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Heraklion International Nikos Kazantzakis Airport International Hub illustrationInternational Hub
Airports
HERlarge airport

Heraklion International Nikos Kazantzakis Airport

Heraklion, Greece
Explore Heraklion city guide Navigate to this airport
110
Routes out
59
Destinations
LGIR
ICAO
115 ft
Elevation
AirlinesAirports profile

Crete's gateway, named for a legendary Greek author.

Opened
1937
Location
Heraklion, Greece
Heraklion International Nikos Kazantzakis Airport (IATA: HER, ICAO: LGIR) is the primary airport serving the island of Crete and the largest island airport in Greece. Named after the renowned Cretan author Nikos Kazantzakis, best known for writing 'Zorba the Greek,' the airport handles millions of passengers annually, making it one of the busiest airports in Greece. The airport is located approximately 5 kilometers east of Heraklion city center, near the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. It primarily serves as a major leisure and tourism hub, with heavy seasonal traffic during the summer months driven by tourists visiting Crete's beaches and historical sites. A new international airport, Crete International Airport (Kasteli), is under development to eventually replace Heraklion as the island's primary aviation hub, with completion expected in the mid-2020s.
Terminals
The airport operates a single passenger terminal handling both domestic and international flights.
Getting to & from
Ground transport options include public buses (KTEL), taxis, and rental cars connecting the airport to Heraklion city center and other parts of Crete.
Airlines here
Major carriers include Olympic Air, Aegean Airlines, Ryanair, easyJet, and numerous European charter airlines serving seasonal routes.
Notable facts
  • ›Named after Cretan author Nikos Kazantzakis, writer of 'Zorba the Greek.'
  • ›One of the busiest airports in Greece, handling over 8 million passengers in peak years.
  • ›Located approximately 5 km east of Heraklion city center near the Aegean Sea coast.
  • ›A replacement airport, Kasteli Airport, is under construction to handle future capacity.
  • ›The airport's runway is in close proximity to the sea, limiting expansion options.
Official website Wikipedia
This profile is provided for general information only. Details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airport's official website before acting on them.

Route map (57 destinations)

Leaflet © OpenStreetMap © CARTO

Routes

HER → CGN4U · 320 319
HER → DUS4U · 319
HER → STR4U · 319
HER → MRSA3 · 320
HER → TXLA3 · 320
HER → FRAA3 · 320
HER → MUCA3 · 320
HER → TLVA3 · 320
HER → TXL4U · 319
HER → ATHA3 · 321 DH4 320
HER → BODA3 · 320
HER → DMEA3 · 320
HER → DUSA3 · 320
HER → SKGA3 · 320
HER → HAJ4U · 319
HER → HAM4U · 319
HER → BRUA3 · 320
HER → CDGA3 · 320
HER → LEDA3 · 320
HER → RHOA3 · 320
HER → VIEA3 · 320
HER → BSLAB · 320
HER → GRZAB · 320
HER → SZGAB · 321
HER → DRSAB · 738
HER → HAMAB · 320
HER → LNZAB · 321
HER → DUSAB · 738 321 320
HER → NUEAB · 738
HER → TXLAB · 738 321
HER → VIEAB · 320 321
HER → LEJAB · 738
HER → MUCAB · 738 320
HER → ZRHAB · 320 319
HER → FRADE · 738 757
HER → DUSDE · 757
HER → HAMDE · 32S
HER → STRDE · 32S
HER → LCACY · 320
HER → HAJDE · 32S
HER → LEJDE · 32S
HER → MUCDE · 32S
HER → SXFDE · 32S
HER → ATHGQ · J41
HER → KGSGQ · J41
HER → RHOGQ · J41
HER → SZGHG · 321
HER → BRUHQ · 320 319
HER → LILHQ · 320 319
HER → AMSHV · 73H
HER → JIKGQ · J41
HER → MJTGQ · J41
HER → GRZHG · 320
HER → LNZHG · 321
HER → GRQHV · 73H
HER → VIEHG · 320 321
HER → RTMHV · 73H
HER → FRALH · 320
HER → MUCLH · 320
HER → GLALS · 73H
Hotels near HER

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City & Place Guide

Ancient Minoan heritage meets vibrant Mediterranean city life.

Heraklion is the capital and largest city of Crete, Greece, sitting on the island's northern coast. It blends a lively urban atmosphere with some of the most significant archaeological treasures in the entire Mediterranean world, drawing history lovers and beach seekers alike.

The city's Venetian-era walls, bustling harbor, and energetic market streets give it a distinct character that sets it apart from quieter Cretan towns. Museums, tavernas, and a thriving café culture make it easy to spend several rewarding days exploring both ancient ruins and modern Greek life.

  • •Palace of Knossos — legendary Minoan palace and Europe's oldest civilization center.
  • •Heraklion Archaeological Museum — world-class collection of Minoan artifacts and frescoes.
  • •Koules Fortress — iconic 16th-century Venetian sea fortress guarding the old harbor.
  • •1866 Street Market — lively open-air bazaar packed with local spices, cheese, and produce.
  • •Historical Museum of Crete — covers Byzantine through modern Cretan history with El Greco works.
  • •Morosini Fountain — ornate 17th-century Venetian landmark at the heart of Lions Square.

Getting around: Heraklion is compact enough to walk in the old center, but city buses (KTEL) efficiently connect the airport, bus terminal, and surrounding villages. Taxis are widely available and affordable; ride-hailing apps have limited presence, so street hails or hotel-arranged taxis are the norm. Renting a car or scooter is highly recommended for day trips to beaches and rural sites across Crete. There is no rail network on the island.

Best time: Late April through June and September through October offer warm, sunny weather with smaller crowds and lower prices than the peak summer months.

Local food: Try dakos (barley rusk with tomato and mizithra cheese), fresh grilled octopus at the harbor, slow-cooked lamb with stamnagathi greens, and local Cretan olive oil drizzled generously over everything.

This guide is provided for general information only. Verify details locally before making travel decisions.

Passport, Visa & Immigration

Flying internationally via HER? Check entry, transit and customs requirements for Greece from official government sources.

Greece visa & entry information →Embassy & consulate finder →

Entity data from open aviation datasets (OurAirports, OpenFlights) with AI-assisted editorial clearly marked. Always confirm time-sensitive details with the official airport website. Sources & verification