10 Things to Do in Heraklion with Kids

Heraklion is a city for the whole family, with a variety of attractions to enjoy. In its magical spaces, children can be captivated by archaeological history, horse riding, the city's aquarium, local beaches and a variety of theme parks.

In this port area, children can learn about and get involved with Cretan culture. The activities I suggest in this itinerary are a great option for everyone, including adults. For example, you can visit the Archaeological Museum, considered one of the best things to do in Heraklion due to the variety of exhibitions.

CRETAquarium or the Heraklion Aquarium is an ideal attraction to take children to if you want to have the best holiday in the Mediterranean. There are educational programmes that will introduce the little ones to maritime history, as it is a conservationist space.

There are 60 tanks that house 2,000 marine animals, distributed among 200 species. It is the perfect opportunity for children to learn while having fun.

Details of interest

• Price: from €10. The audio guide may incur an additional cost.
• Location: it is located near the Gournes Air Force base.
• Distance: 15 to 30 minutes from the city centre, depending on your mode of transport.
• How to get there: you can take the public bus for around €2, which will take you about thirty minutes to reach the aquarium. If you want a more private option and to get there in about fifteen minutes, then take a taxi for around €24 or hire a car.

The Lychnostatis Open-Air Museum is ideal for experiencing the history and archaeological heritage of Crete from a different perspective. It recreates the daily life of the Cretans in open-air spaces.

It is a fun activity to share with the family, as there are spaces where local legends are narrated. You can also attend a dance show and taste the famous honey of Heraklion.

At the rear, there is access to a public beach, as the museum is located in the coastal area of Heraklion.

Details of interest

• Price: it costs approximately €6. The audio guide costs around €2, but it is well worth it.
• Location: it is located in the Hersonissos area, on the coast of Heraklion.
• Distance: twenty-five minutes from the city centre.
• How to get there: The quickest way to get there is by taxi for around €40, or by hire car. If you prefer a more economical option, I suggest taking the public bus, which costs around €3.

This is a tourist street and tends to be crowded in high season, as it is one of the main tourist attractions in Heraklion. Its name comes from the massacre of Cretans and British by Turkish tribes in 1898.

Although it is a tragic story, today it is a commercial area, where old buildings and archaeological sites abound. In the area, you can visit the Church of Saint Titus, who is the patron saint of Crete.

You can also visit the Venetian Lodge, which was the meeting place of the nobility. It is also one of the best connection points to other attractions in the city.

If you finish walking down the street and don't know what else to do, I suggest taking advantage of the hop-on hop-off tourist bus tour of Heraklion. It allows you to see the city's main monuments, and one of the stops is located five minutes from 25 August Street.

Details of interest

• Location: it is a street in the Old Town.
• Distance: it is about five minutes from the city centre.
• How to get there: you can walk there, but if you are in other parts of the city, I suggest taking a bus or taxi so that the children don't get tired.

Children benefit from connecting with nature and animals, so you can plan a family route around Heraklion. It is a different and ideal destination to appreciate the city from above and breathe fresh air.

The Finikia and Giouchtas mountains are quiet areas, with fewer tourists than other monuments in Heraklion. There are different horse riding options, most of which are suitable for all ages.

Before you start, you can usually take a training session and explore the area on foot. Horse riding is a very popular sport in Greece, introduced as a discipline during the Second World War. It can be practised by children, young people and older adults.

The horses in the area are friendly, so it is a safe experience for children and adult beginners.

From these mountains, it is possible to see an incredible natural spectacle, known as the sleeping mountain of the Greek god Zeus. This mountain was born on a plateau in Lassithi, a town an hour from Heraklion, but it can be seen from the heights of Finikia and Giouchtas.

Details of interest

• Price: there are tours that include horse riding, starting at €70.
• Location: Finikia and Giouchtas mountains.
• Distance: it takes approximately fifteen minutes to get there, as both mountains are very close to each other.
• How to get there: some tours include return transport from different points in the city. If you are going on your own, I suggest taking bus line 15, which runs three times a day. It costs approximately €1 per person and the journey takes twenty minutes. The quickest option is to take a taxi for around €15.

The museums and palaces of Heraklion are very interesting, with something for all ages, including children. The Archaeological Museum of Heraklion has many Minoan artefacts and Cretan art. It also has interactive areas that are ideal for younger children.

This museum also houses a collection of unique archaeological artefacts, making you feel like you are in a labyrinth full of history. It is a recommended experience for children over the age of five, who can get more out of the sensory experience and soak up Greek culture.

On the other hand, the Palace of Knossos is a labyrinthine complex that preserves details of Minoan culture. Here, children can learn more about the myth of the Minotaur or interact with ancient artefacts.

Details of interest

• Price: there are tours that take you to both sites for around €42, which are ideal because they include skip-the-line access. You can also go on your own; the museum costs approximately €4, while access to the palace is around €6. In addition, those under 25 can enter for free.
• Location: the museum is located in the Heraklion area at 712-02, while the palace is at 714-09.
• Distance: it takes approximately two minutes to get from the centre to the museum, and ten minutes to get to the palace.
• How to get there: if you are travelling from the centre, you can walk to the museum. There are also public buses, or you can get a pass for the Heraklion tourist bus, which stops at both monuments.

With this plan, the whole family will have fun on the best beaches in Heraklion. The coves in the area have crystal-clear waters and a pleasant Mediterranean climate most of the year.

There are different types of beaches in Crete. Specifically, in Heraklion, you can find shallow beaches, which are ideal if you are travelling with children. Some have heated water, sand or stones, and most have stunning sea colours.

If you decide to visit a beach with stones, be careful. Children are restless, and these areas can be dangerous for them. Instead, I suggest taking them to:

• Karteros: this is a sandy beach just ten minutes from the centre, ideal for sunbathing in the summer, playing in the sand and eating at the surrounding beach bars. There are hotels where you can stay, and there is also the famous Xenia Hotel, abandoned in the 1970s.
• Palaiokastro: this is a charming beach about twenty minutes' drive from the centre. There is a bridge over the sand and a medieval Venetian castle called Palaiokastro Fortress.
• Agia Pelagia: this is an option thirty minutes from the city. Between June and September, many Cretan families move to the area to enjoy the summer. There are also many water activities for the whole family and the waves are gentle, making it a safe area for children.

Details of interest

• Price: some beaches are free, while others charge an entrance fee or a contribution. Parking may be charged by the hour or by the day.
• How to get there: you can get there by road or local bus.

Ram Rules is an interactive museum, ideal for exploring children's abilities. It is also known as the Heraklion Computer and Games Museum, as it has arcades. You can check them out if you like video games and computers.

Children can learn about Greek technology and discoveries, both modern and ancient. Here, you can try out computers and devices that were used years ago, when the first models came onto the market.

Details of interest

• Price: from €5 per person.
• Location: located on Meramvellou Avenue, in the Iraklio area.
• Distance: five to fifteen minutes from the city centre.
• How to get there: you can get there by bus in eight minutes, walk for fifteen minutes or drive for approximately five minutes.

The Experience Crete theme park is ideal for children, focusing on sensory experiences and three-dimensional attractions. There are also screens explaining little-known facts about Minoan culture. There is even a 9D attraction that simulates flying over the Palace of Knossos.

You can also travel back in time and experience ancient times. It is so real that some people often cry, laugh, and feel adrenaline. Additionally, there are quieter areas where you can appreciate the murals of Knossos.

Details of interest

• Price: from €11 per person.
• Location: located in the Efessou area.
• Distance: it is very close to the centre; depending on your mode of transport, it takes a maximum of five minutes to get there.
• How to get there: it is so close that you can get there in two minutes by car, or in six minutes if you choose to walk or take the bus.

In Heraklion, children's entertainment is also a priority, so it's common to find family attractions, such as theme parks that are ideal for spending the afternoon playing and exploring. The Maze Park is a very comprehensive option, offering activities for all ages.

Upon entering the maze, you will encounter mysteries linked to Greek mythology, which you must solve in order to find your way out. I recommend setting aside at least three hours for this adventure, as it can take some time to solve the puzzles.

It is a mental challenge, ideal for stimulating the creativity of the little ones. The most important thing is to never go back, as it will take you twice as long to find the exit. Keep in mind that this park also offers mini golf courses, archery games, horse riding lessons and more.

All additional activities have an extra cost. For example, to ride the Trojan horse, access the underworld game, go horse riding or ride the quad bikes, you must pay around €3.

Details of interest

• Price: to access the mazes, you must pay around €10; children under four years old enter free of charge.
• Location: the Maze Park is located near the Acqua Plus theme park in the Chersonisos area.
• Distance: the Maze Park is located about twenty-five minutes from the centre.
• How to get there: the best way to get there is by car, although there are also bus stations in the surrounding area.

The Dinosaur Park is located on the outskirts of the city, specifically in the neighbouring mini-city of Gournes. It is an interactive park with fossil replicas and rooms with animated games.

It is a worthwhile experience, as you will find 50 species of dinosaurs that once inhabited the area. There are statues and interactive robots that children will love. There is also a museum that preserves their history, as well as a collection of bones.

The fun doesn't stop there; you can find excavation areas and a gift shop. There are other options, such as strolling around the facilities, taking the children to the playground or giving them a ride on the park's mini train, where children under eight can travel for free.

In addition, there is a 5D dinosaur cinema, a planetarium, exhibition halls and augmented reality rooms.

Details of interest

• Price: to enter the Dinosaur Park, you can purchase a ticket starting at €14; the more expensive options include admission to other rooms.
• Location: it is located in the Gournes area.
• Distance: it is fifteen minutes from the centre.
• How to get there: The best way to get there is by car.