Explore Heraklion Luggage-Free
Explore Heraklion while you store.
The Best Sights
Crete’s Heraklion region is more than just a gateway to the island—it’s a vibrant mosaic of ancient wonders, traditional villages, and breathtaking natural landscapes. From world-renowned Minoan palaces to coastal caves and sacred mountain peaks, Heraklion invites you on a journey through time, myth, and raw beauty. Whether you're a history enthusiast, nature lover, or cultural explorer, this part of Crete offers experiences that linger long after your visit.
To make the most of your adventure, travel light and carefree with Lock and Walk—the first automated luggage storage solution in Crete. Conveniently located in the heart of Heraklion, Lock and Walk lets you drop off your bags securely, so you can explore hands-free, unburdened, and on your own schedule.
Here’s your essential guide to Heraklion’s must-see destinations—legendary, local, and everything in between.
Knossos
(5km from Heraklion)
Step back into Minoan splendour at Knossos, the largest Bronze Age palace on Crete. Believed to be the legendary Labyrinth, its sprawling 20,000 m² complex (circa 2000–1350 BCE) features the Throne Room, the DoubleAxe Hall, the Dolphin Fresco in the Queen’s Quarters, and the famous “Prince of the Lilies” fresco. Thanks to Arthur Evans’s reconstructions, the palace’s maze-like corridors and vibrant rooms brim with mythic atmosphere—perfect for a halfday tour.
Phaistos
(southern Heraklion)
Continue south to Phaistos, once a powerful Bronze Age seat rivaling Knossos. Built atop a hill overlooking the fertile Messara Plain, the palace is slightly smaller but equally impressive. Dating from the 17th century BCE, it features grand courtyards and ritual basins. The true Minoan mystery lies in the Phaistos Disc—an undeciphered clay disk found here in 1908, now preserved at the Heraklion Archaeological Museum.
Gortyna
(45km from Heraklion)
Not far from Phaistos lies Gortyna, one of ancient Crete’s largest sites. This Hellenistic–Roman city boasts a 10 km archaeological zone including early Christian basilicas—most notably the 6th-century Cathedral of St. Titus. Following its fall to the Saracens in 824 AD, Gortyna declined but regained life during Byzantine times.
Matala
(ancient port of Phaistos & Gortyna)
Head to Matala on the south coast to explore sunbaked sandy beaches and iconic manmade caves carved into soft limestone. Occupied from prehistoric times through early Christianity, these caves served later as hippie dwellings in the 1960s, turning Matala into a counterculture landmark. Each summer, the Matala Beach Festival revives that freespirited vibe.
Archanes
Located just a few kilometers inland, Archanes is a lively traditional village—awardswinning but still authentic. It features charming neoclassical and Venetian architecture and a vibrant local scene of cafes and cinemas. Nearby lies a minor Minoan palace and the ancient estate of Vathypetro, home to Crete’s oldest known winepress.
Asterousia Mountains
(including Mount Kofinas)
South of Heraklion, the rugged Asterousia (or Kofinas) range rises from the Messara Plain to the Libyan Sea, peaking at 1,231 m. It's a wild landscape of bare rock, gorges, coastal villages like Lentas and Kapetaniana, ancient caves, and Byzantine-era monasteries. Mount Kofinas was a sacred Minoan worship site with rituals dating to the 7th century BCE and beyond.
Why Use Lock and Walk
Heraklion Luggage Store Booking
Exploring these delights luggage-free is smarter, safer, and more comfortable—particularly when hopping between archaeological ruins, coastal beaches, and rugged mountain trails. Lock and Walk’s 24/7 automated lockers are perfectly located near Heraklion’s city centre (Καρτερού 52), letting you reserve your luggage locker in Iraklion and go hands-free.
Sample One-Day Itinerary
- Morning: Leave your bags to Lock and Walk and start at Knossos early.
- Midday: Drive south to Phaistos and Gortyna. Enjoy lunch with a view over the Messara Plain.
- Afternoon: Head to Matala for a beach stroll and cave exploration.
- Late afternoon/evening: Return via Archanes for wine tasting and dinner in local tavernas—reflecting on the day’s discoveries, luggage-free.
Pro Tips
- Visit Knossos in the morning to avoid peak crowds and heat.
- Bring sturdy shoes and sun protection—especially for Asterousia hikes.
- Combine archaeological visits with local experiences: try traditional raki (tsikoudia), olive oil tastings, and scenic drives.
Exploring Heraklion this way offers a layered journey—ancient palaces, coastal history, and mountain sanctuaries—all enhanced by the freedom of traveling light. Book online, store your luggage, and enjoy Heraklion's treasures without anything holding you back.
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