Whether you're arriving by sea or by air, collecting a car rental from Sixt is a quick and easy process. We operate in three convenient locations around Heraklion, in the airport, the port and town centre. All three offer speedy access to the highway, with tourist hotspots and sites of historic interest only a short drive away in your comfortable car rental. Just check our drop-down menu for more details.
Booking a car hire at one of our Heraklion branches entitles you to a wide selection of affordable extras that will make your trip even more enjoyable. For example, you might want to opt for a Sat Nav to assist you in negotiating the town's traffic system. Or if you're on a family holiday, we have baby seats, child seats and booster seats for different age groups. Meanwhile, including an additional driver on your package is a good idea if you're motoring from resort to resort. And let's not forget extras like unlimited miles and free cancellation which come with many of our rental cars. Plus if you make a last minute reservation with our smartphone app, you can even select a specific make and model for the ultimate customised driving experience.
Heraklion has many hidden gems, but if you're planning to track them down in your car hire, then you may want to opt for a Sat Nav to help you make sense of its ancient road system. You might also want to avoid driving on the weekend when traffic can get congested. If in doubt, stick to the boulevards or "leoforos" - most notably, Leoforos Nearchou and Venizelou Sofokli which will take you right along the waterfront. By contrast, planning a longer road trip in your rental vehicle is relatively straightforward - just head for the National Road E75 which cuts across the southern edge of town, joining Heraklion to the island's main resorts.
At first glance Heraklion is a bustling modern sea port, but there's another story hidden beneath the urban sprawl. The town has passed through the hands of many conquerors over the centuries - Arab, Ottoman and Byzantine - resulting in an eclectic mix of ancient monuments. One of the most important influences is Venetian. You can't miss the 15th century town ramparts and port, overlooked by Koule Fortress where you can still enjoy wonderful views of the sea. Then there's the Loggia, an imposing ducal palace from the 16th century. The Venetians were also responsible for many of the picturesque fountains which remain favourite meeting spots for the townsfolk, when they're not shopping for curios on Daedalou Street or browsing the markets for local olive oil.
The Heraklion Archaeological Museum gathers together the cream of priceless antiquities from Crete's main sites, including Knossos and Phaestos, beginning with the Minoan era and taking you through the glories of classical Greece. The collection of statues, paintings, pots and metalwork is second to none.
Distance to the Heraklion Archaeological Museum
A straight shot south from Heraklion on national road 99, the ruins of the Palace of Knossos rank as one of the most important Bronze Age sites in the world. Dating back to 1400 BC, this was once the centre of Minoan civilisation before being mysteriously abandoned. Painstakingly excavated over decades, the ruins comprise some 22,000 square metres of private apartments, temples, ceremonial halls and workshops. And with a good choice of restaurants and cafes too, there's everything you need for a great day trip.
Distance to The Palace of Knossos
A short drive east from Heraklion on the E75, CretAquarium is a serious centre of oceanographic research as well as a fun day out for the kids. It has over 60 aquariums teeming with sharks, jellyfish and other vibrant forms of Mediterranean sea life. You can easily combine an excursion here with a visit to nearby Watercity or Dinosaur Park.
Distance to CretAquarium
Highly respected for its postgraduate and research programmes, the University of Crete is also one of the island's major conference centres, hosting events on topics like finance, computing and biotech.
Distance to The University of Crete