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Exploring Heraklion by Hire Car

Heraklion is the largest city in Crete, with a population of around 200,000, and is located on the north coast of the Greek island.

A world-famous archaeological museum, an enchanting old town complete with well-preserved city walls and many authentic restaurants make the capital of Crete a diverse destination.

When you hop in a hire car to explore the island, you will pass many charming places in an enchanting landscape.

We’ve put together a few tips for rental and travel.

Taking over the hire car

Some rental companies have their stations right in the arrival terminal of the airport. However, you should make sure that your hire car company is also there. This is because there are also providers whose stations are only close to the airport.

If you have booked with such a company, a shuttle service will take you to the station. And until it arrives at the airport, it can sometimes take a little longer.

Choosing the right car

In the turbulent city traffic of Heraklion and on the sometimes narrow and winding roads of Crete, you are well advised with a small and agile car. With it, you will get ahead everywhere well and also find a parking space more easily.

Hire car prices

Hire car in Heraklion is in the mid-price range. However, prices can go steeply upwards during peak season when hire cars in Crete are in short supply. The cheapest way to drive is usually to book well in advance of your trip and use our convenient price comparison tool.

hire car price comparison Heraklion

Insurance

In Heraklion the traffic rages and the narrow country roads are often not well visible. A small accident can happen quickly. With a comprehensive insurance without deductible you are well covered. With liability insurance, it is important to pay attention to the amount of coverage.

Because if people are injured in an accident, it quickly becomes really expensive. The sum insured should be at least one million euros. If the coverage of your rental company seems too low, you can provide additional protection with a so-called Mallorca policy. Talk to your insurance agent.

age limit

You must be at least 21 years old to get a hire car from most rental companies in Heraklion. And drivers under 25 are often charged an additional fee. And some providers won’t lend a car to drivers who are over 75 either. Check the conditions before booking

Accessories

Reserve your accessories well in advance so that desired items such as a navigation device or child seat are actually available on the day you pick up the vehicle.

Tank control

Only book with rental companies where you pick up the car with a full tank and return it with a full tank. This is the most transparent solution for all parties involved and ensures that there is no dispute about the correct level of the tank when you return the car.

Language barrier

In Heraklion, it is quite possible that staff at rental stations do not speak English well. Before you travel, make a note of the telephone number of the Greek head office of your rental company. There you can ask for translation help in case of need.

Free kilometers

If you only want to explore Heraklion and the immediate surroundings, you may be able to book a cheaper hire car with limited kilometres. However, if you want to go all over the island, you should make sure that all kilometres are free with your hire car.

Bail

Some rental companies actually deduct the deposit due from the customer’s credit card. In this case, it can take a long time for the money to be transferred back after the vehicle is returned. Rather, book with a rental company that only blocks the amount on the credit card and releases it after you return the vehicle.

Customer Review Hire Car

Although most customers are satisfied with the rental companies in Heraklion, some complain about the external condition of the vehicles. If you discover any dents or scratches on your hire car, be sure to get them confirmed in writing in a fault report.

This is the only way to avoid being held liable for damage you didn’t cause when you return the car.

Safety hire car

Cars for hire in Heraklion are often in service for much longer than in this country. As a result, the road safety of some vehicles also suffers Before your first drive, be sure to test all the lights and do a brake test. Also check the tread of the tyres. And test the tyre pressure at the next possible filling station.

Sights in Heraklion

Archeological Museum: Journey into the past
Perhaps you start your stroll at the most famous attraction of the city, the archaeological museum. There you can get a good overview of the Minoan culture, but also of the Neolithic period. Some of the exhibits date from 5,000 BC.

Worth seeing, for example, is the Festós discus, which dates to between 2100 and 1700 BC. It is decorated with hyroglyphs and is considered to be the oldest evidence of writing. But also the sarcophagus of Agia Triáda attracts visitors. It was made around 1400 BC and is considered the only Minoan stone coffin discovered so far. In total, the collection comprises 20

Exhibit rooms. It is recommended to plan at least half a day for the visit. From the beginning of June to November, the museum is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm. On Sunday and holidays, you can visit the exhibition from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm.

On Monday, it is open from 1:00 pm to 8:00 pm. During the rest of the year, you can visit the museum from Tuesday to Sunday from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm and on Monday from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm. A ticket costs four euros.

Koules: Mighty Fortress
A mighty fortress awaits you as you stroll towards the harbour. Koules Fortress was built between 1523 and 1540. From the top you can enjoy spectacular views over the harbour and sea. You can visit Koules every day except Mondays from 8:30 am to 3:00 pm. In the summer months it is even open until 19:00. The entrance fee is two euros.

Àgios Titos: Charming Icons
The church of Àgios Titos has an interesting history, built between the 11th and 12th centuries. From 1862, it was converted into a mosque, only to be used again as an Orthodox cathedral. Visitors are particularly enthralled by the magnificent icons in the interior.

Latstadt: Time to stroll
At the end of this day, you will still have the opportunity to stroll through the alleys of the old town, hunt for souvenirs in small shops and then enjoy a cool drink in one of the street cafés on the lively Platia Venizelou.

Finding the good restaurant

Heraklion, is a big city with over 170,000 inhabitants. Finding a good restaurant there is not difficult. We recommend “Merastri”, where genuine Cretan cuisine is served in a cosy setting.

Find a good hotel

With many tourists heading straight on to the beaches, finding a nice hotel in Heraklion can be difficult. You won’t make a mistake if you make a reservation at the Galaxy Hotel. You will stay in the middle of the city and enjoy comfortable rooms, the pool as well as perfect service.

A worthwhile destination in the area

Knossos: Huge Palace
You only have to drive five kilometers southeast to reach Knossos, considered the most important Minoan palace in the world. Again and again it was destroyed. Most parts of the complex date from after 1,700 BC. However, the frescoes that you can still see in many rooms are replicas. The originals are in the archaeological museum in Heraklion. The palace covers an area of 20,000 square metres.

Suggestion of a round trip

Myrtos: Tranquil tourist place
First stop of a round trip could be Myrtos. In an hour and a half you will be there. In Myrtos, a quiet village awaits you, which today lives mainly from tourism. But unlike in many resorts, they have avoided to lure guests with huge bed castles. In Myrtos you can still stroll relaxed through the alleys and then relax on the long beach.

Lassíthi Plateau: Discover the birth cave of Zeus
The Lassíthi Plateau is the next destination of the trip. From Myrtos you need a good hour and a half by hire car. On the plateau you will find beside some windmills at the place Psychro the cave in which the Greek god Zeus is said to have been born. The cave can be visited. The way from the parking lot to the cave can be done by mule for a fee. However, the 700 meters are also good to walk.

Chersonisos: Cretan village life
Before you steer your hire car back to Heraklion, you may still feel like stopping in Chersonisos. The drive will take you three quarters of an hour. In Chersonisos you can still observe typical Greek village life. Sit comfortably on the main square of the village, enjoy a Greek coffee and let the experiences of your first round trip pass in review.

Conclusion

Heraklion is an ideal location for a trip by hire car. The city has a lot to offer and at the same time is so centrally located that many interesting destinations can easily be reached by car. And with our handy price comparison, you will always find the car that suits you at a great price.

Hire car Heraklion