Book cheap flights to Heraklion

The best time for a Mediterranean vacation in Heraklion is between May and early October. It is deliciously sunny, and the water beckons to be basked in. If your sole reason for visiting the city is sightseeing, the months of April, May, October and early November would be the perfect time. By European standards, the weather is still quite warm during this time, but it is not unusual to experience some rain. Make sure to pack warm clothing. For cheap flights to Heraklion, plan your island trip for September and October. There is no guarantee, but the city can excite locals and tourists with great weather during the first three weeks of October.

South African passport holders need a valid passport and a Schengen visa to travel to Heraklion and Greece. Application forms need to be completed and submitted at the Greece Visa Application Centres in Johannesburg, Cape Town or Durban. Your passport should be valid for a period of at least 3 months beyond the last intended day in Heraklion. Ensure that there are at least 2 blank pages in your passport. Passports may not be older than 10 years.

There are no mandatory vaccines required for travelling to Heraklion. However, travellers are advised to have their routine vaccinations done before their trip. Vaccines to be done include measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine, varicella (chickenpox vaccine, polio vaccine and a yearly flu shot. The food and water is safe, but travellers visiting for short periods are encouraged to drink bottled water.

There are two public hospitals located in the city. Pharmacies are also highly revered. Pharmacists are well equipped to assist tourists with minor medical complaints.

The city is considered very safe; the main concerns are traffic, stray dogs and jellyfish in the ocean. Precautions to take when touring the city:

• Take care of your belongings in public spaces as pick-pocketing can occur in crowded spaces and on the transportation system.

• Take note of which areas to avoid at night.

• Be alert of fake taxis.

• Do not carry large sums of cash.

• Do not keep your wallet or phone on the table at cafés or restaurants.