Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
points en route. Local bus #2 to Knossos also leaves from
here.
Bus Station B
Haniá Gate, at the beginning of 62-Martyrs
street (a very long walk from the centre up Kalokerinoú, or
jump on any bus heading down this street). Buses to:
southwest to Phaestos, Mátala and Ayía Galíni, inland west
to Týlissos, Anóyia.
Destinations
Ayía Galíni (7 daily 6.30am-4.30pm; 2hr
15min); Áyios Nikólaos (19 daily 6.30am-10.30pm; 1hr
30min); Haniá (16 daily 5.30am-9pm; 2hr 50min);
Ierápetra (8 daily 6.45am-7.30pm; 2hr 30min); Mátala (5
daily 7.30am-3.30pm; 2hr 30min); Phaestos (8 daily
7.30am-4.30pm; 1hr 30min); Réthymnon (16 daily
5.30am-9.30pm; 1hr 30min); Sitía (4 daily 7am-5.45pm;
3hr 15min).
GETTING AROUND
By bus
Local buses serve the beaches: (see p.453)to get to
Ammoudhára, take #6 from the stop outside the
Astoria
hotel
in Platía Eleftherías; for Amnissós, take #7 from the stop
opposite this, under the trees of the platía.
By car
Driving in busy Iráklion can be stressful. Follow the
signs for car parking as soon as you enter the city centre;
there's parking at the Museum car park (with another car
park next door if this is full), just off Platía Eleftherías (well
signed). There are plenty of car rental offices in town (see
p.456).
Taxis
Major taxi ranks are in Platía Eleftherías, Platía
Kornarou and at the bus stations. Alternatively call
T
2810
210 102 or
T
2810 210 168. Prices should be displayed on
boards at the taxi stands.
7
INFORMATION
Tourist office
Xanthoudhídhou 1, just below Platía
Eleftherías and opposite the Archeological Museum
(Mon-Fri:
9am-2.30pm;
T
2810 246 298,
W
heraklion-city.gr).
There's a secondary office at the airport (May-Sept daily
8am-8pm).
May-Sept
9am-5pm;
Oct-April
ACCOMMODATION
Finding a room can be difficult in high season. Inexpensive places cluster around Platía Venizélou, along Hándhakos and
towards the harbour to the west of 25-Avgoústou. Other concentrations of affordable places are around El Greco Park and
in the streets above the Venetian harbour. More luxurious hotels mostly lie closer to Platía Eleftherías and near the east-
and westbound bus stations.
Atrion
Hronáki 9
T
2810 246 000,
W
atrion.gr.
This
attractive, modern, minimalistic-style hotel is in a handy
location between the port and the centre, rooms are well-
equipped with fri
dge,
satellite TV, wi-fi and balcony.
Breakfast included.
€80
Galaxy Hotel
Dimokratías 75
T
2810 238 812,
W
galaxy-hotel.com.
Located outside the old city wall, a
10min walk to the centre, this sleek, modern five-star hotel
boasts a large pool, two gourmet restaurants and a
wellness centre. Rooms are luxurious, with balcony,
although some are rather small; allergy-friendly ro
oms a
re
also available. Excellent buffet breakfast included.
€145
Hellas Rooms
Hándhakos 24
T
2810 288 851,
E
hellasrooms24@yahoo.gr.
A central hostel-type place,
clean and friendly, with simple doubles, and dormitory
rooms favoured by younger travellers. Facilities include a
roof garden (with sea
view
) and snack-bar. The hotel is
open May-Oct. Dorms
€14
Kastro
Theotokopoúlou 22
T
82810 284185,
W
kastro-
hotel.gr.
The Kastro has undergone a contemporary restyle
with comfortable a/c rooms, flat-screen TV and modern
en-suite bathrooms. It's handily located on a side street
behind El
Gre
co park, but lacks decent views. Breakfast
included.
€80
Kronos
Agárthou 2, west of 25-Avgoústou
T
2810 282
240,
W
kronoshotel.gr.
Refurbished in 2011, this friendly
two-star hotel is located on a busy street (so some traffic
noise) by the central seafront. En-suite r
oom
s with a/c, TV,
fridge and balcony, some with sea view.
€50
Ì
Lato
Epomenídhou 15
T
2810 228 103,
W
lato.gr.
Stylish boutique hotel in a great central location opposite
the Venetian harbour, with luxurious rooms sporting a/c,
minibar, TV and fine balcony views over the port
(the
higher floors have better views). Breakfast included.
€103
Lena
Lahaná 10
T
2810 223 280,
W
lena-hotel.gr.
In a
quiet, yet central, area, this efficient small hotel, north of El
Greco park, offers rooms with balconies, both a/c en-suite
room
s and
rooms with shared bath and ceiling fan. TV and
wi-fi.
€45
Olympic
Platía Kornárou, west of Platía Eleftherías
T
2810 288 861,
W
hotelolympic.com.
One of the many
hotels built in the 1960s, this one has been beautifully
refurbished, and overlooks the busy platía and the famous
Bembo fountain; facilities in
clude
a/c, TV, minibar and
strongbox. Breakfast included.
€78
Rea
Kalimeráki 1
T
2810 223 638.
A good budget
option, this friendly, comfortable and clean
pension
is in a
quiet area just off Hándakos street. Some rooms with
