As the largest city and administrative centre of Crete, Heraklion is home to some of the island’s most important museums. Their collections cover almost the entire history and natural environment of Crete, from the Minoan and Byzantine periods to modern history and the natural heritage of the eastern Mediterranean.

The Heraklion Archaeological Museum houses the world’s most important collection of artefacts from the Minoan civilisation, together with finds dating from the Neolithic to the Roman period. The Historical Museum of Crete presents the island’s history from the early Christian centuries to modern times, with collections relating to Venetian and Ottoman rule, the Cretan revolutions and the Second World War.

The Natural History Museum of Crete introduces visitors to the ecosystems, geology and biodiversity of Crete and the eastern Mediterranean. Also of particular interest is the Byzantine Collection of Saint Catherine of Sinai, housed in the historic Venetian church beside Saint Minas Cathedral. Its exhibits include icons, religious relics, manuscripts and other works of ecclesiastical art.

Heraklion also has several important art venues hosting permanent and temporary exhibitions. The Basilica of Saint Mark houses the Municipal Art Gallery of Heraklion, while the Heraklion Museum of Visual Arts mainly presents works by modern Cretan artists. Together with smaller collections and cultural venues, these museums offer a comprehensive introduction to the history, art and natural environment of Crete.