of Knossos, center of the Minoan civilization, the archaeological site of Phaistos and the ancient Gortyn are only some of the numerous archaeological sites that can be found in Heraklion.
In the city there are important monuments and museums, such as the archaeological museum, the Venetian Walls, the Morosini fountain, the Loggia, Koules fortress and the Churches of St. Titus, St. Peter, St. Minas and St. Mark Basilica.
With hundreds of kilometres of coastline, golden beaches with clear blue waters, only 5-15 km from the city center, with the deep and wild gorges of Asterousia mountains and Psiloritis, the olive groves, the vineyards, the forests of oak and pine, Heraklion provide numerous possibilities for excursions.
Heraklion’s international airport “Nikos Kazantzakis”, the second busiest airport in Greece handling more than 6 million passengers in 2015 from a plethora of domestic and European gateways, distances just 1.5 km away, making it and ideal partner for the turnaround character of the port. The port welcomed 2016 with a new administration, of which primary mission is to further develop the port’s cruise character, as well as its passengers and commercial role.
Aiming at high quality services, lowered costs and renovated infrastructure, the new administration of the Port Authority has already had a series of meetings with local and national stakeholders, in order to determine the best possible solutions. On June 2016, a revised ISPS Plan was approved, in order to further maintain the high security standars of the port. Shortly, a reorganization and refurbishment of the port’s passenger station will take place, in order to meet these revised security needs.
Thanks to its clement weather, Heraklion is a lively year round cruise destination and one of the few East Mediterranean tourist ports with greater winter cruise potential.
For more information visit: www.visitheraklion.eu
Tourist attractions:
Old town, Palace of Knossos, Heraklion Archeological Museum, Historical Museum of Crete, Cretaquarium Thalassocosmos, Matala Resort, El Greco Museum (Fodele), The Palace of Phaestos
Tourist Information
Local Population | 150,000 |
Time (GMT+/-): | +2 |
First language:
|
Greek |
Second language: | English, Italian |
Currency:
|
Euro |
Banking hours (morning): | From 08:00 a.m |
Banking hours (afternoon): | To 14:oo p.m |
Credit cards: | All |
Accepts Travellers Cheques: | Yes |
Shopping hours (morning): | From 09:00 to 14:00 |
Shopping hours (afternoon): | From 17:30 to 21:00 |
Public holidays: | 1/1, 25/3, 15/8, 28/10, 25/12 |
Shops are open on Saturdays: | Yes |
Shops are open on Sundays: | No |
PORT FACTS
Maximum ship dimensions for berth
- Length: no restrictions
- Width: no restrictions
- Draught: no restrictions
Quays
- Total number of quays: 5
- Total length of quays: 200m/147m/311m/290m/250m
- Quay depth: 9m/9m/11,5m/12m/10m
- Passenger terminals: 2
Distances/Transportation
- City centre: 1.2 km
- Airport: 1.5 km
- Shuttle bus available: yes
- A pedestrian path to the city is available: yes
- Railway station: no
Traffic
- Total cruise passengers 2018: 297.929
- Total cruise calls 2018: 187
- Turnaround port: yes
Heraklion
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- Heraklion’s international airport “Nikos Kazantzakis”
- Crete’s Northern Highway A90
The Heraklion Port Authority provides high quality competitive services in the cruise sector. On piers II, III and IV-V of the port up to 5 cruise ships can be berthed safely, in accordance with ISPS Code, while the port’s two passenger terminals can accommodate more than 10,000 passengers and crew members during a day.
Moreover, there are specially organized and designated parking areas for the tour buses and the safe loading and unloading of passengers.
The newly constructed (2017) Cruise Passenger Terminal at Pier IV-V has a crucial role for the port’s Cruise sector development, covering the needs of turnaround calls and establishing Heraklion as a turnaround port.
Port Statistics
Year | Total Pax | Total Calls |
2018 | 297.929 | 187 |
2017 | 181.693 | 131 |
2016 | 238.780 | 165 |
2015 | 219.805 | 170 |
2014 | 242.951 | 160 |
2013 | 270.020 | 177 |
2012 | 215.700 | 156 |
2011 | 224.571 | 209 |
2010 | 305.675 | 247 |