Overview
Heraklion is the lively capital of Crete and the gateway to Greece's largest island. It pairs a working Venetian harbour, superb museums and the Minoan palace of Knossos with easy access to some of the Mediterranean's best beaches. For UK travellers it is a dependable few-hours' flight to reliable sunshine, which is why it stays a firm favourite year after year.
Best time to fly to Heraklion
Crete has one of the longest warm seasons in Europe. May, June, September and early October bring hot, dry days, sea warm enough for swimming and noticeably lower prices than the peak. July and August are the hottest and busiest months, often above 30°C, with demand and fares at their highest — the When to book chart above shows how prices move through the year. Winter is mild but many coastal resorts wind down and direct flights largely pause.
Airlines and routes
Direct flights to Heraklion from the UK are mostly seasonal, running roughly from late March to early November. easyJet, Jet2, TUI and Ryanair offer the widest choice, flying from London Gatwick, Stansted and Luton plus Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Newcastle; British Airways also serves the route from Gatwick. Flight time from London is around 3 hours 45 minutes to 4 hours 15 minutes, and a little longer from northern airports. Outside summer you normally connect through Athens with Aegean Airlines, or via another European hub.
Things to do in Heraklion
The city rewards a day or two before you head to the coast.
- Palace of Knossos: the sprawling centre of Minoan civilisation, just south of town.
- Heraklion Archaeological Museum: a world-class Minoan collection, including the Phaistos Disc and vivid frescoes.
- Koules Fortress: the 16th-century Venetian sea fort guarding the old harbour.
- Lion Square and 25th August Street: the Morosini Fountain and a handsome pedestrian street down to the port.
- Venetian city walls: a breezy rampart walk with wide views and the tomb of writer Nikos Kazantzakis.
At Heraklion International Airport (HER)
Nikos Kazantzakis Airport sits about 5 km east of the centre. City bus route 1 runs frequently to Lion Square and the main bus station for only a pound or two; taxis take around 15 minutes on fixed zone fares. Car hire desks are in the terminal and worth booking ahead in summer if you plan to tour the island.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to Heraklion
- Book roughly two to four months ahead for summer travel; last-minute peak fares are rarely a bargain.
- Fly midweek and avoid the UK school holidays — Tuesday and Wednesday departures are often cheapest.
- Stay flexible with your dates and use the price charts on this page to spot the lowest fares.
- Compare low-cost and charter airlines, and check more than one local airport before you book.
Travel essentials
UK passport holders do not need a visa for a holiday in Greece and can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen area. Your passport should be issued within the last 10 years and valid for at least three months after you plan to leave; new EU entry checks are being phased in, so allow a little extra time at the border. Greece uses the euro and cards are widely accepted, though it is worth carrying some cash for small tavernas. Bring a GHIC card and travel insurance; no vaccinations are required.
