Heraklion Prefecture

Heraklion

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Heraklion with 142,112 inhabitants (census 2001) and total area 120 sq km, is the fifth (after Athens, Thessaloniki, the Piraeus and Patras) greater in extent and population of the town of Greece, the capital and the largest port in Crete . The main economic sectors of the city are tourism, agriculture and trade. It offers industrial area 4 kilometers southeast of the center. Heraklion is also one of the largest airports in the opening of the country (airport "Nikos Kazantzakis") and a commercial port.

Heraklion is a major port in the Mediterranean and the Nikos Kazantzakis International Airport connects the city with the world. The northern road of Crete V.O.A.K. Stis accessible major cities of the island. The roads and Iraklion-Mires Heraklion Arkalohori-linking the city with the interior of the province. The Urban Bus Iraklio operates from the center of the town and surrounding areas. The bus connects Heraklion Crete with the entire rest of the island. Located in Heraklion Minoan (Minoan Lines).

Heraklion is close to the palace of Knossos in the period of the Minoan civilization had the greatest concentration of population in Crete. The city of Heraklion, was built in 824 when the beaches were the Saracens pirates in the Abu Hafez. Built a large fort with a large circumferential moat around which the city developed and adopted and the original name Chandax. The Saracens made the city as their capital base and pirate activities which angered the Byzantine Empire. In 961 the Byzantines attacked the city, slaughtered the Saracens, the burned and looted.

Avdou

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The Avdou (431 inhabitants in 2001) is a homonym village and municipal district of the province in Plain City Peninsula in the prefecture of Iraklion. Located in the middle of the green plain of Lagada. It produces oil.

South-west of the village at an altitude of 760 m from the northwest slopes of the hill Louloudakis is the cave of Agia Fotini. East at an altitude of 770 m. The cave is Faneromeni, interesting both from archaeological point of view. It is the birthplace of the archaeologist Stephen Xanthoudidou, Nikolaos Kagiampi, who acted during the Revolution of 1821 and fought in Missolonghi and was bearer of Karaiskakis and John Ntafoti, who excelled in the Revolution of 1897. For this reason, Avdou gained the title Kapetanochori.

Agia Pelagia

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Agia Pelagia is located 18 kilometers west of Heraklion. Along the narrow beach to find a tavern after another. The food here is the standard prices of tourist areas of Crete. In the same area you will find all kinds of shops: jewelry, silverware, souvenirs, internet cafes, for an automatic cash machine (ATM) and rental car agencies. You will find more small bars and coffee but not great club. The night is rather quiet in Agia Pelagia.

The beach is a narrow strip of sand. The bay is sheltered from the meltemia and the north wind and the sea is almost always calm. There are umbrellas and sezlogk, you can rent bicycles and water sports to do. The sea is deep with great clarity, so do not forget to mask your.

Agia Pelagia is built amphitheater, and most hotels have unrestricted sea view. When the weather is good you will see even the small island north of the South Irakleio.Edo the strong wind is a problem in most parts of the Aegean, rarely upset you and will usually enjoy a nice cool breeze. That is why the weekends the beach fills the inhabitants of Heraklion. Most hotels are built on steep slopes sharply, so some will be hard to return from the beach. If you belong to them, then look for room near the beach. Just you will not have the same view. If instead you like walking and exploring, then walk in the hills and try to discover the beauties of the place. Avoid hot day and then a late afternoon walk and enjoy the scents of thyme, sage and flowers in the courtyards of the hotel. One idea is to walk the church of Agia Pelagia. Somewhat strenuous walk but worth it.

Archanes

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Rich town with intense tourist traffic, just 14 km south of Iraklion. Has retained the architectural character, a mixture of neoclassical, Cretan and Venetian elements, so it was awarded by the European Union as a «model-village». The archaeological sites around the holy mountain Giouchtas, which offers beautiful nature, trimmed and cafes make it very attractive not only for tourists but also for Irakleiotes, which often come down here.

Archanes saying, we in fact two villages, the Upper and Lower. Coming from the main road of Heraklion, the first encounter Archanes Dutch, which is expected within the next few years to go and they are currently involved in reconstruction of their houses - the authority has already done with the beautiful and nightlife, without excluding and an educational activity. Much fun, and certainly inappropriate for the types from the Lower lonely Archanes starts the dirt road leading to the Minoan cemetery at position Fourni. The Upper Archanes us to win the first glance, since joining us in welcoming the magnificent Didaktirio. Built in 1901, this neoclassical building in the monumental facade reminds us of the prosperity of the town during the autonomous Cretan State, and now houses the Open University. The Archanes have a distinct architectural character. In mansions of the neo-classicism meets the local traditional architecture, grafted with Venetian memories. An ambitious redevelopment plan highlights the beauty - colorful facades in Mediterranean colors of ocher, blue and yellow, and majestically openings (doors and windows) from kalopelekimenes marmaropetres characterize archaniotika homes.

Gournes

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The beach of Gournes is found at the homonymous village, 2 kilometres eastern to the tourist resort of Chani Kokkini and 17 kilometres far from Heraklion at the East. It is a sandy beach open to the North and affected by the northern winds.

Gournes is a well organised beach, close to Heraklion; it offers full accommodation facilities in the hotels, food and drink in several fish taverns, restaurants, beach bars and cafes of the nearby tourist resorts. Facilities for swimming and sunbathing (sunbeds, umbrellas, showers), safety (lifeguards) and sea sports are also available on the beach. The short distance (approximately 1 kilometer) from the beaches of Gouves at the East and Chani Kokkini at the West provide good alterntives for swimming. Apart from the marvellous sea, at Gournes it is worth seeing one of the most modern Aquarium in Greece, with a Research Centre of the Mediterranean Sea life. The Centre has been inaugurated in 2005 and it is already open to visitors. Access from Heraklion is very easy by public bus, running very frequently, taxi from Heraklion and rented and private car and motorbikes.

Zaros

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In the village of Zaros will love the variety of activities to offer. Starting with a visit to the lake where you can enjoy your coffee over the green waters, to feed the ducks and fish, make a walk around the lake enjoying the beautiful scenery, and if you opened the appetite of the great taste dishes of local cuisine in a traditional tavern under the shade of trees.

For those who prefer action, the gorge of Agios Nikolaos is the ideal solution. The path starts from the lake Zarou and you will find many interesting sights and scenery starting with the Monastery of St. Nicholas in the 900 meters. At 2.5 km you will find the entrance of the gorge which leads to the amazing forest of Rouvas, one of the few forests Prinos Greece. There you will find the church of San Ioanni.To along the route from the lake as the forest is 5 km and requires around 2:30 hours hiking and climbing during the descent at 1:30.

If you want to know better the village, a walk in the narrow streets of the village could earmark many surprises. You will have the opportunity to enjoy traditional local architecture will be presented in stunning church of Saint Sunday side which is the ecclesiastic museum. Descending to the bottom Zaros will encounter one of the 10 water mills of the village (until today rescued 2 of the 10 who are visited). Escaping from just outside the village at about 7 km you will see the artificial barrier Faneromeni where the rich natural environment combined with the technology of man.

Koutouloufari

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The village is Koutouloufari Plain in the province with 586 residents and apartment houses in the Municipal Port Peninsula in the prefecture of Iraklion. Community and was formerly with the Law Kapodistrias joined the Peninsula City.

This item is in the northern foot of the hill Pirgos (read: the Tower) and refrain from Heraklion 28.9 km. The main occupation of the inhabitants is the cultivation of early vegetables, especially tomatoes in greenhouses (these are the Anissaras). In recent years, and cultivated flowers, especially carnations, which are exported abroad.

Limenas Xersonisou

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The Port Peninsula is a coastal village and former municipality of the province in the prefecture of Iraklion Pediados, with 2,981 inhabitants in 2001. Today a town, municipal district headquarters and the municipality Peninsula. The position is at 26.1 km of main road to Agios Nikolaos, the site of the ancient city of the same name. In Port Peninsula, a tourist developed, including operating ADS, Elementary school, 2 kindergartens, high school and high school, mail, telephone, and regional practice. Main occupations are tourism, olives, viticulture and the cultivation of early vegetables. In the village we find the churches of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary and the old Agia Paraskevi Kastri.

If you bored (which is hard!) The beaches and facilities offered by the peninsula, we can widen the circle of our activities by Stalis and Malia. (This is still in Stalis plates and drivers and Stalis, Malia and found double lamvda rather - not to confused and think that they are different cities). The Stalis has wonderful sandy beaches, and Malia, but the latter is best known for the archaeological site and a very strong summer night life. To make a visit to the archaeological site is very interesting and educational, especially if you have not visited Knossos or Festos! Up, the area of the peninsula is very interesting place for vacation travelers who seek action, well-developed tourist infrastructure and a strong night life, without excluding an educational activity. Much fun, and certainly inappropriate for the types of lonely

Matala

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Matala beach once inhabited by ancients who carved a set of caves in the soft rock of the mountain. The caves remained empty for thousands of years until a few stray chipis discoveries and lived for some time. Many others joined them as Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin and Cat Stevens.

In the early'60s, Matala became a life filled with low cost holidays and accommodation. Matala is one of the most beautiful places that can offer southern Crete. It is a small seaside village with crystal blue waters that you can walk in fifteen minutes!

Even in this wonderful little paradise you can find everything such as restaurants, clubs, supermarkets, post office, car and bike rentals, water sports, ceramics, jewelers, bookstores, travel agencies and more ...

Fodele

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Fodele The village is located 20 kilometers west of Heraklion in an exit at the 17th kilometer of national road Heraklion - Rethymnon. The exit for Fodele be visible to the National Highway

Fodele is the village and the homonymous province Malevizi Primary department of the Municipality of Gazi Heraklion, with 540 inhabitants in 2001. The distance from Heraklion is 29 km. Located in the middle valley full of orange groves. Indeed the village is famous for its delicious oranges. Over by the river Pantomantri.

The people involved in agriculture and less on livestock. The village ydrefetai from adjacent network sources. In the village are the church of St. George and the Virgin Mary, and the churches of the Annunciation, the Saints, Saint George, Saint John and of the Virgin Mary. In the village the other operating between kindergarten and primary school

Anissaras

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The beach of Anissaras, a sandy beach close to the popular and well developed tourist resort of Kato Gouves, is found 20 kilometres far from Heraklion at the East. Open to the Cretan Sea, the beach is affected by the northern winds. The seabed is partly rocky, which makes it suitable for snorkelling.

Well organised, close enough to Heraklion and the tourist resorts of Kato Gouves and Chani Kokkini, the beach covers all the needs of the visitors in accommodation and food and drink. Facilities for swimming and sunbathing (sunbeds, umbrellas ) and sea sports are also available. The end of the beach is much less crowded, so if you like being isolated, you may find the place it fits you at this part of the beach. Access from Heraklion is possible by public bus, running regularly, taxi from Heraklion and rented and private car and motorbikes..