Ferry from Heraklion to Koufonissi

Heraklion Guide

The Greek city of Heraklion is the capital and largest city on the island of Crete. A popular visitor attraction near the city is Knossos, which is around 5 km from Heraklion. This important archaeological site was the Palace of King Minos and home to the Minotaur, if legend is to be believed. The palace was built over the remains of a former Neolithic settlement in around 1900 BC.

An important attraction in the city itself is the Archaeological Museum which can be found on one corner of the central Eleftherias Square, in a converted power station. The museum collects and displays many artefacts from Knossos, Archanes, Phaestos, Zakros and many other important archaeological sites on the island. The museum's collection spans several thousand years and includes the Phaestos disc, classic Hellenic and Roman sculptures, frescos, jewellery, wall paintings and pottery.

Visitors to Heraklion can take a ferry from the port, which is important for both passenger services and cargo, to destinations including Santorini, Ios, Paros, Mykonos and Rhodes. There are also daily sailings to the mainland port of Piraeus.

Koufonissi Guide

The Greek island of Koufonisia is located to the east of the island of Naxos and to the west of the island of Amorgos, and is made up of two islets named Pano Koufonisi and Kato Koufonisi. The two islets are separated by a strait which is around 200 meters wide and the island's name is derived from the Greek for "Hollow Island" which is a reference to the large caves which led pirates to believe that the island was hollow when viewed from the sea. Located close to Koufonisia is the deserted island of Keros which has been declared an archaeological site that is under protection because of the many Cycladic artefacts that have been found on the island.

Pano Koufonisi is the only inhabited of the two islets and is a popular destination for visitors who want to relax on the island's golden sandy beaches or to swim in the island's war, crystal clear waters.