Flights to Heraklion area

Self-styled as one of Greece’s cosmopolitan hotspots, Heraklion’s certainly made its name on the holiday scene. As one of the country’s biggest cities, you can expect a lively atmosphere, dime-a-dozen Mediterranean tavernas and an international shopping set-up as standard. But, there’s much more to Crete’s bustling capital than meets the eye. It’s got a history reaching back as far as the 9th century – the Bronze Age site of Knossos, on the outskirts, is believed to be Europe’s oldest city. Here, you’ll find an ancient palace swathed in mythology, and showing off rust-red pillars that have stood the test of time. There’s an impressive Venetian fort guarding the entrance to the port, too, left behind from Heraklion’s ownership by the Republic of Venice – it was once armed with over 40 cannons to defend the city. Beaches muscle in on the action, as well – the lengthy sweep at Amoudara lines up caramel sand, clear blue seas and a clutch of cafés. The wild nights of Malia are only just out of sight, half an hour’s drive along the coast. Direct flights to Heraklion International Airport from London or Birmingham will see you reaching the island in around four hours, while a more northern take off point like Newcastle or Glasgow will tack on an extra 30 minutes. From the airport, it’s a 10-minute transfer to the centre of the action.