Iraklio
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| Iraklio Port of Entry
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 The Venetian fortress 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 (--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.
Weather
See Aegean Sea.
Passages
Communication
See Crete.
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
Iraklio Harbor
Marinas & Yacht Clubs
Iraklio Marina
Iraklio Marina [[Iraklio#Iraklio Marina|Iraklio Marina]] (Μαρίνα Ηρακλείου) 35°20.606'N, 025°08.175'E 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.
Amenities
| Facilities | |
|---|---|
| Water | In the marina |
| Electricity | In the marina |
| Toilets | ? |
| Showers | ? |
| Laundry | ? |
| Garbage | At the marina |
| Supplies | |
| Fuel | Possible by either mini-truck or by jerry cans from a fuel station (outside of the town) |
| Bottled gas | ? |
| Chandlers | Only fishing and small boat supplies |
| Services | |
| Repairs | Minimal, ask at the marina |
| Internet | In cafés or try the free wifi network provided by the Municipality of Iraklio |
| Mobile connectivity | Good 4G signal |
| Vehicle rentals | Numerous agencies in town |
Provisioning
There are many super-markets and specialty stores in Irklio.
Eating out
- 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
Transportation
There are daily, and in the summer several per day, flights and ferries to Athens.
Tourism
 Knossos: The Throne Room |
 Knossos: In the Palace |
 Knossos: Bullfight Fresco |
 The Site of Phaistos |
 The Phaistos Disc |
Places to Visit
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.
Friends
Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.
Forums
List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)
Links
- Iraklio at the Wikipedia
- Iraklio at the Wikivoyage
- Minoan Palace in Knossos
- Minoan city of Phaistos
References
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.
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 |
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Names: Istioploos, Athene of Lymington |
