Iraklio
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===Eateries=== | ===Eateries=== | ||
| - | * There are a lot of restaurants in town. Most do not look attractive | + | * 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=== | ===Internet/WiFi=== | ||
Revision as of 16:21, 6 June 2009
Iraklio
| Coords: 35°21′N, 25°09.2′E Chartlet: Chartlet Gallery: Photos |
Background
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. 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.
Charts
See Crete.
Radio Nets
See Crete.
See Crete.
Check-in facilities
| GPS: 35°21′N, 25°09.2′E
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. |  Click for larger view |
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.
Tourism & things to do ashore
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.
 The Throne Room |
 In the Palace |
 Bullfight Fresco |
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.
 The Site of Phaistos |
 The Phaistos Disc |
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
Laundry
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.
Motorbike & Car Rentals
Numerous agencies.
Marine Stores & Facilities
Only fishing and small boat supplies.
Repairs
Minimal, ask at the marina.
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
Popular passages/routes, timing, etc.
References & Publications
See Greece.
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 the Cruiser Log Forum
External Links
- Iraklio (Wikipedia)
- Minoan Palace in Knossos
- Minoan city of Phaistos
Personal Notes
Personal experiences?
Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)
Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:
- September 1997--Istioploos 14:27, 19 February 2009 (UTC)
- June 2009--Athene of Lymington
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| | HOMEPAGE | Wiki Contents | Mediterranean | Aegean Sea | Greece | Crete | Iraklio | |
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