Heraklion area holidays

Lyttos Beach offers fine, almost powder-like sands, very comfortable for sunbathing. And best of all, this beach is nestled between two other sandy stretches. From Lyttos Beach, you can take a 10-minute stroll west to Analipsi Beach. This has summer breezes which attract surfers. 10 minutes in the other direction is Anissaras Beach, a one-kilometre beachfront ideal for swimming and watersports.

Lying seven nautical miles off the coast of Heraklion is the uninhabited island of Dia. This is home to a very quiet, isolated beach where you really can get away from it all. It’s said that the island was once a lizard sent to destroy Crete, so Zeus turned it into stone. There’s only one way to get to Dia Beach and that’s by booking a boat tour which takes you over to the legendary island.

The Gournes district of the Heraklion area is covered with small, sandy beaches. These sands are separated by small piers which help to break the waves and keep the waters calm. Towards the east is where much of the action happens. The beachfront here is well-maintained, with plenty of umbrellas. As you head further towards the west you’ll find the beaches become more rugged, rocky, and natural.

The marketplaces across the Heraklion area are some of the best places to pick up cheap and cheerful souvenirs from your trip to Crete. You’ll find all sorts, including traditional Cretan headscarves, fridge magnets, t-shirts, tablecloths, handmade jewellery, and local artwork. A great place to browse is the daily central market in Heraklion, located towards the south of the historic Old Town.

Quality handicrafts and local produce make for excellent mid-range buys in the Heraklion area. Check out the Greek ceramics and old Minoan storage jars. There are also old Venetian maps of the island, ideal for history buffs. In terms of local produce, olive oil, honey, herbs, Cretan wine, and bottles of the local spirit, raki, are popular buys. And if you’re a tea drinker, be sure to pick up some of the herby Cretan mountain tea.

Many of the old towns on the north coast of Crete boast tiny independent boutiques. Here, you’ll be able to discover some under-the-radar Greek designers. However, for big-name international brands, Heraklion is the area’s prime shopping district. The Old Town boasts brands like Zara, Sephora, Mango, Marks & Spencer, Samsung, and Lacoste. Alternatively, grab some cheap replicas at the markets.

If you’re looking for low-key nights in the Heraklion area, check out the central village square in Analipsi which is lined with traditional tavernas. Or try the modern bars hidden inside the big resort hotels of Anissaras. Stay in Koutouloufari for evenings dominated by lazy meze dinners in tiny back alley tavernas, hidden away underneath cloaks of shrubbery. Quiet nights in these little towns and villages usually involve copious amounts of authentic Greek cuisine and classic wines. You'll find some international fare dotted through the area, and some kid-friendly places, too.

Crete is known for being one of the best Greek Islands for party lovers. Some of the most renowned party destinations are located in and around the Heraklion area. Malia and Hersonissos attract young revellers from across the globe. There’s a huge range of nighttime entertainments from traditional Cretan evenings to non-stop foam parties. Heraklion offers a lively nightlife scene, but is certainly more laidback than Hersonissos and Malia. In the capital, you’ll find a mix of both traditional and contemporary bars, and a selection of clubs which stay open until the early hours.

Cretan cuisine utilises the local produce that’s all around, so expect to find menus heavily dominated by fresh fruits, vegetables, and meat, prepared with extra virgin olive oil and garnished with herbs. And with the Heraklion area located on the coast, calamari, sardines, and sea bass are also very popular.

Mealtimes in the Heraklion area can last for hours, especially when dining meze-style. Cretan mezes allow you to sample small plates of all sorts of traditional Greek dishes, including courgette stuffed with a soft and tangy cheese called mizithra, and fava, a yellow split-pea puree to be enjoyed with fresh bread.

Thanks to the rich Minoan history of the Heraklion area, you’ll find that some traditional Greek tavernas still serve up one of the most famous Minoan desserts of all time. An early form of baklava, gastrin is made with layers of pastry, poppy seeds, and nuts, and is soaked in sweet wine and sticky honey syrup.

If you like biscuits, there’s one you have to try while you’re in the Heraklion area. Kalorizika is a special type of twice-baked olive-oil-based cookie made with local almonds. As they’re cooked twice, they’re crisp and crunchy, a little like an Italian biscotti. They’re said to bring good fortune.

Most of Crete’s vineyards are located on the island’s north coast, in and around the Heraklion area. That’s because the grapes are sheltered from the hot winds by the 2148-metre Spathi peak. In the north, the grapes benefit from the cool Aegean breezes. These create ideal environments for grape varieties like liatiko and vilana, producing the light, pale, and mild wines that Crete is known for.