Iraklio

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	See [[Crete#Approach_and_Navigation|Crete]].		See [[Crete#Approach_and_Navigation|Crete]].
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	Iraklio is a Greek port of entry/exit.		Iraklio is a Greek port of entry/exit.
	{{GreenText|Please submit details about facilities for checking in -  location of immigration & customs, etc.}}		{{GreenText|Please submit details about facilities for checking in -  location of immigration & customs, etc.}}

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Revision as of 15:44, 28 April 2016

Iraklio has a Port of Entry

Iraklio or Herakleio (Ηράκλειο) is the largest city in Crete and the fifth largest in Greece with 137,711 inhabitants. The town is now nothing like the most agreeable town that it was some 30 years ago (--Istioploos). Heikell is absolutely right in quoting Adam Hopkins:

On the first day, one knows beyond contradiction that Iráklion is one of the least pleasant cities of the Mediterranean…

It is indeed ghastly. It seems that almost every other store is either a travel or a car rental agency. Most restaurants are of the fast food variety. It has heavy traffic and a lot of noise and dust. However, if you can get a space on the pontoons in the inner harbour, it is a handy base for a visit to the superb archaeological museum in the town, which contains the finest examples of Minoan art to be found anywhere in the world.

Charts

See Crete.

Radio Nets

See Crete.

Weather

See Aegean Sea.

Islands

None.

Navigation

See Crete.

Entrance

Iraklio is a Greek port of entry/exit. Please submit details about facilities for checking in - location of immigration & customs, etc.

Berthing Options

The harbor of Iraklio is a huge commercial harbor with a tiny inner Venetian harbor within the commercial one. The commercial outer harbor is uncomfortable because of the considerable swell. Within the Venetian harbor there is a small marina.

Marinas & Yacht Clubs

Iraklio Marina

The marina is within the old, inner Venetian harbour. It is really the only berthing option for visiting yachts, other than going alongside the breakwater in the outer harbour, where the shelter is less good and the wash from ferries and the pilot boat (which often exits the inner harbour at speed) can be substantial. On entering, keep over towards the left side, as the depths shallow to 2m on the castle side.

The marina consists of three pontoons, all of which have small finger pontoons for alongside mooring. Stern lines are tailed to the end of each finger. Water and electricity are available at each berth and there is a free wifi network provided by the Municipality of Iraklio. The berths are administered by the Iraklio Yacht Club, whose members and secretary Rula are very friendly and seem happy for visiting yachts to occupy berths temporarily vacated by members.

Do NOT, however, take up a berth without checking with other bertholders or the club (whose offices are 200m east of the marina behind the Hellenic Coastguard building).

Because of the small size of the harbour and the space between the pontoons, it is unlikely that yachts much over 13m-14m will be able to berth on the pontoons. There are some 17 berths with laid moorings along the quay to the east of the pontoons, but these are reserved for and usually occupied by large power boats.

The inner harbour is not the quietest of places and, when the winds are from the west, visitors have the unique opportunity to study the liveries of Europe's major airlines at close quarters as jets take off from the runway only a couple of kilometers east of the harbour. However, it is the most secure option for visiting the famous Minoan palace of Knossos and the stunning display of Minoan artifacts at the city's renowned archaeological museum.

Anchorages

None.

Yacht Repairs and Services

Marine Stores

Only fishing and small boat supplies

Repairs/Yards

Minimal, ask at the marina.

Fuel, Water, & Electricity

Fuel

Possible by either mini-truck or by jerry cans from a fuel station (outside of the town)

Water

In the marina

Electricity

In the marina

Things to do Ashore

Tourism

Knossos: The Throne Room

Knossos: In the Palace

Knossos: Bullfight Fresco

The Site of Phaistos

The Phaistos Disc

In Iraklio

Within town a visit to the Archaeological Museum is a must. It has some of the masterpieces of Minoan art. There are many interesting excursions from Iraklio.

Knossos

Knossos is about 5 km from Iraklio. It is the site of the most important Minoan Palace.

Phaistos

Phaistos, a Minoan city, is 62 km form Iraklio.

In Phaistos a clay disc was discovered in 1908. This disc, The Phaistos Disc, has an inscription in a script labeled by archaeologists as Linear A. It has not been read and it still remains a mystery.

Grocery & Supply Stores

There are many super-markets and specialty stores in Irklio.

Eateries

• There are a lot of restaurants in town. Most do not look attractive. Try Theodosaki street, a small alleyway off the market on 1866 street, which has several tavernas that haven't changed much in 35 years.
• The only old-fashioned store advertised "Loukoumades (honey donuts) since 1926", is worth patronizing

Internet/WiFi

In cafés or try the free wifi network provided by the Municipality of Iraklio.

Laundry

Motorbike & Car Rentals

Numerous agencies.

Garbage Disposal

At the marina.

Transportation

There are daily, and in the summer several per day, flights and ferries to Athens.

Routes/Passages To/From

• Aegean to West Mediterranean Passages
• East Mediterranean Passages

Cruiser's Friends

Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.

Forum Discussions

List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)

External Links

• Iraklio (Wikipedia)
• Minoan Palace in Knossos
• Minoan city of Phaistos

References & Publications

See Greece.

Comments

We welcome users' contributions to the Wiki. Please click on Comments to view other users' comments, add your own personal experiences or recommend any changes to this page following your visit. Personal experiences?

Verified by

Date of member's last visit to Iraklio and this page's details validated:

• September 1997 --Istioploos Travels with S/Y Thetis
• June 2009 --Athene of Lymington

This is a usable page of the cruising guide. However, please contribute if you can to help it grow further. Click on Comments to add your personal notes on this page or to discuss its contents. Alternatively, if you feel confident to edit the page, click on the edit tab at the top and enter your changes directly.

Contributors to this page
Names: Istioploos, Athene of Lymington