Heraklion Archaeological Museum

Heraklion Archaeological Museum is one of the most important museums in Greece if not in Europe. Visitors will see objects from the everyday life of the Minoans, artifacts of extraordinary art, like worship items, ceramics, lithography works and stamps. In addition, the famous double headed labrys, sarcophagus and many more. Of course, the collection includes the ‘stars’ of the museum and emblems of Minoan Civilization: the mysterious disk of Phaistos Crete, the snake Goddess, the bee and the ring of King Minos.

Morozini Fountain

The fountain of Morozini (known as Lions) is one of the nicest Venetian monuments of Candia (current Heraklion). The fountain was watered by the spring of Karidaki and the watered traveled about 15km in a gigantic aqueduct. The fountain takes its name after the Capitan Generale Francesco Morozini. During his rule, the aqueduct was constructed to water the thursty town of Candia. Till then, most water came from wells and rain-storage tanks. The aqueduct was inaugurated on April 25th, 1628, i.e. on the feast day o Saint Mark, the protector of Venice. The tank of the fountain has an octalobe (eight lobes) shape so as to enable about 40 people to getting water at the same time. It was decorated with relief scenes from the Greek mythology, particularly marine figures such as newts and dolphins, and several coats of arms of the Venetians. Above the tank there are four lions, from the mouths of which the water flows. The top of the fountain was dominated by a big statue of Neptune, which collapsed, probably by an earthquake or by the Ottomans who generally destroyed the statues due to being offensive to their religion. In 1847 the Ottomans changed the appearance of the fountain by adding marble columns and an inscription that read “Fountain of Abdul Medjit”. Also they pierced the lobes and placed taps, destroying the reliefs.

Cretaquarium – Thalassocosmos

Cretaquarium – Thalassocosmos is one of the most important aquariums in Europe. It started its operation in December 2005 in the former American Base of Gournes and immediately became a pole of attraction for thousands of visitors. Thalassocosmos was an idea and is maintained by the Greek Centre for Marine Research located next to it. Visitors can wander through the long corridors of the aquarium, observe with microscopes and readinformational texts accompanying the sixty tanks with 2500 species of marine life. In the tanksthe visitor will see from big sharks to tiny seahorses and jellyfish.

Historical Museums

The Historical Museum of Crete offers an overall picture of the history and culture of Crete from the early Christian times to the 20th century, while seasonal exhibitions include subjects of Byzantine or modern art, important personalities of Greece and presentation of historical events. Chania city is home to the Historical Archive of Crete with more than 170 archival collections and the second largest Nautical Museum in Greece, which aims to preserve the great maritime tradition of Crete. The Byzantine Museums of Heraklion, Chania and Rethymnon are also very special venues dedicated mainly to ecclesiastical art. The war collections and archives intend to commemorate the resistance and struggle of the Cretans against the various occupiers of Crete. The most important of these are the War Museum of Rethymnon at Chromonastiri, the Historical Museum of Vorizia, the Museums of National Resistance at Therisso and Heraklion, the Historical Museum of Keramia, the Museum of Skalidis at Pervolia, the War Museum at Askyfou and the Military Collection of Argyrakis at Episkopi. Additionally, the German Tunnels at Platanias and Makasi Gate at Heraklion Walls are important historical sites.

El Greco Museum

The museum of the painter Domenikos Theotokopoulos (El Greco) is located opposite the Byzantine Church of Panagia at position Theotokiana, by Fodele. The building that houses the museum is believed to have been the house of the greatest Cretan painter (1541-1614)as he mentioned that he was born 25km northwest of Heraklion and next to a Byzantine Church. The building operates since 1998 with an exhibition of replicas of works of El Greco. Also there is information about his family and a room has been transformed into a painting workshop.

Hiking

The best way for a visitor to explore Crete is to walk beyond the point that a car can reach, follow paths from the Minoan era, smell the herbs in the numerous Cretan canyons, climb the bare peaks of the tallest mountains, and be rewarded for the hard work with the serenity of the soul that will be offered to him by the veneration of the deep blue of the Cretan and the Libyan Sea. In the region of Heraklion there are plenty of choices among excellent mapped routes with varying levels of difficulty.

Scuba Diving

If you love the sea then during your stay on the island you will have the chance to try the experience of diving in the wonderful undersea world of Crete. Even if you are a beginner there are many diving centers throughout the prefecture of Heraklion that will initiate you into the secrets of safe diving and will accompany you in incredible beauty landscapes at the seabed, providing you with the right equipment. The numerous shipwrecks and crashed airplanes that indicate the history of the island, the scattered flooded cities such as the Roman settlement of Lefkas and the Sanctuary of Viena in Lake Krios are some of the unique places the visitor can explore either using only a mask or using the proper diving equipment.

Sailing Trip to Dia island

Take a cool dive into the crystal waters of Dia island, go on a romantic sailing at sunset, enjoy a fun-fishing experience with your children, walk along the beautiful trail of cedars, relax in the quiet small bay of Snt George overlooking Heraklion! Dia, the small island opposite Heraklion. Environmentally protected, with a shape like a giant lizard, with turquoise, extremely clean sea water and a magic seabed, with a long history as a minoan ancient port, Dia is surely one of the top attractions in Crete and a sailing day trip is the only way to enjoy it!

Horse Riding

The Riding Academy of Crete is an official sports club, member of the Hellenic Equestrian Federation which has been running since 1979 in order to achieve and cultivate love towards horses. The facilities of the Academy are open for the public and form a multiplace of various activities. The main activity is the horse-riding school but the visitor can also walk through the green gardens and have a beverage or a snack at the Ippikos Café and if it is wanted even try to ride one of our horses or ponies. The horse-riding school is only 5 min. from the city center of Heraklion, very close to N. Kazantzakis airport, and it is the perfect destination for an afternoon or a Sunday walk. In the facilities you can watch the horse riding classes & training of riders and horses. If you like you could take a taste of horse riding and get into their world through our classes. A unique place which offers you the opportunity to get connected with nature.

Golf Course

A Cretan sanctuary for golfers awaits you to play, relax, and find yourself. A Cretan haven for golfers and golf enthusiasts has been created at The Crete Golf Club. A state-of-the-art, exceptional 18-hole course sanctioned by the PGA in an unrivalled eco-friendly, natural setting awaits visitors from all over the world to explore its lush grounds and invigorating surroundings, across all four seasons.

Let us take you there…

A Cretan haven for Golfers

The Golf Club benefits from Crete’s endemic climatic advantage especially during the months of autumn, winter and spring, when the temperatures are quite mild and the outdoors are surprisingly pleasant, allowing for a great game or two or three! In Crete, you can enjoy golfing, all year round.

Kalamaki

About 2 km from Matala. It not so much crowded as the neighbouring Matala, Kalamaki is a small fishing village built on a big sandy beach that usually quietness prevails and is not as busy as Matala. There are certain small taverns, cafes and other essential for the visitor services. You will find also certain rented rooms

Komos

Between Matala and Kalamaki. A deserted coast with grey sand, a little northern from Matala, this beach is a splendid landscape well hidden behind bustling Matala. If you pass from here, it is even worth a small bypass if you seek for natural beauty and peacefulness. Be careful in the way the turn for the earth-road that leads to the beach, above the street north from Matala.