Iraklio

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Revision as of 19:14, 14 December 2009

Iraklio

(Click links for more information)
	35°21′N, 25°09.2′E
	Photo gallery
	Local chartlet

The Harbor of Iraklio

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.

Local Weather

See Aegean Sea.

Approach and Navigation

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.

Chart of Iraklio Harbor Click for larger view

Offshore Islands and Groups

None.

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

Tourism and Things to do Ashore

Tourism

Knossos: The Throne Room Click for larger view

Knossos: In the Palace Click for larger view

Knossos: Bullfight Fresco Click for larger view

The Site of Phaistos Click for larger view

The Phaistos Disc Click for larger view

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 the Cruiser Log Forum

External Links

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

References & Publications

See Greece.

Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)

Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:

• September 1997 --Istioploos
• June 2009 --Athene of Lymington

Personal Notes

Personal experiences?

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