Heraklion
Heraklion
Ηράκλειο | |
|---|---|
Clockwise from top: Panoramic view of the city of Heraklion and the Sea of Crete, Agios Minas Cathedral, Night view of the Harbor of Heraklion, and Venetian fortress of Koules/Castello. | |
| Coordinates: 35°20′25″N 25°8′4″E / 35.34028°N 25.13444°E | |
| Country | Greece |
| Administrative region | Crete |
| Regional unit | Heraklion |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Alexis Kalokairinos (since 2023) |
| Area | |
• Municipality | 244.6 km2 (94.4 sq mi) |
| • Municipal unit | 109.0 km2 (42.1 sq mi) |
| Highest elevation | 33 m (108 ft) |
| Lowest elevation | 0 m (0 ft) |
| Population (2021) | |
• Municipality | 179,302 |
| • Density | 730/km2 (1,900/sq mi) |
| • Urban | 211,370 |
| • Municipal unit | 156,842 |
| • Municipal unit density | 1,400/km2 (3,700/sq mi) |
| Demonym(s) | Heraklian, Heraclian |
| Time zone | UTC+2 (EET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+3 (EEST) |
| Postal code | 70x xx, 71x xx, 720 xx |
| Area code(s) | 281 |
| Vehicle registration | HK, HP, HZ |
| Website | Heraklion-city.gr |
Heraklion or Herakleion (/hɪˈrækliən/ hih-RAK-lee-ən; Greek: Ηράκλειο, Irákleio, pronounced [iˈrakli.o]), sometimes Iraklion, is the largest city and the administrative capital of the island of Crete and capital of Heraklion regional unit. It is the fourth largest city in Greece with a municipal population of 179,302 (2021) and 211,370 in its wider metropolitan area, according to the 2011 census. The greater area of Heraklion has been continuously inhabited since at least 7000 BCE, making it one of the oldest inhabited regions in Europe. It is also home to the ancient Knossos Palace, a major center of the Minoan civilization dating back to approximately 2000-1350 BCE, often considered Europe's oldest city. The palace is one of the most significant archaeological sites in Greece, second only to the Parthenon in terms of visitor numbers.
Heraklion was Europe's fastest growing tourism destination for 2017, according to Euromonitor, with an 11.2% growth in international arrivals. According to the ranking, Heraklion was ranked as the 20th most visited region in Europe, as the 66th area on the planet and as the 2nd in Greece for the year 2017, with 3.2 million visitors and the 19th in Europe for 2018, with 3.4 million visitors.