Why Heraklion?
If ancient civilisations, beautiful architecture, and the turquoise waters of the Aegean Sea pique your interest, Heraklion is the perfect place to visit, so book your cheap flights to Heraklion Greece with Ryanair. Heraklion, also known as Iraklion is the capital of the Greek island of Crete which is the largest of all the Greek Islands. Heraklion is famous for its archaeological sites, in particular, the Palace of Knossos, which features frescos and baths dating back to the Minoan civilisation.
Heraklion is also surrounded by a formidable medieval wall, with much of the old city walls still intact to this day, including the Martinengo Bastion, the burial site of acclaimed 20th century writer Nikos Kazantzakis.
When to book cheap flights to Heraklion
There is never a bad time to book your Heraklion flights as the island enjoys good weather all year round. The most popular time to visit is during the summer months which are the warmest. With temperatures reaching daily highs of 30˚C, you can’t resist the call to the beach where you can sunbathe or cool off with a dip.
Spring and autumn are very pleasant times to visit Heraklion as the heat is more bearable and the conditions are perfect for sightseeing and visiting the archaeological sites. Need a place to stay while in Heraklion? Search Ryanair Rooms for great value deals on hotels, apartments and accommodation.
What to see in Heraklion?
Heraklion grew up around the sea, and still today, the old town focuses on the harbour, with its most photographed landmark being Koules, an imposing 16th-century fortress built by the Venetians. Climb up onto the ramparts for spectacular views of the old town and magnificent views of the glistening sea. When you fly to Heraklion, there will be an abundance of museums and archaeological sites to take in during your stay. From the Heraklion Archaeological Museum with some 3,500-year-old frescos to the Historical Museum of Crete that traces the complicated yet fascinating history of the island with religious icons, stone carvings, ceramics, textiles, and folk costumes from the Byzantine, Venetian, and Turkish periods.
Getting around
Exploring the city inside its medieval walls is easy by foot. There is also an extensive bus network that is relatively inexpensive. Buses will take you anywhere you want to go in the city. Prefer your own set of wheels? Book a car with Ryanair car hire and your car will be ready and waiting for you when you land in Heraklion.
What to eat in Heraklion?
When you fly to Heraklion, you’ll find abundance of culinary delights to choose from. Cretan cuisine features local cheese, olive oil and punchy liqueurs. It seems that almost every Cretan village has their own signature cheese with Heraklion being famous for Cretan graviera cheese, kefalotyri cheese and anthotiro cheese. The ever-popular dakos (crunchy bread topped with tomato and feta) is known throughout Crete and Greece and is one of the more rustic and traditional dishes found on the Greek Island.