Heraklion (Greece)

I find that Heraklion has all the advantages of a big city. Heraklion is, first and foremost, the capital of the island. So it's fairly lively and noisy.

All the same, I liked to stroll along the ramparts, which are a reminder that Heraklion was under Venitian influence. Going up, there's a beautiful view of the city and the port. The ramparts encircle all of the city for three kilometres. This allows you to appreciate the size of the city. Heraklion has numerous shops, as well as a lively town centre, notably in the evening. The city is also scattered with beautiful fountains and loggias from the Venetian era. It's not a beach city as one might expect to see in Crete but, all the same, it's a beautiful city to visit during a trip to Greece.

You can reach the other islands by boat. Moreover, the port is fairly impressive.