Looking to Rent a Car in Heraklion Downtown? Here’s Your Go-To Information Guide
Heraklion is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Greece. Here you have the opportunity to get acquainted with the archaeological monuments of one of the ancient civilizations of the universe - the Minoan, see ancient Byzantine and Venetian temples, explore massive medieval fortresses and admire the amazing nature of the island. City official website: heraklion.gr
Heraklion is considered a dynamically developing and populous city, where administrative institutions, the main representative offices of trading companies, commercial centers, and educational institutions are concentrated. At this place there is an international airport, cargo and passenger seaports. However, tourists coming here are infrequent guests in the modern districts of Heraklion. But in the Old City, the local population is almost lost in the inexhaustible flow of travelers who flooded its territory.
The historical center of the capital Crete is a great place for leisurely walks. Wandering through the labyrinths of picturesque narrow streets that keep memories of the periods of Venetian and Turkish domination, guests of Heraklion love to take pictures against the backdrop of magnificent ancient cathedrals, at the same time looking into shops with attractive shop windows, of which there are a large number.
restaurants, cafes and other establishments that are never deserted. The local cuisine is unique and rich, the prices are pleasantly surprising, and the hospitable owners of numerous establishments often delight their visitors with additional treats, in the form of a glass of raki, a glass of wine, or a mouth-watering dessert.
There are a number of fascinating museums in Heraklion, from of which the Archaeological Museum is issued, it owns a unique collection of relics from the periods of the Minoan era, which have global significance. However, curious travelers do not limit themselves to acquaintance with the ancient culture within the museum walls, but move on an excursion to the famous Knossos Palace, which is located just 5 kilometers from the town.
There is a rich network of roads from Heraklion, which makes it possible for travelers get acquainted with the numerous historical and native sights of other regions of Crete. And in the nearby suburbs of the city there are excellent resorts and beaches, which are among the best on the island.
What to see in Heraklion.
The old city is not too big, so it is possible to walk it in half a day, or book a tour with a guide (30 -105€)
One of the most popular attractions considered Castello no Mare (Cules). This is a large Venetian citadel from the 16th century. If you climb its walls, you can find an armory in which the Venetians repaired their ships, and the Heraklion embankment.
Price - 3-5 €.
St. Titus is considered the most important Byzantine monument in Heraklion. It was formed in 961 after the expulsion of the Arabs. For many centuries this building has been a symbol of Heraklion. During the dynasty of the Turkish sultans, it was converted into a mosque.
St. Catherine - a small Venetian church of the 16th century, standing on the square with the same name. In the 10th century, a Byzantine monastery was established there. Now the church houses a theological hermitage. Sunday is a day off.
Mina's Cathedralis the freshest building of all temples. Many legends have been created about him, which local guides will share with pleasure. Entrance to the sanctuary is free.
Archaeological Museumis a world-class hermitage located in the eastern part of the old metropolis, with stunning Minoan antiquities. tickets and rules (Admission 6 € - 12 €)
Cretan History Museum -Chronicle of the island from the early Christian era to our time. Tuesday is a day off. Official website: historical-museum.gr. Entrance for children is 4.50 € and 7.50 € for an adult.
The main avenue of Heraklion - August 25th Street. It is among graceful neoclassical buildings and combines the harbor and Lions Square. The road got its name in memory of the terrible day that occurred on August 25, 1898, when the Ottomans lynched hundreds of Christians.
One of the most delightful historical buildings of the street is the Venetian lodge. The unique building was created in 1628. Today's lodge is a reconstructed building of the 20th century. Venice's Sagredo Fountain is located on the northern wall.
Lions Fountain - an exquisite Venetian fountain located in the center of the square of the same name and erected by Morosini in 1628. The basis of the fountain was a huge trough located in 15 km from Heraklion. Near the fountain is the ancient church of St. Mark, erected by the Venetians in 1303. In 1669, the Turks turned the church into a mosque.
Where to go near Heraklion.
Knossos Castle - the most famous dignity of the island of Crete and the only one of the main archaeological structures in Europe. It is the center of Minoan culture, established by King Minos in the 2nd millennium BC. The palace area occupied about 22,000 square meters and was considered the largest building in Crete.
Most of the rest in Heraklion is combined with the sea. Close to town for water snowboarding -Amoudara Beach. For an aqua path of 3.5 km, you should pay 35-55 €. Here you can also buy a kayak and equipment for diving lessons (12-17 €).
Sea trips are in high demand. A 5-hour mass walk with fishing and swimming in the open sea will cost from 26 € for adults and from 14 € for a child.
About 15 km from Heraklion, there is the main water park in Crete "Water City". Its territory is about 80 thousand square meters. m. where there is a large number of entertainment and cafes with restaurants. Entrance ticket is 25 € for adults and 15 currency for a child.
In the area of the former air base, the newest special complex "Cretan Aquarium”. In its large halls fit 60 huge aqua reservoirs inhabited by marine inhabitants: sharks, moray eels, jellyfish, octopuses and other creatures. Entry price – 10 €.
Food: the best restaurants of Heraklion.
The local population is in demand for Kiriakos restaurant, where snails are made amazingly by roasting. Irini Apartments Restaurant is popular because the dishes here are prepared only from local products. In establishments of this type, lunch costs from 19 €.
One of the elite restaurants in Heraklion with authentic local cuisine -Peskesi, located in the historic building. The restaurant has its own farm. Here you can taste unsurpassed smoked pork and beef cooked in wine, roast lamb, excellent cheeses, mouth-watering homemade drinks and more. Places must be booked in advance (from 20 €).
Cafe Outopia Café Beer Utopia.
In taverns near the waterfront, mostly seafood. The best of the best chocolate desserts are in Outopia Café Beer Utopia. Here you can drink excellent espresso and different types of beer. The cost will be around 11-21 € for two.
Where to park in Heraklion.
Renting a car in Crete is the first step towards your acquaintance with the island, you can familiarize yourself with the rules on the Bookingautos website. However, when renting a vehicle in Crete, you will need information about the various car parks. because parking in prohibited areas can be a large fine.
In case you did not find a parking lot, or a place where it is allowed to leave a car, put it on a paid one. The price of parking is very different from "1-5 euros per hour".
Free parking in Heraklion:
"Politistiko & Sunedriako Kentro" Located at Giannikou, 71201(www.deptah.gr) Mon-Fri 07:30-22:30 Sat 07:30-15:30
"AB Vasilopoulos parking" Located at: Ikarou 26, 71306 Mon-Fri 08:00-21:00 Sat 08:00-20:00
Monthly price chart. Approximate prices for 7 days rental
January
€193
February
€118
March
€134
April
€136
May
€181
June
€229
July
€235
August
€242
September
€162
October
€130
November
€107
December
€149
* The average cost of renting a car in Heraklion Downtown for seven days. The data is calculated based on car bookings for the previous 365 days.
In August rental companies located in Heraklion Downtown rent much more cars than in the rest of the year. This month marks the smallest range of cars on offer and the highest rental prices. In such a high season, when the number of available cars is minimal, you should arrange a rental as early as possible. This will allow you to get the best rental option at the most favorable price.
The best time to rent a car in Heraklion Downtown is November. During this period the cost of renting a car of a compact category starts from €18, which is approximately 32% lower compared to the average price during a year.
During the summer months in Heraklion Downtown there is a significant increase in demand for convertible rentals. This causes an increase in prices and the limited choice of such cars. A day of rental BMW 2 Series Cabrio will cost you €180.
We have a large selection of different car models in our fleet in Heraklion Downtown. You can rent convertibles, sedans, SUVs or minivans. You can easily select a car to your budget through a convenient online booking system.
You can choose a car of any required category. The following classes are in particular demand among customers:
Cabriolet;
Business Class;
SUV;
Minivan.
Also available other models and you can rent them in Heraklion Downtown at a convenient time and on favorable terms.
The demand for electric cars is growing not only in the segment of their sales. These cars are just as popular when renting, which is often accompanied by the provision of a free parking space and the possibility of free car charging around the city. To rent an electric car you should set the appropriate filter. Moreover, the rental of VW E-Vision when ordering in Heraklion Downtown will cost quite a modest amount.
Required documents for rental cars
Driving license
Credit card
Voucher
Passport
Attention!
A valid international driver's license is required!
10 Smart Tips to Make the Most of Your Car Rental
Download desired area of Google maps for offline access
The presence of an offline navigator allows you to save on roaming. It is enough just to download the necessary maps from Google Maps and get directions even without a network connection. To do this, enter the phrase "OK MAPS" in the application, select the desired area and download offline maps to your smartphone.
Early Booking Discount
Heraklion Downtown is a popular tourist destination, so car rental is consistently in demand. The earlier you book a car, the more options there will be and the lower the prices will be. Choose transport online at least 6 weeks before your visit. Better yet, do it as soon as you start planning your vacation. If plans change, you can cancel your booking without penalty up to 48 hours before it starts.
Which car to choose for rent
Choose a car according to the purpose of your trip. You can drive around the city and its surroundings in a compact car Audi A1 or Opel Astra. These models are the most popular with our customers in Heraklion Downtown.
In the mountains, more powerful transport will be required. Pay attention to the volume of the engine - it must be more than 1.6 liters. An all-wheel drive crossover would be ideal. Fiat Tipo Estate will cost €47 per day. By the way, before leaving, do not forget to refuel with a margin. On the rises, the fuel goes one and a half to two times more. Gas stations in mountain villages are rare.
What you need to pay attention to when receiving a car
Before picking up, you are required to carefully inspect the car and point out to the rental company manager for scratches, damage and defects, such as dirty seat upholstery. You should check the ignition and the fuel level in the tank. You need to know the conditions for returning the car - where exactly, with what amount of fuel to return the car.
The rental agreement must include a telephone number to contact the rental company. It is designed so that customers can get help in emergency situations, such as when a car breaks down or in the event of an accident. A call to the rental company should be done first, even before the arrival of the police.
Insurance advice
Rental companies in Heraklion Downtown may offer different insurance options. They differ in price and set of options. Here are the basic types:
Third Party Liability (TPL)/Third Liability Protection (TLP). This is a third party liability protection. If you are the culprit of an accident, the insurance will compensate for the costs of the victims for you.
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW). This is to protect your vehicle from any damage. She works with a franchise. This is the amount that you will have to pay in case of damage in any case. The company will cover anything over the limit. The insurance does not cover theft.
Theft Insurance (TI)/Theft Protection (TP)/Theft Waiver (TW). This is car theft protection. Operates with a franchise.
Super Loss Damage Waiver (SLDW)/Theft Protection+Collision Damage Waiver (TP+CDW). Full protection against theft and damage, even if you are the culprit of the accident.
Personal Accident Insurance (PAI). This is medical insurance for the driver and passengers.
If you want to save money and choose the cheapest insurance, carefully inspect the car upon receipt. Make sure the machine is not damaged.
Fuel Policy
For trips over long distances, it is better to choose the option with the already included payment for a full tank. If you have a short trip, then this service is inappropriate. Be sure to read the fuel policy before making a booking:
If necessary, use the special filter to select the most convenient option for you.
Rent without mileage limit
The rental company may set a daily mileage limit. You will have to pay extra for exceeding the limit. Please check this condition before booking. It is possible that a more expensive rental option will turn out to be more profitable in the end: it will not require any additional expenses. To filter cars with unlimited mileage - use the "Mileage" filter in the search results.
Compare conditions of different rental companies
When choosing a rental car in Heraklion Downtown, you should carefully read all the terms of the rental. This is due to the fact that different companies may differ not only in rental prices, but also in conditions for limiting mileage, the cost of additional services, and the amount of the deposit. To compare rental conditions, it is convenient to use the search and booking system on our website.
Which rental company to choose
It is recommended to rent a car in trusted companies, that is, in those whose services you have already used. You can also focus on the rating of our site, which is displayed next to the name of the company in the search results.
Ceteris paribus, preference should be given to larger companies that have a high level of service and a large selection of cars. The best rental companies in Heraklion Downtown are sixt with an average rating of 9.8 points and budget (rating - 9.7).
Car pick-up procedure
You should show a voucher and personal documents. A manager draws up a lease agreement. The deposit is blocked on the card.
Before leaving the rental, turn on the ignition, find out the amount of fuel and compare it with what is written in the contract.
Inspect the car carefully. Point out to the manager any paint chips and scuffs. The employee must record the damage. Take a photo yourself: they should show the defect, the number of the car and the employee of the rental company. This will help to avoid problems when returning the car: it will prove that it was not you who torn the upholstery or scratched the fender.
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Car rental reviews: Heraklion Downtown
Based on 8255 reviews
Rate 4,8/5
Based on 8255 reviews
Tony
4,8
Without a doubt, I will continue to use Bookingautos on a regular basis. Thank you very much for your assistance!
Michael
4,7
Excellent value for money. The pick-up process was a little confusing, but I would use it again!
Luna
4,5
The search was very simple to use, the price was really low, and there were no problems with the rental car company.
Jody
4,9
Everything proceeded as expected. The complete coverage compensation really worked.
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