The best time to go is May to mid-June and again in September–October, when the sea is warm and the crowds are smaller than in August.
Best months: May, June, September, October
Approximate temperatures in these months: 16° to 28° (long-term averages, not a forecast)
Getting there
You can get there by flight from Israel, usually a flight with a connection in Greece or another European city. In the summer season there may be additional options, so it is worth checking the current routes. Greece is in the Schengen area, so there is a passport check on entry, and it is important to make sure in advance that your passport is valid.
Flight times and direct flights are only shown from the saved prices below. Check entry requirements (passport, visa) with an official source before you book.
Who it suits
Couples · Families with children · Friends · Solo travelers
Beach and sea · City and Culture · Food and Wine · Nature and Scenery · Adventures
How long: 4-6 days
What to do
Knossos Palace
Heraklion Archaeological Museum
Koules Fortress in the Venetian harbor
Morosini Fountain
Cathedral of Agios Minas
Grave of Nikos Kazantzakis on the walls
Spinalonga island
Matala Beach
Good to add
Car rental
Advance tickets to Knossos and the museum
Boat trip to Spinalonga
Travel insurance
Suggested day plans
A long weekend in the city and its surroundings
Morning at the Palace of Knossos, preferably in the early hours
The Heraklion Archaeological Museum in the afternoon
Evening in Morosini Square and the restaurants in the alleys
A walk through the Venetian harbor to the Koules Fortress
Coffee and shopping at the market on 1866 Street
Heraklion as a base for day trips by car
Day 1: The city, Knossos, and the museum
Day 2: Drive south to Matala Beach and the surrounding area
Day 3: Villages of the Cretan mountains, with wine and olive oil tastings
Day 4: Drive to the Elounda area and a boat trip to Spinalonga
Day 5: Beach and sea on the north of the island before the flight
Tips
Renting a car is recommended if you want to see the island beyond the city itself.
In summer it is very hot at the archaeological sites, so it is best to arrive at Knossos in the morning with a hat and water.
It's worth setting aside time for local food such as dakos, Cretan cheeses, and roast lamb.
The city itself is not a beach town, and nicer beaches are a drive away from the city.
On windy days the sea on the north of the island can be choppy, so it's worth checking the opposite coast in the south.
When checking tickets for the sites, it's worth checking opening hours, as they vary by season.
This text was written by Tripli's AI, so please verify the details. The information is general. Prices and availability come only from the providers and are shown on the results page. Some texts were translated automatically.
Cheap flights from Tel Aviv
From ₪498 per person · round trip · Sun 18/10 – Thu 22/10 · direct · EL AL View at the provider →
From ₪506 per person · round trip · Mon 19/10 – Fri 23/10 · direct · EL AL View at the provider →
From ₪541 per person · round trip · Mon 12/10 – Fri 16/10 · direct · EL AL View at the provider →
Saved "from" prices found at the provider by departure day, not a live search and not guaranteed. Tap a day to search for a trip departing on that date.
