"The Cretan Capital" a Heraklion Travel Page by jenn_d

My first glimpse of Iraklio was not a pleasant one. This is the visage that greets guests arriving by ferry, and not quite the image I had in mind while researching my trip. I rubbed my eyes a bit in hopes that the scenery might look a bit more appealing. What I learned was that Iraklio's treasures lie scattered throughout this bustling seaside city. The major attractions are the Minoan sites of Knossos, Malia, Phaestos and the Archeological Museum. Iraklio has been heavily exploited by tourism and was not the highlight of my trip. If it is charm you are seeking I suggest the cities of Chania or Rethymno. These two cities also see a great deal of tourist traffic but have managed to retain a bit more allure than Iraklio. But that's just my opinion.