Rent a car in Heraklion Port by Apex Car Rentals

Rent a car in Heraklion Port and pick up your car at your point of arrival! Are you visiting Heraklion by sea?  Book your car online and benefit from our Heraklion port pickup service with no extra fee. Choose the car that best fits your needs and enjoy unlimited road trips through Crete’s amazing landscapes. Apex Car Rentals experts are available 24/7 to give you useful travel tips and assist with anything you may need during your stay!

5 reasons to rent a car in Heraklion Port

We always advise our customers to rent a car in Crete online and pick up their car hire on their arrival location for the following reasons:

1. Begin your vacation by the time you land on the beautiful island of Crete
2. Avoid waiting in queues while waiting to rent a car in Heraklion port rental station
3. Book in advance and make sure the car that you prefer will be available for rental
4. Carry your luggage to your hotel in the convenience of your own car
5. Enjoy the beautiful ride from the port to your hotel

About Heraklion Port

Heraklion’s port is located very close to the city center and approx. 3 km from the airport. The port can be split into two distinct parts: on the one hand, the more recent part of the port where ferry boats, cruise, and cargo ships come and go from and to other islands (such as Santorini) as well as the mainland (e.g. Pireaus port in Athens), and on the other hand, the old port area, adorned by the Venetian Fortress ‘Koules’ (aka Rocca a Mare) and offering shelter to the more charming sailing and fishing boats.

Heraklion Port History

The older part of the port holds a history dating back to Arab times in the 9th-10th century when it was used as a base for pirate raids. By the Venetian era, it had become the most important port in the Eastern Mediterranean boasting the largest export activity at the time and was known as the port of Candia. Following that, during Turkish occupation, it suffered serious damages but was still maintained as a key port with the fortress used to imprison Cretan rebels. Nowadays, there are tours within the castle and often exhibitions and cultural events are held there.

What to do in Heraklion Port

In the wider port area, one finds the passenger station building, parking lots, some restaurants and cafés as well as the customs offices. While walking from the ferry boat area towards the city (and older part of the port) isn’t exactly noteworthy, the stroll along with the Venetian port and (for those wanting to go the extra mile!) walking as far as the lighthouse which is approx. a 2 km walk can be a beautiful and invigorating activity.

In the Heraklion port vicinity, you can find Mc Donald’s, a bowling center, the main bus station, and just a 15-20min walk takes you into the city center where all shops and noteworthy sights are located. The Marina Café with an outlook to the fortress is also a landmark in itself with few changes made since the ’80s, it retains its charm from another era, although some may argue it is sorely in need of renovation and updating. However, nobody can argue that it has the best view to the Rocca a Mare.

How to reach Heraklion Port by car

Reaching the port area by car is very easy and there are multiple options for parking spaces in the vicinity. Apex Car Rentals would be more than happy to arrange your pick up or drop off at your selected place of convenience so don’t hesitate to contact us now.