Heraklion Port :Terminal Facilities:
Heraklion ferry port has extensive facilities that cater for all needs of its visitors. Inside the port area but also within walking distance of the port you will find many shops and restaurants, as well as travel agents and tour operators. There are numerous hotels ranging from luxury class to small rent-a-room and youth hostels.Those with disabilities will find good wheelchair access onboard all ferries operating to the islands, and to international destinations. However passengers are advised to inform their ferry company of any special needs when making their reservations.Parking is available at the port for both the short and long-term, with designated areas available for those with disabilities.Minoan Lines ferries services the Heraklion to Piraeus ferry route, Heraklion to Thessaloniki port and Patras-Corfu-Igoumenitsa. The Heraklion-Piraeus route is operated twice daily during summer season, departing Heraklion at 22:00 and arriving in Piraeus at 5:00 the next morning. There is also a midday sail during the summer season departing Heraklion at 11:00. The journey time is 7 hours. The Heraklion-Thessaloniki route is serviced twice a week during the low season (Tuesday and Friday) and three times a week during the high season (Monday, Wednesday and Friday). The stops en-route also change depending on the season and sometimes the day of the week, however most ferry sailings are Heraklion - Santorini - Paros - Tinos - Skitahos - Thessaloniki. The journey time is 23 hours.
Crete to Piraeus ferries timetable with Minoan Lines:
- HERAKLION to PIRAEUS 22:00 05:00
- PIRAEUS to HERAKLIO 22:00 05:00
Minoan Lines ferries operates daily ferry crossings too from Heraklion to Piraeus and links many of the Greek Islands with mainland Greece and Italy. The company has been in business for over 30 years, servicing the Aegean and Adriatic sea ferry routes.
Crete to Piraeus ferries timetable with ANEK Lines:
- HERAKLIO to PIRAEUS 21:00 05:30
- PIRAEUS to HERAKLIO 21:00 05:30
Getting to Heraklion Ferry port by Car
Its very easy to reach Heraklion ferry port by car, Heraklion is in the center of the north coast of Crete Island, if driving from Agios Nikolaos, take the national road and drive towards west, which is the shortest way to reach Heraklion and follow signs to the ferry port. From within the town of Heraklion drive towrds north or along the sea side and follow signs. Driving from Rethymnon or Chania to Heraklion, take the national road, drive towards west and follow the signs.
Getting to Heraklion Ferry port by Taxi
Taxis are cheap in Greece and can be easily found in every place. Several radio taxi companies are available in Heraklion or eslewhere in Crete Island and can easily pre book your transport to Heraklion ferry port.
All Ferry Routes from Crete Island to mainland Greece and the Greek Islands
- Rethymnon to Piraeus, operated by Anek Lines
- Chania to Piraeus, operated by Anek Lines
- Kissamos to Antikythira, operated by ANEN Lines
- Kissamos to Gytheion, operated by ANEN Lines
- Kissamos to Kalamata, operated by ANEN Lines
- Kissamos to Kythira, operated by ANEN Lines
- Kissamos to Piraeus, operated by ANEN Lines
- Heraklion to Mykonos, operated by Minoan Lines
- Heraklion to Naxos, operated by Minoan Lines
- Heraklion to Paros, operated by Minoan Lines
- Heraklion to Piraeusoperated by Anek Lines
- Heraklion to Piraeus, operated by Minoan Lines
- Heraklion to Santorini, operated by Minoan Lines
- Heraklion to Skiathos, operated by Minoan Lines
- Heraklion to Syros, operated by Minoan Lines
- Heraklion to Thessaloniki, operated by Minoan Lines
- Heraklion to Tinos, operated by Minoan Lines
Heraklion Ferry Timetables
Anek Lines: Piraeus Heraklion
Anek Lines: Heraklion Piraeus
Minoan Lines: Heraklion Naxos
Minoan Lines: Heraklion Paros
Minoan Lines: Heraklion Santorini
Minoan Lines: Naxos Heraklion
Minoan Lines: Heraklion Skiathos
Minoan Lines: Heraklion Mykonos
Minoan Lines: Heraklion Tinos
Minoan Lines: Heraklion Piraeus
Minoan Lines: Mykonos Heraklion
Minoan Lines: Tinos Heraklion
Minoan Lines: Heraklion Syros
Minoan Lines: Heraklion Thessaloniki
Minoan Lines: Skiathos Heraklion
Minoan Lines: Syros Heraklion
Minoan Lines: Thessaloniki Heraklion
Minoan Lines: Piraeus Heraklion
Minoan Lines: Paros Heraklion
Minoan Lines: Santorini Heraklion
The development of the port of Heraklion followed the general developent of the ports with some differences that were imposed by political and military correlations and influences, and was the result of the interest shown because of the privileged place of Crete on the eastern side of the Mediterranean basin and the special place of Heraklion on the island. In the Minoan times there was much activity on what is today the east side basin of the port where the mouth of the Selamianos river is located,
with indications,on the land,of a commercial center for transactions,one of its like existing at the mouth of Karteros river,that went even deeper into the mainland extending up to the Knossos area. Later on,in the Greek and Roman times,the interest was moved to other places and,especially,to Hersonissos until and during the Byzantine years,when during the reign of Nikiforos Fokas,there is a port functioning
at Dermatas bay between Xenia Hotel and the Heraklion Fruitmarket. The Venetians moved the
Heraklion port where it is today,where,taking advantage of a line of underwater rocks,constructed the (today called) Venetian port,which at the time of its construction,was a really big port, well-built and protected,with docking facilities, service,resupply and repair possibilities;due to all these the port became an important Mediterranean center. During the Turkish occupation, there was no extension of the port . Only the damages suffered during the long siege of the city were repaired. With the liberation and the declaration of the Cretan State, the study for the construction of a new port which could
cope with the increased demands that had in the meantime appeared,was given to French engineers (QUELLENEC). This initiative was supported by the public and the early expenses were covered by contributions donated by the people of Heraklion.
