Heraklion to Naxos Guide
Heraklion Port Guide
The Greek city of Heraklion is the capital and largest city on the island of Crete. A popular visitor attraction near the city is Knossos, which is around 5 km from Heraklion. This important archaeological site was the Palace of King Minos and home to the Minotaur, if legend is to be believed. The palace was built over the remains of a former Neolithic settlement in around 1900 BC.
An important attraction in the city itself is the Archaeological Museum which can be found on one corner of the central Eleftherias Square, in a converted power station. The museum collects and displays many artefacts from Knossos, Archanes, Phaestos, Zakros and many other important archaeological sites on the island. The museum's collection spans several thousand years and includes the Phaestos disc, classic Hellenic and Roman sculptures, frescos, jewellery, wall paintings and pottery.
Visitors to Heraklion can take a ferry from the port, which is important for both passenger services and cargo, to destinations including Santorini, Ios, Paros, Mykonos and Rhodes. There are also daily sailings to the mainland port of Piraeus.
Naxos Port Guide
Naxos is a Greek island that lies in the Aegean Sea and is part of the Cyclades group of islands. The island has a rich and interesting history and has been ruled by a number of different civilisations during its history, including the Byzantine, Frankish and Venetians, all of which have left their mark on the island. The island has a flourishing agricultural economy thanks to its fertile terrain and visitors will see both olives and grapes being grown.
Popular attractions on the island, aside from its lovely beaches, tend to focus around Hora and include the Venetian Castle. Also popular with visitors are the island's villages, with one of the largest being Filoti which is situated next to Mount Zeus and Apiranthos which is next to Mount Fanari. Another popular way to spend time on the island is to take to one of the many trails on the island and to go hiking into the mountains.
The island's port is also located in Chora. From the port ferries depart to Piraeus (Athens) and to the other islands in the Cyclades.