The prefecture of Heraklio, the largest prefecture of the island of Crete, occupies the middle-eastern part of the island. It borders to the east with the prefecture of Lassithi and to the west with the prefecture of Rethymno.

Seat of the prefecture: Heraklio
Prefecture population: 292.489 (2001 census)

There are 18 medicinal springs in the prefecture. The most important are those of Leondas, Hassoura, Vromolimni and Borthiana. The sand of the Pitsidia beach, in the community bearing the same name, is recommended for rheumatic ailments (sand baths).

The prefecture of Heraklio is one of the most productive prefectures of Greece and it boasts the most developed economy in Crete. The main factors of growth are agriculture and tourism.

Heraklio, besides being the seat of the prefecture, is also the main city and the most important harbour of Crete. The city and the area of Heraklio attract many visitors, as Heraklio is one of the most important cultural centres of Crete. The natural beauties and the great beaches also contribute to its popularity.

You can also visit the austere and imposing tomb of the renowned author N. Kazantzakis on the outskirts of the city and the Dominikos Theotokopoulos (El Greco) Park, where the Big Gate used to be.

The Archaeological Museum of Heraklio is one of the biggest and most important globally, as it is home to unique findings of the Minoan Era.

In the Historical Museum the visitor can see historical, religious and ethnological exhibits, as well as characteristic works of Cretan folk art.

Two more important museums are located in Heraklio, the Natural History Museum and the Museum of the Battle of Crete.

The Vikelas Municipal Library, one of the largest in Greece, is home to more than 80.000 books.

5 km southeast of Heraklio is located Knossos, the most important archaeological site of Crete, since Knossos was the centre of the Minoan civilization.

Besides the sights inside the city of Heraklio, there are also many surrounding areas with archaeological interest or natural beauty. Some of them are: Agia Pelagia, Viannos, Hersonissos, Malia, Matala, Festos.

In the prefecture of Heraklio, the visitor can also enjoy many amazing beaches, either cosmopolitan or more secluded.

One of the most cosmopolitan beaches and very popular with young people is the beach Kokkini Hani. Also worth visiting is the busy beach of Matala, with an abundance of natural caves in the hills surrounding it.

If tranquillity and natural beauty is what you're looking for, you should visit the beaches: Kokkini Ammos, Keratokabos, Kouthoumas.

The Kommos beach is a sanctuary for the Caretta-Caretta sea turtle.

The Ammoudara beach with warm water, is ideal for water sports.

How you can get there

By air: By plane from Athens to Heraklio (50 minutes). By plane from Thessaloniki to Heraklio (1 hour and 15 minutes).

Coastally: Time-tables from Piraeus to Heraklio and from Piraeus via Cyclades.

The prefecture is also coastatlly linked to Kasos, Karpathos, Rhodes, and by air to Santorini, Rhodes, Larnaka.