Exploring heraklion’s chequered past

As one of the most famous and intriguing cities in the Mediterranean, Heraklion, in Greece, is a great destination for those interested in the myth-shrouded past. After arriving on the requisite Heraklion airport transfers, visitors often head straight to explore the city’s renowned landmarks.

The Palace of Knossos

Simply put, you don’t visit this region then leave the Palace of Knossos of your itinerary, because that would be unthinkable! Indeed, many tourists who arrive on their Heraklion airport transfers head straight to the palace. The Palace of Knossos represents almost every ancient myth concerning the enigmatic civilization of the Minoans: the labyrinth, the Minotaur, Daedalus and Icarus and, of course, King Minos—the focal personality of so many Cretan legends. Built around 3400 to 2100 BC, when the Minoans held sway in this part of the then-civilised world, the Palace of Knossos was eventually destroyed by a huge fire around 1400 BC. When the ruins were discovered by archaeologist Arthur Evans, in 1900, countless artefacts and works of art were found.

Archaeological Museum

If you’ve been to the Palace of Knossos, the logical next step is to visit the renowned Archaeological Museum; here is where the precious artefacts unearthed from many sites (including the Palace of Knossos) are carefully preserved and displayed. What began in 1883 as a simple antiquity collection has grown to become one of the world’s most important repositories of Cretan artistic and cultural artefacts. The opportunity of a personal encounter with what the Archaeological Museum contains is considered a true privilege. The museum doesn't only keep artefacts related to King Minos (the only museum in the world to house the most complete collection of artefacts of the Minoan civilisation), but also other items from certain periods of Crete’s history—from exquisite art works to intriguing cultural items.

Frangokastello Castle

The castle of Frangokastello, a direct remnant of the city’s period of Venetian occupation, looks like something straight out of a medieval fairytale—with its saw-tooth walls and square crenelated towers. Built by the ruling Venetians, in the 1370s at the height of the empire’s naval supremacy, Frangokastello Castle still bears distinct marks of its former occupants - however most of the structures within the wall were built during the Ottoman occupation. After arriving on your Heraklion airport transfers, arrange for a chance to visit and explore the castle. The area also offers a welcome bonus: the stunning beaches of Frangokastello, where you can spend the rest of the day just soaking up the sun and cooling down in the azure waters.

Lukas Johannes is a driver for Shuttle Direct. If you’re looking for Heraklion airport transfers, Shuttle Direct provide pre-booked shuttles to major destinations all over Europe. Wherever you travel, Shuttle Direct can make sure that you don’t miss your car on your holiday abroad.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.