18/04/2022
We #Celebrate World Heritage Day and invite you to discover the most important places of interest near our hotels in Heraklion Crete using the Narratologies individual digital guide!
From antiquity to the present day
The entire island of Crete and especially the prefecture of Heraklion, has rightly been a pole of attraction for visitors to our country for many years. Aldemar Resorts Group’s hotels located on Hersonissos of Heraklion are very close to the archaeological area and the palaces of the ancient city of Knossos, which was the most important city of Crete before the Roman era and the center of the first glorious European civilization. A lesser-known but beautiful palace at a very close distance from the area of the Group’s hotels is the Minoan palace of Malia for all lovers of the cultures of antiquity.
The archaeological site of Knossos is a place to be visited by anyone who chooses Heraklion as a tourist destination. It was there that the first advanced civilization on European territory, the Minoan civilization, developed. The palace of Knossos has a labyrinthine structure and after its restoration, visitors can admire the masterpiece frescoes of the era, and learn about the customs, traditions, and the multi-dimensional way of life of this prehistoric Cretan civilization. Guests of the Aldemar Resorts Group hotels have the opportunity to visit the beautiful city of Heraklion, the capital of the homonymous prefecture, which is built around architectural and cultural masterpieces that captivate.
Starting the tour from the coastal edge of the city, the Venetian fortress of Koules, which dominates the entrance to the Venetian harbor, is awe-inspiring in its grandeur. Today it is used for artistic events and exhibitions that are well worth a visit for all who find themselves in the area. Moving towards the city centre and crossing the 25th of August Street, named after the tragic events that took place on the day of the feast of St. Titus in 1898, is the Loggia, an architectural masterpiece of 1628 that today houses the Heraklion Town Hall. Visitors can make their next stop at the church of the Basilica of St. Mark’s, one of the most important Venetian buildings which today is home to the Municipal Gallery of Heraklion and undoubtedly fascinates anyone who visits it. The road leads to the Morosini fountain which is located in the widely known Lions Square.
Just outside the capital of the prefecture and in close proximity to the Aldemar Resorts Group hotels is the tomb of the great writer Nikos Kazantzakis, which can be visited and is located at the highest point of the walls of Heraklion, with a panoramic view of the entire city. From there one can start a unique walk on the medieval walls, with the city of Heraklion in the background, and reach the sea.
Archaeological & more modern treasures of Heraklion on your mobile phone through “Narratologies”, your personal digital guide.
All of the above can be experienced by every visitor through “Narratologies“, a personalized guide in the form of an application, which includes interactive self-guided “Quiz Tours” to make the experience of exploring the destination easy, fun, and educational at the same time. Both young and older visitors, who are guided by the app, visit the points indicated on the digital map, learn short stories, and answer question games based on what they see and observe at each point of visit.
Furthermore, through the question games, travelers collect points, which they can redeem at selected local shops to win gifts and offers. In this way, the local commercial community is strengthened as travelers come into contact with the entrepreneurs and their businesses, who use sustainable ways of production, paving the way for a new, fresh approach to contemporary Greek creation and production.
The app enables its users to discover a multitude of local producers with traditional products.
Download the app and the adventure begins! The app is available in the App Stores of smartphones.
More archaeological treasures
The finds of immense cultural value from the archaeological site of Knossos are kept in the Heraklion Museum, which is a real gem in the heart of the city. It is considered one of the most important archaeological museums in Europe and visitors can enjoy a unique exploration experience that will be etched in their memory forever.
Our visitors who choose to stroll around the old harbor should visit the Natural History Museum and the Historical Museum of Crete, which are located very close to each other and apart from rich cultural material, they are also of architectural interest.
Unique Entertainment & Education Experiences for all ages
The famous Cretaquarium is the largest aquarium in Greece and is located just outside the city of Heraklion and a stone’s throw away from the hotels of the Aldemar Resorts Group. It is an ideal destination for our young and old adventurers who want to explore the natural wealth of the Mediterranean Sea and get to know rare marine species.
Also worth mentioning is the Ram Rulers Museum, a breath away from the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion, for those who love computers and computer games! The ultimate ”retro gaming” paradise.
Offers on hotel rooms delivered directly to your inbox
