Welcome to Heraklion, Crete! This page provides all the practical information you need to find our school and plan your visit to our beautiful island.
📍 School Address
3rd Gymnasium of Heraklion, Filellinon ke Lefteri Skepetzi, Iraklio 713 07
📞 +30 281 036 1015 ✉️ mail@3gym-irakl.ira.sch.gr
🌍 About Heraklion
Heraklion is the capital and largest city of Crete, the biggest island in Greece and the fifth largest in the Mediterranean Sea. With a population of approximately 200,000 people, Heraklion is a vibrant, modern city with a rich history spanning thousands of years.
The city is home to the world-famous Palace of Knossos, the centre of the ancient Minoan civilisation, as well as the impressive Heraklion Archaeological Museum, one of the most important museums in Greece. The historic city centre, with its Venetian harbour, the Koules Fortress, charming narrow streets and lively squares, offers visitors an unforgettable experience.
Heraklion enjoys a warm Mediterranean climate with over 300 sunny days per year, making it a welcoming destination in all seasons.
✈️ Getting to Heraklion
By Air: Heraklion is served by Nikos Kazantzakis International Airport (HER), one of the busiest airports in Greece. It offers direct flights from most major European cities, with numerous connections during the summer months and regular year-round services from cities such as Athens, London, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Vienna, Rome, Paris and many more.
The airport is located approximately 5 km east of the city centre and is easily accessible by taxi (approximately 10–15 minutes) or local bus.
By Sea: Heraklion is also accessible by ferry from Piraeus (Athens), with overnight services operating daily throughout the year. The ferry journey takes approximately 8–9 hours and is a comfortable and scenic way to travel to Crete.
🚌 Getting to Our School
From the Airport:
- 🚕 By taxi: Approximately 10–15 minutes, fare around €10–15.
- 🚌 By bus: Take the city bus towards the city centre. Journey time approximately 20–25 minutes.
From the Port:
- 🚕 By taxi: Approximately 5–10 minutes from the port to the school.
- 🚶 On foot: The school is within walking distance from the city centre and the port area.
From the City Centre:
- 🚶 Our school is located in a central area of Heraklion, easily reachable on foot or by local bus from most central locations.
🏨 Accommodation Suggestions
For visiting teachers and Erasmus guests, we recommend staying in the city centre of Heraklion, which offers a wide range of hotels, apartments and guesthouses at various price levels. The central location makes it easy to walk to our school and to explore the city during your free time.
Recommended areas to stay:
- City centre / Lions Square area (Plateia Venizelou) — lively, central, close to restaurants and sights
- Venetian Harbour area — scenic and charming, ideal for a relaxing stay
- Knossos Avenue area — convenient for access to the school
🗺️ Places to Visit During Your Stay
We warmly encourage our Erasmus guests to explore Heraklion and Crete during their visit. Some highlights include:
- 🏛️ Palace of Knossos — the legendary Minoan palace, just 5 km from the city centre
- 🏛️ Heraklion Archaeological Museum — one of the finest museums in the world
- 🏰 Koules Venetian Fortress — iconic landmark at the entrance of the old harbour
- 🫒 Local cuisine — Cretan food is renowned throughout Greece for its quality and flavour; don’t miss the local olive oil, cheese, fresh seafood and traditional dishes
📞 Contact Us
If you need any assistance with your travel arrangements or have questions about your visit, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are always happy to help our Erasmus partners feel welcome in Heraklion!
📞 +30 281 036 1015 ✉️ mail@3gym-irakl.ira.sch.gr