Island capital
Heraklion
Use Heraklion Urban Buses inside the city, and KTEL Heraklio–Lasithi when the journey leaves it eastward or south.
How to get here
Why visit
Is Heraklion your kind of day?
Heraklion rewards a city day built around its Venetian harbour and the pedestrian streets leading inland. The municipality’s visitor route starts beside Koules, continues past the old harbour and shipyards, and follows 25 August Street towards Lion Square and the historic centre.
Koules and the old harbour
The Municipality of Heraklion identifies the sea fortress, old Venetian port and shipyards as the opening landmarks on its city walk.
A walk into the centre
The municipal route connects the waterfront with 25 August Street, Saint Titus, the Loggia and Lion Square, giving the city a clear walking spine.
History beyond one period
The municipality’s visitor guide points to both the Archaeological Museum and Historical Museum for different layers of the city and island’s past.
Practical context
Good to know before you go
- Use the municipality’s numbered walking map to choose a compact group of sights rather than trying to cover every landmark.
- Koules, the harbour and the inland pedestrian route form a coherent city-centre visit; museum opening and entry arrangements need a current check with each venue.
- Keep the city visit separate from the bus plan below: the place sources describe what to see, while operators publish how to travel.
Place sources
Getting here
Build the transport plan separately
Heraklion Urban Buses publishes city itineraries, tickets and telematics; KTEL Heraklio–Lasithi publishes intercity coaches towards Agios Nikolaos, Sitia, the resort coast and the south. The two are separate systems with separate tickets.
Use the matching guide for a published intercity or airport corridor, then confirm current details with the responsible operator.
Plan a Heraklion Airport connection- Use the urban operator's itineraries for travel within the city and suburbs.
- For journeys leaving Heraklion east or south, open the current KTEL Heraklio–Lasithi pages.
- Westward along the north coast, the trunk corridor towards Rethymno and Chania involves KTEL publications — check the responsible company for your leg.
. Current times and fares remain with the operator.
- Heraklion Urban Buses: Official urban itineraries, tickets and telematics
- KTEL Heraklio–Lasithi S.A.: Official routes, timetables and fares for east and south Crete
- Municipality of Heraklion: Visitor guidance: local transportation
Find the place
Heraklion on the island
The marker is approximate and does not claim an exact bus stop or platform.
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Optional experiences
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History and culture Palace of Knossos entrance ticket
Knossos, near Heraklion
Pre-book entry to the Minoan palace site just south of Heraklion and explore at your own pace.
Getting there: Knossos is reached from Heraklion; check Heraklion Urban Buses for the current city route before booking a time slot.
Check availability on GetYourGuide Photo: AI-generated illustrationExplore Heraklion experiences
Browse current museum, food and guided-experience choices in and around Heraklion.
Getting there: Plan the city or intercity journey first, then confirm the experience meeting point and current booking details on GetYourGuide.
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