Highlights / General details
Hit the backstreets and hidden pathways, checking out the highlights, sampling local treats, and discovering all the forces that have combined to make Heraklion the city it is today.

Dive into Heraklion’s history with stories of its turbulent past and visits to its legendary churches, fountains, and monuments.
Learn the secrets of the Cretan diet by sampling its best products at a local market.
Discover the local side of Heraklion through its lesser-known streets, forgotten laneways, and old city walls.
Admire art collections in unique locations.
Indulge in local flavors like a meze platter and oh-hey-that’s-strong raki and tsikoudia.

Inclusion
Local English-speaking guide; Food and beverage samples as indicated in the itinerary; Rusks, olives and cheese, coffee or soft drink; A meze platter.

Exclusion
Hotel pick-up and drop-off; Additional food and beverages; Souvenirs and items of a personal nature; Gratuities for your local guide.

Hours of operation
Available Monday - Saturday departing at 9:00am. No tour departures on January 1-7; March 11 & 25-26; April 26-29; May 1 & May 28-29; June 16-17; August 14-16; October 28; November 17; December 24-26.

Duration
Approximately 4 hours.

Inclusion
Local English-speaking guide; Food and beverage samples as indicated in the itinerary; Rusks, olives and cheese, coffee or soft drink; A meze platter.

Exclusion
Hotel pick-up and drop-off; Additional food and beverages; Souvenirs and items of a personal nature; Gratuities for your local guide.

Hours of operation
Available Monday - Saturday departing at 9:00am. No tour departures on January 1-7; March 11 & 25-26; April 26-29; May 1 & May 28-29; June 16-17; August 14-16; October 28; November 17; December 24-26.

Duration
Approximately 4 hours.

Location
Meeting Point: Eleftherias Square, in the city center. Eleftherias Square is the main square in Heraklion, near the Archaeological Museum, the Astoria Hotel, the Prefecture, and the Gate of Saint George.
Ending Point: Venetian port of Heraklion.

Exclusion
Hotel pick-up and drop-off; Additional food and beverages; Souvenirs and items of a personal nature; Gratuities for your local guide.

Hours of operation
Available Monday - Saturday departing at 9:00am. No tour departures on January 1-7; March 11 & 25-26; April 26-29; May 1 & May 28-29; June 16-17; August 14-16; October 28; November 17; December 24-26.

Duration
Approximately 4 hours.

Location
Meeting Point: Eleftherias Square, in the city center. Eleftherias Square is the main square in Heraklion, near the Archaeological Museum, the Astoria Hotel, the Prefecture, and the Gate of Saint George.
Ending Point: Venetian port of Heraklion.

Itinerary
One of the most vibrant cities in all of Greece, Heraklion has been at the crossroads of civilizations for centuries. In its infancy the city was known as “Kastro”, which historians believe indicates that the city was surrounded by fortification walls. Join this Heraklion walking tour to get to know the city as it is now, but also as it was centuries ago, uncovering remnants of occupations by the Byzantines, Arabs, Venetians, Turks, and pirates…yes, pirates.
Heading off from “Freedom Square” aka Eleftherias Square, our tour of Heraklion will continue through lesser-known streets and neighborhoods to give you the opportunity to see the real city as a local insider. Appropriately, you’ll started off with a freshly brewed traditional coffee paired with a wander through the local market, where you can sample local products such as barley rusks and olives and cheese (what else would you expect?!), and chat with local shop owners.
From there, take a hop back in time with a walk atop Heraklion’s great Venetian wall fortifications for some of the best view of the city. It’s also a great vantage point to see how these walls (ahem, the longest in Europe, ahem) divide the old city from the new city. Continue along to the lonesome tomb and monument of Nikos Kazantzakis, the son of Crete, and discover what inspired him to write Zorba.
Moving on, we’ll walk along the pedestrian street, 25 August, admiring some of Heraklion’s major highlights, like St. Titus Cathedral and the Morosini Fountain in the heart of the city. Continue along the hidden backstreets of Heraklion, where your local guide will discuss the city’s history and point out further evidence of how the city has been shaped into the lively place it is today.
After our morning exploration, our Heraklion walking tour will end at a local favorite – a meze tavern, where you’ll finish things off with a bang, or, rather, a drink! Dig in to a meze platter and sip local specialties like raki and tsikoudia, the island’s famous (and oh so strong) distilled spirit. Opa!

Additional Information
As this is a walking tour, we advise you wear comfortable walking shoes. During summer, don’t forget your sunglasses and a camera, of course, as Heraklion is sure to amaze you!

Participant restrictions
Children younger than 6 are permitted at no extra cost, but please make sure you inform our guides of this before you take the tour.

Policies
Cancellation: 2 days prior 100% penalty. No show 100% penalty.
Complete information, including local telephone numbers at your destination, will be included on your Confirmation Voucher.

**All information requested must be supplied or booking is subject to automatic cancellation**