The Herakleion Archaeological Museum is one of the largest and most important museums in Greece, and among the most important museums in Europe. It houses representative artefacts from all the periods of Cretan prehistory and history, covering a chronological span of over 5,500 years from the Neolithic period to Roman times.

The singularly important Minoan collection contains unique examples of Minoan art, many of them true masterpieces. The Herakleion Museum is rightly considered as the museum of Minoan culture par excellence worldwide.

The museum, located in the town centre, was built between 1937 and 1940 by architect Patroklos Karantinos on a site previously occupied by the Roman Catholic monastery of Saint-Francis which was destroyed by earthquake in 1856. The museum's antiseismic building is an important example of modernist architecture and was awarded a Bauhaus commendation. Karantinos applied the principles of modern architecture to the specific needs of a museum by providing good lighting from the skylights above and along the top of the walls, and facilitating the easy flow of large groups of people. He also anticipated future extensions to the museum.

The colours and construction materials, such as the veined polychrome marbles, recall certain Minoan wall-paintings which imitate marble revetment. The two-storeyed building has large exhibition spaces, laboratories, a drawing room, a library, offices and a special department, the so-called Scientific Collection, where numerous finds are stored and studied. The museum shop, run by the Archaeological Receipts Fund, sells museum copies, books, postcards and slides. There is also a cafe.

The Royal Villa or the small Minoan Palace of Agia Triada (Holy Trinity) as was named by the archaeologists who excavated the area during the early 20th century. Was built in 1,600 BC over a hill near Phaistos and is one of the greatest monuments of Minoan architecture with important findings.

In Agia Galini is also the cave of Daedalus, where according to myth, Daedalus hid himself whilst being pursued by king Minos and together with his son Icarus, managed to fly to freedom using his self-built wings glued with wax

The rock that Daedalus and Icarus used as a base for their flight is located on the right side of the port facing the sea, still seeing them off on their doomed journey.

At this spot there are two statues, these of Daedalus and Icarus as they get prepared for their journey, which are easily accessible to the visitor.

A sandy beach in front of the little village of Kalamaki. Along the beach you will find restaurants and cafes.

Since 1977, the guests in our tavern enjoy traditional Cretan dishes and the breathtaking view to the Libyan Sea.

If you would like to taste fresh fish, live lobster and tasty local Cretan dishes, while feeling that you are on board a cruise ship, the only thing you have to do is to visit us.

Our tavern is in full compliance with the strictest food safety standards HACCP and ISO.

Considered one of the oldest monasteries in Crete, this humble monastery still stands as a guard for Orthodoxy.

Apart from Agios Antonios, Agiofarango and Panagia in Martsalo, in the area of the monastery there are a series of chapels and hermitages.

The mill and the bakery at the monastery are operated as a museum.