Map of Heraklion Center on Google Maps
Weather in Crete: Meteo.gr
Basic information about Heraklion
Geography:
Capital of Crete, in the center of the northern coast of the island
Population:
4th biggest city in Greece with ~175000 residents (2011 census)
Climate:
Soft Mediterranean, Sun shinny, Mild Temperatures
History:
Birthplace of the first European civilization, the Minoan period beginning around 3000BC, with its capital at Knossos.
Economy:
Key sectors are Tourism, Agriculture, Trade
Crops:
Olive trees, vines, legumes
Diet:
Cretan foods with olive oil, vegetables, fruits, wines, raki.
Museums:
Archaeological Museum, Historical Museum, Natural History Museum
Archaelogical Sites:
Knossos
Academic Institutions:
University of Crete, Technological Educational Institute of Crete, Foundation for Research and Technology – Hellas (FORTH), Technological Park (STEP C)
Down Town:
Morozini Fountain (Lions Square), Vasilika of Saint Markos, Vasilika of Saint Titos, Venetian Fortress, Logia (city hall), Outdoor market
Also Visit:
Archanes Village, Creta Aquarium
Airport:
“Nikos Kazatzakis” Heraklion International Airport is located about 5km from the city and it’s the second busiest airport in Greece due to the charter flights.
Port: Commercial and Cruise port, that connects Crete with a multitude of destinations such as Athens, Santorini, Mykonos, Paros, Rhodes and mainland Greece.
Road Network:
European road E75 runs through the city and connects Heraklion with the 3 other major cities of Crete, Agios Nikolaos, Rethymno and Chania.
Hospitals:
Regional Academic (ΠΑΓΝΗ), Venizelio General, Private Clinics, Health Centers
Emergency phones:
Police: 100, Ambulance: 166, Fire Brigade: 199
Information:
National Tourism Organization
Getting to Crete
By air:
During summer, the city of Heraklion Heraklion International Airport (“Nikos Kazantzakis”, airport Code: HER) is well connected with many European cities with nonstop charter flights (50 airlines fly to the Heraklion airport, being the 2nd busiest airport in Greece) as well via Athens Athens International Airport “Eleftherios Venizelos” (ATH).
The distance from the airport to Heraklion center is approx. 5 km.
By sea:
There are now two ferries going daily between Athens (Departure from Piraeus Port) and Heraklion two times per day in August (day and night schedule, 7 hour trip):
- Minoan Lines (Departure at about 22:00, Arrival at 6:00)
- Superfast Ferries (Departure at 15:00, Arrival at 21:30)
Distances – approximately, from the center of Heraklion:
– 5 km to Heraklion International Airport
– approx. 20 minutes walking distance to the Port
– 6 km to the Minoan Palace of Knossos
– 8 km to the University Campus
Getting to the workshop venue
There is a frequent public bus service from Heraklion-airport to the center of town as well as from the center of town to the University Campus. It is necessary to buy your tickets prior to getting onto a public bus. You can buy bus tickets from ticket machines at “Platia Eleftherias” Square and at some of the kiosques. The current price of the bus-tickets is 1.50 Euros (one way) from Airport to the center of town or from the center of town to the University Campus.
From the airport and the port as well as from the city center, you can reach both FORTH and the University of Crete by bus, No.11 (ΠΑΝΕΠΙΣΤΗΜΙΟ / ΠΑΓΝΗ), (“ΠΑΓΝΗ” is the university hospital located 800 meters south of the Physics Department “ΠΑΝΕΠΙΣΤΗΜΙΟ”) The bus stop is in front of the University of Crete – Physics department. The Computer Science Department is just 100 meters away from the bus stop. There are bus stops in the city center. The main stop is in “Platia Eleftherias” Square.
The use of a taxi is also a convenient and relatively not expensive mean of transportation in Heraklion. Taxis in Heraklion are silver. You can find a lot around in the city streets. You can find them also waiting at the airport, the port, the bus stations, in the Lion’s, and the “Platia Eleftherias” Square. From the Airport to the center of town, the cost of a taxi is approximately 10 to 13 Euro. From the center of town to the University Campus, the cost of a taxi is approximately 12 to 15 Euro.
Accommodation
ESRs will be accommodated here: Villa Serena