Heraklion Cruise Port Guide

The short answer

Heraklion is docked and close to town. The two big sights are Knossos (€20) and the Heraklion Archaeological Museum (€20). City bus no. 2 goes to Knossos in about 20–25 minutes.

Getting ashoreShip docks

Distance to townAbout 15–20 minutes on foot to the Venetian harbour and the edge of the city centre. The Archaeological Museum is listed as 4 minutes from the port by Hellenic Heritage (likely by car).

Gateway forKnossos (Minoan palace), Heraklion Archaeological Museum

Walk to City centre / museum15–20 minutes · Free

On the chart

Where Heraklion lies

Antique-style chart of Greek Isles & Eastern Med with ports marked

Heraklion Istanbul Athens Argostoli Bodrum Chania Corfu Itea Izmir Katakolon Kos Kuşadası Limassol Milos Mykonos Nafplio Patmos Rhodes Santorini Sarandë Syros Thessaloniki Volos Zakynthos

Where your ship docks

Ships dock at the main commercial port. No tender.

Shuttle. No port shuttle confirmed.

From the gangway

Getting to the sights

The way	Time	Cost
Walk to City centre / museum	15–20 minutes	Free
City bus no. 2 to Knossos	About 20–25 minutes	Unverified
Taxi to Knossos	15–20 minutes	Unverified

Walk to City centre / museum

Time 15–20 minutesCost Free

Walk out of the port toward the Venetian harbour and Koules fortress.
Walk uphill into the centre.

Some uphill.

City bus no. 2 to Knossos

Time About 20–25 minutesCost Unverified

Walk to the bus station across from the port (under 10 minutes) or the 'Limani' stop.
Take bus 2 to Knossos.
Get off at the last stop at the site.

Frequent service (secondary source).

Taxi to Knossos

Time 15–20 minutesCost Unverified

Taxis wait outside the port gates.
Agree the price.

Worth the trip

What to see

Palace of Knossos

Europe's oldest city palace; Minoan civilisation.

How: Bus 2 or taxi.
Time: 1.5–2 hours
Tickets: €20 full (Hellenic Heritage). Apr–Aug 08:00–20:00; shorter in Sep–Oct; Nov–Mar 08:00–17:00. Closed 26 Aug 2026 noted in announcements.

Heraklion Archaeological Museum

The best Minoan collection in the world.

How: Walk.
Time: 1–1.5 hours
Tickets: €20 full (Hellenic Heritage). Has an elevator. Summer 08:00–20:00; winter 08:30–15:30.

Koules Venetian fortress

Harbour fortress by the port.

How: Walk.
Time: 30–45 minutes
Tickets: €10 full (Hellenic Heritage).

Lions Square and the market street

City heart, cafes, Cretan food.

How: Walk.
Time: 1 hour
Tickets: Free

A day ashore

Your day, hour by hour

Planned for a typical call. Check your ship's all-aboard time and be back an hour early. The ship will not wait.

Go to Knossos first, at opening time, before tour coaches and heat.
Back to town by bus 2 by late morning.
Visit the Archaeological Museum (it helps Knossos make sense).
Lunch near Lions Square.
Walk past Koules fortress to the ship. Be back 45 minutes before all-aboard.

Wise counsel

What goes wrong, and how to avoid it

Beware

Knossos is crowded with tour groups mid-morning.
Heat and little shade at Knossos.
Two €20 tickets add up.

Do this

Buy tickets online at hh.gr to skip ticket lines.
Bring water to Knossos.

Practical matters

Fees, money and access

Rules & fees

Greek cruise passenger fee (per person, per port, from 21 July 2025): Santorini and Mykonos €20 (1 Jun–30 Sep), €12 (Apr–May and Oct), €4 (Nov–Mar). All other Greek ports: €5 / €3 / €1 for the same seasons. Most lines add it to your onboard bill. MSC says it charges only guests who go ashore; other lines may charge everyone.
Greek state sites: 'reduced' prices are mainly for EU citizens. Most Americans pay full price. Free entry on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month from 1 Nov to 31 Mar, and on a few set dates.