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Heraklion: when your ship stops here

The palace of Knossos, a Venetian harbor fortress and the walls that held out for 21 years.

Facts checked Nov 6, 2026, each with its source. No prices on this page.

Heraklion is the largest city and the administrative capital of the Greek island of Crete, with 179,302 residents in 2021. A cruise port guide says the port's cruise terminal covers 2,500 square meters (26,900 square feet) and has passport and security clearance, and that the port is also a ferry hub. It gives no walking or taxi time to the city center.

Sources: Wikipedia: Heraklion; CruiseMapper (a cruise port guide site): Heraklion

Top 3 things to do

  1. 1. The palace of Knossos

    The largest and best-known center of Minoan civilization, on the southern edge of Heraklion, about 5 km (3.1 miles) south of the historic center. The first palace was built around 1900 BC. Arthur Evans began large excavations in 1900. It joined UNESCO's list in 2025 as part of the Minoan Palatial Centres.

    Tip: Our sources give no travel time from the pier, so book a tour or taxi that states its timing.

    Sources: Wikipedia: Knossos; CruiseMapper (a cruise port guide site): Heraklion

  2. 2. Koules Fortress and the Venetian walls

    The Koules Fortress, the ramparts and the arsenal stand over the port area. The Venetian walls are up to 40 m (130 feet) thick in places, with seven bastions, and held out for 21 years in the siege of Candia before the Ottomans took the city in 1669.

    Tip: The fortress is at the harbor, so it suits a short call.

    Sources: Wikipedia: Heraklion; CruiseMapper (a cruise port guide site): Heraklion

  3. 3. The Venetian fountains and the Kazantzakis tomb

    The Morosini fountain in Lions Square dates from 1628. A cruise port guide also lists the Venetian-era fountains Bembo, Palmeti, Priuli, Morosini and Sagredo. The tomb of the writer Nikos Kazantzakis is in the Martinengo bastion, and its epitaph reads, "I hope for nothing, I fear nothing, I'm free."

    Tip: Our sources give no walking times between these stops.

    Sources: Wikipedia: Heraklion; CruiseMapper (a cruise port guide site): Heraklion

What to skip

  • Taking every Knossos image as the original

    Wikipedia says many frescoes survive only in fragments, some published images are reconstructions, and Evans used reinforced concrete in his rebuilding, which has been criticized for going beyond the evidence. Go to see the site, not to expect all of it to be ancient.

    Source: Wikipedia: Knossos

Before you go ashore

You do not have to book a tour: you are free to go ashore on your own. Royal Caribbean sets the all aboard time about 30 minutes before the ship sails, posts it near the gangway, and says the ship does not wait for guests touring on their own.

Source: Royal Caribbean FAQ: Do I need to book a shore excursion?

Back-to-backs that stop in Heraklion

Back-to-back cruises from these home ports have a stop in Heraklion, from the Royal Caribbean sailings we track:

Sources

Read on Nov 6, 2026. Opening days, hours and rules change: check with the place itself before you go. legtolegcruises.com is independent and not affiliated with or endorsed by Royal Caribbean International or any place named here.

Find back-to-backs that stop in Heraklion

Two or more Royal Caribbean cruises in a row, with a day in Heraklion on the way.

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