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Prefecture Of Heraklion
Area (sq.km): 2.641
Population (2001): 294.312
Population Density(hab/sq.km): 111
Capital City: Heraklion
Number of Hotels: 477
Number of hotel Rooms: 53.220

State Tourism Offices
Name: Tourism Directorate Of the Island Of Crete
Address: Xanthoudidou 1 - 71 202 Heraklion
Telephone: 2810 228203
Fax: 2810 226020

Tourism Police Stations
Name: Tourism Police Station
Address: 10, Dikaiossynis Street, P.O. Box 712 02 Heraklion
Telephone: 2810 209614, 2810 203190

Name Tourism Police Station
Location: Limenas Hersonissou
Address: Minoos Str, P.O. Box 700 14 Hersonissos Heraklion
Telephone: 28970 22222

Camping Sites
Caravan, Limenas Hersonissou Heraklion Crete, Tel: 28970 22025
Creta, Gouves Heraklion Crete, Tel: 28970 41400
Hersonissos, Limenas Hersonissou Heraklion Crete, Tel: 28970 22902
Kommos, Kommos Pitsidion Heraklion Crete, Tel: 28920 42596
Matala, Matala Heraklion Crete, Tel: 28920 45720

Domestic Port Authorities
City: Heraklion
Category: Central Port Authority
Tel: 2810 244956, 2810 244912
VHF Channels: 12
City: Heraklion
Category: Navigation Station
Tel: 2810 226326
VHF Channels: 12

City: Limenas Hersonissou
Category: Port Authority Station
Tel: 28970 23111
VHF Channels: 12

City: Kali Limenes
Category: Port Authority Station
Tel: 28920 42188
VHF Channels: 12

Canyons
Name: The Canyon
Location: Zaros
Description: The gorge. For their safety, visitors are advised to ask local inhabitants for information before setting off.

Name: The Bianou - Amira Canyon
Location: Bianos
Description: The Viannos-Amira Gorge.

Caves
Name: Minoan
Location: Arkalohori
Description: the minoan Sanctuary-Cave, wherefrom ample ceramic findings were unearthed, is located in the area. Particularly impressive are the votive offerings --probably to some war deity-- including swords, knives and a series of gold, silver and bronze double-bit axes, some of which bear engraved decoration. Also, there are signs hinting at the cave's violent destruction at the outset of the Late Minoan Period.

Name: Ilithias
Location: Karteros Eleas
Description: Elithyia Cave (1 km S of Amnissos). The cave, mention of which is made in Homer, constituted one of the major places of worship of Elithyia, the Cretan goddess of childbirth. It was discovered in the late 19th century, it is oblong (60 m long and 9 to 12 m wide), and is known to local inhabitants as "Neraidospelios" (i.e. the cave of the fairy). Excavations conducted by archaeologists Hatzidakis and Marinatos revealed that it was a cult site from the Neolithic period until the 5th century BC (ceramic findings are representative of all periods). Almost in the center of the cave, there is a rectangular altar or nave, around two cylindrical stalagmites that are evocative of human figures.

Name: Spilies
Location: Matala
Description: The Caves. They were apparently used as dwelling places by prehistoric people. Many of them contained rock-hewn tombs dating to the Graeco-Roman times and the Early Christian period.

Name: Kamaron
Location: Zaros
Description: Kamares Cave, NE of the Kamares village, is sited on the southern slope of Mount Ida (or Psiloritis) at an elevation of 1520 m (the ascend to it necessitates 1 h). The cave was discovered in 1890 by a villager, while excavations conducted later (1913) by British archaeologists yielded important Minoan findings; among the latter the most outstanding ones were abundant quantities of the famous Kamares ware, multicolored pottery of the Middle Minoan period. Exquisite examples of this style of pottery were also found at the great palaces of Knossos and Phaestus. They are presently on display at the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion. The cave, which served as a dwelling to Neolithic people, was dedicated to the worship of the great Minoan deity. A visit to the cave entails a long ascending walk.

Name: Viglas
Location: Bianos
Description: Viglas Cave, features stalactite and stalagmite formations. It served as shelter during the Turkish occupation (13 km, passable road).

Name: Xosto Nero
Location: Epano Arhanes
Description: Hosto Nero Cave is situated in the same area.

Name: Nixteridospilio
Location: Asites
Description: Sarchou Cave, alternatively referred to as Chonos Cave or Nychteridospito, lies in Sarchos, 4,5 km to the N. Measuring about 300 m in length, it is overhung with stalactites and filled with water.

Diving Centers
Name: Scuba Creta Gergandas Georgios
Address: 60, El. Venizelou Limenas Hersonissou
Telephone: 28970 24916, 28970 24076
Diving Area: Agios Georgios
Diving Centre: 1
Diving School: 1

Name: Stay Wet
Address: Agia Pelagia
Telephone: 2810 811727
Diving Area: Mononaftis Agia Pelagia
Diving Centre: 1
Diving School: 1

Mountaineering Clubs
Name: Heraklion Alpine & Ski Club
Address: 53, Dikaiosynis Street, 712 01 Heraklion
Telephone: 2810 227609

Mountain Refuges
Name: Prinos Refuge
Mountain: Psiloritis
Office: Heraklion Alpine Club
Address: Dikaiosinis 53712 01 Heraklion
Place: Prinos (1.100 m)
Capacity: 25 persons (14 beds)
Heat: 2 wood-burning stoves (1 with drying closet)
Water Supply: Rain-water tank
Toilet: Indoor
Telephone: 2810 227609

WaterParks
Name: Water Park Anopolis
Location: Hani Kokini
Description: IIt stretches for 50,000 sqm and stands 200 m above the sea level. It offers a pool with artificial waves, waterslides, a children?s pool, a playground with toys, 17 race tracks, a bar, a restaurant, tourist shops etc
Address: In Anopolis, 17 klm from Iraklion
Tel: 2810 781316

Name: Water Park
Location: Kali Limenes
Description: It stretches for 40,000 sqm. It is open from April to October. It offers 10 different water games, 5 pools, 4 bars, a restaurant, a barbecue, a mini market and a 7,500 sqm parking lot. Information
Tel: 28970 24950-3