For most of us, Greek summer is intimately tied to carefree holiday relaxation, steeped in the distinct hues of the Southern Aegean and its striking islands. But the Southern Aegean is not solely the white-washed Cyclades and the landscapes of the Dodecanese; it also encompasses Crete, Greece’s largest and most populous island, and one of the most fascinating destinations in the Mediterranean.
Those who have tasted the experience of Crete know well that a journey here signifies, above all, a transition to a rather unique place, internationally renowned for its distinct identity and culture, but also for its authentic way of life. This is exemplified in the exemplary dietary habits of the inhabitants and their splendid gastronomy. Furthermore, Heraklion is not solely a summer destination. As the island’s capital and its largest city, it is a multifaceted urban centre, ideal for all seasons: brimming with vitality and particularly favoured for its Mediterranean climate, which entails mild winters and refreshing summers.
For yet another summer, then, we secure our tickets to Crete aboard the “floating palaces” of MINOAN LINES: the ultra-modern, impressive, and swift ships “Knossos Palace” and “Festos Palace”. These vessels perform the daily route between Piraeus and Heraklion (and vice versa), harnessing the company’s 50 years of maritime experience to offer an upgraded travel experience, offering a combination of quality, luxury, and safety.
A Captivating Destination, Forever Full of Surprises
Even if you’ve been before, Crete never ceases to astonish. As you approach Heraklion aboard the MINOAN LINES, your gaze will fall upon the city’s characteristic Venetian harbour, as you savour the cool, sea-fresh breeze.
Once you disembark and settle into your chosen accommodation, it’s well worth exploring Heraklion on foot: you’ll be enchanted by its pedestrian streets, get up close with the monuments left by the medieval Venetians – St. Mark’s Basilica, the Koules Fortress in the harbour, the Venetian shipyards across, the Loggia (the old club of the Duke of Crete) – and discover countless little ouzeries and wonderful restaurants, all of which you must somehow fit into your itinerary. You find yourself, after all, in a city considered one of the most attractive in the Mediterranean, a de facto “metropolis” of Crete over the centuries. You will inevitably pass by the church of Saint Titus, as well as the ornate fountain known as “Lions“, and a short distance away, you’ll admire the monastery of Saint Catherine, where the island’s medieval university was once housed.
As you explore the city centre, don’t forget to follow the impressive Venetian walls of Heraklion, shaping the old town and offering splendid views from above. As you explore, you will encounter one of the seven bastions, a characteristic feature of its fortified design. Climb towards the bastion and visit the tomb of the great Cretan writer Nikos Kazantzakis (1883-1957), with the famous epitaph he himself requested to be engraved on its surface: “I hope for nothing. I fear nothing. I am free.”
You will undoubtedly want to devote time to the Archaeological Museum, positioned on the northeastern edge of Eleftherias Square, where thousands of visitors from around the globe congregate in summer. Here, traversing the 12 rooms, you’ll marvel at treasures from Classical, Hellenistic, and Roman periods, but most of all, you’ll be captivated by the incredible allure of Minoan Crete: thousands of years after the end of this significant civilization, our senses remain enthralled as we face frescoes of the Prince of Lilies and Bull-leaping, the Knossos tablets with Linear B script or the renowned Phaistos Disc. Naturally, you’ll want to complete the experience by planning a visit to the ruins of Knossos on the nearby Kefala Hill, to witness up close the globally celebrated palace where ancient myths placed King Minos and the Labyrinth with the fearsome Minotaur.
Equally significant as the Minoan masterpieces, though, is the experience of a Heraklion ‘bougatsa’: a gastronomic triumph, which may have entered the lives of the locals as of 1922 when refugees came here after the Asia Minor Crisis.
In the dozens of tavernas and restaurants across the city, you’ll also sample the island’s traditional dishes or more modern creations inspired by these foundations: fresh fish fillets served with spiny chicory, spit-roasted lamb, snails in garlic sauce, oven-roasted potatoes with ‘stakovoutyro’ (a local butter), ‘marathopites’ (fennel pies), slow-cooked kid goat, monkfish with crab, ‘kalitsounia’ (little pies filled with sweet mizithra cheese and cinnamon), or ‘gamopilafo’ (wedding rice) cooked with liver.
Heraklion embodies the most commercially developed northern coast of Crete, boasting three proximate and well-loved beaches for its summer visitors: Arina, Ammoudara, and Kokkini Hani. Yet it serves as a base to acquaint oneself with the broader landscapes and points of interest. At a mere distance of 15 kilometres, for instance, you’ll discover the expansive CRETAquarium – Thalassokosmos (sea world), housing 60 striking tanks, whilst the same distance south will lead you to the picturesque village of Myrtia, where the Nikos Kazantzakis Museum is housed.
Should you continue to venture southwards, meanwhile, you’ll soon find yourself on the stunning and virtually untouched shores of the Southern Cretan Sea, crossing the fertile plains of Mesara beneath the mountainous expanse of the Asterousia range. If you count yourself among the determined and adventurous, for example, you’ll discover the heavenly Agiofaraggo beach (74 kilometres from Heraklion), which demands a 20-minute walk through a gorge to reach. You may also set your sights on the legendary Matala (66 kilometres from the city), explore the archaeological sites of Gortyna (at 50 kilometres) and Phaistos (at 58 kilometres), or seek out Kommos beach (at 64 kilometres), where you’ll swim in azure waters beside fine sand.
Setting Sail with the Floating Palaces “Knossos Palace” and “Festos Palace”
Both the “Knosssos Palace” and the “Festos Palace” execute daily routes from Piraeus to Heraklion, and vice versa. In the daily schedules of MINOAN LINES, a direct connection is offered from both Piraeus and Heraklion to Milos, up until the 3rd of September. Hence, be sure to reserve your tickets promptly at www.minoan.gr, at central agencies and the harbour offices of MINOAN LINES, or consult your travel agent. Keep yourself abreast of all offers and combined discounts to travel with your vehicle and possess the ultimate autonomy to explore your favoured summer destination.
In the interim, with this year’s direct Heraklion-Milos connection, valid until the 3rd of September through the special routes of the ships “Knosssos Palace” and “Festos Palace,” MINOAN LINES has heeded the requests of many summer travellers. This, in turn, reflects the consistent touristic ascent of Milos over the past decade and the need for immediate connection with Heraklion (the largest urban centre in the broader region), in what is considered a particularly busy period.
Opting for the majestic vessels “Knossos Palace” and “Festos Palace” for your voyage to Heraklion, you’ll witness first-hand why these titans of the sea are so fittingly christened “floating palaces.” These ships, with their stately length of 214 metres, are suitably designed to accommodate 2,184 passengers during the summer months, boasting a capacity for 735 private vehicles and a service speed of an impressive 31.5 knots.
Their names are not mere references to their impressive size or clever allusions to the renowned archaeological sites of Knossos and Phaistos. They encapsulate a targeted hospitality experience that will convince you that you are enjoying luxurious hotel comforts whilst traversing the Aegean.
The specialised staff are at your disposal for whatever you may require, while the comfortable cabins of MINOAN LINES will remind you of a well-appointed resort, making you momentarily forget that you’re aboard a ship. You can even choose the seating category according to your needs, whether you are travelling alone, with companions, or with family.
For those journeying with their cherished four-legged friends, MINOAN LINES offers specially designed Pet cabins, should you not wish to part with them during the voyage. In the spacious lounges, you’ll feel right at home, whether you choose to sit in the comfortable airline-type seats or seek more privacy, resorting to the specially designed VIP seating area. Here, furthermore, a 10-inch television screen, USB port, LED light, and personal serving table are provided.
At the ships’ bars and restaurants, you will indulge in breakfast snacks, refreshing beverages, fresh desserts, and menus with carefully prepared lunch and dinner options, accompanied by an updated list of Cretan wines. And for those wishing to linger at the bar until late, drinks are available. Thus, MINOAN LINES manifests a fundamental philosophy that wants the journey to begin from the very moment you think of it, creating an experience not just of travel, but of true maritime luxury.
