Discover Top Destinations in Heraklion with a Car Rental Service

Heraklion has something to offer toevery kind of traveler. Ancient monuments, magnificent mountains a breathtaking coastline, pristine beaches, quaint little towns and villages, museums – Crete has it all. Discover the top ten destinations in and around Heraklion at your pace with a rental car:

• Palace of Knossos: The ruins and the re-creations of this ancient capital city of Minoan Crete is a major tourist draw, and for good reason. The ancient palace has been destroyed and rebuilt more than once. The original structure is over four thousand years old. Knossos is also the place where the myth of the Minotaur, the half bull-half human mythical beast originated.

• Samaria Gorge: A 16km (10 miles) stony trail is a busy and popular hiking spot. The gorge is nearly 500m (over 1600 ft) deep, but the walls are only 3m (10 ft) apart at the narrowest point. All manner of hikers come here, and the trail ends in the coastal village.

• Mt Gingilos: The path upwards starts at the start of the Samaria Gorge, and it is a fairly easy climb for a mountain. It has a near vertical face on one side, making it look spectacular. The views along the path are breathtaking

• Heraklion Archaeological Museum: The perfect place to get a sense of the rich culture and history of Crete. The museum was recently renovated and there are several options for guided or even private tours

• The Arkadi Monastery: The Moni Arkadiou is about a 2 hour drive from Heraklion, on Crete’s southern coast. This is the site of a relatively recent event in 1866, when hundreds of locals sacrificed their lives to end the tyranny of the Ottoman onslaught. Other important buildings nearby include the Venetian Church

• Vai Beach: While the beach itself is wonderful area with beautiful palms and turquoise waters, the 2 hour drive from Heraklion is almost entirely with the sea on one side and sheer mountains on the other. A great trip for the driver and the passengers

• Dikteon Cave: A beautiful subterranean cave with ancient inscribed stone tablets and magnificent views, this is a must see. Legend has it that Zeus himself was born here

• Bembo Fountain: This delightful fountain was built in the 16th century, and is oddly devoid of tourists. Built from bits and pieces of different structures, this was Heraklion’s first fountain

• Church of Agios Titos: Built by the Byzantines in 961 AD, it was a Catholic Church in the Venetian era, a mosque under the Ottomans and is now an Orthodox Church

• Iraklio Wine Country: Tour the fantastic vineyards and wineries that dot the slopes and valleys and discover the wonders of Cretan wine