Best Rent a Car Deals at Heraklion Port
Heraklion Port is centrally located on the northern coast of the Greek Island of Crete, just 3km away from Heraklion International Airport and less than 1km away from the island’s capital city of Heraklion. The port of Heraklion is accessible from the main highway system that runs from east to west linking the capital city of Heraklion and the port to all the major towns and cities of Crete including Chania, Rethymno, Agios Nikolaos, and Sitia. It can also be reached from the Timbaki highway that runs from the north to the south of Crete with destinations including the seaside village of Matala and Timbaki. Without a doubt, the best way to reach the capital city, the port, and its surroundings are with your own means of transportation, and renting a car in Heraklion Port can help you achieve just that. Heraklion Port is the busiest passenger and commercial port in Crete and the third busiest port in all of Greece that serves over two million passengers and more than 300 thousand vehicles per year. On a daily basis, two or more scheduled ferry routes run directly to the Piraeus Port and Rafina Port in mainland Greece as well as major Dodecanese and Cyclades Islands, especially during the summer months. Ferry companies that currently serve Heraklion Port include Minoan Lines, Anek Lines, Blue Star Ferries, Seajets, and Golden Star Ferries. Trips from Crete to mainland Greece and the Islands are fulfilled with large passenger ferry boats that also provide a vast selection of accommodations and facilities onboard from cafes and snack bars to cabins and lounges. The amenities offered on the ferry boat can be enjoyed by everyone especially when the duration to the desired location may take from 8 to 12 hours depending on the stopovers at the seaports along the way.
Rental Cars at Heraklion Port for Your Vacation
Although the date of the first harbor installations in Heraklion is unknown, port facilities have always existed since antiquity with the first documented attempts during the 9th-10th century. It has always been one of the most important ports due to its exceptional strategic position, located in the center of the southeast Mediterranean, standing at the crossroads of three continents Europe, Asia, and Africa. During the Arab occupation in the 9th century, the port was used as a safe haven for the pirates who raided Imperial territory. Under the Byzantine Empire in 961, the area developed into a thriving city with an improved harbor. Later under the Venetian Rule in 1204, the harbor was the only one in Greece that engaged in export trade making it the greatest harbor in the eastern Mediterranean. The harbor had grown in size during the Venetian occupation and in the early 17th century was able to moor up to 50 galley ships that mainly exported olive oil, wine, honey, cheese, salt, cotton, and silk. During the Ottoman Rule in the late 17th century to the 19th century, very few modifications were done to the harbor. Then in the 20th century, part of the Old Venetian Harbor as we know it today that once served the daily port duties of Heraklion was demolished to make room for the new, modern, and improved Heraklion Port. The new port of Heraklion was built by Sir Robert McAlpine and was completed in 1928.
Heraklion Port Car Rental with No Credit Card
In recent years renovations have been done to Heraklion Port as well as welcoming additions including the 2,500 sq./m new and modern passenger terminal providing the visitors to the port a pleasant stay as they wait for their arrival and departure from the island’s capital city. The new passenger terminal that is located inside the port gates at Pier 2 facilitates many accommodations such as a mini-market, a duty-free shop, a café, luggage storage lockers, ATMs, an information desk with free city maps and WIFI access as well as Heraklion Port Car Rental and ferry ticket counters. Currently, the two passenger terminals in Heraklion Port can accommodate more than 10,000 passengers throughout the course of the day with plenty of parking spaces available both for long-term and short-term durations. The Port of Heraklion also receives guests from cruise ships who come to visit the history, culture, and archeological highlights of Crete’s capital city. Just a few steps away from the port you can arrive at the heart of Heraklion city featuring an old town encircled by vast stone walls, great museums, historical and archeological sites, beautiful stone fountains, remnants of an old harbor, excellent hotels, and many cafes, restaurants, and taverns offering Cretan delicacies. As you drive your Heraklion Port Rent a Car around the city the following attractions should not be missed! Visit the archaeological highlights, including the marvelous Knossos Palace and the fascinating Venetian Fortress Koules as well as the charming Old Venetian Harbor and the impressive Archeological Museum of Heraklion. If it is an adventure that you seek tread a little further and discover the gorgeous sandy beaches of Heraklion and the stunning coastline as you drive your Heraklion Port Rental Car to explore the picturesque seaside and mountainous villages that are all in close proximity to the island’s capital city and port.